Chapter 3

Melanie.

So this was how they were able to track me so easily, despite the mud and the rain and the streams. I spotted one of my shirts in her hand and runes splattered in blood across it. A tracking spell. Everything had been against me tonight, the rain, my lack of a wolf, and now a tracking spell. I glared at the witch, promising to make her pay for standing in the way of my freedom.

“Forgive her, Alpha Jackson, A slight misunderstanding between the girl and our alpha. We would never dare to intrude-”

“And yet here you are, witch. You have brought an army into my territory, some may say this is an act of war.”

Melanie raised her head, a paragon of proprietary and politeness, “I assure you alpha, we are only here to reclaim the girl. It was an oversight that we-”

“Oversight?’ He cut her off again, eyes blazing with a dark fury, “My territory, was an oversight?”

Melanie bowed her head again, out of fear or respect I wasn’t sure. The forest was still and silent, tension lurking in the air. 

“Has a crime been committed against the pack by this girl?”

The moment of hesitation it took for either Marcus or Melanie to concoct some convoluted story was enough time for the alpha to turn to me, eyes empty of any kindness.

“I see, so she is simply a disloyal wolf who ran from her pack. A rogue.” He spat the word like a curse, and for the first time in the night, it felt like maybe I would be safer still running, “why chase her then? What is so important about an ungrateful rogue?”

Melaine smiled sweetly, “A promise I’m afraid, an exchange between her father and our alpha. Dear Elise is to be our future Luna.”

Alpha Jackson twisted his head slightly, looking at me from the corner of his eye, trying to figure out what all the fuss was about I imagined.

“Luna for a pack she is running from.” A statement, not a question.

“I will not,” I hissed, baring my teeth at the pack. 

Marcus barked a laugh, “as if you have a say in the matter.”

“She may not,” Alpha Jackson growled, “but I do.”

“Pardon me, Alpha?” Melanie asked, failing to hide the surprise in her words. It was rare the witch was caught surprised or unprepared.

The alpha stood taller, chin raised as he towered above us, “she is a rogue. She has crossed into my territory. She is mine, to deal with as I see fit.”

Melaine’s blue eyes bore into mine, an actress’s sorrow on her face, “Elise, we forgive you for running, we understand that becoming Luna is a scary, imposing role, but we are here to help. Come back to the pack, dear, come home and we can start anew. If you are still a part of the New Moon pack, withholding you could be considered an act of war. Especially as our future Luna.” Her voice grew firmer at the last part, the threat crystal clear and directed to the wolf who held me tight enough in his clutches that my arm would have an added bruise by the morning. 

No one moved or seemed to breathe as both packs waited for my decision. If I declared for New Moon, it was likely Alpha Jackson would hand me over easily and without pain, but returning there… Returning there was not an option. 

Lifting my head, I straightened my back and looked at Melanie, only rage and hate lighting up my eyes and fueling my courage as I announced, “I am a rogue. I denounce the New Moon pack as my home, my protection and my fam… family.” I stumbled on the last word, that mention of family. The mother, father and brother I would never see again.

Once again, Alpha Jackson’s eyes bore into mine, like he was searching for something. Maybe he was watching my resolve, maybe he was testing my courage, but I didn’t betray the determination inside of me as I bared my teeth with a snarl, “I will not go back.” I’d rather die, fighting against two packs than go back to that hell hole. 

“You heard her.”

The words broke me and I almost sagged to the floor in relief. I had built up these pessimistic fantasies of pain and hopelessness that I hadn’t even let myself consider that there was the possibility for something better. For someone to defend me.

“Alpha Jackson-”

The alpha let out a snarl, and Marcus moved towards Melaine, stepping in front of her as warriors from New Moon closed in.

“She is a rogue, she is on my territory. She. Is. Mine. If you and your mutts don’t get off my territory, I will consider this an act of war.”

When the New Moon wolves made no attempt to leave, Alpha Jackson let out a roaring “leave”, shaking the forest around him. Trees shook as birds fled from their homes, squirrels hurried un the bark and rabbits burrowed to safety. His wolves moved closer, more and more of them emerging from their hiding spots, outnumbering the few warriors and trackers.

Marcus growled and shifted, his wolf a chestnut brown, scarred from his years of service to Alpha Fredrick. I could feel the fury of his glare as he lowered himself, permitting Melanie to mount.

Melanie gave me a wicked smile, one filled with promise, “he will not let you go so easily, pup.” She spoke before she moved atop Marcus, and the wolves from New Moon fled, howling in their rage.

A sliver of guilt ran through me as I thought of what their failure to Alpha Fredrick might mean. To return home, empty-handed, especially as their target in question had only humanity to rely on… I couldn’t imagine the consequences to be pretty. I wasn’t sorry enough to go after them. They had made their choice just as I had made mine.

After a moment's peace to ensure they were gone, I mumbled, “Thank you, alpha,” as I made a move to leave. But he hadn’t released his grip yet, and seeing the murderous glare directed towards me, I had the sinking feeling he had no intention to.

“Do not delude yourself into thinking me so naive.”

His grip tightened and my legs gave way. My knees squelched into the mood and with the alpha still holding my wrist, I had no choice but to look up at him, glowering down on me like a vengeful god.

“You will be kept on my territory until I say otherwise. You have broken many laws tonight rogue.”

“Why not let me go? You’ll never hear from me or them ever again!” I snapped, my anger had built, and my fear subsided. I’d had enough. I was not going to be imprisoned by another cruel alpha when I had barely escaped the clutches of the first. I was not going to be made to feel like a criminal for wanting that freedom.

He smirked darkly, leaning closer to my face, “Because I am the alpha. And you’re in my territory, sweetheart.”

Before I could argue or strike at him, a pain shot against my nape, ricocheting throughout my body as I grew limp, the damp floor meeting my cheek. I closed my eyes, and everything went numb.