Jane |18+| ✔️

8. The time unfathomable realization sunk me Further

Jane

The question shakes me with a smile. "Alpha Silas, I am not running," I sigh with hopefulness streaming through my veins. "I'm living," I begin selecting my words carefully. I only have one chance at this... I have to get it right. "It took a while for me to see that I was idling. Standing still in my life – wasting it away. Too afraid of the unknowns..." I pause, lowering my eyes when I find his too intense and raw as he keenly listens to every word I speak. "...too damn sick and tired of being used and feeling unacknowledged. My life was on an endless loop of nothingness – day in, day out – until the last bit of what I thought was a shard of pleasure shattered, being a fabricated notion due to my naïveté."

I smile, meeting his eyes once again. "It was my breaking moment – or perhaps – my awakening. I packed up the little bit of items I own, bought the only car I could afford and left the only region I had ever known – leaving everything else behind. I was tired of the memories that lingered and plagued my mind around every corner. Of the meaningless routine that was draining my soul. I was ready to face the unknown. I owed no one a goodbye or explanation, Alpha. I can see how you would assume I was running when I accidentally stumbled upon your land. But I assure you," his curious expression making me smile shyly, "I wasn't fleeing. I am simply starting over."

Lowering my eyes, I nod, feeling I have explained myself well.

The looming silence stretches to the point that I look up and over the courtroom, wondering if everyone has vacated. To my surprise and uncomfortableness, all eyes are turned toward me. "Miss Albright?" the tone is all but brash as I lock my sights on the Alpha once again. "Although your story is endearing and somewhat believable, our findings tell a different rendition." With furrowed brows, I gauge the shifter with malice.

"I'm telling the truth. I have nothing to hide. I'm a law-abiding human who decided she needed a change—"

"You purposely drove onto my land. Your map," he holds up the folded atlas, "clearly states my boundaries, and you marked the route with a red sharpie plotting your intent to travel across my territory."

"No, I didn't," I maintain. "At least I didn't mean to," I backpedal my argumentative tone. "My intentions are pure and of no ill intent toward you or your people. I want no trouble, just to be sent on my way, Alpha." His smirk returns, the one he gave me several times last night.

"Had you stopped and thought for a mere moment instead of rashly packing up the very few belongings you own and researched the repercussions of abruptly fleeing," my eyes narrow at his wording, "you would have realized you need to file for permission and receive acceptance before venturing to any part of the north. It's how my territory works."

"No!" I fire back as the room gasps and huffs with indignation. "My shifter teachings and upbringing at no point stated I needed permission to venture down, through and onto human-zoned areas or thruways anywhere within my country." My lips tremble as I continue to have a stare-off with the amused Alpha. "I was careful—I always am. I know my place and where I stand within our society. I simply was trying to start over in one of your designated human metropolitans." The heat in my tone lowers with every word I speak. "Forgive me, Alpha."

As my eyes sank downwards, the room settles into silence. "Set me free, and I swear you will never see me again, Alpha," I meekly add after minutes of awkward hush. The hum of discontent has my eyes flicking slightly toward the highest-ranked individual in the room. He's not giving anything away, but I feel panic come over me like a tidal wave.

"You don't speak like a twenty-year-old." He leans back, folding his arms while cocking his head. I remain quiet as it wasn't a question. "And it's my Alpha," he reprimands me. This actually has my blood somewhat boiling. He's purposely playing with me. He said he had one question before I was sentenced, yet here we are, back and forth, like a game of tug-of-war. I press my luck on a whim, knowing it could go either way, but I need to get out of here as soon as possible.