The Outcast's Fate

ed swiftly, her sharp eyes scanning the shadows between the trees. She had been tracking a wou

didn't belong

eak, and unmi

ly over the fallen leaves. No child should be out here alone. Wol

she

ancient oak tree, wrapped in a

breath

scrunched up as she whimpered against the cold

g for any trace of the mother or father. Nothing. N

eyes flut

lue. Brigh

nside her shift. A pul

ing around as if expecting someone to e

re was

, her tiny fingers curling in the

xhaled

no place in the pack. If she took this child back, she

lpless baby, abandoned and alone

red, lifting the child into h

band's

ke a familiar embrace. Her husband, Riven, sat at the wooden table, sharpening a hunting knif

ws knitting together when

voice low with warning

aling the tiny face beneath. S

t," Erynn said. "She was

htened. "Sh

kno

placing the knife down on the

urn my bac

frame casting a shadow across the dimly lit room. "Y

d known this would be his re

ll young, but he understood what this meant. Sienna stirred in

ng his temple. "Tak

stif

ht way. Let the Alpha and the council decide. If you keep he

own at the bab

e the council made her stomach tw

ed. "I'l

yed Ju

e stood before Alpha Darius. The firelight flickered across his shar

the space, thic

child into my pack?" His

anding tall despite the weight of h

expression rema

aid. "Outsiders do not belong h

ould

round him, the elders of the

d," one of them sai

e baby closer, he

ll not interfere with the pack. I will raise her away from o

ment. Then, to her surprise, he exhale

tomorrow,

rowned.

cil," he said. "The dec

w better than to push him. Instead

said not

rs, Erynn turned and left, Sama

ncil's

ned to the council hall t

ted firmly on her lower back. Ronan stood by his father's side, his yo

was silent as the

e is not one of us. She will never train as we do. She will never hunt a

p tightened

tcast, neither fully part of the pack nor fully apart fro

ow, that

it," sh

gave a s

s fate wa

er side, she whispered the name once more,

man

a what the fut

would protect he