path countless times, yet today it felt different- foreboding, as though the earth itself sensed the weight of the journey she was about to undertak

adows that clung to the forest. His presence beside her felt like a reminder of everything she had lost, b

en asked, her voice breaki

yes gleaming in the faint light fi

s tone low but purposeful. "The first of them is not far

ith questions, each one more urgent than the last. Who could

going to do this, I need to know who these people are. I won't risk

g to face her fully. For a moment, his eyes seemed to pierce through her, as if searching for s

seem the most unlikely are the ones who will stand with you in the darkest

couldn't shake the feeling that he knew something m

her voice steady. "But if they cros

lowen followed, her mind racing. She couldn't help but feel the sting of her past decisions, of the betrayal that still burned in her chest. The Alpha who had once been her mat

t was t

was yet to

et softening with the scent of damp earth and moss. A distant sound of running water reach

on, its jagged edges obscured by ivy and the creeping tendrils of the forest. He tur

said, his voice l

motion. She hesitated, then followed, her instincts on high alert. She had been a lone wolf for too

es that hung from the trees above. Elowen ducked under them, following Lucien through the narrow op

made of animal skins, a fire burning brightly at the center, and a few figures moving about in the shadows. They looked rough, unkempt, yet there was an und

oss his cheek, looked up as they approached. His eyes narrowed when he

voice gruff. He stepped forward, his gaze s

, his express

e to beg for a place in anyone's pack. She's

e said nothing for a long moment. Instead, he

one they say was cast aside by your mate. I've heard the stories. And I'v

dark corners of the pack. She had been the object of scorn, the one everyone thought

her voice strong. "I'm her

for a moment longer

But I'll warn you now: trust isn't something you can just take. It

second chances. She needed allies who would fight for the same cause,

replied, her voice steady. "Show

d. Without another word, Kieran turned and walked

ne shifting, a hint of respect now threading thro

y their own rules, outside the reach of traditional pack politics. They had seen the worst of the world, and yet they had

o come. The shadows of the past would continue to follow her, but for the firs

e forest. Kieran, Lucien, and a few other figures sat around it, their faces shadowed by the flickering flames. The

arms crossed. He had a look of someone who had seen too much-too much loss, too muc

. "You've made it this far. You're either brav

the weight of their gazes on her, piercing through her like

sking for help because I intend to take back what was stolen from me. Theron, my ex-mate,

d, just slightly, but there

's got power, connections, and the loyalty of half the pack. I'

his point, finally spoke. His voice wa

wasn't just about revenge; it was about breaking something that was meant to stand tall. Thero

her. She understood why Kieran was skeptical. They had no reason to trust her yet. She had

vived betrayal, abandonment, and loss. I'm not afraid of Theron or anyone else who stands in my way.

felt like the entire camp was holding its breath, wa

roke the silence,

need to prove to us that you're not just running on a

not just to Kieran, but to the others around the fire. It wasn't enough to want revenge. She

he asked, her gaz

still crossed. His dark eyes met

And we're going to take that from him-piece by piece. You said you've been through hell, Elowen. Let'

far, and there was no turning back now. If she wanted to bring down Theron and

h a determination that shook even her

ed upward, a hint of

"That's what I

with the calls of birds and rustling leaves. The others were already up, preparing for the day ahead. Training was grueling, but she pushed through

little. His eyes followed her every move, always calculating, always watching. O

s. There was something in the way he watched her, like he was

. "You can't afford to hesitate when the ti

erself by the fire again, her muscles sore and her mind racing.

than you think. Revenge is a powerful motivator, but it can also clou

at him, her

t you're right. I can't let my emotion

reflecting a wisdom that

ve suffered, just like you. And if you can take down Theron, you'll be doing more tha

her own pain and loss that she hadn't considered how much power she could h

her voice barely a whisp

ft night air and the distant sounds of the forest. Elowen knew the road ahead