Zoey’s POV

“Run, slut, run! Good ol’ loverboy is coming to get you! “

I bit my lower lip hearing his hair-raising remark. I had been running for a good amount of time trying to get away from this monster but he never seemed to give up.

“Playing hard to get, huh? That is more I like it! Make sure you’ll run real fast because once I catch you, I’ll make sure your body will suffer both in pain and pleasure. Hahahaha!”

I grimaced, utterly disgusted with what he uttered. But I remained focused. I need to get out of this situation, and fast! Because if not, that middle-aged rogue perv would be feasting on my body like a predator to his prey and I wouldn’t let him. I’d rather die!

The forest mountains of Crestwood had been my home for the last two years. The heavily forested slopes, abundant vegetation covering the ground, and mile-high peaks were my constant companions during my hunting trips. But if not for this pervert, I wouldn’t realize that Crestwood was not mine exclusively. The peace and tranquility it gave me over the last few months were so addicting that I forgot about this being a home of dangerous rogues and other pariahs of our society.

Like me.

All of a sudden, the surroundings became quiet. I could no longer feel the rogue that was running after me. It took me a couple more seconds of dashing before I slowed my tracks until eventually, I stopped. I could no longer smell his filthy desire. Perhaps he got tired and decided to let me go unscathed?

Perhaps. Perhaps was quite an unsettling word. And I learned that the hard way.

Suddenly, an unknown being jumped at me making me roll violently on the ground. I must have been too complacent with the momentary peace I had. Obviously, I did not notice that the vile rogue was able to get near me without realizing it.

Big mistake.

The rogue howled as his skin brushed into mine. We kept on rolling until eventually, he was able to subdue me. He locked my arms above me while his legs were jailing my limbs. Dang, it! His putrid stench hit my nostrils.

He leaned forward, sniffing my neck in the process. I moved my head sideways, avoiding his foul breath.

“Finally! I got you, little bunny. Now, it’s time for the wolf to devour you,” he uttered, seemingly unclothing me with his dirty stares. No, I would let him touch me. Not now, not ever!

And then, he began to touch me. And with that, I exploded.

“GET YOUR HANDS OFF ME!!!!”

I pushed him as hard as I could, not giving him time to react. He sent him flying to a nearby tree, hitting his back in the process. Before he could recover, I launched at him ready for another attack. But this time, I was in another form.

I morphed into my fucking copper-hued wolf form.

The man was caught off guard, with shock evident on his face. He didn’t see it coming. I bet never in a million years he saw this coming. Well, I couldn’t blame him. Because in our world, my form was considered a miracle.

Female werewolves who could shift into their wolf form were a million werewolves to one. There was only one known female shifter on the continent and I knew her personally because she came from our pack. So seeing me in this state was a moment he was least expected of all.

I targeted his neck area, locking my powerful jaws into it. I am a wolf and this was the way we attack our victims. Using my sharp teeth, I pierced his dirty skin. It didn’t take long before the red liquid from his body squirted. The rustic smell of the liquid made me frown, as this was the substance I would never grow to love.

And with that, I let him go. I already inflicted a fatal injury. I was so sure that the rogue would die soon.

The man stared at me, still couldn’t believe the fate that befell him. “Impossible,” he uttered while laying on the ground. He was now holding the torn flesh on his neck as blood was oozing out of it. “What the fuck are you?”

In a blink of an eye, I shifted back to my human form. I walked toward him, enjoying the fear that I could sense in his body.    I scooched down, leaning to his ears in the process. He shuddered in fear as I stated the words that even in his dream, he was never ready to hear.

“The name is Zoey Davis, a rogue, and a female shifter.” A few seconds later, life departed from the rogue’s body. I took a deep sigh.

It was over. I won and killed another outlaw.

The rustic smell of the rogue’s blood was filling my nostrils and I fucking hate it. So, I wasted no time trying to find ways how to clean my body from it.

I thanked the goddess that I knew every twist and turn of this forested mountain so I knew that there was a stream nearby. After ensuring the way, I dashed through it. I was a werewolf and hunting was in our blood. And yet, I hate fighting as this could only bring pain and suffering to its participants. However, I couldn’t stay away from it no matter how much I try. One, I was a rogue living in an open surround, and number two, I am a female shifter and this was the only way for me to live in peace.

In this place, the weak will surely be a victim of the strong ones. You have to learn to fight and defend yourself if you wanted to live.

Finally, I reached the stream. The clear water shines blue in the middle of green nature. The sound of the flowing water gave me peace of mind as I dipped my naked body into it.

