Chapter 0006

The wolf's howl shattered the tranquil night, guests gasping as white fur rippled into pale flesh.

Kim stood naked, hands clasped over her breasts, cheeks burning while she forced a smile. "My apologies,” Kim managed to stammer out. Terry whipped off his coat, draping it around her shoulders.

"Come, let's get you dressed." His arm encircled her waist, guiding her from the banquet hall.

I clenched my fists, heart pounding. I couldn’t just let Kim have her. She wasn’t happy. I needed my wolf back—but how? I crept toward the corridor, straining to hear my sister and mother’s hushed voices.

"I can't control it, Mother. The wolf—it just came out, and then it shifted back. I had no control!”

A comforting hand stroked Kim's hair. "Hush now, we'll find a way to fix this. Don't you worry."

Kim sniffled. "But you said this would work!"

"And it will. It will just take time." My mother's voice hardened. "Now go get dressed. We'll discuss this later." Kim slumped off pouting while the coat swished around her ankles.

I stepped into the corridor as my mother turned, her eyes narrowing into slits. "What are you doing here? How dare you attend the ceremony?"

I lifted my chin. "I want my wolf back."

A sharp crack resounded as my mother's hand struck my cheek. "How dare you attend the ceremony? After everything you've put us through?"My mother seized my wrist, fingernails digging into flesh. "It's your fault we're in this mess."

I winced, struggling in vain to break free. "What? You expect me not to show up? You got what you wanted from me."

My mother's grip tightened, a vice of bone and rage. "You insolent brat. I should have gotten rid of you instead." She shook me  like a rag doll, venom dripping from each word. "You’re the reason why Kim hasn’t bonded with her wolf. You are the problem. You have always been the problem."

With a final shove, my mother released me. I  staggered back, clutching my wrist.

My mother straightened, composure already restored behind a mask of indifferent calm. "I'm sending you to the border-restricted area. You will remain there until I give permission for you to return.."

"But I gave up my wolf!" I protested. "What more do you want?"

Pale eyes gazed at my, empty of affection or warmth. "You really are too stupid to understand, aren't you?" My mother sighed. "It's you, Kailani. You are what needs to be fixed."

With that, my mother turned and left. i slumped against the wall, eyes stinging. Who could help me now? My mother made her position clear. But my father was alpha; as long as he forbid my exile, she would have to accept it.

I hurried to my father's study and pounded on the door. No response. I pounded again, desperation clawing at me. "Father, please!"

The door creaked open. But it wasn't my father's face peering out, only his beta. "Leave," the beta said flatly. "The alpha is resting and does not wish to be disturbed."

The door slammed in my face.

I stared at the rough wood, tears spilling down my cheeks. 

Was there anyone left who still cared?

Kim!

Kim would defend me! She would want me to be here. We had been close once, before the incident had driven a wedge between them. She had my wolf; she would definitely save me now.

I set off in search of Kim, brushing past Terry  in the hallway. He opened his mouth as if to speak, then thought better of it. I ignored him. Nothing he said mattered. Kim was the last hope left for me. If  Kim turned me away, I would truly have nothing.

"Kim, you’re the only one that can save me. Mom is sending me away. I don't want to leave. I promise I'll do anything to stay here,” I pleased with her after I entered her room.

Kim studied me for a moment. Once, those eyes had gazed at her with affection. Now they were as distant as the moon.

"Kailani," Kim said softly, "Mother and Father are sending you away for your own sake. You have a wolf. You’ll be fine. Once Mom feels that your punishment is over, she’ll bring you back."

"I can't go there!" I grabbed Kim's hands. "You’ve heard the stories. The border packs are vicious. They'll tear me apart!"

"Don't worry. Everything is going to be fine,” Kim said with a smile.

The lie was plain on her face. Everything was not going to be okay. Kim would not help me too.

I released her, the fight going out of me. I understood now, with stark and terrible clarity. They had gotten what they wanted from me: my wolf, her power. Now they wished to be rid of me, an embarrassment they no longer needed.

I was alone.

"I have to survive," I thought as I watched my sister returned to combing her hair. "I have to."

The border packs would not care that I came without a wolf. They would descend on me, eager to tear me apart. I left Kim’s room and began aimlessly walking. I gripped the wall, knuckles whitening, and tried to think.

I took a deep breath, steadying myself.  Panicking was going to get me no where. I needed a clear mind and a plan.

I couldn't return to my room; they would expect me to go there. Instead I hurried down the corridor, ducking into an alcove as a servant walked by. My hand brushed against something cold - a metal lever.

Of course. The old servant's passageways, used before the new halls were built. They ran throughout the castle, including out of the gates.

I threw my weight against the lever and a door creaked open. Musty darkness greeted me, cobwebs clinging to my face. I prayed that the Moon Goddess would guide me on the right path to get out of here.

The passageways were a maze, but I had explored them as a child. If I could remember, I could make it to the gates, I could slip away into the night. From there, I didn't know where I would go, but anywhere was better than the border-restricted area. 

I hurried through the tunnels, ears straining for any sounds of pursuit. But the pack house  remained still and silent above me.

At last I spotted a familiar crack of light ahead - the outside gates. I peeked through the crack, searching the courtyard for guards.

Two guards were stationed by the gates, but their backs were turned, looking out at the darkness beyond the walls. Now was my chance.

A warm hand touched my shoulder causing me to jump in fear. I turn around to see Margaret.

“Please, please don’t send me back,” I pleaded.

“Get up and come with me!” Margaret said, “We don’t have any time now.”

Margaret takes my hand and begins leading me back through tunnels. For a moment, I feel that perhaps she is tricking me, but when I spot a familiar crack of light ahead, I realize that Margaret was not deceiving me.

Margaret peeked through the crack, searching the courtyard for guards. “There are two guards by the gates. They have their backs turned. You can make it if you go now,” she says, “Good luck.”

I eased the door open and slid out, clinging to the shadows of the wall. My heart pounded as  crept toward the gates, step by step.

Almost there. The guards continued their idle chatter, oblivious. My hands closed around the iron of the gate and I slowly open the gate. It was almost open when the gate made a loud screeching noise.

One guard whirled around and yelled, "What was that sound? What do you think you’re doing? Go back to your room immediately!” "What do you think you’re doing?"

As the guards rush me, Margaret slams into one of them, knocking him to the guard. The guard turns on her and strikes her hard in the head. Blood sprays across the ground. The guard comes for me, but Margaret grabs the guard by his ankle.

I saw her unspoken words, “Run, girl!”

I flung myself forward and ran out into the darkness. I ran as fast as I could, ignoring the yells for me to stop. I wasn’t stopping.

I'd rather die than be taken back.