Chapter 5

—Rhea—

I rushed out of the main hall. After leaving the building, I looked back one last time, then ran quickly away from the pack's center.

The main road in the center of the Sollene pack was quiet, with only a few people passing by. Most were probably in the hall for the Luna's coronation.

I kept running toward the edge of the pack and stopped when I found a quiet, empty spot.

I looked around. The grand, tall buildings from the center were gone. Here, only simple houses stood, spaced far apart.

I knew this was still a village in the Sollene pack's territory, but it was right on the border. Beyond it were the forest and the free lands.

I paused for a moment, thinking this would be the best place to stay while I made plans. Since this area was still part of the Sollene Pack, I could gather information easily without sneaking past the guards. Plus, I knew someone here.

I moved on, walking quietly through the night toward the most hidden house. Thick trees surrounded it, making it a perfect hiding place.

I knocked quickly on the wooden door. There was only silence and no answer. I knocked again, louder this time.

A moment later, the door opened. A middle-aged man stepped out, looking cautious.

"Good evening, Uncle Bram. Sorry to bother you," I said with a smile.

He froze in surprise and stared at me from head to toe. His lips trembled. "R-Rhea…?"

I nodded. Uncle Bram hugged me right away, full of emotion and longing.

"Where have you been, Rhe? Come on, get inside."

I stepped inside quickly. Uncle Bram looked around before closing the door.

The house felt the same as always. It looked small and simple from the outside, but inside, it was cozy.

I sat near the fireplace while Uncle Bram went to the kitchen to warm up some soup.

I had lived here for a long time. After my parents died, Uncle Bramwell took care of me. He was my mother's only sibling.

Uncle Bram's wife, Aunt Anne, was from this village. Uncle Bram had always been adventurous. He left the Silver Shadow Pack to become a Rogue and find freedom. Only after meeting his mate did he settle here.

Sadly, Uncle Bram and Aunt Anne never had children, so they cared for me deeply. When tragedy struck my family, I was with them and escaped the massacre that killed my parents and older brother.

From then on, Uncle Bram raised me. When I was old enough, he taught me how to shift and survive.

After Aunt Anne died, I chose to wander and become a Rogue. Uncle Bram stayed here out of love and to keep his promise to her.

"Come here, Rhe. Eat the soup while it's still hot."

I went to the dining room and ate the soup Uncle Bram gave me.

"Now, tell me. What have you been through since you left, Rhe?" Uncle Bram asked as we sat by the fireplace.

I told him about my adventures as a rogue. I had lost count of the fights I'd been in, living in that wild world. Only the strong survived, and I used everything Uncle Bram taught me.

Uncle Bram smiled with pride as he listened, but his brow furrowed when I mentioned sneaking into the center of the Sollene Pack and getting caught.

"So, this isn't your first time in the Sollene Pack since you started wandering?"

I shook my head and told him about my recent experiences, including how Alpha Callum was my mate but rejected me, which brought me back here.

"So, why did you sneak into the center of the pack?"

"I was looking for my best friend, Uncle. I heard she was captured by the Sollene Pack's patrol. But I was the one who got caught instead," I said, frustrated.

Uncle Bram smiled. "Maybe that's the path the Moon Goddess chose for you, so you could meet your mate."

I pouted at his words. He just laughed and ruffled my hair.

"You naughty girl. But why didn't you accept Alpha Callum's rejection? You could find another mate who would accept you."

I went quiet. I couldn't tell him this was my second life, a gift from the Moon Goddess. I couldn't say I had died before. It would break Uncle's heart.

"I don't know, Uncle. I'm just curious why he rejected me. I didn't see any hatred in his eyes. I feel like he's hiding something," I said, making an excuse.

Uncle Bram just nodded quietly. Suddenly, I felt something strange. A deep chill hit me, and my wolf trembled and howled loudly, as if in pain.

Uncle Bram, sitting near me, noticed my trembling. He turned to me, suddenly panicked and scared.

"Rhe, what's wrong, dear?"