I watched as the cold water washed out the dirt and blood from my body. While the beauty of the place was to be grateful for, I couldn’t help but think about that one thing that never departed from my mind.

Moonlight Pack…the place where I was raised and used to call home.

It has been a while since I ran away from my pack, something that I never planned of doing. But at that moment, I didn’t have a choice. I was forced to do it out of my desperation. I needed to do it because I couldn’t bear to see the man who was destined to be my mate but chose to break my heart.

And with that, my mind traveled to the day when it all began.

“Zoey?”

The voice was almost a whisper but enough to make my heart jump with joy. He only stated my name but that simple gesture already made my day. I fidgetted my fingers, still couldn’t believe that this was happening. It was him all along, the man I had waited for eighteen years.

“Why? Why does it have to be you?”

In a blink of an eye, all of my hopes were shattered into a million pieces. I lifted my head so I could look at him the first time my wolf realized that he was my mate. He looked surprised but not in a good way. All I could see was his utmost disappointment in the situation I waited for all my life.

Today was my eighteenth birthday and the day I met my mate. I didn’t have to travel far and wide because the moon goddess decided to pair me with Grayson Anderson, the future alpha of our pack. His shiny jet-black hair was moving against the autumn breeze, and his light blue eyes were fixated on me. I never felt so insecure in my life with the way he looked at me. Were mates supposed to look at you this way?

“I can’t believe it was you! Of all people, why did the moon goddess have to pick you?

If words could kill, I probably died on the spot. That was how much his words hurt me. It was like a dagger that stabbed me a million times.

Heartbroken was an understatement. Because at that moment, I felt that my heart stopped beating.

Grayson raked his hand on his hair, also cursing in the process. I bit my lower lip and bowed down, for seeing his dismay over the turn of events really bothered me. I couldn’t bear to see him look down on me this way like I was the worst thing that ever happened to him.

He took a deep breath, finally calming down. He lifted his chin and stared at me and then uttered the words that forever changed my life.

“I cannot be mated with you. I just can’t.”

That was it, he reached my breaking point. Tears were streaming down my face as I look at him with nothing but one question.

“Why? Why would you reject me?” My words were breaking as I stated those words. But before I could have his explanation, I saw my sister Savi going in our direction. She snaked her hands around Grayson before throwing me an insulting stare.

“Why are you talking to this loser, Grayson?”

Zoey’s POV

Well, there she goes again. Savannah never liked me. In fact, she even treated me worst than she treated the omegas who served her. She was one special wolf, as she was the only known female shifter in the land. This title earned her a significant rank in Moonlight Pack. Adding to her gorgeous blonde locks and a beauty that was to die for, she held the title of being the most powerful she-wolf in Moonlight Pack.

While me? I was nothing. Savi was right, I am a loser. I was no match for her looks, much more for her abilities. A lot of times she was insisting I was adopted, for I never inherited the strength and looks that ran into our genes. If not for my mother’s constant reminder that I was her child, I would really believe Savi’s words.

“Answer me, my love. Is she bothering you?” Savi said seductively. She ran her fingers onto Grayson’s chest while throwing me a disgusted look.

Grayson held her close, sniffing her hair in the process. The gesture made Savi giggle as if Grayson hit something sensitive. And then, he turned in my direction. The smile and welcoming demeanor he was giving Savi disappeared. Contempt was all I could see in him.

“I don’t know what the moon goddess is thinking but I can’t accept this pairing. Not only that you are not beautiful but you were also weak, unlike your sister.” Grayson looked at Savi with a smile on his face and in return, Savi caressed the side of his face. He looked at me again and continued to humiliate me. “You cannot be my Luna. You will only disgrace me if I will choose you. So please, don’t ever bring up this topic ever again. You’ll only humiliate yourself more.”

I grimaced in extreme pain as I tried to make sense of what he just said. My soul was shattered. And just when I thought the torture was over, he leaned down and kissed my sister as if the two of them already have a secret relationship they were both making me aware now.

I wanted to move my feet so I could get out of that place but it wasn’t moving. I wanted to take my eyes off of them but I couldn’t.

My mate rejected our mateship. Worst, he was choosing my sister Savi over me.

Oh, moon goddess! Why did it have to be this way?

But I couldn’t just turn my back on all of this. I had waited all my life to find my destined mate. This couldn’t be the end.

“Maybe you are just surprised. I can give you time to think about it. Just please, don’t do this to me. You can’t treat me like this.”

