Chapter One

(Tyra's POV)

I took a step back, examining the patient I just bandaged. "You'll have to rest for a few days before you get back on the field," I explained to him, taking my gloves off. He groaned. I didn't even need to look at him to know what he was about to say.

"I'm a werewolf, I'll heal. I'm going to be fine."

There it is. If only these arrogant warriors listened for once, maybe, just maybe, I wouldn't be so stressed. I sighed, writing him off to be discharged. I've had enough arguments today.

He grinned before limping out of the room. I followed him out to the waiting area. I glanced around. That was the last patient. I yawned, exhaustion finally kicking in. Judging by today's casualties, today's defeat wasn't going to stop Master Ronald from attacking other packs. It hadn’t stopped him after the last two losses either.

I headed to my office. Being the only werewolf with actual medical training had earned me the title of head doctor. The other "nurses" were really just maids Master Ronald had shoved into the infirmary.

"Doctor, I think I broke my rib!"

I turned around, scanning the room till my eyes landed on Jordyn. I laughed as Jordyn clutched her chest dramatically. "What are you doing?"

"I'm having a life-threatening crisis here." She had a hand on her chest. "Your rib is lower," I corrected. She just shrugged, walking up to me and putting an arm around my shoulder.

"You look like shit. If only Ronald would take a break from all the fighting," she mumbled. "Lower your voice. It's Master Ronald." I hushed her. "What? Just because I didn't put a fancy title on his name? I'm not the one running around with a secret boyfriend. I think you should be more worried about yourself."

I snapped my head up at her, a frown on my face. "Mike and I are—"

"You know if Ronald finds out, he won't hesitate to kill you. Doctor or not. And considering the fact you rejected his advances..."

"Are you off duty already?"

"You're changing the topic. I'm gonna let you. And yes, I'm not a maid all day," Jordyn rolled her eyes. "I'm off. The hospital smell's making me nauseous." She let go of me and turned to leave. "And get some rest."

I didn't reply. I just headed straight for my office, locking the door behind me. I took a deep breath.

I removed the mask on my chin. Master Ronald surely wouldn't execute his only doctor. Without me, half the pack would have died already. But then again, dating wasn't allowed. It's not like we're a real pack anyway. We're just a bunch of outcasts, rogues, that Master Ronald took in. He's also an outcast.

According to the rumours, he was a powerful alpha who'd been exiled by his mate and pack for abusing his power. Whether the rumours are true or not, the Master Ronald I knew wasn't exactly helping his own case.

I'm also an outcast, wolfless, couldn't shift and without parents. My stepmother didn't seem to care that I was exiled.

A knock snapped me out of my thoughts. I unlocked the door and opened it. Mike immediately walked in, engulfing me in a hug. I relaxed, hugging him back. "I missed you," he muttered, burying his face in my neck.

"I'm just glad I didn't see you in the hospital today."

He let go of me, taking a step back. My eyes ran over him, checking for any injuries. "How's your shoulder?" I held his arm. He'd dislocated his shoulder a few nights ago during an attack. "It's all better. Thanks." He stared at me. "Did you eat?"

"I've been busy."

"You need to eat and rest."

"Yeah, Jordyn said the same."

"And let me guess, she still doesn't like me—"

"She doesn't like the idea of 'us'," I corrected.

Mike sighed. He ran a hand through his dark hair. "You know I wouldn't let anything bad happen to you."

"Yeah..."

"Tyra, we've talked about this." He stepped closer. "I know, Mike. You care about me." I held his hand. He let out a breath, pulling me closer. "I don't want us to end."

I pressed my lips into a thin line. Mike cupped my face in his palm. "Is this because you're wolfless? I already told you, I don't care, you still matter."

"Yeah, I know, Mike."

He let out a small smile before leaning his forehead against mine. "Let's go for a swim in the lake a little after midnight."

"Your shoulder—"

"Tyra."

"Okay, okay. Fine," I laughed. Mike smiled, his lips landing on mine. He wrapped his arms around my waist, lifting me up and setting me down on my desk, knocking a few things off.

"Mike—"

He kissed my jaw. "No one's here, Tyra. Just..." he trailed kisses down my neck.

The door opened. The smell of blood and dirt filled the air. I shoved Mike back, quickly getting off my desk. Master Ronald's gaze flickered between me and Mike.

Mike stepped forward, his head lowered. "The doctor said I'm okay—"

The rest of the words were sent back down his throat as Master Ronald pushed him aside. Master Ronald didn't even spare Mike another glance. His heavy footsteps echoed across the office until they stopped in front of me. My hands trembled. He yanked my hair back. I winced.

