Four years ago...

Drystan fastened the necklace around my neck, his fingers dwelling just a little longer than necessary.

He gently lifted my chin and looked into my eyes. "This circle? That's us, Victoria.

I didn't wait. I kissed him, and he met me halfway, his hand finding my waist as he kissed me back, more deeply this time.

When I finally pulled away, breathless, my arms wrapped around his neck without thinking.

"Just wanted to be sure you felt the same," he said softly.

"This is wrong, isn't it?" I spoke softly, even though it didn't feel wrong at all.

"Wrong?" I repeated, pulling back a little.

"You're my sister, Victoria."

"Stepsister," I corrected him. "We're not related by blood, Drystan."

He let out a sigh. "You know this means we'll have to fight for us, right? Everyone will be against us. Especially our parents. My dad..."

"Drystan," I cut him off, my voice composed. "Kiss me."

A small smile appeared on his lips. "You're so beautiful." His kiss was gentle, almost hesitant, but it sent shivers through me. I closed my eyes, trying to remember every detail.

"When did you know?" he asked after a moment.

I felt my cheeks warm. "Last year, when you took me to the lake at Twin Mountains. What about you?"

He answered right away. "The night you were sick. I stayed up, scared I'd lose you. That's when I found out. I love you, Victoria. Not as my sister. Just you."

"Don't ever leave me," I whispered.

"I'll try my hardest," he promised.

Drystan has been my stepbrother and best friend since I was three. There are five years between us, but we've always been together. We spent every day exploring the forests and mountains near our pack town. He's been my protector, my teacher, and the one I trust with all my secrets. Now, he's the person I love most.

We walked home together, laughing as he talked about finishing his first studies. Soon, he'd leave for the alpha's academy, preparing to lead the pack. Before we went inside, he pressed his lips to my hand, then let go.

Dinner was the usual family affair. My mother sat stiff-backed, her sternness equaled only by my stepfather, Drystan's dad, and the alpha of the pack. "Eat," he finally barked, breaking the calm that had hung over the table.

We glanced at each other when we thought no one would notice.

After dinner, my mother sent me to my room. Soon after, shouting broke out downstairs. Alpha Malachar slammed his fists on the table, making the whole house shake.

The door squeaked open, and my mother stormed in. "Did he touch you?" she demanded.

"No, who? Drystan? Of course, not..."

"Good. You're leaving tomorrow. You're going to the academy."

"What? Why? Mother, you can't be serious..."

Her hand slapped my cheek. "I didn't raise a whore. Your stepbrother? You think we're blind?"

"No," I sobbed. "Please, don't send me away..."

"You'll do as I say. He's leaving too. It's for the best."

I fell onto my bed, tears running down my face. Drystan had warned me this could happen. He was always good at reading people. "The most valuable skill is understanding those around you, especially the ones who might turn against you," he once told me.

Everything I owed to him.

The thought of being apart tore at my chest. I needed to see him at our special place. After midnight, once the house was quiet, I slipped out and ran through the forest.

He was waiting in our clearing, moonlight shining on his hair. I ran into his arms, breathing in his familiar pine and spice scent, trying to remember it forever.

"Victoria," he spoke quietly, stroking my hair. "This isn't the end. I'll find you. You'll be my Luna, I swear it."

His speech grew urgent. "Listen carefully. Where they're sending you, it's harsh. Full of rogues and girls deemed uncontrollable. You need to stay strong for four years." He exhaled shakily. "Not being able to protect you... It's tearing me apart."

"Promise you'll come for me, and I'll survive anything. I'll fight for us, Drystan."

He pulled me close, settling onto the ground and drawing me into his lap. My fingers caressed his cheek before I leaned in, kissing him gently. "I love you, Victoria," he uttered, his hands gliding softly along my skin, his lips touching my neck and collarbone. We stayed like that all night, tangled together on the forest floor, kissing, touching, but never going further. "You're too young," he said firmly. Sixteen. Not yet.

Leaving him felt like I was being torn in two. My world broke apart without him. I felt incomplete and lost.

By the second year at the academy, the news hit me like a shock. Our pack had been attacked, my parents were dead, and the pack was overtaken by a stronger one. And Drystan? Silence. I waited, grasping at hope.

