“Oh, hell no. I’m never going back there.”

The words left my mouth before I could stop them. The memory of Lorcan’s smug face flashed behind my eyes—him and his pack of cowards. I’d promised to make them regret what they did, but right now, survival came first.

I yanked my wrist free—surprised he let go so easily. Zevian wasn’t restraining me. That almost made it worse.

“Unless you give us a damn good reason,” Zevian said, voice low and cold, “we’re taking you back. I’m not risking everything to harbor a fugitive. Especially not one from Silvermoor. There are rules.”

“If you plan to take me back, you’ll have to kill me first.” I balled my fists. He could take me—but I wouldn’t go down easy.

“Look at her, Zevian. Someone beat the shit out of her,” Varek said.

“She said she fell,” Zevian said.

“You know that’s bullshit,” Nyx said. “Someone hurt you, didn’t they?”

I looked over at her. “I ran because my mate tried to kill me to break the bond.”

“She’s lying,” Zevian said.

“You don’t even know me.”

“They reserve those cliffs for criminals in Silvermoor. You have to fuck up bad to end up in there.” Zevian narrowed his eyes.

“Unless you’re a cursed werewolf who can’t shift… and mate with the alpha’s son.”

Silence dropped like a stone.

Nyx’s lips parted, stunned. Varek looked away, jaw tight. Even Zevian didn’t have a comeback.

I hadn’t meant to say it. And now it was out there.

“Oopsies,” Nyx said softly.

“Her mate rejected her, she’s got no place to go,” Varek said. “She’s clearly got nowhere else.”

His words stung more than I wanted to admit. A part of me mourned Lorcan—but I shook it off. I wasn’t going to miss the male who’d caused me a lifetime of pain.

Zevian growled, but I ignored him.

“I don’t need your pity, and I’m not joining another pack—but I’m not going back to Silvermoor either.”

“You can’t go out there alone,” Nyx said. “You have no supplies, no clothes, no shoes. How far do you think you’ll get?”

“I don’t need your pity. I’ll manage.” How? I ran a hand through my hair.

“No, you won’t,” Zevian said. “It’s a three day walk to the nearest town. And that’s for someone who’s healthy and has proper supplies.”

“I’ll manage.”

“If you say so,” Zevian muttered with a shrug.

I shook my head and turned—only to step on something sharp.

“Fuck me.”

I yanked the stick from my foot. Could I go one day without bleeding?

“You’re not going to make it on your own,” Zevian said.

“Thanks, Captain Obvious.”

Limping, I carefully stepped forward, not turning back to the group.

“Zevian, do the right thing,” Nyx pleaded.

“She’s exactly the kind of wolf we should help,” Varek said quietly. Nyx's face tightened. “No one deserves to be thrown off a cliff for being different.”

“Get back here.” Zevian let out a sigh.

I didn’t want help, but I wasn’t ready to survive the woods alone. I turned and looked at the trio. “You’re not going to talk about sending me back again.”

“I don’t think you’re in the position to be making demands,” Zevian said. “Then I’ll take my chances in the woods. If you’re not offering help, I’ll go.” “Zevian, cut her some slack,” Varek said.

“I guess there’s only one asshole in the group.” I glared at Zevian. “If you won’t help, fine. You don’t know me. But stop judging—or help.”

“I like her,” Nyx said.

“If you stay, you’re Nyx’s problem,” Zevian said reluctantly.

“Don’t worry, sis, I got you,” Nyx said.

“I won’t stay long. Just enough to clean up and maybe earn some supplies.”

Shifter law said a lone wolf should be sheltered. I hadn’t expected that to still matter—but here we were.

“You aren’t going to try to take me back, are you?”

“You look to be of age,” Zevian said.

“I am,” I agreed.

“Then it’s not our job to enforce another pack’s punishment. But if they come into our territory, I won’t stop them from claiming you,” he warned.

My stomach twisted. If Silvermoor entered this territory, he wouldn’t stop them. No one would.

I’d be dragged back, torn apart, or worse—claimed.

I swallowed hard. “Hopefully they come long after I’m gone.”

“We’ll sleep here tonight and head to camp in the morning,” he said.

“This isn’t your pack camp?”

“We were scouting when we found you,” Nyx explained. “Our camp is about a mile west. Near a lake. Nice place.”

A mile on an injured foot sucked—but better than wandering for days and starving. These wolves were my only shot at survival.

The trees rustled above us. A breeze swept in—carrying the faintest hint of ash and something sharper. I told myself I was being paranoid. But I’d smelled that scent before, the day they dragged me to the cliffs.

Zevian was staring at me. I met his eyes. “Thank you.”

He narrowed his eyes, gauging me. When I said nothing else, he nodded and turned away. “I’ll take first watch.”

