The low, threatening growl came again, closer this time, seeming to vibrate not just in the air but in the ground u

e just outside the pack's scent markers, screamed at her. Her heart slammed against her ribs, but this time it was pure terror making it beat so fast. T

her brain yelled, even though her feet

glowing spots. "Who's there?" she repeated, trying to sound brave even thou

heard the heavy sound of paws on dry leaves, and then, stepping slowly int

ear was torn, and a long, jagged scar ran down its snout, pulling its lip into a permanent snarl. Its eyes, the source of the cold glow, were a pale, chilling yellow, burning with

wasn'

r bodies low and ready to attack. They spread out a little, moving together, blocking any easy way

ger that had been growing under her sadness. Anger at Fenric for putting her in this situation, for throwing her out and leaving her v

cleared her head a little. She couldn't fight them. She coul

on her throat. "Silver Moon territory," it growled, its voice rough l

mehow sensed the rejection, the cutting of her pack ties? Rogues often hung around pack

her fear, its lips pulling back even more to show stained, yellow teeth. "Smelled

Fenric's rejection wasn't just emotional devastation; it was like a dea

y, buying herself precious seconds, looking at the trees behind

r fear. Your life." He lowered his head a little, muscles bunching in his strong shoulders,

ffering no clear path, just things that would slow her down.

d inside her, not with joy or submission now, but with the fierce in

didn't try to run backward into the tangled bushes. Instead, she did the unexpected. She lunged f

k threw off their plan for a crucial moment. She slammed her shoulder into the side of the smal

n around quickly and sprinted, not back towards the settlement – they'd expect that

ed she didn't know she had. Branches whipped at her face and tore at her dress, thorns snagged her skin, but she barely felt it. Th

r and stronger, was closing the distance quickly, its pale yellow eyes burning in the d

y and having thick bushes. It was dangerous, but it might be her only chance to lose them. Without hesita

ed the edge, briefly silhouetted against the faint moonlight. I

ing onto the damp, mossy ground. Scrambling, ignoring the shooting pain in her ankle, she looked up just in time

She was trapped, hurt, at the mercy of a creature driven by meanness and hunger. He lowered his head, a low growl rumbling in his chest, saliva drippin