Chapter 0001

[Lennox’s POV]

Six Years Ago

"Lennox!" The shrill cry echoed up the stairs towards my room, where I was currently busy packing. "I KNOW YOU HEAR ME!"

Flinching, I snapped my gaze to the door that was keeping me in and my stepmother out to make sure that it was indeed locked. I had maybe five minutes left before she sent her goonies up after me. If I didn’t manage to escape by then, well…I guess going through all this trouble would be pointless.

"Shit." I hissed, slinging the duffle bag I had crammed full of clothes and essentials over my shoulder. "Time to go."

Hefting open the only window that was allowed in my room, I poked my head out and took in the grounds below. To my relief, the guards weren’t in place for the evening just yet, as they were required to attend a council meeting to discuss the upcoming full moon ball our pack would be hosting.

"LENNOX!" My stepmother’s voice called much too close. "YOU USELESS BITCH! YOU KNOW TO COME WHEN I CALL!"

Giving the room around me one last glance, I threw my leg over the window’s ledge and then dove.

As my feet hit the ground, I could hear the sound of my door being banged on from above, but I didn’t dare wait to see if those that were behind it would get in.

Giving the place that I considered hell one more look, I began to move, making my way down the long cement path that was surrounded by closely planted trees.

"I did it." I huffed once I reached the large metal gate that kept us in and everyone else out. "I’m free."

Using my newly acquired wolf abilities, I threw my duffle bag over and then began to wiggle my way through the bars that were keeping me from the freedom I so desperately longed for. I guess I could thank my stepmother for one thing... due to her mistreatment and years of starvation, I was tiny enough to get through without having to climb the gate itself or steal a key.

"GET HER!" My stepmother’s voice shrieked, causing my heart to plummet. "If she isn’t brought back here, I will make sure each and every one of you pays!"

Quickening my struggle, I managed to topple through just as the sounds of snarls and howls reached my ears. Scrambling to my feet, I turned and watched as my stepmother’s hounds rushed towards me, teeth bared.

"YOU CAN ALL GO FUCK YOURSELF!" I roared, hefting my bag over my shoulder. "BETTER YET, GO TO HELL!"

Flipping the bird, I quickly gathered my things and began to move. I couldn’t spend too much time here, otherwise I risked getting caught, and if that happened, all this would be for nothing.

"Fuck this place." I spat.

Back when I was born, that place was a home, but after my mom's death, when my dad remarried, the hell began. At first it wasn’t much because my stepmother and stepsister needed to save face. However, when my father grew ill and then passed away, their actions ramped up.

I was no longer the beta Ryland's precious daughter; instead, I was simply the servant girl who did as she was told to avoid being beaten black and blue. Sure, it wasn't much of a life, but I needed to survive. If I didn't, I wouldn't be able to reclaim what was rightfully mine one day.

"Watch out!"

"Shit," I hissed before I crashed into what felt almost like a brick wall on legs. Fuck, I was so in my head I wasn’t paying attention to where I was going! "I’m sorry." I gasped as two strong hands reached up and wrapped around my too thin arms.

"I think it hurt you more than me." The person rumbled, causing my heart rate to amp up to a mile a minute "Are you okay?"

"I…" I began, slowly lifting my gaze to look up into the face of the person I just crashed into. "Holy shit!"

Despite myself, my mouth fell open and a deep hunger began to spread through me as I took in the fine specimen in front of me. Since when did such a handsome creature exist in the pack?

He towered over me at over six foot and his sandy-blonde hair hung limply over his forward threatening to cover his hazel eyes that seemed to glow in the dark. His toned face was surrounded by newly grown stubble that made him look so damn ruggish and delicious.

Smirking, the man let his full lips twitch up into a look of amusement as he stared down at me through hooded lashes.

"Are you sure you’re okay?" He asked.

Before I could respond, the sound of footsteps crashing against the earth reached my ears. Fuck, I was so mesmerized by him that I forgot what I was doing. Cursing under my breath, I pulled my arms free of his hold and quickly climbed up the tree closest to me. Looking down, I met the amused gaze of the man that still stood beneath.

"Please," I whispered, hoping that he wouldn’t give me away when my stepmother’s men arrived. "Help me."

For a moment, he didn’t speak. Instead, he pursed his lips as if considering what I was asking him. I pressed myself against the tree trunk as much as I could, hoping that the strong scent of pine would mask my odor and the shadows cast by the branches above would keep me hidden.

"She went this way!" One of the guards announced, bursting forward and stopping when they spotted the man standing there alone. "Who the hell are you?"

"Is that how you greet someone you just met?" He asked, pouting his lips. "It isn’t very polite."

"Cut the shit." The guard growled. "Did you see a young girl come this way?"

Shit, here it was. Would he cooperate and help me or sell me out? I couldn’t go back! If I did, I was sure my stepmother’s antics would only get much worse due to my actions.

"Well?" The guard snapped, growing impatient.

"She went that way." The man announced, lifting a finger and pointing east. "But I must ask... why are a group of grown men chasing such a young woman? Is this some kind of sick fetish of yours?"

"Watch it boy!" The guard growled. "Don’t stick your nose where it doesn’t belong!"

"Sure, sure." The man laughed, holding his arms up. "Anyway, shouldn’t you get going?"

"Cocky bastard." The guard hissed, before lifting a hand and motioning for the rest of his team to follow. "THIS WAY!" He bellowed, "CATCH HER!"

Letting out a breath, I watched as the guards began to move in the direction the man had said I went. Only once I was sure they were gone did I jump down from my hiding spot and meet the man’s amused gaze once more.

"Thanks," I managed, trying to control my frantic heartbeat. "You're a real life saver."

"You owe me one."

"Sure."

Rolling my eyes, I began to move once more. If we were to meet again in the future, I would repay his favor, but the chances of that were pretty slim, right?