I tried to hold Grayson’s arms but he moved them away from me. This time, the disappointment written all over his face changed into something viler.

“Don’t you have any dignity left in you? I said I didn’t want you! What’s not to understand?”

“Oh my god! Can you just stop?!” I saw Savi roll her eyes. “Why don’t you just walk away? Can’t you see you are bothering me and my boyfriend?”

I turned to her with tears still running down my face. “Please, Savi, not now. This is between me and Grayson so please, stay out of it.”

I saw the surprised look on Savi’s face, as this was the first time I spoke something against her. I was shocked as well but it was already too late to regret what I did to her.

“You piece of garbage! How dare you humiliate me like this in front of our future alpha!” In a blink of an eye, Savi launched at me and grabbed a handful of my hair. Her grasp was so tight that I felt my scalp was about to tear from my head. I let out a groan due to the extreme pain I was feeling. But Savi was not done yet, as she began to slap me so hard that I tasted rust in my mouth.

“Stop it, Savi. You are hurting me....” I begged. I could no longer take her blows. I began to feel dizzy with her constant hits.

The pain made me weak. I suddenly stopped covering my face and let her slap and punch me as if I no longer care. The numbing pain was immobilizing. But nothing compared to the pain I was experiencing seeing Grayson’s indifference. He allowed Savi to beat me as if I was nothing but a nuisance in his life.

There was no remorse on his face. He enjoyed seeing me in this state.

“Savi! Get your hands off of Zoey!”

Finally, my salvation came. I was expecting it would come from Grayson himself but instead, I felt Hunter’s warmth. He was our older brother.   

“What the hell is wrong with you, Savi? Are you out of your mind?” he said while holding Savi’s hands in the air. My brother was furious, as was seen evident in his flushing red face.

“Oh, Hunter! It wasn’t my fault. It was Zoey who started it all!” With that, Savi started crying. She dug her face into her hands and ran into Grayson’s arms while the latter was consoling her.

I rolled my eyes at the scene. Clearly, pretending to be the victim was the game she was an expert in playing.

“What did Zoey do for you to beat her up like this? Look at her! Her face was swollen and bruised because of what you did!”

Suddenly, Savi’s face changed. From her bitch face earlier, it transformed into an innocent-looking saint.

“Oh, dear brother! Because she tried to steal my boyfriend from me!” Savi answered. “She tried seducing Grayson but our alpha heir rejected her advancements. I tried to beg her to leave me and Grayson alone but instead of listening to my plea, she started insulting Grayson and began attacking me. I only defended myself from her! It was her who started it all!”

“Liar! You know that wasn’t true!”

“I am not!” Savi retorted, with tears still streaming down her pretentious face. “I saw it with my own eyes! You were taking off your clothes in front of Grayson!”

“Liar—”

“ENOUGH!”

Hunter’s voice boomed. His eyes changed color, a clear indication of him allowing his wolf to take over. With his fangs already visible, we knew that he was on the verge of losing his patience. Both Savi and I feared our brother as he was known to be a ruthless killer once he morphed into his majestic wolf form.

Hunter looked at me enough for my body to tense in fear. “Tell me what happened.”

I took a deep breath and was ready to tell him my version of the story. “I wasn’t seducing Grayson. We were just talking about something.”

“And what was that?” Hunter, once again, queried.

I was hesitant at first but decided to talk anyway. “About…about our mateship.” I looked at Grayson before continuing my next sentence. “Grayson and I were mated. I just found out this morning.”

Hunter stared at me, shocked at what I just revealed. “What did you say?”

“She said we were mates but that is not true,” Grayson uttered. He stepped forward and grabbed Savi into a hug. “Savi is telling the truth. She was trying to seduce me and when Savi told her that we were already dating, she began attacking her and called me different names.”

“No! That wasn’t true! Why are you telling this—”

Pak!

My cheek went numb from the blow as Hunter hit me with a slap. He glowered at me, panting hard as he tried to control his anger. “How could you shame our family like this? Are you this desperate to be mated to an alpha son? Don’t you have any dignity left in you?”

“But it’s true!” I shouted back. “I am the mate that the moon goddess has given to Grayson! I am supposed to be his girlfriend, not Savi!”

Pak!

Again, another sharp open-handed slap rang in my ears. I cupped my cheek while in tears facing my brother who was never been this angry with me in my entire life.

“If I hear one more word about this nonsense, I’ll make sure to drag you into the dungeon and jail you there until you get back to your fucking senses!”