That place was hell. There were bullies everywhere, and eventually, I became one too. Drystan had been right about everything. Trust no one. Watch, learn, and know your enemy before they destroy you.

Now, in my final year, there's still no word from him. Doubt emerged in. Was he captured? Dead? I'm without a pack; officially rogue, and survival turned out to be my specialty, and fighting, too. When you're always one mistake away from disaster, you learn fast. I could disappear without a trace, use a knife like it was part of me, and turn almost anything into a weapon.

But despite all the walls I'd built, I let one person in. Kara. She wasn't Drystan; no one could ever replace him, but she became the closest thing I had to a friend. We'd been watching each other's backs since the second year. Life moved on, even if it seemed empty.

Now, I'm almost twenty, the end of the year is getting closer, and still nothing from Drystan. Not a single sign.

Every night I stare at the ceiling, asking myself the same question: what will I do when these gates finally open? Do I live as a rogue wolf, always running, or try to blend in with humans until I'm old and my memories of Drystan disappear?

I jumped the fence just in time to brush my teeth and pull on the gray uniform. Life couldn't get any more boring. Then the yells began. I grinned and gave Kara a quick wink.

We got breakfast and took our usual seats. Sienna was there, scratching at her blisters until her skin looked raw.

I dumped my tray and walked past her table. I stopped, then turned around.

"Try me again, and you won't wake up." I flashed teeth. "Sweet dreams."

Anger burned under my skin, hot and restless. I had nowhere to put it.

Kara smirked as she watched Sienna scratch herself.

Good. She deserved it, especially with that pretty face of hers.

Only six more months and I'd be free. But then what?

"Victoria," Kara cut in, "where the hell have you been?"

I listed off the day's crap, classes, drills, and all the academy's boring routines.

"Victoria?" Kara's tone lowered. "You kissed him?"

"Yeah. And..."

"You like him?" She sounded almost wounded.

"Kara, we've talked about this." I sighed. "I like guys. What we have is fun, but it's not forever." The words came across as bitter the moment I said them. We fooled around, but Kara cared more. "Sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you."

"No, you're right." She shrugged, acting excessively casual. "You were clear from the start."

"It's not about choices," I said, snorting. "I'm still a virgin. Maybe it's time to change that."

"Victoria, don't," Kara's eyes narrowed. "You're pissed."

"You have no idea."

Weapons class.

Perfect. I could finally let out some frustration, I thought.

Then Balthazar walked in. He was the academy lead, always stern, probably in his mid-forties, and looked like he hadn't smiled in years. He brought in a cart full of wooden sticks, thankfully not sharp.

I glanced at Kara. What was going on?

"You," he pointed to some woman, "and you," to Kara. Then his look fell on me. We stared each other down for a solid second.

"It's all in the posture and core," Balthazar barked. "Pay attention." He threw a stick to each of them.

"Read your opponent, predict their next move. That's the goal," he continued.

It looked brutal and probably hurt. But I already knew how to use a stick, thanks to Drystan. I'd bugged him until he finally taught me. I smiled at the memory.

"Victoria, you're up," Balthazar said, tossing a stick my way.

I glanced at my partner. He grabbed a stick. "You, sir?" I asked.

Balthazar smiled. First time. "Let's see what you've got."

He charged, and I blocked. Watch him, I told myself, look for his weakness. He attacked again, and I blocked most of it, but one hit caught my shoulder. Pain shot through my heart, and anger flared up. Drystan always said anger messes with your focus.

I moved back and noticed his left leg was always in front; he was lefty. Perfect. I lunged and hit his right ribs with my stick.

"You've got quick hands, Victoria," Balthazar said, eyeing me. "But this isn't your first rodeo with a stick, is it?"

"No, sir," I replied flatly.

"You," he pointed to Sylvia, "pair up with her." He came closer to me, softening his voice. "Tighten your core, Victoria. You've got this."

Sylvia was tough; I'd seen her fight before. But even a five-foot stick could take down someone twice your size. Maybe I was exaggerating, but it felt true.

I watched her movements, zeroing in on her right knee. One hard strike and she was down; my stick aimed at her face.

Balthazar appeared behind me. "Hit her," he ordered. "You've got to show strength, or they'll tear you apart."

I wavered, then turned to him. "It's just practice, sir. I'm not going to hurt her."

