The Silver Alpha's Rejected Mate

SKY

The pounding of my heart is so strong that, it feels like thunder rolling through my body. Each beat echoes in my ears, urging me to move faster. I keep glancing over my shoulder every few seconds, searching the shadows between the trees. They're out there. I can sense them.

I push into a steady jog, my shoes crunching against the carpet of dried leaves covering the forest floor. If I don't keep running, they'll catch me. Somehow, no matter how many different routes I take through these woods, they always manage to find me.

But not tonight. I can't let them catch me again.

I've always been fast, but when they corner me, there's no escape. Five against one-those are terrible odds for anyone. They're too strong when they hunt together, and I can't take the pain they bring anymore.

I stretch my stride, leaping over roots and fallen logs. The woods of Silver Forest close around me, dark and endless, but I'm only a few miles from the Silver Moon Pack's headquarters. If I can just make it to the clearing, I'll be safe. I'll be home.

Sweat trickles down my forehead, my golden braid loosening with each movement. I swing my head to check behind me, but the motion costs me. A sharp sting cuts across my arm, forcing a cry out of my mouth.

"Damn it!" I hiss. A low branch ripped through my skin, leaving a shallow cut across my forearm. The pain is minor, but the blood-it's enough for Lamen to catch my scent. And once he does, there's no escaping him.

I grit my teeth, ignoring the sting. The wound will heal soon; it always does. I just need to keep running. My lungs burn, but the thought of freedom keeps me going. If I can reach the clearing, if I can step onto pack land, they won't dare follow.

I duck under a long branch, breathing hard, when I glance back one more time. Big mistake. I slam straight into something solid-no, someone.

The impact knocks the air out of me. My face smashes against a hard chest, and I bounce off, landing painfully on my backpack.

A wave of nausea swirls in my stomach. I groan, opening my eyes, and when I see who's standing above me, my blood runs cold.

Lamen.

His eyes are pits of darkness, two black voids that swallow all light. Just looking at him makes me tremble. Of all the wolves in the Silver Moon Pack, he's the one I fear most. And somehow, I've run straight into him.

His arms are crossed over his chest, his dark hair falling across one eye. Aria, his cruel and perfect girlfriend, stands beside him. Her long, jet-black hair gleams like polished glass against her pale skin. Behind them, Max, Alastair, and Silver-his loyal pack of bullies, stand grinning, ready for the show.

"Hey, Nerdo," Lamen says, his smirk cruel. "Running scared? Afraid of the dark?"

I push