CHAPTER 3

Zeena’s POV

I didn’t wait for sunrise.

Back in my room, I shoved a few clothes into a duffel. Toothbrush. Water bottle. A tiny book Kira gave me before she died. Yes I was this sentimental.

I zipped the bag in the dark. My fingers shook, due to so many things going through my mind. From anxiousness, fear of being caught, fear of the unknown.

But I had this cold determination. If I didn’t leave now, I’d never get the chance again. Hopefully the gods will be on my side for once.

The window creaked as I pushed it open. Cool night air slapped me in the face. Good. Maybe it’d wake me up from this nightmare. With no wolf, I was limited but I scanned my surroundings to the best of my ability, lucky for it to be empty –hopefully.

My feet hit the ground like a decision had finally been made. It was one of the nights I appreciated being on the first floor.

I didn't have a map. I didn’t even know the way out of the territory—I’d barely been allowed to leave it my whole life. But I knew where the woods got thinner. Where the patrols were weakest.

At least… that’s what I thought.

I had been walking for about an hour– if I wasn't mistaken, into the trees when the crunch of fast-moving paws on soil stopped me cold. I ducked low, heart in my throat.

Too late.

“Who’s there?” a sharp voice called out. A low growl followed—another wolf, still in his shift, teeth bared. From the looks, they weren’t from my pack. So this was another land?

“Stand up. Slowly,” the man ordered.

I rose, hands up.

One of them stepped closer, sniffed the air. “She’s not one of ours. What’re you doing out here? Rogue?”

“No,” I said quickly, trying to keep my voice steady. “I’m just traveling. Going to visit someone. In the next pack over.”

The one in wolf form growled low again, circling me like I was prey. I fought not to shrink back.

“Traveling alone? At night? No pass? You think we’re stupid?”

“No,” I whispered. “I just didn’t have time to—”

“Quiet.”

I swallowed the rest of my sentence. They didn’t believe me. Of course they didn’t. A wolf-less girl wandering into foreign land in the middle of the night? I might as well have carried a sign that said Trouble.

“You'll come with us, explain yourself and tell us who you're working for. You better cooperate, else we'd force it out of your mouth.”

Oh no, this was going wrong in all directions. Did I look that important to first threaten a pack and now, be a spy?

I held up my hands, trying to placate them. "I promise I'm not a spy. Please, don't torture me." My voice trembled, and I winced at how desperate and pathetic I sounded right now. But at least this was better than begging to be accepted and mated. But what could a girl do?

They shared a look. The wolf in human form chuckled, a low, menacing sound. The wolf beside him grinned, baring sharp teeth. "Isn't that what they all say?" he sneered, his laughter echoing through the trees.

Okay, this was starting to annoy me, I couldn't tell if it was a good thing they found me funny but I didn't have time for this.

The man soon regained composure and was making his way towards me when another voice rang from deeper in the woods. “He’s over here!” a shout, followed by a sharp, urgent howl.

Both patrol wolves snapped their heads in that direction. One cursed under his breath.

“We’re not done with you,” the man said. “Don’t run. You run and we’ll find you. You can’t outrun a wolf.”

Then they were gone–rushing toward whatever emergency had pulled them off me. The moment their footsteps disappeared into the trees, I exhaled like I’d been holding my breath for years. Seemed like the gods were finally starting to have my time.

I counted to ten. Twenty. Then I turned and ran.

Branches whipped at my arms. My lungs burned. I ran like hell was behind me. Maybe it was.

I hit the river by accident–barely saw it until I was already sliding down the bank. I looked back once. Nothing. But I didn’t risk it.

I clutched my bag and jumped in.

The cold hit me like a wall. I kicked hard, letting the current pull me away. The water swallowed sound, scent, everything.

When I crawled out of the other side, soaked and gasping, the duffel was gone. Swept off by the river’s mouth.

“Great,” I muttered, pushing drenched hair from my face. “Just… freaking great.”

I stood there for a second. Then I cursed loud—at the moon, the gods, the river, at the wolf I didn’t have. “Where the hell are you now?!”

No answer. Obviously.

I dragged my aching legs further, the trees were thinning now, it seemed like there was a road nearby.

I finally came to a narrow dirt road and found a low spot in the shrubs. There, half-hidden behind a fallen tree, I crouched. Tried to steady my breath. Tried to figure out what to do next.

My teeth were chattering. My skin was numb and bruised. I didn’t even know where I was anymore.

That’s when I heard the soft rumble of an engine. A motorcycle.

I shrank down lower, before I'd be seen. The bike pulled off the road and a man stepped off, muttering something to himself as he turned to take a piss near the tree line.

He froze. Spotted me. Great.

“Well, well,” he drawled. “What’ve we got here?”

I didn’t move.

“You lost, sweetheart?” He took a step closer. “Or just hiding from someone?”

He smelled like stale beer and blood. His eyes were greedy. His smirk told me everything before he even moved.

“Please,” I said quietly, voice tight. “Don’t.” I couldn't believe I was begging for my life the second time in just one night. What was I expecting?

He laughed. “Relax, just being friendly.”

Another step. Then another. His fingers hooked his belt.

I stood slowly, trying to back away.

“You think you can just walk away?” His voice dropped, low and dangerous. “I saw you. You were asking for it, dress hung to your skin like that, now you'll be a good girl and–”

Growl.

It came from the trees.

Low. Deep. Bone-rattling.

We both heard it.

The man spun around. “What the hell—?”

Another growl. Closer.

I couldn’t see it, but whatever it was, it wasn’t small. I could feel the weight of it in the air.

The man backed off quickly, muttering curses, eyes wide as he stumbled toward his bike. He kicked it to life and peeled off shouting, “you can make a meal of her, for all I care.”

I stood frozen, shaking. Waiting for it.

Nothing moved for a long time. Then I sank to my knees, and the sobs just… broke loose. Quiet, ugly sobs that I couldn’t swallow down anymore.

I didn’t even know if the growl had saved me or just scared him off by accident. I didn’t care.

I curled up right there by the trees and cried until my throat burned. Cried from the relief of it all, cried from more troubles that were about to come.

Then I passed out.