Chapter 2 THE MEETING

Trina's POV

The world became a blur. Half-blindly I fled the hall, vicious laughter and cruel whispers swirling around me. I had to escape. Out, into open air and the sanctuary of the forest. Mother’s voice called after me but I did not stop. I could not bear to see the pity in her eyes, to hear the words I told you so.

So I ran under the green canopy, my hopeless tears watering the rich soil. He never loved me. It had all been lies and empty promises. Victor only cared about power. And now he would have it all - alpha status, Sandra as his wicked queen, his all-important heir. While stupid, naive Trina hid her shame in the woods, an object of ridicule and scorn.

I ran faster, ignoring the lashing brush that ripped my lovely white dress. I would shred the whole cursed thing once I stopped running. I cared nothing for pretty clothes or status now. The handsome alpha I adored since childhood had publicly thrown me aside without a second glance.

Finally I collapsed beside a murmuring stream, breathless sobs tearing my chest. Curled in the damp earth, I let misery overwhelm me. All my young dreams turned to ashes in a single day. The pack would revel in my humiliation. Poor orphan Trina, reaching so far above her station. Served her right for daring to think she mattered.

I do not know how long I lay there, wishing the earth would swallow me whole. But gradually I became aware of my surroundings again. The trees were different here - ancient gnarled oaks and elms instead of pine and spruce. The sounds were different too. No birds chirping merrily or squirrels chattering. Only foreboding silence.

With a sinking heart, I realized my mad dash had taken me out of Silver Moon territory. I scrambled up hastily, painfully aware I was now trespassing on another pack’s land. Breaking wolf code could mean severe punishment, even death. I glanced wildly about, searching for landmarks through the unfamiliar trees. But nothing looked as I remembered.

Panic clawed my chest as I turned in fruitless circles. Which way was home? Had I ruined my wretched day further by stumbling into hostile enemy terrain? I was dangerously close to Nightfall pack lands. Their alpha was notoriously ruthless and unforgiving to anyone that broke his laws.

I froze at the sound of heavy footfalls to my left. Too heavy to be any ordinary wolf. I caught a glimpse of something huge moving between the trees, then it was before me. I screamed.

A wolf unlike anything I had ever seen loomed over me, taller than any male. He walked on two legs instead of fours, his massive torso rippling with muscle. Hands that could easily crush my skull flexed at his sides, deadly claws glinting.

Hanging around his neck gleamed the unmistakable tooth pendant of an alpha.

He stared down at me, molten eyes glowing red in a face that was savage yet almost human. My scream died in my throat. There was no doubt who this giant wolf was.

I had trespassed onto Daelan’s territory, the ruthless Nightfall Alpha. And now I stood trapped by his piercing red gaze. My heart pounds wildly as the massive wolf stares down at me. I'm trapped by his piercing red eyes that seem to glow with an unnatural fire. This can only be Daelan, the ruthless Nightfall Alpha notorious for his brutality.

I await my fate with dread, expecting to be torn limb from limb at any moment for my trespass. But the giant wolf merely cocks his head, sniffing the air before letting out an ear-splitting howl that echoes through the trees.

My breath catches as more huge wolves emerge from the shadows, their footfalls like thunder. They gather around Daelan, molten eyes boring into me. I shudder under their intense scrutiny, wrapping my arms around myself.

Suddenly, the largest wolf among the new ones shifts into a powerfully built man with chiseled features and raven hair tied back from his face. Strange blue markings adorn his muscular arms and neck. He grins mockingly down at me, arms crossed over his bare chest.

"Well well, what do we have here?" His gravelly voice drips with mirth. "A little lost lamb straying from her flock?"

The other wolves chortle ominously. My knees wobble but I force myself to meet the man's gaze.

"P-please," I stammer out. "I mean no trespass. Just...let me leave safely and I swear you'll never see me again!"

The man throws his head back in loud laughter. The sound sends icy fingers down my spine.

"Not how this works, girl," he sneers. "You've broken our law by crossing into our territory. Such disrespect demands...punishment." His eyes flash dangerously. The surrounding wolves growl their assent.

Despite my quaking limbs, I straighten up to my full height, determined not to cower and beg like a helpless pup. If they mean to make sport of me before the end, so be it.

"Very well," I reply through gritted teeth. "Do what you will then. I accept the consequences of my actions."

The man blinks in surprise, regarding me thoughtfully. After a moment he waves the others back.

"Feisty little mutt, ain't she?" He chuckles. "I am Logan, Beta of the Nightfall Pack. And you've had the misfortune of wandering onto Lycan lands. Our Alpha does not take kindly to trespassers."

He gestures up at the giant wolf Daelan who looms silently over us, almost forgotten. My stomach drops to see he's still in wolf form, a killing machine primed to attack on command. I glance between them nervously.

"Please, I wandered here by accident..." I trail off helplessly. Just this morning my only concern was making a good impression before my new pack. Now I face the infamous Nightfall rulers, my future precariously balanced on their whim.

Logan shakes his head pityingly. "Doesn't matter. You'll come with us now to face the Alpha's judgment."

Rough hands grab my arms and I'm dragged toward a path through the ominous trees. Glancing back I see Daelan bringing up the rear, padding silently on two massive paws, eyes never leaving me.

We emerge from the woods into a sprawling valley dotted with stately log cabins and soaring rock structures. Nightfall pack headquarters, carved into the very mountainside. Despite the circumstances, I gape in awe.