Chapter 4

I knew that voice. It wasn't the voice of someone with good intentions. I'd traveled through countless packs delivering herbs and letters. I'd crossed paths with rogues before—fought them, been wounded by them, even killed them.

That was the voice of a rogue werewolf... or a trafficker.

Without looking back, I bolted into the forest. It gave chase.

A hungry growl echoed behind me, eager for the hunt. My instincts were correct.

A ROGUE WEREWOLF.

I bolted deeper into the woods, ignoring the leaves that lashed against my skin. My feet pounded the rain-soaked earth, sending muddy water splashing up my legs.

The ground was slippery, but I didn't care.

"You can't run from me, cupcake. Tough human." The rogue's sarcastic voice rang out behind me, growling. My eyes widened. He was so close. Why wasn't I moving as fast as I expected?

A werewolf could easily cover over a hundred kilometers without breaking a sweat. I'd barely made it ten before my legs screamed in protest. So this... this was what being human felt like.

A narrow trail came into view. Without hesitation, I followed it. Just when I thought I'd finally be escaping, something massive slammed into me. I couldn't see what it was, but it was as solid as a rock. It was massive, cloaked in black fur. It didn't even give me time to stagger. I was sent flying, my back hitting a tree with tremendous force.

Crack!

I heard something, but I slowly brought my hands to my head. Warm blood coated my fingertips.

And that was it.

Slowly, my eyelids became heavy, and I watched my life slipping away from me.

So this is it? This is how I die?

Being ruined by my sister, losing my unborn child, and becoming wolfless.

If this was the Moon Goddess's punishment for cursing her... so be it.

"I'd rather die than worship you again," I hissed weakly before darkness swallowed me whole.

**************

Eyes. That was what I felt.

Although I was no longer a werewolf, I felt eyes piercingly staring into my soul.

My eyes snapped open, but I blinked, trying to grasp the environment I was in. The sharp sunlight stabbed my eyes, and I immediately shut them.

My head was on the verge of exploding. I doubted I would survive. Was this the kind of pain humans felt? How did they survive a single day?

The wounds on my body were still fresh. I could feel them. Unlike wolves, we heal within minutes.

But this! I tried to swallow, but it caught painfully in my throat.

I thought I felt someone's presence. My eyes wandered around, and it turned out I was lying on something soft.

Ohh great... a bed!

A bed! I survived. The last time I remembered, something slammed into me and knocked me out. Where was I?

I clutched the bedsheet for support and stood up slowly, placing my back against the wall. My vision turned black immediately, and I almost fell back onto the bed.

But I needed to stay strong and adjust to my human body.

I opened my eyes softly, trying to adjust to the environment, and I squinted in perplexity.

Where the fuck am I?

I blinked several times, allowing my vision to adjust. The room was larger than any bedroom I'd ever seen. Cream-colored walls, polished hardwood floors, and sleek oak furniture gave it a quiet elegance. A soft breeze drifted through the slightly opened curtains, carrying the faint scent of fresh flowers from outside.

Where exactly was I? This doesn't seem like Ronan's pack or anything.

Anyone who crossed their pack border couldn't survive. Exiting your pack meant running away from a great shield. But how come I'm alive, lying on a bed, and... wait...

My eyes slowly darted to my body. In a swift movement, I pulled the covers away and saw I was clad in different clothes.

What? They changed my clothes?

Who are these people? I need to find out somehow.

I scrambled out of the bed, placing my feet on the cold, reflective marble floor.

"Sikeeee!" A yelp escaped my lips at how cold the floor was.

Nevertheless, I placed both feet down and took another step, then another, until I registered the coldness.

Just when I moved close to the door, it suddenly flew open, and my eyes widened in horror.

Everything went eerily silent as I stared at the man before me.

My heartbeat came to a screeching halt.

"Ronan!!!!!!!!"

My vision blurred for a second, and my legs gave in. I fell with a thud onto the cold marble floor, my eyes locked on the creature before me.

Slowly, he strode in meticulously, cold and dangerous, his eyes holding no ounce of remorse. No... this wasn't real.

Was I hallucinating? Maybe I'm seeing things. This... this... is a dream.

This doesn't seem like Ronan's pack.

He halted in front of me, his hand gently grabbing my chin. His emerald-green eyes pierced through my soul like an underworld keeper judging me, searching through my soul for even the slightest sin.

Emerald-green eyes?

Ronan doesn't have emerald-green eyes.

"Ronan? You wish, ex-Luna." He grinned coldly.

His voice carried no emotion. My heart skipped a beat at how cold it was, and for some reason, a weird sensation spread through my body. I didn't like the way I reacted.

"Zenaya," he breathed.

My hands went numb from the chill in the way he called my name.

"What have you done now? First it was your sister, and now you? You two sisters, you are more related in crime than by blood."

His pupils narrowed.

Wait... so this is not Ronan... Wait... what's going on here?

Now that I think of it, he really has the same striking resemblance as Ronan, but he's not Ronan. Unlike Ronan, who's a demi-god, the man before me looked like a god.

The man before me was breathtakingly handsome. Towering with a broad, well-built frame, he carried himself with quiet authority. His waist-length raven-black hair flowed freely down his back, a few loose strands falling across his face and partially concealing his striking emerald-green eyes. A sharp jawline, a pointed nose, and naturally crimson lips completed his flawless features. Clad in a long black leather coat, matching boots, and a dagger strapped to his side, he looked every bit the powerful Alpha.

Realizing I'd been blinking too much, I immediately looked away, my cheeks burning with intense redness, and his lips curved upward.

"You are nothing like your sister. What did you do for my twin brother to cast you out?" His gaze turned glacial.

His twin... what?