Six

PHOENIX

Mate.

The word kept reverberating through my head.

Mate.

Mate?

Mate!

I turned sharply to look at Caleb, scared to let the truth sink in. His green eyes narrowed slightly, silently imploring me to stay calm. He could tell I was on edge.

My wolf pranced and paced in my head, adding to my lightheadedness.

My hands trembled. My stomach sank with denial. I stumbled, and Caleb's hands shot out to steady me, rubbing my back in soothing circles.

The Alpha growled again.

My heart rate spiked, dizzying beats resounding through my chest. Caleb squeezed my hands softly, knowing I was out of my mind with fear.

I started backing away—slow, purposeful steps backward. Then I was running.

I burst into the kitchen, gripping the counter tightly as I hyperventilated.

Mate.

I found my mate.

My stomach sank with dread. He'll leave me when he finds out what I did. What my misfortunes caused the pack. He'll run for the hills. He'll think I'm cursed.

I'll end up like Mom. Or worse.

The thought sent bile rushing up my throat. I ran out the back door, collapsing in the bushes as I threw up everything I'd eaten that day. Tears streamed down my face.

I collapsed on the ground and sobbed—loud, ugly, spiraling out of control. The thought of my mate hating me replayed like a broken record.

Kyra's earlier words echoed in my head.

"You have a knack for destroying things. Just like you did two years ago."

She was right.

I was unfortunate.

I had to leave.

Black dots danced in front of my vision. I let the darkness take over—collapsing in sadness and defeat.

---

"She's weak. Really weak. Her wolf must've been gone for a long time and only showed up today. Stress, anxiety, tension, and lack of eating took a toll. She needs rest—a few days before returning to normal activities."

Aunt Ashley's voice washed over me as I blinked repeatedly. I opened my eyes—bright fluorescent lights momentarily blinding me. White ceiling. White walls. White linoleum floors.

The pack hospital.

How did I get here?

Then the events of the evening rushed back. The ruthless Alpha. His growl. Mate.

My eyes snapped shut as I desperately pushed back the fear.

Aunt Ashley walked in moments later, clipboard in hand. She unhooked my IV drops and smiled.

"You're awake. How are you feeling?"

"Fine," I murmured, barely finding the strength to speak.

She nodded, understanding. "You need to calm down. Worrying won't help. Your friend is out there trying to talk to Alpha Jackson."

I paused. "Alpha Jackson?"

"Your mate," she answered with a smile.

She turned to leave, but I grabbed her hand.

"Please don't let them know I'm awake yet. I just need more time to process."

She nodded. "You should know—you'll have to face him sooner or later. You can't put this off forever."

Yes I can, I thought. I'll find a way to leave. Go far away. Better to leave than to get close—and get rejected like my parents. My heart would shatter into a billion pieces.

Aunt Ashley took one last look at me and left.

I got down from the bed and began pacing. Alpha Jackson and everyone were probably outside the door, waiting to burst in.

I rolled up the glass window pane and peered out. An escape plan was already forming in my head.

"Lisa?" I called in my mind. "Help me get out of here."

Silence.

She wasn't going to help me escape our mate.

I breathed deeply. Fine. I'll do this myself.

I scrambled around, found a pen, and scribbled a quick note, leaving it on the bed where it could be easily seen.

I took one last look—and jumped out the window.

I landed on four paws.

Wait. Four paws?

I looked down. Fiery red fur covered my body.

Lisa eventually came through.

"Yes, I did. I couldn't have you killing us—especially now that we've found our mate," she snarled.

"Good day to you too, Lisa."

She snarled harder. "You have the nerve to laugh after running away from our mate?"

She was furious. If only I could make her understand. We needed to stick together to survive.

"Look, Lisa, I'm sorry—"

"Save it. I don't want to hear it. You're so selfish."

She was right. But I was protecting us from heartbreak.

I kept control as I ran toward the pack borders. I couldn't give her control. She'd do something stupid.

"I do stupid things? says the one running away from a mate she just found—for no good reason," she snarled.

I ignored her and kept running. Rain poured down in torrents. My stomach growled. I was starving.

My pace quickened. My wet fur glistened. Cold shivers ran through me.

The terrain changed when I crossed the borders.

I am a rogue now.

---

A growl stopped me cold. I turned to see I was surrounded by wolves.

Not rogues.

One shifted and quickly threw on clothes. I averted my eyes.

"Shift now!" he commanded, his voice booming.

I tried shifting back—but my vision blurred, fading in and out.

"Shift, I said!" he snarled harder.

I looked at him. Whimpered.

My knees gave out. I collapsed, exhausted. My vision swam. The hunger and exhaustion finally took over.

The last thing I saw was angry wolves advancing.