Chapter One

SUMMERS HARTLEY

“Definitely, the balance will be sent once the job is completed,” he said and hung up, slipping his phone into his back pocket.

The apartment was dimly lit, making it difficult for me to see past a few meters in front of me, but somehow I managed to see Axel's face. His jaw was set hard as he clenched his fist, as if trying to control himself.

“The plan is already set, cupcake,” he said, walking up to me with a sad smile and ruffling my hair.

“Are you sure you wanna do this? I mean, we can always find a way to go about making sure Derek suffers the consequences of his actions. I don't feel comfortable sending you all alone to someone as ruthless as that fool,” he let out a sigh and removed his glasses, pinching the bridge of his nose as if he was trying not to break down.

“I've never been so sure of anything in my life, Uncle. I'm going to be fine. I didn't spend years preparing for this day to just give up now. You don't have to worry about me, ok? I'm just a human going into their territory; they won't see me as a threat.” Axel pulled me into a hug, the rim of his glasses hanging limply from his fingers as he held me closer to himself, as if I was going to disappear.

My hands wrapped around him immediately. I was going to miss my only family. We pulled away from each other after what felt like eternity, and Axel stared at me, rubbing my cheek slightly.

“Take care, cupcake.”

“I will, Uncle,” I said, picking up my small bag as I immediately made my way out. If I spend another second here staring at Axel's face, I'll probably burst into tears before he does.

Instinctively, my hands went around my neck, trying to feel the familiar coldness of the locket my mom made for me. It held a picture of the four of us: me, mother, Ellis, and father, but I had to leave it behind; I couldn't take anything that was going to blow this mission along with me. As much as I was reluctant to drop it, I had to.

I hailed a cab. The cab pulled to a stop, and I got in, holding my duffel bag tightly to my chest. I told the driver where I was headed, and he stared at me like I'd lost my mind.

Everyone knew the Bloodmoon pack was famous for being strict with whoever ventured to go near their borders, and I was about to do exactly that. The cab started its journey, and I immediately sent a message to the number Axel gave me before I left.

‘I just got into the cab, I'll be there soon.’

I didn't need to ask how much Axel paid these people, but I knew he paid them a crazy amount of money. They were literally risking their lives to pretend to attack me on the pack ruled by a ruthless alpha. I was risking my life too, but I was willing. My current situation demanded that I do anything.

The car sped down the road, with houses whipping past us in a blur. I tapped my finger against my bag, trying not to fidget.

I can do this.

I tried telling myself. I refused to develop cold feet at this point; it was just too late for that. If I wanted to chicken out, I could have done that while Axel was trying to change my mind back home, but now I couldn't, not when I was halfway to my destination.

A part of me silently prayed for the drive to last a little bit longer so I could get myself together before I stepped into the enemy's territory.

As if the universe decided to mock me, the cab pulled to a stop at the edge of a forest.

“I can't go past this place, ma'am, “ he said apologetically. I nodded and fumbled for my wallet.

My fingers shook as I tried to fish out the bills. I managed to get out the notes and pay. Muttering a quick ‘thank you ‘ under my breath, I got out. The car turned and immediately began speeding away as if spending a minute there was scaring the living daylights out of him.

I had that insane urge to call him back and tell him to take me back home, but instead, I gripped my bag tightly and began walking into the forest.

I received a text message from the number I sent the texts to.

‘He has been spotted at the west side with a few other werewolves. I suggest you start walking towards that side.’

I deleted the message immediately and slipped the phone into my pocket, heading towards the west. I stepped over branches that broke under my feet as I walked deeper and deeper into the forest that seemed to get thicker.

I walked for what felt like minutes, branches slapping every inch of my body until I was sure I probably had twigs and dead leaves in my hair.

I heard the bush rustle behind me, and I whipped my head around immediately, my heart beating heavily. I feared it was going to tear through my chest.

Three men stepped out of the bush. I swallowed hard, tensed as I tried to figure out if they were the men Axel sent.

“You're Axel's niece, right?” The guy in the middle asked. I relaxed at the question.

“Yes,” I said, not bothering to hide the relief in my voice.

“He's just a few meters away from here. I'm definitely sure that if he focuses enough, he can hear our voices; we're just going to start chasing you from here.” I nodded in understanding.

Their bones began cracking as they morphed. I didn't wait to watch them fully transformed. My legs lifted by themselves, and I was practically flying through the forest, totally ignoring the branches slapping against my face with even more force as I screamed my lungs away.

“Help!”

I could feel them hot on my tail as I ran.

My eyes scanned everywhere, trying to figure out where he could be exactly.

Then I spotted him, Reid Hawthorne. Immediately, I began running towards him, still screaming at the top of my voice until the scream was cut off abruptly as claws dug into my back, ripping my clothes.

Pain rippled through my body as I fell face-first to the forest floor. I managed to look up without looking suspicious and smirked to myself when I noticed Reid's attention had been caught.

I was lifted and flung across the forest. I landed against a tree as my chest screamed in protest, and I landed with a hump. Excruciating white pain blinded me for a second as I huffed.

“Hey!!!” I heard Reid yell from across as he came bolting towards us. The three of them left me and immediately bolted away, Reid chasing them as if it was the only thing that mattered to him at that moment.

I blacked out.