hick forest stretched out in front of her, and the velvety moss didn't do much to ease the throbbing pain in her legs.

everything that brought back memories of the life she had lost in an instant. Not only was she rejected as a mate, but it was

meone like her. She had ignored the reality that had been staring her in the face for years, choosing instead to base

e woods had an eerie silence that made it seem as though the trees were holding their breath and wait

were starting to get to her. Thoughts racing in spite of the cool night air, her

She had been an afterthought, living on the periphery of the pack for as long as

ing the pitch-black woodland. She was now well outside of the pack's boundaries, exploring the boundaries of renegade territory. She had heard t

ring her back now. She was clearly not welcome in the pack, and returning would ha

re. It was clo

ed with caution. Although she had keen hearing, it was challenging to identify the precise source of t

ep rumble brok

tion of the sound, and her heart raced a beat. Her legs felt as t

pite the darkness partially masking his great stature, the force emanating from him was unmistakable. She wa

him before. His dark hair framed a face that was both rugged and deadly, and his eyes flashed an unsettling

forest," the man remarked, his voice low and dangerou

hts racing. It was unclear whether this wolf, who wasn't part of her group, was her friend or enemy. Sh

ve a whisper as she said, "I was just

osity shining in his amber ey

ken. He wasn't enquiring

le," her eyes darting to the trail behind her. Perhaps if she

ing smile. "Whether or not you're se

ddenly got closer to her. His firm but not painful grip on her wrist

t was both serene and dangerously undertoned, he ques

ding in her throat. "I was..." I belon

s eyes. "Red Moon, you say? Th

the man's keen eyes saw it. His eyes sharpened,

e questioned in a quiet voice. "W

there was an act about the way he observed her that gave her

voice scarcely audibl

prise as his expression changed.

ted nothing more than to dissolve into the dirt bec

t and laughed quietly and darkly. "Ma

anding his response. "Are

ely. "I am aware of him. Well, the majority of wolves

remained mute. Something about him made her doubt that he was as t

st time, he identified himself as Zander. Even though hi

. She couldn't quite place the name, even though it seemed famil

ght of his stare on h

he pronunciation of her name. "Well, Jane, you would keep moving if you were wise

was going into perilous terrain, the truth of her

sion, "I don't have anywhere else to go." "I'm n

split second, it appeared as though he

se, you'll need to learn how to survive out here." Intrude

living among them was a death sentence. What other option did she have, though? It was impossible to go back to Crescent Moon.

on on her expression. "Hey, I don't typically give this advice, but You are welcom

a beat. His rucksack? Did

aid, "You're an Al

a sly smile.

d better than going through rogue territory and being lost. She felt that maybe, just maybe, she could trust him since, at

uestioned while folding h

s you don't make any problems. Although my pack doesn'

s running out of alternatives, and something told her t

mutely said. "I'l

came almost kind, but it vani

he remarked.

oubt. She didn't know what to expect from Zander's pack, but anything

home, her pack, and the future she had imagined were all gone. Even though she was sti

her eyes flitting apprehensively through the darkness. She became agitated at the sound of leaves rustlin

in the forest-her breath caught in her throat. She noticed several improvised shelters and wolves

camp, their expressions a mixture of distrust and curiosity. She

lose to the camp's edge, "You'll stay here." "It

ss about the type of pack this was and where she would fit in. She didn't

Zander left and she collapsed onto the makeshift bed. For now, all she could do was

and the intense hurt of his rejection overcame her

oon behind. Marcus was

how to make it in th

at a loss fo