He looked at my neck, his face turning confused. He'd seen my birthmark, a perfect circle, almost like a brand.

"Alright, that's enough for today," he said sharply. "Dismissed." He left the room before I could react.

"Kara," I said, grabbing her arm. "Cover for me. I've got to go."

I climbed the fence and ran into the forest.

Thane was waiting for me, still limping but looking better. He smiled when I got close.

"Victoria," he said, extending out to touch my face. "How am I ever going to repay you?"

"You don't owe me anything, Thane. Sit down and eat. I need to change your bandage. Take your pants off."

He laughed, low and rough. "Taking orders from a woman..."

"Got a problem with that?" I answered, smiling.

"First time for everything," he said, pulling me closer. His lips touched mine, soft at first, then deeper. I kissed him back, wanting that rush of feeling alive. But then guilt turned in my stomach, like I was double-crossing Drystan.

"You're feeling guilty," Thane murmured, pulling back just enough to meet my eyes.

"I shouldn't," I said, focusing on unwrapping his old bandage.

"Who took your heart and broke it?" he asked, his speech quiet.

"I'm not weak," I told myself, but the tears still came. I wiped them away, angry at myself.

"Thane, I don't want to talk about it. He left me. He's not worth my tears." I looked at his stitches. "Hey," I said, forcing a smile, "they look good."

"You're something else," he said, his hand stroking my cheek. "People see you and think fragile, but you're a force not to be messed with.

My face grew warm as I finished wrapping the new bandage. When I was done, he put his arm around me and pulled me close. His lips touched my neck, his breath warm on my skin. He breathed in deeply, like he was trying to remember my scent.

"Ever done this before?" he uttered, his voice husky.

"Yeah," I lied, then added, "Well, with a girl."

He paused and pulled back a little. "With a girl," he repeated, lifting an eyebrow. "Should I keep going?"

I didn't answer.

"Your body," he said as his hand slid under my shirt, "is telling me yes."

"Thane," I spoke quietly as his hand moved lower, "don't stop."

His kisses turned desperate, hungry. He lay me down, wincing as he shifted to get on top of me. "Fuck," he mumbled under his breath.

His lips moved down my body, stopping just above my navel. He took off my pants. My mind races. Did I really want this, or am I just mad at Drystan?

"I won't," Thane said, as if he could read my mind. His mouth moved to my thigh, finding the spot that made me gasp. I could feel his arousal lying against my leg. He moved on me, his lips caressing my nipple while he touched me. My body shivered as I gave in, my hand stretching for him, helping him lose control.

"Victoria," he said, breath heated against me

After a while, he said, "Come with me. Leave this place.

"Thane," I spoke softly, my hand on his face, "I want to, but I can't."

"You still think he'll come back for you?"

"No," I owe up. "Four years, not a word. I'm done hoping."

"Come here," he said, wincing as he sat up. I straddled his good leg. He held me close, his hand tracing gently along my back.

Why did it feel so right to be in his arms?

"You did what?" Kara's eyes locked onto me, wide with disbelief.

"Come on, Kara, you knew I would," I shot back. I held his penis in my hand.

We both burst out laughing.

"Well, go on then, how does it feel?" she asked, grinning.

"Big. Like, how the hell is that supposed to fit in my..."

Kara just stared, deadpan. "Seriously, are you actually going to do it?"

"I'm torn. Stay loyal to Drystan, or give in to this mysterious guy who's, you know, ridiculously hot."

We were sitting at the dining table when the girl at the next table started telling her story.

"He's ruthless, took down our pack in an hour. Sent some of us to the academy. He's the king of four packs, and he's not stopping there. But damn, he's hot. And strong. Alpha Drystan's powerful, though, already a force not to reckon with."

"Did she just say Drystan?" I nearly spit out my juice. I strode over and dropped into the chair across from her. She flinched.

"Tell me where this Alpha lives," I demanded.

"Behind the twin mountains," she whispered, eyes darting around.

My stomach was clenched. The twin mountains, where we'd grown up together. While I'd spent four years pathetically waiting for any sign from him, he'd been building himself an empire.

"Victoria," Kara's voice was low behind me. "I can see your face. Don't do something you'll regret."

I whirled around. "Regret? He's conquered four packs while I've been sitting here waiting like an idiot. Trust me, he's the one who'll regret this."