"Doctor Tyra..."

"Master Ronald, please, I—"

My head snapped to the side as pain burned across my face. His hand closed around my throat. "I let you off one time and this is how you repay me? Seducing my warriors?"

Mike interrupted. "Master Ronald, she didn't—"

"I didn't ask you to talk, did I?"

Mike mumbled an apology, lowering his gaze. Master Ronald let go of me. I coughed.

He looked me over as though deciding what to do next. "Wolfless and still can't follow simple orders. Go get the silver." He turned to Mike.

"Please, no. I'll never do—"

Master Ronald didn't even look at me.

"And get the guards. Lock her up. Tomorrow at dawn, everyone will see the consequences of disobedience."

He walked out.

***

I sat on the cold concrete floor of the cell. The once red brick walls were now green and mossy due to the damp atmosphere in the dungeon. My fate had already been decided. Tomorrow, at dawn, I was to be killed. I had already been injected with silver to weaken me. I didn’t have a wolf, but I was still a werewolf.

I rested my head on the wall, tears welled up in my eyes. I felt the images of the life we'd planned together disappear. I should've just followed the rules. Jordyn was right, even though I am a doctor, Ronald wouldn't think twice before executing me.

The sounds of footsteps echoed through the dark hallway followed by the piercing noise of my cell door opening. Was Mike here to say goodbye? Is Ronald letting me go? Master Ronald would never let a prisoner go free. What a silly thought.

"And to think I wouldn't meet you sobbing like a baby." Jordyn leaned on the silver bars, her arms folded. The leather jacket she wore protected her skin. "I guess I'm still not as tough as you," a dry smile spread across my lips.

"Hurry, Master Ronald is out attacking Springfield Pack with the other warriors. Just the maids and a few guards are around." She pulled me up. "I can't escape," I frowned slightly, taking a step back. "Okay, die then." She turned, walking out of my cell.

Escaping would put us both in danger. I don't like where this is going.

"Wait!"

"Changed your mind so soon?" She smirked.

"What's your plan?"

She reached into her back pocket and brought out a key. "There’s a door down the dungeon, it leads into the forest. Don't get distracted by the smell of rotten bodies." She folded the key into my palm.

"What?"

"As soon as you're out of the pack boundaries, head west, you'll be safe there."

My brows creased. "What about you?"

Our heads snapped towards the winding stairs as footsteps approached. "I can't leave yet." Jordyn moved away from me.

"Jordyn, no. We're leaving together. No objections." I grabbed her hand, dragging us towards the end of the dungeon. Jordyn yanked out of my grip. "I have to stay back—

"Master Ronald will kill you—"

Two large figures appeared behind Jordyn. "Get the prisoner."

They charged at us but Jordyn pushed me away before facing them.

I stumbled a few steps back, falling to my knees.

Jordyn tried holding them off. "Just run, Tyra. Run!"

It took all the remaining strength in me to stand up and sprint towards the door. My hands were shaky as I tried to fit the key in the keyhole. It slipped from my fingers a few times, the noise echoed in the darkness. By the time I'd unlocked the door, I couldn't hear Jordyn's grunts anymore.

I paused. My hand on the knob.

Hurried footsteps bounced off the walls.

I twisted the knob. I was immediately greeted by the pungent smell of rotting flesh. My legs moved before I could think. The ground felt uneven beneath my feet. I stumbled a few times, my hands landing on soft soil.

It was dark but the moonlight shone brightly, allowing me to make out the path.

"Get her!"

"She's over there!"

I looked back. The two guards were right behind. I stumbled again. I looked down, a shriek escaped my lips as what I fell on registered in my head. I quickly stood up, heading further into the forest. I heard more footsteps. At that moment, I felt a rush of adrenaline. I pushed myself into a sprint.

Grunts and clothes ripping as some wolves shifted filled the crisp night air. An arrow rushed past me.

Fallen tree branches caught on my gown, ripping pieces away. Branches scraped my exposed arms, leaving cuts and bruises. At this rate, they were going to track me through the smell of my blood.

I felt dizzy. Little dots painted the darkness ahead. There has to be someone. Another arrow struck into a tree nearby. I tripped on a stone, rolling down a small hill. I took a few breaths before getting back up. My steps wobbled as the dots became clearer.

Voices.

People.

I pushed through the branches.

I felt a sharp pain in my stomach. I glanced down. The shiny head of the arrow was sticking out of me. I groaned, a hand flying to my stomach as blood soaked the area.

I stumbled a few times, making my way out of the forest. My vision blurred.

"Hel— help me," I croaked at the figures in front of me. One moved quickly. Before he could get to me, my vision black out.