96. Needed

RAYA'S POV

I walked away from the Packhouse, my anger boiling over. I had to get away from the Pack, from the memories and the pain that lingered in the air. I ran through the woods, my heart pounding and my feet pounding the earth. I ran and ran, letting the wind and the rustling of the leaves soothe my troubled soul.

I had been determined to quell my rage immediately. It always resulted in someone dying. But this time, I didn't want to harm anyone. I just wanted to escape, to be alone with my thoughts and my anger.

As I reached the boundary of Xander's Pack, the warriors halted me. I recognized them as some of his elite guards, the ones who patrolled the boundary and protected the Pack from outside threats. They stood in front of me, their weapons drawn, but when they saw who it was, they lowered their weapons and allowed me to pass.

"We didn't expect to see you here, my lady," one of them said, his voice respectful.

I nodded, my eyes still filled with anger. "I needed to escape for