#Chapter 2 Alone

Amelia's POV

We continued walking through the woods, the rain finally beginning to ease up. The wolf and I had been walking for what felt like hours, but I didn't feel tired. In fact, I felt invigorated, like I was finally living again.

As we walked, I couldn't help but think about the pack that had rejected me. They had been my family, my home, for as long as I could remember. But now, they were nothing but a painful memory.

I wondered if they were looking for me, if they had sent out search parties to bring me back. But I quickly dismissed the thought. Even if they were looking for me, I didn't want to be found. I was done with that life, done with the pain and the rejection.

Suddenly, the wolf stopped in its tracks and let out a low growl. I looked around, but I didn't see anything out of the ordinary. The wolf's hackles were raised, and it seemed to be on high alert.

I followed its gaze and saw a figure moving through the trees. At first, I thought it might be another wolf, but as it got closer, I saw that it was a man. He was tall and muscular, with short black hair and piercing blue eyes.

As he stepped closer, I could see that he was wearing a leather jacket and jeans. He looked like he had been through a lot, but there was a confidence in his step that made him seem invincible.

The wolf continued to growl, and the man stopped a few feet away from us. "Easy there, girl," he said, holding out his hands in a calming gesture. "I'm not here to hurt you."

I realized then that he was talking to the wolf, not me. I was still too stunned to speak.

The man crouched down and looked at the wolf. "You're a beautiful creature," he said, his voice low and smooth. "What's your name?"

The wolf didn't answer, of course, but I felt a strange sense of understanding between them. It was like they were communicating on a level that I couldn't comprehend.

The man stood up and turned to me. "And who do we have here?" he asked, his eyes studying me carefully.

I felt a shiver run down my spine. This man was dangerous, I could tell. But there was also something alluring about him, something that drew me in.

"My name is Ava," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. "And this is...my friend."

The man raised an eyebrow. "Your friend?" he repeated, as though he found the concept amusing. "Well, you're a brave one, aren't you? Most people would be afraid of a wolf in the middle of the woods."

I shrugged. "I'm not most people."

The man smiled, and I felt a strange flutter in my stomach. "I can see that," he said. "My name is Lucas. I'm a...well, let's just say I'm a traveler. I go where the wind takes me."

I didn't know what to make of him. He seemed dangerous, but he also seemed like he might be able to help me in some way. I decided to take a chance.

"Do you know anything about...werewolves?" I asked hesitantly.

Lucas raised an eyebrow. "Werewolves?" he repeated, as though he didn't believe me. "You mean like...humans who can turn into wolves?"

I nodded. "Yes. That's what I am."

Lucas looked at me for a long moment, studying me carefully. "I've heard stories," he said finally. "But I've never actually met one. I took a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves. "Well, now you have," I said, trying to sound more confident than I felt.

Lucas nodded slowly. "I see," he said. "And why are you out here in the middle of nowhere?"

I hesitated for a moment, unsure if I should trust him. But something about the way he was looking at me, something in his eyes, made me feel like he was different from the others. Maybe it was the fact that he didn't seem afraid of me, or maybe it was just a gut feeling.

"I...I ran away," I said finally, my voice barely above a whisper. "From my pack."

Lucas raised an eyebrow. "Your pack?" he repeated. "You mean there are more of you?" 

I nodded. "Yes. I was...I was their mate. But they rejected me."

Lucas frowned. "Rejected you?" he said, his voice softening. "What do you mean?"

I looked away, unable to meet his gaze. "They...they didn't want me. I wasn't good enough for them."

Lucas didn't say anything for a long moment, but I could feel his eyes on me. "I'm sorry," he said finally. "That must have been hard."

I nodded, tears welling up in my eyes. "It was. It still is."

Lucas stepped closer to me, his hand reaching out to touch my arm. "Listen, Ava," he said softly. "You don't have to be alone. You can come with me, if you want. I know a lot about...things like this. Maybe I can help you."

I looked up at him, feeling a glimmer of hope. "You can?" I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

Lucas nodded. "I can try," he said. "But you have to trust me."

I hesitated for a moment, unsure if I was ready to trust someone again. But then I looked at the wolf, who was still watching us carefully, and I knew that I had to take a chance. I nodded slowly.

"All right," I said. "I'll go with you."

Lucas smiled, and I felt a warmth spread through me. "Good," he said. "We'll figure this out together."

We walked through the woods, the three of us, and I felt like maybe, just maybe, things were starting to look up. Maybe I had finally found someone who could help me, who could understand me.

But I also knew that danger was lurking around every corner. I was a werewolf, after all, and there were people out there who would do anything to get their hands on me.

I just hoped that Lucas was different. That he was someone I could trust, someone who wouldn't hurt me.

As we walked, I couldn't help but wonder what was in store for me. Would I ever find a place where I truly belonged? Would I ever find someone who would love me, despite what I was?

I didn't know the answers to those questions, but I knew that I was willing to keep searching. Because even though I had been rejected by my pack, even though I was alone and scared, I knew that I was stronger than I ever thought possible.