Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Tatiana:

The cold night air bit at my skin as I walked deeper into the woods, my steps steady, my breathing controlled. I didn’t let my exhaustion show, didn’t let my mind dwell on what had just happened. I refused to break.

I refuse to allow myself to grow weak. I refused to show them that they did what they wanted to do, that they broke me beyond repair. I refused to allow anyone to see the damage that they had caused on me.

Not here. Not now.

This was not the time for me to week and this was not the time for my body to allow itself to fall. I was not going to allow them to satisfaction to think that they could do this to me.

But no matter how much I forced my body forward, the mate bond still burned inside me. My chest ached with an unbearable pull, the pain threatening to consume me. I could still hear his voice echoing in my mind.

“Jade is the Luna this pack deserves. Not a weakling Omega.”

The way that he spoke, the way that his voice was loud enough for me to hear, the way that he wanted me to hear what he had said. The way that he looked at me as if wondering what I was going to react, how I was going to react.

But I knew better than to give him that satisfaction, especially since I was alone in this. My own family did not stand by my side. They let me deal with the consequence by myself, but I could not have expected them to. They did not want to find themselves dealing with the Alpha. They did not want to find themselves being turned against. Not for me, and not for anyone else.

I clenched my fists and pushed forward, each step carving a new promise into my soul.

Elijah would regret this.

Each and every one of them was going to regret looking at me as if I was some kind of façade that they were enjoying.

The thick canopy of trees swallowed the moonlight above, shrouding the path ahead in darkness. My senses sharpened. I wasn’t alone.

A low growl rumbled through the trees.

I froze.

Another growl. Closer this time.

I turned my head slightly, my wolf stirring as I caught the scent of something unfamiliar, a rogue.

Before I could react, a shadow lunged from the trees. A massive wolf crashed into me, knocking me to the ground.

I gasped, twisting my body, barely dodging its snapping jaws. Its fangs grazed my shoulder, pain searing through me.

I kicked upward, shoving the wolf off me. It snarled, circling me, its golden eyes glowing in the night.

He looked at me, his eyes darkening as I could tell that this was a sight to that they were enjoying. I was a meal that they were going to try and play with.

This wasn’t just a rogue. This was a predator testing its prey.

And I was going to refuse to be a prey right now of all times. I refused to be seen as weak. I refused to be seen as someone that they could just take advantage of. I would rather I die with my honor than find myself dying in fear.

I got to my feet, my stance solid despite my throbbing shoulder. 

“If you’re looking for an easy fight,” I growled, “you’re about to be disappointed.”

The rogue wolf paused. Its ears twitched before it let out a dark chuckle.

I stiffened as it shifted, fur retreating, bones snapping into place. Within seconds, a tall, broad-shouldered man stood before me, his skin covered in scars, his eyes still glowing like molten gold.

His body nude in front of me as he walked, crossing his arms over his chest. It took everything in me not to look down at his chest, his toned ups and his cock which stood prominent right in front of me.

He smirked. “Not bad, little Omega. You’ve got some fire in you. I am impressed.”

I didn’t lower my guard. “Who are you?”

The man tilted his head, studying me like I was something interesting, something unexpected. “Name’s Kieran. And you?Considering that you are in my territory, I believe that you can tell that you do not belong here, but you should not be here.”

I hesitated. The name Tatiana Ivanov belonged to someone weak, someone discarded. I was no longer her.

“Just Tatiana,” I said finally.

Kieran chuckled. “Well then, Just Tatiana, you’re lucky I found you before the real bastards did. What’s a pack wolf doing alone in rogue territory? I believe that you should be smarter than playing around in the forest this way, especially at night.”

I lifted my chin. “I’m no longer part of a pack.”

His smirk deepened. 

“That so? I wonder what you did to actually have yourself be exiled like this.” He crossed his arms, his gaze piercing through me as if he could see everything I was trying to hide. Nevertheless, it is not something that should concern me. I guess that makes you a rogue now, too. Unless of course you have different plans, which I assume since you're walking around by yourself, you do not.”

I didn’t respond.

I knew what rogues were, savages, criminals, wolves who had been cast out for a reason. But standing here, abandoned by my own family, left for dead by my mate, I realized something.

I had nothing left to lose.

Kieran must have seen something in my eyes because his smirk faded. His expression turned serious. 

“Come with me,” he said.

I narrowed my eyes. “Why would I trust you? You could easily have my head.”

He shrugged. If I wanted your head, it wouldn't be over your shoulders now would it? But to answer your question you don’t have to. But you won’t last a week out here alone.”

I knew he was right. Injured, weak, with no shelter, I was as good as dead.

I took a deep breath. This was it. The first step in leaving my past behind.

“Fine,” I said. “Lead the way.”

Kieran’s grin returned, sharp and knowing.

“Welcome to your new life, little rogue.”