Chapter 4

(Penelope)

The rogue’s teeth snapped an inch from my neck. I rolled left, but not fast enough—claws tore through my shoulder, hot blood soaking my shirt. My stomach clenched, protecting the tiny life inside.

This wasn’t a normal wolf. Black fur matted with dirt and blood covered a frame that dwarfed any pack wolf I’d ever seen. Rabid red eyes fixed on me as it prowled closer, jaws dripping white foam.

It lunged. Pure instinct saved me as I slashed upward with my silver blade. Metal dug into flesh. The rogue jerked back, blood streaming from its muzzle to mix with the foam.

My triumph lasted seconds. The cut only made it angrier.

I tried backing away, but my movements felt sluggish, clumsy. The pregnancy that should have been my joy now threatened to kill us both.

Another lunge. This time its claws caught my thigh. Pain exploded as I hit the ground hard. Before I could move, massive paws pinned my chest. Rancid breath washed over me as yellow fangs descended—

Something gray erupted from the shadows. The impact sent the rogue wolf rolling in a fury away from me, as the grey wolf descended on it. My rescuer was fast and agile, dodging the rogue’s wild attacks before striking rather forcefully. Blood sprayed as fangs found the bigger wolf’s shoulder.

“Back away slowly,” said a mind-link voice. It felt strange—powerful but gentle, nothing like Dominic’s brutal presence in my head.

I scrambled backward on hands and knees, unable to look away. The rogue fought like a berserker, trying to overwhelm through sheer savagery, but the gray wolf was smarter, faster, always one step ahead.

A devastating blow to the skull staggered the rogue. In that moment of weakness, the gray wolf’s jaws clamped its throat. Not killing—dominating. The message thundered through the clearing: Submit or die.

The rogue went limp. When released, it slunk into the darkness. My rescuer watched until the monster disappeared. Then he turned, shifting forms smoothly.

Where the wolf had stood, a man straightened to his full height. I backed away, raising my bloody blade.

“Did Dominic send you?”

The short burst of laughter surprised me. “No. I’m here because you’re in danger.”

“I gathered that.” My shoulder throbbed. “Who are you?”

“I’m not from the Darkwood Pack.”

He made no move to approach, keeping his posture non-threatening on purpose.

“Then why come to me?”

“Because you’re in danger. And because I know who you are, Penelope.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’m Marcus, Beta of the Iron Mountain Pack.” He spread his hands, showing he was unarmed. “And you are the daughter of Alpha Nathan—our true heir.”

The knife nearly slipped from my numb fingers. “That’s impossible. I’m an orphan. I have no pack, no family—”

“No.” Marcus took one step forward. “You were stolen as an infant, taken from your crib during a blood moon. We’ve been searching for you ever since.”

“Stolen? By whom?”

“Enemies of your father. Rival packs who feared his growing power.” Another slow step. “They wanted to destroy his bloodline. They stole you and gave you away. But they failed. And now we’ve found you at last.”

My head spun as two decades of certainty crumbled. “You’re lying. This is some trick—”

“You can feel it, can’t you?” He tapped his broad chest. “The power in your blood. The strength that goes beyond normal wolves. The magic that lets you break a mate bond. That’s your heritage—the pure bloodline of the Moon Goddess herself.”

“I don’t understand. How did you find me?”

“We never stopped looking. For twenty-three years, your father’s scouts searched every pack, followed every rumor.” His eyes softened. “When the Moon Goddess showed us a mate freeing herself from the Alpha’s bond through her magic, we knew.”

“And you expect me to just believe you? Follow a stranger into the night?”

“You don’t have to trust me.” He smiled gently. “But staying here means death or imprisonment under Dominic’s rule. At least I’m offering answers—and freedom.”

He was right. What choice did I really have?

“Lead the way.”

We moved swiftly through the forest, Marcus pointing out hidden paths marked by ancient runes. As we walked, he spoke of the Iron Mountain Pack’s history—of power passed down through generations.

“Your father never stopped believing,” he said as we forded a moonlit stream. “Even when others lost hope, he knew you lived.”

“And my mother?”

“Luna Daphne prayed every full moon for your return.” He helped me over a fallen log. “She’ll weep with joy to see you.”

The trees thinned gradually, revealing jagged mountains that pierced the sky. A massive gate rose before us, carved from living stone. Strange symbols decorated its surface, and something in them resonated deep inside me.

“Welcome home, Princess.”

Guards in gray uniforms bowed deeply as we passed. Their reverence felt alien after years of contempt from Dominic’s pack.

The differences grew starker with each step. Where Dominic’s packhouse sprawled in ostentatious displays of wealth, Iron Mountain’s buildings grew organically from the rock itself. Every stone, every timber, seemed ancient and magical.

Marcus led me up broad steps to a door wrought with silver. “They’re waiting in the great hall.”

My heart slammed against my ribs. After twenty-three years of believing myself unwanted, could I face these strangers who claimed to be my parents?

The doors swung open silently.

A man and woman rose from ornate thrones. His Alpha presence dominated the room and it filled me with respect Dominic had never commanded, but his eyes seemed to beg me to remember.

Beside him, the Luna pressed her fingers to her mouth. “My baby,” she whispered, tears spilling down her cheeks. “My precious girl.”

I stood frozen, unable to move. This woman with my red hair and green eyes. This man with my stubborn chin. The truth hit me—they were my parents. My real parents.

“We searched for you,” my father said, his voice breaking. “Twenty-three years. Never stopped looking.”

The Luna—my mother—stepped forward, her hands shaking as she reached for me. “May I?”

I nodded, tears blurring my vision. Her arms wrapped around me, and something clicked into place. Her scent—pine and wild honey—felt like a memory I’d forgotten.

“Penelope,” she sobbed against my hair. “My Penelope.”

My father joined our embrace, his strong arms encircling us both. “Welcome home, daughter.”

When we finally separated, I looked up at them through my tears. “I never knew. All these years…”

“They stole you from us,” my father said, his jaw tightening. “Your crib was empty. Your blanket is left behind.”

“We’ll make up for lost time,” my mother promised, squeezing my hands. “We have so much to show you, to teach you.”

“Your bloodline,” my father said, pride evident in his voice. “It’s powerful, ancient. The way you broke that mate bond proves it. Only a true Moon heir could sever such a connection.”

I placed my hand on my stomach. “I’m carrying a child.”

My mother gasped. “His?”

I nodded, then straightened my spine. “But I will never return to him or his pack. That part of my life is over.”

“Good,” my father growled. “You belong here, with your true people.”

“What happens now?” I asked.

My father’s expression grew serious. “Now we train you. Teach you our ways, our history. The power in your blood.” He exchanged a look with my mother. “You’re my only heir, Penelope. Someday, you’ll lead this pack.”

“Me?” I shook my head. “I don’t know how—”

“You will,” he interrupted. “I’ve seen your strength today. Breaking that bond took courage few possess.”

For the first time in years, hope bloomed in my chest. This place called to something deep inside me. These people—my real family—saw value in me that Dominic never had.

“I want to learn everything,” I said firmly. “And I want to forget the Darkwood Pack ever existed.”