blurred about me, their shadows engulfing me. My lungs burned, and my legs hurt, yet I wasn

. Exiled. I was free of him, no longer a member of the Crescent Moon pack. However,

r objective. The weight of everything would collapse if I stopped, and I wasn't sure whether I would make it. My nose was filled with the smell of damp dirt, which helped to settle me in here and now, but I was unabl

. I shoved through a dense canopy of trees and stopped suddenly. A tiny clearing with the lovely glow of the moon in front of me. I stood for a

cing. I was being observed by someone. I sensed their gaze, concealed in the shadows, poised, evaluat

g voice. However, silence reigned. With my eyes narrowing and my muscles tensing up for a fight, I examined the trees. If they believ

arkness. Tall and shrouded in shadow,

milar to mine? Or even worse, one of

severe facial features highlighted by the moonlight. Something deadly glinted in his gaze, something that chilled my bl

hispered, "You should be afraid."

t back, balling my fingers into

shiver run down my spine. "Wel

ion. However, I restrained her. Not quite yet. With careful motions, he walked slowly around me, seemingly assessing me and

on was softly spoken but had a sin

and I winced. Exiled. I wouldn't let him

growled and retreated a step

wh

stant, I thought I caught a glimpse of humour. "You

known to him? Had word of her pa

rage as my fists shook. With a low, menac

his face taking on an incomprehensible expression.

m. But before I could respond, he attacked me with the swiftness of a ra

I felt a rush of panic, my inner wolf howling, but I was

wled, his lips brushing against mine and his breath sc

roat as my eyesight became blurry. My body struggled to cling on a

stepped aside, grinning icily. Gasping for air, I fell

asing, silky voice. "You are no longer

rowled, my tone barely audible over a hushe. With a low, evil laugh, he turned to walk away, vanishing

ch your back, little wolf." "You mi

my legs being weak, my mind was racing as I attempted to stand. What on earth had just transpired? Who was thi

eemed to shut in around me. I felt very vulnerable for the first

alized that this was only the beginning because the darkness was teeming with hidden thre

had it w