Chapter 2

THE RESCUE

 ELENA'S POV

I made my way home to grab my things. Every step I took felt heavier as the announcement echoed in the distance.

"I hereby make Maria Broodwing my mate and the future Luna of this pack" Liam’s voice carried, and though I had already left, I could still hear him. 

I wanted to collapse, to let the pain swallow me whole. But I wouldn’t. None of them deserved my tears. Not after what they did. 

Grabbing my luggage, I took one last glance at the house I once called home. A surge of anger and sadness twisted inside me, but I pushed it down. Anywhere was better than here. Anywhere far from that traitor.

____

The sky was getting darker and darker, signifying the approaching night. Trees surrounded me in every direction, their branches twisting like skeletal hands reaching for the sky. 

I must’ve crossed the borders by now and would be in the rogue territory. The main thought of it made my blood run cold.

I pray I don't run into one. Besides I was now a rogue too, maybe they'd leave me alone since I no longer belonged to a pack. Or maybe they'd hunt me down. The thought made me take another gulp of nothing but my saliva, swallowing hard.

Suddenly, a low growl sliced through the quiet air and my heart stopped beating, my spirit flying out of my body.

I spun around, and there it was—a wolf, eyes gleaming with hunger. It was a rogue, just like me. But unlike me, it was ready to attack.

My breath hitched. Fear clawed at me as I took a step back, my feet feeling like lead. Sweat trickled down the back of my neck, and my pulse quickened. I was alone. Defenseless. 

The wolf’s growl deepened, and before I could react, it lunged at me.

I screamed, stumbling backward, the world spinning as I hit the ground. My limbs tangled in the underbrush, and I braced myself for the bite. 

But it never came.

A blur of black shot out from the shadows, slamming into the rogue with a force that shook the earth beneath me. Another wolf, larger and more dangerous, had intercepted my attacker. The two clashed, their snarls ripping through the air like thunder.

I watched, frozen, as the black wolf’s savage precision tore into the rogue. The fight was brutal, the constant chattering of teeth and claws feeling the air, but it was over in seconds. The rogue whimpered, limping off into the darkness, leaving the black wolf victorious.

My chest heaved as I tried to catch my breath. The black wolf turned toward me, its piercing gaze locking onto mine. Something about those eyes felt familiar, though I couldn’t place it. They held a dangerous intensity, a power that sent a chill through me.

He took a step closer, and I scrambled to my feet, my heart pounding. Friend or foe? I couldn’t tell.

The wolf’s form began to shift, bones cracking and reshaping until a man stood before me. Tall, muscular, and every bit as intimidating as the beast he had just been. His dark eyes locked onto mine, cold and unreadable.

My gaze trailed down, and despite me cautioning myself, my cheeks flushed. He was... impressive. I quickly snapped my eyes back to his face, mortified at where my thoughts had wandered.

“Who are you?” I whispered, my voice barely audible.

He regarded me with an emotionless gaze, not saying a word for what felt like an eternity. Finally, he growled low in his throat, pulling me from my daze. “Oliver.”

My eyes widened immediately, Oliver, the Alpha of the Full Moon Pack. His reputation preceded him—fierce and ruthless, brave and nonchalant. And now, here he stood, towering over me.

“Thank you” I managed, my voice shaking. “You... you saved me.”

Oliver’s lips curled into a sneer. “What’s a wolfless omega doing out here, alone?”

The disdain in his voice cut deep. I swallowed the lump forming in my throat, trying to stand tall despite the sting of his words. “I was banished. I have nowhere else to go.”

His gaze swept over me, cold. “A rogue omega. Pathetic.”

My chest tightened, but I refused to break down. Not in front of him. I’d shed enough tears for Liam. I wasn’t about to show my weakness to another Alpha.

“I’m not weak” I protested, though my voice sounded more fragile than I intended. “I can take care of myself.”

Oliver’s dark eyes gleamed as he pulled out a bag from behind a tree. “Is that so?”

Without another word, he began dressing, pulling on a pair of boxers and trousers. I tried to avert my gaze, but curiosity got the best of me. My cheeks heated as I quickly looked away, feeling embarrassed and ridiculous.

He must’ve noticed because when I finally glanced back, he was smirking. My face burned even more.

Once fully dressed, he slung the bag over his shoulder and turned to leave without another word.

“Wait!” I called, panic creeping into my voice as the growl of another wolf echoed in the distance. Maybe rudeness wasn’t the best approach.

I ran after him, my feet slipping on the uneven ground. “Please, wait!”

Oliver stopped abruptly, spunning to face me. His eyes were blazing with fury, and I instantly regretted calling out to him.

My legs trembled under his gaze, and I forced myself to stand my ground. “I need help.”

For a long moment, I thought he might walk away, leaving me alone in the dark. But then, he let out a long, frustrated sigh.

“Follow me” He ordered, his tone leaving no room for argument. “I’ll take you to my pack.”

Relief washed over me, and I hurried after him, struggling to match his long strides. As we walked, I couldn’t help but steal glances at him..

Soon, the dense trees thinned, and the Full Moon Pack’s territory stretched before us. Wolves moved about, their eyes wary as they noticed Oliver leading a stranger into their midst. I felt the weight of their gazes but kept my head down, not wanting to attract any more attention.

He led me to a small, isolated room on the outskirts of the territory. “You can stay here” He said, his voice cold. “But don’t expect any special treatment. You’re just an omega.”

I nodded silently, stepping into the small, barren room. Loneliness settled over me as I looked around. The cold air nipped at my skin, and the unfamiliar surroundings only heightened my sense of isolation. I missed the familiarity of my old pack—no matter how much it hurt to admit. I missed Liam. 

But I’d never go back. Not after what he did.

I lay down on the makeshift bed, exhaustion weighing heavy on me. A cold breeze slipped through the cracks in the walls, sending a shiver down my spine. Something felt off—like I was being watched. 

My eyes darted toward the window, and my heart stilled as I caught sight of a pair of glowing eyes in the darkness. 

The rogue wolf. It hadn’t given up its hunt.

It had found me again.