The door swung open. Balthasar entered, his gaze sweeping the room before settling on me. One finger beckoned. I followed him into his office.

"Victoria," he said, shuffling papers on his desk. "We're updating student exit files. Your mother's name is missing."

"Not missing. I left it blank intentionally." I crossed my arms. "She's dead. So is my stepfather. I have no one."

"Your stepbrother?"

"Apparently, I don't qualify as family to him."

"After graduation, wolf community or human world?"

I laughed bitterly. "Funny timing. Five minutes ago, I'd have said wolf. Now? I'll take my chances with humans."

His eyes narrowed. "I sense considerable anger."

"You think?" Another harsh laugh escaped. "Don't worry, I'll try not to take it out on anyone... undeserving."

"Your mother's name, Victoria?"

"Sylvia," I answered flatly.

Something flickered in his eyes; gone so quickly I almost missed it.

"Very well," he said. "You may go."

I hopped the fence again and ran back to Thane.

His leg had healed enough that he was able to stand when I entered. He opened his arms. "What happened?"

I fell against his chest, tears spilling despite myself. "I'm not weak."

"Crying doesn't make you weak, Victoria." His voice rumbled against my ear. "Tell me what's wrong."

"While I've been stuck in this stupid school, Drystan's been building an empire," I choked out.

"Maybe he had reasons for keeping you here..."

I pulled away from his embrace. "Whose side are you on?"

Thane laughed softly. "I'm just thinking like him. If you were mine, I'd want to hide you too, keep you safe from enemies. You're his weakness."

I wiped my tears, studying his face. "You could've lied. Taken advantage of how vulnerable I am. Instead, you're defending him."

"Why does that surprise you?" He brushed a strand of hair from my face. "You can't build something real on lies. As much as I want you for myself, you're still caught in the past." His thumb traced my cheekbone. "What are you planning to do?"

"I came here to lose my virginity, and you..."

He cut me off with a kiss that felt so right I melted against him.

"Here? "Now?" he murmured against my lips.

"You didn't seem to mind undressing me last night," I shot back.

His arms tightened around me. "I want you, Victoria," he whispered, "but not like this. Not for revenge. Even though revenge sex is hot. I want a chance."

"A chance for what?"

His laugh was gentle. "You really are innocent. A chance for us. To win your heart."

"Is this pity because I saved you? What's your angle?"

He sighed. "You trust no one. He taught you well." Thane stepped back. "Talk to him before you decide anything. I'm leaving, but if you need me for anything, call me. I'll be there.

I settled into his lap, my head leaning against his shoulder. He tilted my chin up, his lips brushing mine in a soft, lingering kiss. "Fuck, I'm going to miss this," he murmured. "Miss you. Your scent.

"I'll miss you too, Thane," I admitted. "Where's your pack?"

"Black Mountains, Croatia," he replied. "But I'm never in one place for long. Did you memorize the number?"

"Yeah, I got it." Saying goodbye felt like trying to swallow a rock. Neither of us wanted to pull away.

We kissed again, his hands tracing my back like he was trying to memorize the feeling of me. "Victoria," he said, my name sounding like something sacred on his tongue, "you know where to find me. I'll be waiting. Whatever you decide."

I hesitated, my hand brushing his cheek. "Thane, I do like you," I said, my face heating up. He closed his eyes, leaning into my touch.

"I'm torn," I whispered against his lips, tears slipping down my cheeks. He pressed his forehead to mine, his breath warm.

"I'll miss you begging me to take my pants off," he said, a smirk tugging at his lips.

I laughed despite the tears. "You're funny," I said as he wiped my face.

Thane's eyes met mine, pleading. "Come with me, Victoria. No questions, no demands, just freedom."

"You make it sound so simple," I whispered, my voice catching.

He leaned in, lips brushing mine between words. "Isn't it?"

I answered with a kiss, melting as his arm circled my waist, pulling me against him. His woodsy scent wrapped around me like a blanket, steadying my racing heart.

Golden light faded behind the trees. Time had run out. "Goodbye, Thane," I managed, then tore myself away before I could change my mind. I sprinted through the forest, vision blurring, and vaulted over the academy fence, landing directly at Balthazar's feet.

Shit.