The two girls spent the afternoon in the city, walking in the centre and eating dinner at a fast food place.

«These things stink,» Lucretia complained. «How do human girls manage to eat it?»

«For once, I agree,» Amanda replied. «But it’s not like we can afford more than this without using your credit card.»

«They’ll find us immediately. We should resist until tomorrow… Then, we can simply go back or wait for my brother’s men to come to fetch us.»

«I’ll get in trouble, won’t I?»

«Why?»

«Lucretia, you’ll just be scolded for a minute and two… I will be grounded by my parents… Not to mention what Alpha Luciano will do to someone bringing his sister out of the pack’s quarters like that.»

«You didn’t bring me,» the girl pouted. «I walked on my own two feet.»

«Won’t make any difference.»

«Whatever, I didn’t force you to.»

«Figures. But how could I leave you alone like that? You would have died of hunger already if not for me.»

«I am not a total idiot. I know how to survive among humans…»

«Yeah, sure. That’s why you wanted to run away. Because you know well enough how difficult human life can be. Especially without money.»

«Don’t cross the limit, Amanda!»

«What limit?»

«Ah…»

Without reply, Lucretia got up and walked out of the restaurant, just half of her sandwich eaten.

«Wait…» Lucretia moved her nose up, sniffing the air. There was something familiar close to them.

The two girls were walking in the night, looking for a place to sleep. They followed that new yet familiar scent until losing it for a moment.

«Oh, damn it, what could it be? It’s so bad in the city…»

«You can’t follow scents in cities, Lucretia. The pollution gets in the way, and there are way too many aromas to track people.»

«People? Is this a person?»

«Yes. Can’t you tell who it is?»

«I am not a seer.»

«What the heck, you went looking for trouble from her just a few days ago!»

«Oh, right!» Lucretia said, «it’s that woman! Renato’s current lover!»

«So, you really have no clue…»

«About what?»

«Nothing… We shouldn’t go looking for her, Lucretia. She has her life here, and this is also the territory of her pack.»

«Wait, so she’s really from Norwich? But who could it be? Moreover, she seemed to know her deal at the Tech Fair…»

«She sure did.»

«Who are the women working in their engineering department, though? Norwich is quite confidential with their inner structure…»

«But you know about that Omega thing.»

«It’s just an intuition. No real proof anywhere regarding that. Moreover, Woods and Murphy get along so well that it’s difficult to believe that one is an Alpha and the other an Omega.»

«I find it weird, still.»

«Where is that woman, oh…»

«We really shouldn’t, Lucretia. I have the feeling we’ll get even more in trouble if we find her. Isn’t it better to continue roaming around in secret? Woods will know about us if someone from his pack sees us. That’s too dangerous, isn’t it?»

«Nah… We’ll run away in time. Back then, I couldn’t do anything because we were in public… Now, we don’t have to hurry, do we?»

«Are you planning to carry out a sneak attack on her? What for, for the Moon Goddess? Has she done anything to you, ah?»

«She thinks she’s all that good just because she’s with your brother. Doesn’t that make you annoyed as well? Moreover, he spends more time with her than with you. She’d better learn her place.»

«But you don’t know absolutely anything about her!»

«No, but I don’t really care. Just, it’s time she stops her games. The information brought by your brother – if any – hasn’t helped us much. It won’t be bad if he stops seeing her altogether.»

«You’re just doing it for yourself, not for the pack and even less for my brother!»

«So what? Don’t I have the right to aim at him? This woman is no good, and our packs are currently at war. Renato will open his eyes, sooner than later, and come back to us. When that happens, I’ll show him that there’s no one better for him than someone he has known since forever.»

Lucretia stopped her walk, sniffing in two directions and choosing one after thorough thought. Amanda was having difficulties following the trace, as feeble as they were. Yet, the female wolf next to her was too stubborn to let go.

«She’s nearby.»

«You’re just like a hunting dog. You found your prey and won’t turn around until you’ve hunted it down. I’m quite concerned for your sanity, Lu.»

«Don’t call me Lu. I’m not one of your loser friends.»

«No, but Lucretia is too long of a name. And we risk getting exposed as people from Mayford. You’re your brother’s sister, after all.»

«What shall I call you, then?»

«My name is normal and won’t attract attention.»

«You need one. I don’t want to be the only idiot.»

«Just call me Mandy, then. Now, let’s go and get it over with. I have a feeling that our adventure is going to end sooner than you think.»

«Why?»

«Just saying.»

«She’s a few steps from us.»

«Yes, I can smell it too now. But still, we should go back and find a hotel for the night. It’s not a bright idea, Lucretia.»

«You just said you would call me Lu.»

«I knew you liked it,» Amanda giggled.

«Don’t stray from the topic. What shall we do? It might be easier to attack her without warning and, when she’s surprised and confused, strike.»

«Oh, we’re getting into so much trouble… Why do you even care to hurt a person you don’t know anything about? Not even the name!»

«Shut up, weirdo. She’s my enemy, and her pack is against our pack. It’s only fair if we fight.»

«You will get hurt.»

«I’m the strongest among the females in our pack. What do you think a random woman could do to me, ah?»