Chapter 2

CHAPTER 2

I pulled the back door shut quietly and made my way In between alleyways to get to the banquet. 

The alleys were quiet, not a single person in sight. 

Thr gush of wind that blew past had me wrapping my arms around nyself to ease the cold. 

“Find your mate. It’s your only means to escape” Mother’s words echoed in my head for the umpteenth time

 The town hall was a good mile and a half away, but I needed the walk, needed the cold air to clear my head, to reassure myself before stepping into a banquet where I might end up getting humiliated. 

I walked fast, my beloved sneakers crunching against the stones, the small, hand-woven bracelet clutched securely in the pocket of my faded jeans. 

The moon, not yet full, cast a silver glow over the familiar path that led away from the pack outskirts and toward the town center.

“No one hunts for a mate in a rag like that”.

I squeezed my eyes shut against the unwelcome echo. My mate wouldn't care. He couldn't care. If he rejected me based on a faded shirt and secondhand sneakers, he wouldn't be the kind of mate I needed to save me from this life.

The pack lands bordered a dense, ancient forest. The main road cut cleanly between the woods and the cleared fields, but as a shortcut, many wolves took a smaller, less-used trail that skirted the forest edge. It shaved off fifteen minutes, and I desperately needed that time.

I stepped onto the dirt path. It was quiet… too quiet. Usually, there would be the distant howl of a wolf, the chirping of crickets, or the sound of a late running vehicle. Tonight, there was only the sound of my own quickening breath.

A sharp smell suddenly stung the air.

 My nose wrinkled instinctively. It was blood, and it was fresh.

My pace faltered. My wolf, a tiny, terrified thing I barely acknowledged, whimpered in the back of my mind. We were taught the dangers of the woods, the threat of Rogue wolves who had been cast out, driven mad, and who attacked without reason.

I tried to rationalize it. Maybe it was a deer, wounded by a hunter.

 Maybe a fox.

But the scent was too strong. One  I knew instinctively was not from a normal forest animal. It was the scent of an enraged, unchained wolf. A Rogue.

My heart hammered against my ribs, suddenly loud enough to drown out everything else. I stopped dead.

Run, Freya. Run!

I didn't have time to turn back. I was closer to the town hall now than the way I came.

"Keep moving," I whispered to myself, forcing one foot in front of the other, trying to keep my movements silent.

Almost immediately, I heard a movement. 

 

I froze, scanning the wall of trees beside me. 

Nothing. 

Then from behind, a shape emerged. It was massive, much larger than any average pack wolf.

 Its fur was dark, its eyes glowed with a terrifying, mindless hunger. Saliva dripped from its bared teeth. 

It was an unmistakable Rogue, and it was staring right at me.

Panic locked my muscles. I couldn't run. I couldn't scream.

The Rogue didn't hesitate. It let out a chilling snarl and launched itself out of the trees, covering the ground between us in two powerful attempts 

My survival instinct took over as adrenaline busted within. 

I threw myself sideways, hitting the dirt path hard just as the Rogue’s huge jaw snapped shut where my head had been moments before.

I scrambled backward, a desperate, whimpering sound escaping my throat. 

The Rogue turned, its chest visibly heaving. 

It was preparing for a second, killing lunge. I closed my eyes, bracing myself for what’s to come.

Except, nothing did

Ânother presence filled the forest, accompanied by a deafening snarl.

A new scent laced with dominance immediately flooded the air. 

A second, even larger wolf,  slammed into the Rogue with scary force.

The next minute was only sounds of snarls, growls and tearing flesh.

 The grey wolf fought with a brutality. It was clearly a high-ranking wolf, perhaps an Alpha or Beta. 

Frozen in terror and disbelief, I watched as the grey wolf, with a final movement, bit hard into the rogue neck. 

The Rogue immediately fell limp, letting out a final, pathetic whine before collapsing onto the ground.

The grey wolf stood over the lifeless body of the rogue wolf, its breath coming in deep gasps.

 Then, slowly, it lifted its head and its gaze landed directly on me.

It was the most terrifying, yet strangely captivating, moment of my life.

 I couldn't move. I just returned the stare. 

After seconds of holding stares, I blinked

I don’t feel anything. It’s not him

He’s not my mate

On the other hand, his eyes widened slightly as they studied me then narrowed

Now fully turned back to human form, he took a step towards me. 

I was still huddled in the dirt, bruised and a little shaky. 

I did careful scrutiny of his features. He appeared huge even in this form, easily six foot three tall, broad chest and shoulders. 

His chest was bare. Every muscle was defined, his skin tone, warm. His jawline was defined, his dark hair fell in heavy waves, brushing the nape of his neck. His eyes were a piercing molten gold, his lashes impossibly long

I scrambled to my feet. I proceeded to strike â conversation. This man had just saved my life, I should show just how appreciative I am.

I reached into the back of my pockets to retrieve the wrapped bracelets I initially intended to give to my mate. 

My words caught in my throat when I saw the way his eyes ran over me yet again. This time, it was devoid of any warmth. 

They were cold, annoyed, hostile. 

I held my breath; it was the look of a predator assessing an unworthy creature it had simply happened to protect.

“Have I done something wrong?” I wanted to ask

Then, without a sound, he turned away. 

"Wait!" The word came out as a choked squeak.

I ignored the stinging pain in my palms and knees as I made the attempt to run after him. I couldn't let him leave. Not after all the risk he took because of me

It’d have taken him nothing to Leave me and let the rogue deal with me whichever way he decides to. 

“Please!” 

I started running after him, tearing down the narrow dirt path. He was moving quickly and silently.

His size made his strides long and effortless, while I was left awkwardly bounding, my lungs already screaming for air.

“Stop! Just a second!”

My foot caught on a thick, exposed root.

My body pitched forward, and I landed heavily, a harsh grunt escaping my lips as the air was knocked from my lungs. 

I scraped my chin and cried out softly. 

I stayed there, gasping, my sight blurring with frustrated tears. 

He didn't slow.

He didn't pause.

He didn't even turn his head.

I lay there for a long moment, clutching the bracelet. 

Suddenly, the thought of the banquet, the town hall, and the presence of my father and step-brothers brought a renewed spike of panic.

 I had wasted precious time. The clock was ticking. 

I still had to find my mate. The one I’d feel the pull to

With a ragged, broken sob, I forced myself to stand, dusting the dirt off my faded jeans. The Rogue was dead, but the fear of the Crescent Pack was still very much alive. I had to continue.

I shoved the bracelet back into my pocket, turning my back on the forest and started running once more toward the lights of the distant town hall.