I stepped back, realizing that my brother now hated me like everybody else. Hunter’s disappointed stares were devastating. He was the only man who knew the real me. But alas! He chose to be blinded by Savi and Grayson’s lies.

Hunter turned to Grayson and bowed his head. “My apologies for my sister’s behavior, Grayson. Please forgive her insolence. Instead, punish me in her stead. I deserve to be beaten because as an older brother and the only man of our family, I should have taught her what’s right from wrong.”

“You don’t have to do that,” Grayson answered. “As long as she would stay away from me and Savi.”

“Thank you for your understanding I’ll make sure that Zoey would no longer bother you and your future Luna,” Hunter uttered. He bowed his head one last time before throwing me a “we will talk later” look.

Meanwhile. Savi smirked at me before hooking her arms to Grayson’s waist. Grayson did the same and planted another kiss on her forehead. And then, they both stepped away, leaving me alone with my misery.

“Go after him, Zoey! Tell him the truth! Tell him he was wrong to think we are weak!” I heard my wolf shout at the back of my head. I gave my remaining ounce of strength to subdue her as I don’t want her to take over my body without my consent.

“What are you doing, Zoey? We will lose our mate if you will not tell him the truth!” My wolf, Kenya, was desperate. She was begging me to speak up but i kept my mouth shut.

He would never know. He didn’t deserve to know about the secret of my ability. After what he did, Grayson only proved that he wasn’t worthy of the truth.

And I vowed to the goddess that I would keep it like that for the rest of my life.

Zoey’s POV

The day was about to be over. I didn’t even realize that I had been running this long.

I looked up the sky. The shades of orange and red were visible on what was once a clear, blue sky earlier. Then, I realized that I needed to go home before the darkness took over. I had so many bad things going on in my life right now so the last thing I wanted was to receive repercusions from violating the pack’s curfew.

So with a heavy heart, I ran home.

Normally, running would calm my senses and ease my heart. Whenever I feel down, I would just run and let my heart out. Afterward, I would feel better and ready to face the world once again. But the pain that was lingering inside me was far from being gone. Instead, the more I tried not to think about it, the more that my heart ached for what had happened earlier.

It wasn’t easy to grow up being the weak sister of the great Hunter and Savannah Davis. I often heard a lot of disappointments and comparisons, making me exposed with a lot of doubts and insecurities. My only consolation was to think about my mate. But the man I expected to save me was the same man who killed my heart.

I was wrong to think that I already experience the worst in life. Because the pain of rejection was beyond comparable.

A few minutes later, I saw our house. It was one of the best homes here in Moonlight, thanks to my brother and sister’s special statuses.. It was a four-bedroom cabin, three-bath houses enough to make the us feel comfortable.

But I never felt this house was home. My father only loved my other siblings while my sister never really bonded with me. Hunter was nice and kind to me but he was always away doing some pack duties. I was left with our mother, who showed nothing but love and support to me. I thought Hunter would be at my side too but after what had happened earlier, I figured he was like all of them.

I entered the house, as my feet guided me to the kitchen. I heard some faint sounds coming from the it so I knew that my mom was cooking something. When I saw her, the restraints I build into my eyes shattered. I broke down in tears, covering my mouth in the process to hide my despair. But this was a stupid thing to do as werewolves were known for their keen senses. Seconds later, my mom turned to my direction. Her face was full of worry as she walked slowly toward my direction.

“Why are you crying?” she asked. “What happened?”

I ran to her arms like a child. I dugged my face in her chest, crying desperately. She lifted her hand and caressed my back gently. Her warm touch was comforting, but even ths wasn’t enough to remove the pain.

“Just let it all out, Zoey. Mommy is here for you.” She stroke my hair, letting me feel all her love and support. We stayed in that position until finally, I calmed down. Although the pain was still there, mom’s presence was able to make it a bit bearable.

Mom caressed my face and wiped the tears from my cheeks. “Now, are you ready to speak up what happened?

And so, I started telling her the events that happened earlier. “I…I found my mate earlier.”

Mom squealed in joy. But seeing me cry again, her smiles disappeared from her face. “Wait, did he…”

“Yes, mom, you are right! My mate didn’t want me. He wanted me out of his life!”

“Oh, my poor child!” she exclaimed, pulling my body for another hug. “I don’t understand. Who was your mate and why did he had to do that?

“It was…Grayson Anderson,” I whispered almost inaudible. I felt another wail was about to come out of my throat but I tried my best to stop it by taking a deep breath. “He didn’t want me because I am weak. Savi and him were already dating and even told me he wanted her to be his Luna instead of me. To make it worse, Hunter hit me thinking that I was trying to seduce Grayson. Oh, mother! Why did he had to be him?”

