Chapter four

An Offer Neither Wanted

Lynnek walked until her legs could carry her no farther.

The sun had begun to set, painting the sky in shades of orange and crimson. She found shelter beneath the crumbling remains of an old hunter's cabin. It wasn't much, but it would keep the cold away for the night.

She lit a small fire and wrapped her arms around her knees.

For the first time since her mother's funeral, she allowed herself to cry.

Not because she had been banished.

Not because she had lost her title.

But because her own father had chosen silence over his daughter.

"I'll make them regret it," she whispered into the flames.

A twig snapped outside.

Lynnek was on her feet in an instant, dagger drawn.

"Show yourself."

Four warriors emerged from the shadows.

They wore black leather armor marked with the silver wolf crest of the Blackstone Pack.

Behind them walked the man she had hoped never to see again.

Miguel.

His piercing blue eyes settled on her.

"I see you're still alive."

She rolled her eyes.

"Disappointed?"

"Not at all."

"What do you want?"

Miguel looked around the abandoned cabin before answering.

"You can't stay here."

"I wasn't asking for your opinion."

"You'll be dead before sunrise."

"I'll take my chances."

One of Miguel's warriors stepped forward.

"Mind your tongue! You're speaking to Alpha—"

Miguel raised a hand.

The warrior fell silent immediately.

"I can answer for myself."

His gaze returned to Lynnek.

"There are more rogues moving through these woods than usual."

"So?"

"So they're hunting someone."

Lynnek frowned.

"And you think it's me?"

"I know it is."

Before she could respond, another warrior rushed into the clearing.

"Alpha!"

He was breathing hard.

"We found them."

Miguel's expression hardened.

"How many?"

"At least twenty rogues. They're heading this way."

Lynnek's eyes widened.

Twenty?

Miguel turned to her.

"You have two choices."

"I'm listening."

"You come with me..."

He paused.

"...or you stay here and fight twenty rogues alone."

Lynnek hated that he had a point.

She hated it even more that she was considering it.

Just as she opened her mouth to answer, a long, chilling howl echoed through the forest.

Then another.

And another.

The ground trembled beneath dozens of approaching paws.

"They're here," one of the warriors warned.

Miguel stepped in front of Lynnek without hesitation.

His body became a shield between her and the darkness beyond the trees.

She frowned.

"I don't need your protection."

Without looking back, he replied,

"Perhaps not."

His voice remained calm.

"But they'll have to get through me first."

Lynnek blinked.

Why would a man who barely knew her risk his life?

The bushes exploded as rogue wolves burst into the clearing from every direction.

There were more than twenty.

Their leader stepped forward, shifting into human form.

A scar ran across his face.

His smile was cruel.

"There she is," he sneered, pointing at Lynnek.

"The girl with the royal blood."

Miguel's eyes narrowed.

"You know her?"

The rogue laughed.

"Oh, Alpha Miguel... you have no idea who you've decided to protect."

Silence fell over the clearing.

Then the rogue spoke the words that changed everything.

"She's worth more alive than dead."

Miguel slowly turned his head toward Lynnek.

For the first time...

He realized there was much more to the fallen Luna than a stolen title.

End of Chapter Four