My heart thumped hard in my chest with hope, fear, and confusion.

Why? Kade had sent for me.

Why? Was he going to apologize? Was he going to say it was all a mistake and ask me to come back—to be his again?

I clutched the sides of my dress as I walked into the palace. The walls felt taller, colder than they used to. The guards barely looked at me, but their silence screamed louder than words. My steps echoed softly down the hall until I reached the garden.

That garden.

The same one with the willow trees and the small lake in the corner, the place we always played and laughed. The place where, years ago, I saw my first spark of love.

I was fourteen then, and Kade was fifteen. We had snuck out during a boring royal dinner, something we always did to have more time for ourselves. The stars had just begun to peek through the sky, and the night held that quiet, magical energy.

We lay in the grass, his fingers brushing mine gently. He looked at me with that cute smirk on his face.

“If I run away, will you come find me?”

I laughed. “Always.”

He turned to me, serious this time. “You’re my favorite person, Zoe. You always have been.”

He leaned in. I found myself leaning too… then it happened. Our lips met—his soft, sweet lips swallowing mine. Our first kiss.

I shook my head. What are you thinking, Zoe? Focus.

He was standing under the same willow now, his hands behind his back, waiting. I approached him, unsure of what might happen, hope tugging hard at my heart.

“Zoe,” he said in a heavy voice. “Thank you for coming.”

I said nothing.

He sighed, turning to face me. “I wanted to tell you I’m sorry for everything.”

I held my breath.

“You’ve been one of the best people in my life. My closest friend, my comfort, my favorite person.”

A faint smile pulled at the corner of my lips, unwilling but there.

“But…” He hesitated.

Here it comes.

“…on the way to the war camp,” he continued, “I felt something strong and unstoppable. It was the bond—the mate bond. And there she was, Lira. The Moon Goddess sent her to me, and I can’t reject her.”

I blinked. “Then why all the promises?” I asked quietly. “Why everything between us? Why deceive me when you knew there was really no bond between us?”

“I thought I’d be mate less,” he said simply. “I thought it’d always be you. I never expected fate to change everything.”

“So you just… dropped me? Like trash?”

He looked away.

“What now?” I whispered. “You brought her here. You didn’t tell me anything. You even slept with me, only to reject and punish me the next day?”

He didn’t answer.

“I know why you sent for me…” My voice rose, shaking. “Just say it.”

Kade’s jaw clenched.

“Say it, Kade.” I stepped forward, hands trembling. “You want me out of the pack so I won’t disturb you and your mate, don’t you?”

He looked at me, but he didn’t deny it. My heart broke in two.

“Why, Kade?”

“You used me!” I shouted, unable to control myself anymore. “You loved me, held me, took my virginity—and now you want me GONE?!”

He suddenly rushed forward and grabbed me, roughly pushing me against the garden wall.

“Stop this!” he barked, his voice low and dangerous. “Stop acting like this!”

I glared at him, rage dancing under my skin.

“Let go of me.”

He didn’t.

So I did it. I brought my knee up hard into his groin.

He gasped, falling slightly.

I spat in his face. Then I turned—and ran.

I didn’t look back.

I went straight home with my heart tearing apart inside me. I knew what was coming for me now—I had just hurt the Alpha again. He might even kill me, since he clearly didn’t care.

I threw things into a small bag: clothes, food, the necklace my foster mother gave me. My heart kept bleeding. I couldn’t stay here anymore.

He used me.

He brought another woman in.

Now he wanted me gone.

I ran through the forest edge, dodging guards at every step. Twice I hid behind rocks. Once I climbed a tree and waited as three soldiers walked past beneath me. I was sure they were all looking for me.

My breath was shallow, and my body was sore from the dungeon experience, but I was determined.

I crossed the border, and a sigh of relief escaped my lips. No one could follow me now.

The woods were quiet but scary. Crickets sang in the distance. The wind shifted through leaves like whispers. And before I knew it, night fell.

I found a thick tree, climbed up slowly, and perched myself on a large branch. It was uncomfortable, but safe—for now.

I looked behind me and could still see the pack lights from the tree. I couldn’t stop the lump in my throat or the tears in my eyes.

I let them out.

“I wish my wolf never died,” I whispered to the sky. “I wish I never met him… I should’ve let that rogue kill him.”

Memories stabbed me again and again. His laugh. His kiss. His lies.

I sobbed until my throat was sore.

I shut my eyes, enjoying the little peace of the woods. But the peace didn’t last long.

I heard them.

Snarls. Growls.

The rogues.

My body froze.

I looked down, and what I saw made my eyes go wide. Five dark figures emerged from the trees below.

I held my breath, my heart thudding like thunder.

I tried to remain still so I wouldn’t attract them, but it seemed bad luck was after me. My branch cracked, and I fell hard onto the forest floor.

They turned.

“Run!” my mind screamed.

I scrambled to my feet and darted through the woods. The branches whipped against my face. I jumped over roots, dodged fallen logs. One of them lunged at me, grazing my arm.

I cried out but didn’t stop.

The moon was bright overhead, lighting my path just enough.

“Please…” I whispered to the Moon Goddess. “Just get me out of here…”

I kept running, my heart threatening to burst with each second.

Then I reached a clearing.

I stumbled into it—panting, sweaty, bleeding. I was now in an open field.

But it wasn’t just any field.

Stone walls stood far ahead. There was also a different kind of energy in the air.

I paused, gasping.

Oh no. Outcast Pack.

I turned to run again—panic setting in—but it was too late.

Tall, strong figures surrounded me, their faces stern, their eyes cold.

A net dropped over my head.

I was caught.

I screamed and kicked, but it didn’t help.

I was dragged into a territory I never dreamed of seeing