“I am so sorry, honey!” my mom exclaimed. “I’m sorry you have to experience all that on your birthday.”

“Don’t be, mom,” I responded. ”It wasn’t your fault. It was Grayson and his ambition that led me into this.” I felt a raging fire ignited inside my soul.

My mom released me from her embrace. She then looked at my face. A hint of concern could be seen in her eyes glistening with tears. “Did he know about your…?”

I shook my head in response. “No, mom, and I will keep it that way. He will never know that like Savi, I am a shifter too.”

When I woke up this morning, I wasn’t expecting all of this. Apart from me finding about who my mate was, I discovered that like Savi, I could also morph into my wolf form. I could still remember the numbing pain I felt the first time my body had its transformation.

The creaking sound of my bones echoed in my room while my muscles tore from it. I remained to lie at my bedside, trying to understand what the heck was happening to me. My limbs morphed while my hair thickened into copper-hued fur. My nose stretched out and became a snout while I noticed that I grew in size. Then, I saw a spirit wolf in my mind. She introduced herself as Kenyas, the spirit wolf that would become my companion for as long as I live.

After Grayson’s rejection, I was sure of one thing. My secret would remain hidden between me and my mom. I wouldn’t let anyone from this goddamn pack know what I was really are, most especially, Grayson Anderson. No one would know that like my bitchy sister, I could shift into my wolf form too.

“I didn’t know how to face Grayson or this family anymore after the incident. I felt that…I no longer belong here.”

My mom’s forehead creased. “What do you mean?”

“I want…I want to run away and start a new life,” I uttered. Call me insane or what not but I already made up my mind.

I no loger have a place here at Moonlight Pack. How could I act normal knowing that my mate loathed me and my sister replaced me in his heart?

“Are you out of your mind? No, I won’t let you!” My mom stepped back and massaged the temples of her head. “Cut this crap! You’ll die if you live as a rogue. You will never survive

“But I am already dead!” I retorted, with eyes glistening with tears. “I hate to say this but Grayson took the life out of me when he decided to reject me. This is the only way for me to start my life again. I will keep dying as long as I am seeing him with another woman in his arms!”

My knees wobbled. I felt like something had blocked my throat while uttering those words. At last,    I gave in and slowly descended to the ground.

My mom didn’t utter a single word. Instead, she scooched down and gave me another embrace. My body was still shaking but I felt the comfort she was trying to give me. But this time, it felt different. It felt as if she was setting me free. I knew right there and then that she was giving me her blessing for running away.

My mom didn’t have to say anything. That gesture was enough for me to understand what she really meant. And with that, I am thankful.

“I love you, mom,” I whispered. “Don’t worry about me. I have my wolf Kenyas with me and she will keep me company. I will never forget you. I will try to stay in touch.”

“Take care of yourself, my dear Zoey. My love for you will remain the same. You are my child and I will always care for you, shifter or not.”

We both savored the moment as my mom’s hug became tighter. Somehow, we both knew that it would take a while until we hug each other like this again. But for now, this was enough.

*****

Under the light of the moon, I ran through the woods. I decided to run north, as I know the trees would be denser in this part of our border. Also, this was the section where the least of the trackers were assigned. If I would want to get out of this place, this route would be the best way to go.

I have been running for a good thirty minutes now.    I already passed the boundary of our Northern reach, making me inch closer to the other side of the border. At last, I reached the end of our reach. My heart began to thump like crazy. Because once I stepped into this land, I would start my life as a teenage rogue. Am I ready for that?

Wait, am I having a second thought?

I suddenly felt my throat became dry. I tried swallowing my own saliva multiple times but nothing seemed to ease my discomfort. Being nervous was an understatement. All of the dauntlessness I had earlier suddenly disappeared inside me and I couldn’t seem to find.   

There was no turning back. It was now or never.

“Remember, Zoey. I will support you on whatever decision you will have. Mateless or not, I will always be here.”

My eyes became teary hearing those words of encouragement from my spirit wolf, Kenyas. I had only known her for a day, but the amount of love I was getting from her was more than what the people of Moonlight pack had given me. I may have not been lucky with love but I was sure blessed to have Kenyas as my spirit wolf for life.

And that’s all I need to continue.

It felt liberating crossing the border to the other side. I felt I was free from all of the emotional baggages I was carrying with me when I decided to go here. But not long after, my celebration came to a halt when I felt another presence following me.

That moment, I knew I was in big trouble.