CHAPTER FIVE

I didn’t know how long I’d been running, but the moment I crossed the border, something inside

me shifted.

It felt like I could finally breathe—not fully, but still breathe.

My legs moved faster, my heart beat wilder, and my senses sharpened. Maybe I was a shiftless

wolf, but I still had her in me. Her instincts. Her rage. Her will.

I was strong. I was fast. And right now, I was free.

I ran, leaping over twisted roots and crashing through brush. Branches clawed at my face and

arms, tugging at my training outfit, leaving scratches in their wake. Still, I didn’t stop.

I couldn't.

I had a chance—a real chance—to get home. To return to my pack, to my friends, to whatever

was left of the life I once knew. Even if it was ashes, I’d rather choke on them than remain under

Darius Blackthorn’s control.

By now, the pack would know I was gone. Kellan would have returned to find an empty clearing.

The guards would be mobilizing. Hell, Darius might already be on my trail himself. But I didn’t

care.

Let them come, they'd have to catch me first.

I pumped my arms harder, pushing deeper into the thick woods. My lungs burned, and my legs

screamed in protest, but I wouldn’t stop. Not yet. Not until I reached the safety of neutral

ground—or collapsed trying.

The trees grew denser and darker. The sun was starting to sink, casting long shadows across the

mossy forest floor. A bad sign. I didn’t want to be out here at night. Not alone. Not unshifted.

I slowed slightly to catch my breath, my heart thudding in my ears. I most definitely lost. But all

the road leads to home, right?

Or how does it go?

I should have been paying attention. I was on unknown grounds so I should have been more

cautious. But I wasn't. Not until it was too late.

I felt the chill first. I felt my wolf rise within me in panic.

A presence. Maybe not just one.

My hackles rose. The air around me changed—became tense, almost electric. I crouched low,

instincts screaming. Then I heard it: the soft crunch of twigs underfoot, faint, but closing in.

I wasn’t alone.

From the shadows, they emerged—five figures, rough and wild, with the unmistakable air of

rogues.

The first one, a hulking brute with ash-gray skin and a shaved head, bared yellowed teeth in a

grin that made my stomach turn. He wore a torn vest and had long scars down both arms, like

Claw marks that didn't heal right. His eyes were bloodshot also.

The second was leaner, wiry, with tangled blond hair that hung to his shoulders. His face was

angular, rat-like, with darting eyes that never stopped moving. He licked his lips and stepped

forward like he was tasting the fear rolling off me.

Behind him stood a redhead with a busted nose and arms coated in tattoos. He was silent, but

the way he flexed his fingers told me he wanted to grab something. Probably me.

I gulped.

The fourth rogue was darker-skinned, tall, and muscular, but with a cold, calculating look in his

obsidian eyes. He carried a blade at his hip—not standard for a werewolf, which meant he liked

to get personal.

And then the fifth—he was younger. His hands were coated in dried blood.

I froze.

For a heartbeat, no one moved.

“Well, what do we have here?” the second one murmured with mockery. “A little

lamb, lost in the woods?”

“Smells like a pack girl,” the redhead muttered. “But not one of ours.”

The scarred brute took a step forward. “You running' from someone, sweetheart? Or running to

someone?”

I clenched my fists. My body screamed at me to run, but I knew I wouldn’t get far. Not with five

of them. I glanced around, planning my escape. I could try climbing. Doubling back. Something.

Anything.

Shit! Maybe I shouldn't have left.

“Easy now,” the dark-skinned one said, noting my stance. “We’re not gonna hurt you... unless

you want us to.”

They laughed.

“I’ve got nothing you want,” I spat at them, trying to be bold when I was far from it. “Leave me

alone.”

“Oh, but that’s where you’re wrong,” the brute said. “You’ve got everything we want. A pretty face. A nice little body. And no one to protect you.

They were slowly closing in. I had to distract them somehow. Maybe stall them till the guards

caught up?

“I wouldn’t be so sure about that,” I growled, lowering into a defensive stance.

The blond rogue sneered. “Tough talk for someone who smells like she hasn’t shifted in her life.

You got teeth, girlie?”

I ignored him and held my ground.

"Well, talk time's over. It's time to feast." The brute one said as he closed in.

I felt someone grab me from behind. The youngest one.

How did he do that at a very fast pace?

"You smell pretty." He said as he nibbled at my throat.

Oh, no you don't.

"Get away from me!" I threw my head backward, happy to hear a crunching sound as he let go

of me to fix his broken nose.

"You stupid bitch!" He longed for me and I avoided but not quick enough. His hand turned claw,

slicing me on my shoulder blades.

"Ah!" I fell to the ground in pain. The others laughed at me and rounded on me.

"Enough play." One of them said as he dragged my hair and sniffed at it.

"No, please. No! Don't do this to me please." I begged but it seemed to spur them more.

Right before one of them ripped my top, a loud howl sounded right behind us.

A ferocious howl and my wolf instinctively cowered.

I turned slowly to look it was but I already knew before I saw those golden eyes. Eyes that

shined with rage and malice.

Darius Blackthorn was here!