Chapter 3 Three

Ember had been running for nearly an hour.

Branches scratched her legs as she raced through the forest. Her paws slipped over wet leaves, and every breath burned her lungs.

Behind her, the warriors' howls had finally faded.

She slowed, listening carefully.

Nothing.

No footsteps. No growling. No voices ordering her to stop.

For the first time since leaving Ironclad Pack, she was alone.

Her legs gave way.

Ember collapsed beside a tree and shifted back into her human form. She curled against the cold ground, trembling as she wrapped her arms around herself.

She had no clothes, no money, and nowhere to go.

Her father had banished her. Her mate had betrayed her. Even the people she had grown up with had watched her leave without offering help.

Tears slid down her face.

"Moon Goddess," she whispered, looking up through the branches. "What did I do wrong?"

The night offered no answer.

She pressed her forehead against her knees.

"I tried to be good. I tried to make everyone happy. I never asked for much."

Her voice broke.

"Please, no more pain. I can't take any more."

She cried until her throat hurt.

Then, slowly, the tears stopped.

Ember wiped her face with the back of her hand. She couldn't keep begging people to love her. She couldn't spend the rest of her life trying to earn kindness from those who enjoyed hurting her.

If she survived this night, she would start over.

She would stop trusting people simply because they promised to protect her.

And she would never let anyone make her feel worthless again.

Exhaustion pulled her into a restless sleep.

---

A distant howl woke her.

Ember sat up sharply.

The forest was darker now, and the cold had settled deep into her bones. She couldn't remain where she was. If the warriors from Ironclad found her, they would drag her back or kill her for crossing the border.

She pushed herself to her feet and began walking.

Her bare feet hurt against the rough ground. Branches scratched her arms, and every sound made her jump.

After a while, she noticed something strange.

The forest had changed. The trees grew thicker, and the air carried a heavy scent she didn't recognize.

Her wolf stirred uneasily.

We shouldn't be here.

Before Ember could turn around, something struck the back of her head.

She cried out and fell.

A heavy body pinned her to the ground. Someone grabbed her arms while cold metal pressed against her throat.

"Don't move."

Ember's eyes widened.

Two enormous wolves stood behind the warriors holding her down. Their teeth were exposed, and their eyes glowed in the darkness.

"Who are you?" one warrior demanded. "A rogue or a spy?"

"Neither," Ember whispered.

"Then explain why you're wandering through our forest alone."

She swallowed.

"I got lost."

The warrior pressed the blade closer.

"Do you expect us to believe that?"

Ember shook her head quickly.

"Please. I'm not here to hurt anyone."

The second warrior pulled her upright.

"You have crossed into Nightfall Pack territory. People who enter without permission don't usually leave alive."

Ember's blood turned cold.

Nightfall Pack.

Every werewolf in the kingdom knew that name.

Its Alpha had conquered neighboring packs, leaving their leaders defeated and their warriors scattered. Some survivors became rogues. Others disappeared completely.

Her father had spent years trying to form an alliance with Nightfall's Alpha. He had sent letters and gifts, but none had received a response.

Now Ember had walked straight into the most dangerous pack in the kingdom.

Of course she had.

Her life couldn't get any worse.

"Search her," the first warrior ordered.

A rough hand checked her arms and waist.

"She has no weapon."

"That doesn't prove anything. No ordinary wolf wanders alone through a wild forest at night."

The warrior holding the blade lifted it.

"Maybe we should kill her and save ourselves the trouble."

Ember's knees weakened.

"Please, don't. I haven't done anything."

"Everyone says that."

A new voice interrupted them.

"What is going on here?"

The warriors immediately straightened.

A tall man approached through the trees. His dark clothes fitted his broad shoulders, and his expression held no warmth. A small dimple appeared in his cheek when he noticed Ember on the ground.

"Beta Kade," one warrior said. "We caught an intruder."

Kade looked Ember over.

She tried not to tremble, but the blade against her throat made that difficult.

"An intruder?" he repeated. "She looks half-dead."

"She claims she got lost."

Kade crouched in front of her.

"Name?"

"Ember."

"Pack?"

She hesitated.

"Ironclad."

His eyebrows lifted slightly.

"Ironclad? Alpha Alaric's pack?"

She nodded.

Kade studied her bruised face and scratched arms. Then he glanced at the warriors.

"Why is she tied up like a dangerous criminal?"

"She might be a spy."

"And she might be an exhausted woman who needs help. Did that thought cross your minds?"

Neither warrior answered.

Kade stood.

"Take her to the packhouse."

Ember's heart dropped.

"No! Please, I'll leave. I won't come back. Just let me go."

Kade looked down at her.

"You don't get to decide that."

"Then kill me here."

The words escaped before she could stop them.

For a moment, something unreadable crossed his face.

"Kill you?" he repeated.

Ember nodded desperately.

"I have nothing left. Please, don't make me suffer anymore."

Kade studied her for another moment before turning to his warriors.

"Untie her hands enough to keep her blood flowing, but don't let her escape. The Alpha will want to see this for himself."

Ember's stomach twisted.

"The Alpha?"

Kade's mouth curved into a faint smile.

"Cassian Vale."

Her heart stopped.

Alpha Cassian Vale was the most feared Alpha in the kingdom. Stories claimed he had destroyed entire packs without showing mercy.

And now she was being taken directly to him.

Ember struggled as the warriors pulled her forward.

"No! Please! Don't take me to him!"

One warrior lifted her over his shoulder when she refused to walk.

She beat her fists against his back, but he barely reacted.

Kade led the way through the trees.

Ember stared into the darkness, tears gathering in her eyes.

She had escaped one monster only to fall into the hands of another.

And this time, she feared she wouldn't survive.