“Great, she can use your sleeping bag,” Nyx said.

Zevian growled again.

“You growl a lot,” I said. “Words might help. Try:

No, I don’t want the strange girl to use my sleeping bag.”

Nyx laughed. “She’s got your number, Zevian.” “She can share my bag,” Varek offered. “She can use mine,” Zevian said.

“I’m fine on the ground,” I said, sitting back down in the spot I’d woken in.

“You keep talking about how you’re fine but so far, all I see is a weak little wolf who is lucky to be alive,” Zevian said.

“Never call me that again,” I hissed.

“Lucky?” he asked.

“Little wolf.”

“You don’t like little wolf?” He looked amused.

“What am I supposed to call you, then?” he asked.

“Her name is Kireya,” Nyx reminded him.

“Kireya.” The sound of my name on his lips sent a shiver down my spine.

“Over here, Kireya,” Nyx said, pointing to a sleeping bag.

I walked away from Zevian, pretending not to notice the way his gaze followed me. The sleeping bag smelled like him—warm pine, smoke, and something darker. Sexy as hell. Shame he was such a dick.

Nyx moved her sleeping bag near me. “Don’t worry about Zevian. His bark is worse than his bite.”

“I heard that, and it’s a lie,” Zevian replied.

Nyx chuckled. “You’re safe with us. You should get some sleep.”

I turned away, not in the mood to talk. I wasn’t sleepy—not after waking from a coma and finding myself surrounded by strangers.

Soon, Nyx’s soft breathing and Varek’s snores filled the silence. I rolled onto my back, staring at the stars peeking through the trees. The moon hung nearly full above us.

If I had shifted once… could I do it again?

The crickets chirped, the wind rustled the trees. For a moment, it almost felt safe enough to let my guard down. I closed my eyes and searched for my wolf. Nothing. Just the same girl with the loud mouth and bad timing. Disappointed, I opened my eyes. Zevian sat on a log, staring into the dark.

No way I was sleeping while he was awake—and watching.

I sat down on the log, leaving a careful gap between us. Zevian didn’t move, but his jaw ticked—just once.

“I know you don’t believe me,” I muttered, “but I’ll be out of your way soon.”

He let out a quiet breath, the kind people release when they’re trying not to say something they’ll regret. “You won’t be ready for a while,” he said at last. “You’re stuck with us.”

“What is that supposed to mean?” I demanded.

“You’re a werewolf who can’t shift—with a powerful pack likely hunting you.”

“They think I’m dead.”

He looked at me. “Did you break the bond before they threw you down the cliff?”

I blinked, remembering. “No.”

“Then he’ll feel you. He knows you’re alive. If he’s not looking for you yet, he will.”

“Why would he care? He didn’t want me,” I said.

“Once you connect to your wolf, you’ll understand it better.” “Explain it,” I snapped.

He looked annoyed. “Your wolf and you are two halves of the same whole.”

“I know that,” I said.

“But the wolf controls some things more. Like survival instinct. That’s why you’re alive.”

“So?”

“The mating bond is wolf-driven—instinct over logic. He’ll feel it. Might even start craving you. If it’s not broken fast, it can get worse.”

He met my eyes. “You might start craving him too.”

“That’s never going to happen,” I snapped.

“Your mate will be looking for you soon enough,” he said.

“He’s not my mate,” I said through gritted teeth.

“You might not want to be paired with him, but that doesn’t change the fact that the fates put you together. Sometimes, the fates are cruel.”

“You sound like you have experience in this matter,” I mused.

“I had a mate once,” he said.

“And?” I pressed.

“She was killed. It was the worst pain I’ve ever felt.” He looked down at his hands.

“I’m… sorry,” I murmured.

He didn’t reply. Just lay down, turned his back, and went still.

I sat there, unsure what to do. He’d just torn open a wound, then shut the door before I could say anything that mattered.

I looked out at the trees, arms wrapped tight around myself. The fire popped softly beside me. I could hear Nyx breathing, slow and steady. I should’ve felt safe with them—warm fire, people nearby—but I didn’t. Not really.

He’ll feel it. Might even start craving you. You might start craving him too.

I shook my head, almost laughed. Yeah, right.

But then… something changed.

The fire had burned low, but the woods felt too quiet. Even the crickets had gone still.

Then the breeze shifted—warm, strange. It wrapped around me like a hand brushing skin. My stomach flipped. My fingers trembled.

He didn’t want me. But what if Zevian was right? What if he did now?

Kireya.

I froze.

I whipped around, but no one was there—just trees and shadows. I pressed a hand to my chest, my breathing unsteady.

Had I imagined it?

Kireya, the voice whispered again.

My mouth went dry.

Was this Zevian’s warning… or the beginning of something much worse?