4

"Go on, Nameless One," Olivia said, her voice dripping with triumph. "Leave Shadowmoon territory before sunset, or the patrols have the right to treat you as an intruder."

I took one last look at my former home, then turned and walked towards the edge of the forest. No one followed. No one said goodbye.

As the sun began to set, I finally reached the very edge of Shadowmoon territory—a barren stretch of scrubland bordering the dangerous neutral territories.

Just as I was about to push through the last thicket of bushes, three unfamiliar werewolves blocked my path.

"Well, well, what have we here?" the leader sneered, his yellow wolf eyes glinting dangerously. "A nameless she-wolf, all alone?"

"Stay away from me," I warned, instinctively reaching for my hip, only to remember my hunting knife was gone.

"Ooh, she's a feisty one," another wolf licked his lips, stepping closer. "Heard the Shadowmoon pack cast out a she-wolf today. That'd be you, right? Without a pack to protect you, you're fair game now."

I backed away, feeling the blood pound in my veins. Even without a weapon, I wouldn't go down easy. My vision started to blur as my wolf instincts began to take over. If I had to fight, I'd make them pay.

Claws tore into my shoulder, and the sharp pain made me grit my teeth.

"She fights hard!" the yellow-eyed rogue snarled, blood dripping from the corner of his mouth.

I was in my half-shifted form, claws and fangs bared, but a three-on-one fight was doomed from the start. Without weapons, and weak from the severing ritual, every blow I landed felt like punching through water.

"I'm going to make you pay for that, nameless bitch," another rogue growled, advancing. The look in his eyes made my stomach churn.

Suddenly, a ferocious impact sent him flying. A massive, golden-brown werewolf appeared beside me, his snarl shaking the very ground.

"Get. Lost." He growled, his voice a low thunder.

The three rogues exchanged a look and immediately decided to retreat. They scrambled away, disappearing into the undergrowth.

Shaking, I collapsed to my knees, blood pooling from my wounds. Without my pack connection, my healing abilities were dangerously slow.

"You're badly hurt," the golden-brown wolf said, shifting back to his human form. He offered me a hand. "I am Rylan, Alpha of the Sunstone Pack."

I looked up into a pair of steady, kind amber eyes. He was taller than Carlo, with broad shoulders and a strong, determined set to his jaw.

"Rosa," I replied weakly. "Formerly of... Shadowmoon."

"I know," he nodded. "My scouts reported Shadowmoon cast out their Healer and Ritual Guardian. A surprising move."

I tried to stand but swayed from blood loss. Rylan quickly steadied me.

"You need healing. My territory is just ahead. You can recover there, if you wish."

I looked at him warily. "Why would you help me?"

"Firstly, I wouldn't leave any she-wolf to die," he said, his tone firm. "Secondly, I can smell it on you – you were treated unjustly."

I didn't have the strength to argue. I just nodded.

Rylan gently lifted me into his arms and began to run towards the Sunstone Pack's territory.