Rouge Tracker

I stood in the center of the Pack House courtyard, surrounded by every wolf in Silver Ridge. My heart pounded so hard I could barely hear the music playing in the background.Tonight was supposed to be perfect.Tonight, Kael would confirm our fated mate bond in front of everyone. Tonight, I would officially become the future Beta Female of our Pack."Aria." Kael's voice cut through my thoughts.I looked up at him, searching his face for the warmth I used to see there. But his blue eyes were cold. Distant. Like I was a stranger."Kael?" My voice came out smaller than I wanted. "What's wrong?"He stood on the raised platform where the Alpha usually made announcements. His father, Beta Marcus, stood beside him with a hard expression. Behind them, a human woman I'd never seen before watched me with a small smile.She was beautiful. Blonde hair, designer dress, confidence that radiated power."I've made a decision," Kael said. His voice was formal. Official. "One that will benefit our enti

I didn't sleep that night.Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Kael's cold face. Heard Victor's dark voice. Felt the weight of the contract that would change everything.By morning, my phone was flooded with messages.Most were from Pack members I barely knew, asking if the rumors were true. If my father was really a criminal. If I was really about to lose everything.None of them offered to help.Only Maya texted something useful: Pack Enforcers came by looking for you. Said you missed your check-in. Be careful.I was supposed to report to the Pack House every twenty-four hours until the debt was resolved. Apparently, I'd become a flight risk overnight.Good. Let them worry.I spent the day packing what mattered. Photos of Mom. Dad's research journals. My mother's necklace a silver wolf pendant she'd worn every day of her life.Everything else could burn for all I cared.At eleven-thirty that night, my phone buzzed with a new message from the unknown number.2847 Ashwood Street. Basem

Fifty-five minutes later, I found the training yard.It was a large open space with workout equipment, sparring mats, and an obstacle course that looked designed to kill people.Jax waited for me, arms crossed. Zara stood beside him. So did five other wolves I didn't know."You're early," Jax said. "Good. Shows you can follow basic instructions.""What are we doing?" I asked."Testing you." Zara cracked her knuckles. "We need to know what we're working with. So you're going to fight me."My stomach dropped. "Fight you?""That's what I said. Unless you're scared?" She smiled. "It's okay to be scared, little Pack wolf. I promise I'll try not to break anything important."The other wolves laughed.I looked at Jax. "Is this really necessary?""Victor's orders. He wants to see what you can do. Or can't do." Jax gestured to the sparring mat. "Get on the mat, Tracker. Let's see if you're worth the trouble."I stepped onto the mat.Zara followed, rolling her shoulders. She was bigger than me.