Chapter 3

POV: Chloe

Being Rogue isn't romantic. It's exposure.

I sat on a park bench in the city center, shivering in the damp air. 2:00 AM.

A growl from the alley. Rotting meat. Unwashed fur.

Three men stepped out. Eyes glowing sickly yellow. Low-levels. Scavengers.

"Fresh stray," one hissed. "Smells like house pet."

I stood, gripping my suitcase. "Back off." My voice trembled. I couldn't shift. I'd never been able to. My wolf was a ghost in my own body.

"Soft," another laughed. "Unclaimed."

One lunged.

I swung my suitcase. It bounced off his chest like a pillow. He grabbed my arm, claws tearing through my sweater.

"Hey!"

A beam of light. A human security guard, flashlight raised.

"Leave the lady alone!"

The Rogues hissed. Police meant Council attention. They scattered like roaches.

I collapsed onto the bench. My arm stung. My pride stung more.

I pulled out my phone. One number.

Sarah.

Sarah was a high-ranking Beta at Obsidian Moon. My college roommate before I dropped out to play housewife.

"Chloe?" Her voice was thick with sleep.

"I left him. 5th and Main. Rogues."

"Stay put." Her tone shifted instantly. Beta Command. It grounded me. "I'm coming."

Twenty minutes later, a black SUV screeched up. Sarah jumped out, looking ready to murder someone.

She hugged me until my ribs popped. Then she pulled back, sniffing.

"Goddess, Chloe. You smell like wet dog and bad decisions. And him."

"I have nowhere to go."

"Get in. Grand Hotel. Neutral ground. High thread count. No ex-boyfriends allowed."

In the hotel suite, Sarah cleaned my scratches.

"You look terrible," she said bluntly. "Malnourished. Dull coat. Being his Omega drained you."

"I'm not an Omega," I whispered. "I just... don't work right."

"Your wolf is fine, she's just bored," Sarah said. "You have a brain. That's more than Ethan has."

She tucked me in.

"Rest. Tomorrow, we fix this."

"How?"

Sarah smiled, sharp and dangerous. "The Obsidian Moon Gala is tomorrow. The Lycan King is in town. Ethan will be there."

"So?"

"So, you're going too. And you're not going to be serving the drinks."