Lia's legs trembled still feeling the lingering heat of Alpha Kieran's touch on her hand. For the first time in her life, someone had spoken for her– loudly, powerfully. Someone had looked at her and seen more than just a wolfless girl.

Her heart thudded in her chest.

The cold dirt on her knees and the Sting of scraped skin couldn't dull the spark that flickered within her now.

She looked around.

Everyone was still staring at her, though now with a different kind of intensity - confusion, suspicion – fear.

Lia barely registered the weight of their stares. All she could think of was what had just happened.

He stood up for me.

Alpha Kieran– an outsider, a powerful stranger – had silenced her bullies, challenge her Alpha, and offered her something no one ever had; a chance. A way out.

Lia's lips parted when Kieran turned toward her again, his voice low but firm.” Get up, pack your things. I'll be waiting by the eastern boarder.”

He didn't wait for her response.

He didn't look back at Alpha Davian or Sariah, or anyone else.

With a swift turn, his cloak billowed behind him, his presence parting the crowd like a blade through mist. And just like that, he was gone – leaving behind only the weight of his promise and the stir of shocked whispers.

As soon as he was out of sight, the murmur began.

“She must have bewitched him.”

“No way that's natural. A cursed girl and a powerful Alpha? There's sorcery in this.”

“Maybe she's hiding something – some secret bloodline?”

“Or she's cursed him, too.”

Lia's stood still in the eye of the Storm.

She heard every word. Felt every accusation like a slap.

But for once….they didn't crush her.

Because for the first time, she wasn't completely alone.

She slowly lowered her head, the shock settling into something warmer – like the fragile bloom of spring after a long winter.

He wasn't me to pack.

Sje blinked, as though still unsure if it was a real. But her feet started moving before her mind caught up. Step by step, she made her way back toward the servant’s quarter, not daring to look at anyone around her.

Behind her, Sarah's glare burned holes into her back, her lips curled with venom. Alpha Davin stood- faced, but his silence was more telling than anything else – he had let her go. Just like that.

Her finger trembled as she reached her small dusty room. It took barley five minutes to gather her meager belongings – some threadbare clothes, a locket from her late mother, and a tiny pouch of herbs she used for minor wounds.

That was all she had.

But she held them close like they were precious.

As she stuffed the last item into her worn satchel, her heart skipped again.

Was she really leaving?

Was she really…wanted.

The soft crunch of leaves under Lia's boots was the only sound as she made her way through the thinning trees that bordered the eastern side of the moonshade pack territory. The sun had begun to set, casting gold across the tree trunks, as if trying to bless her departure.

Her finger tightened around the strap of her satchel. Her heart pounded – not from fear, but from a swelling mix of uncertainty and strange anticipation.

She didn't anyone to stop her. Most of the pack would probably celebrate her disappearance.

But just before she reached the edge of the forest clearing, a small voice called out behind.

“Lia…. Wait!”

Lia paused and turned.

A girl with soft brown curls and tear- rimmed eyes ran up the slope toward her- Mira - her only friend. Her only safe place in the entire pack.

Mira was smaller, quiet, always nervous - but she had always cared.

Even if she was nervous strong enough to speak

Lia felt her chest tighten.

“Mira…”

Mira threw her arms around her before Lia could say more , holding her in a tight desperate hug. “Is it true?” She whispered. “You're really leaving? With him?”

Lai nodded slowly.

“I am”

Mira pulled back just enough to like her in the eyes. Her face was pale with worry. “But you can't you don't understand, Lai. I've heard things everyone has. They say Alpha Kieran is dangerous. Ruthless. He destroyed an entire rogue camp last winter without blinking. Hos wolves are like shadow in the forest– silent, deadly. They say no one crosses him and lives to tell the tales”

Lia's lips parted. “ He's also the only one who's ever stood up for me.”

“I know,” Mira whispered. “I know. And now bwas glad – so glad – when he defended you. But what if this was a trap? What if he only took you because we don't understand yet?”

Lia looked down, her heart aching at Mira’s trembling voice.

“I don't know why he want me,” Lia admitted quietly. “ But I can't stay here anymore I can't keep waking up everyday to glares and slaps and whispers. I can't keep pretending I don't hear what people say. That I don't feel it when they push me aside. If he's dangerous, then so be it. But at least he saw me.”

Mira's eye filled with tears. “ But what if you're walking into something worse.”

Lia reached out, brushing a strand of hair behind her friend's ear, her finger shaking.

“I'm scared, too,” she said softly. “But I'd rather take my chances with the unknown than stay where I've already been broken.”

Silence settled between them, thick and heavily.

Finally, Mira stepped back, wiping her face. “Promise me you'll take care of yourself. If anything feels wrong - anything - you run . Please.”

“I promise,” Lia said, forcing a smile.

They embraced again, tighter this time then Mira stepped back, watching as Lia turned toward the border.

Only when Mira had disappeared behind the trees did Lia's steps begin to slow.

The wind whispered through the trees as she walked, and Mira words began to echo louder in her mind.

Ruthless.

What if he wasn't something?

What if you're walking into something worse?

Lia feets faltered.

Her breath came shorter now.

What did Alpha Kieran want from her? Why had he stepped in so quietly? So confidently?