Chapter 1 1

SKY

The pounding of my heart is so strong that, it feels like thunder rolling through my body. Each beat echoes in my ears, urging me to move faster. I keep glancing over my shoulder every few seconds, searching the shadows between the trees. They're out there. I can sense them.

I push into a steady jog, my shoes crunching against the carpet of dried leaves covering the forest floor. If I don't keep running, they'll catch me. Somehow, no matter how many different routes I take through these woods, they always manage to find me.

But not tonight. I can't let them catch me again.

I've always been fast, but when they corner me, there's no escape. Five against one-those are terrible odds for anyone. They're too strong when they hunt together, and I can't take the pain they bring anymore.

I stretch my stride, leaping over roots and fallen logs. The woods of Silver Forest close around me, dark and endless, but I'm only a few miles from the Silver Moon Pack's headquarters. If I can just make it to the clearing, I'll be safe. I'll be home.

Sweat trickles down my forehead, my golden braid loosening with each movement. I swing my head to check behind me, but the motion costs me. A sharp sting cuts across my arm, forcing a cry out of my mouth.

"Damn it!" I hiss. A low branch ripped through my skin, leaving a shallow cut across my forearm. The pain is minor, but the blood-it's enough for Lamen to catch my scent. And once he does, there's no escaping him.

I grit my teeth, ignoring the sting. The wound will heal soon; it always does. I just need to keep running. My lungs burn, but the thought of freedom keeps me going. If I can reach the clearing, if I can step onto pack land, they won't dare follow.

I duck under a long branch, breathing hard, when I glance back one more time. Big mistake. I slam straight into something solid-no, someone.

The impact knocks the air out of me. My face smashes against a hard chest, and I bounce off, landing painfully on my backpack.

A wave of nausea swirls in my stomach. I groan, opening my eyes, and when I see who's standing above me, my blood runs cold.

Lamen.

His eyes are pits of darkness, two black voids that swallow all light. Just looking at him makes me tremble. Of all the wolves in the Silver Moon Pack, he's the one I fear most. And somehow, I've run straight into him.

His arms are crossed over his chest, his dark hair falling across one eye. Aria, his cruel and perfect girlfriend, stands beside him. Her long, jet-black hair gleams like polished glass against her pale skin. Behind them, Max, Alastair, and Silver-his loyal pack of bullies, stand grinning, ready for the show.

"Hey, Nerdo," Lamen says, his smirk cruel. "Running scared? Afraid of the dark?"

I push myself up, brushing leaves from my shirt, though some stick to the blood on my arm. "Shut up, Lamen. Just leave me alone," I snap, though I know it's useless. My words never mean much to him.

His smirk fades, his expression twisting into something darker. "What did you say?" he growls, stepping closer. "You're getting brave, huh?"

Before I can react, he shoves me hard in the chest. I stumble backward, struggling to stay on my feet. A faint light filters through the trees up ahead, the clearing. If I can just reach it... maybe I can escape.

"Lamen, what's your problem? Why won't you just leave me alone?" I shout, though my voice shakes.

The others laugh. Aria mimics me in a mocking tone, her voice sharp and cruel. "Why won't you leave me alone, Lamen?" She rolls her eyes dramatically before sneering, "You should've died with your mother. At least she meant something. You're nothing but a half-breed disgrace."

Her words hit me like a knife. I freeze for a second, my throat tightening. My mother, the only one who ever truly cared for me, is gone. The Shadow Fang Pack murdered her years ago. Remembering it still burns a hole through my chest.

I swallow hard and keep moving, holding my backpack tight like it can protect me. I'm about a mile and a half from home. I know it because of the pink ribbon I tied to my favorite red oak tree. That ribbon reminds me that no matter how broken I get, I can still find my way back.

Lamen elbows me hard, forcing me to stumble. Max and Alastair snicker behind him, enjoying every second of this.

"She's right," Lamen says, his tone dripping with contempt. "You'll never lead the Silver Moon Pack. You think going to school will make the elders respect you? Nobody cares about you here. You're probably adopted."

His words sting, but I don't let him see how deep they cut. My hair sticks to my damp forehead, and my whole body starts to heat up. It always happens before a fight or when I'm terrified, my skin turns hot, like I'm burning from the inside out. I don't understand it, but maybe it's what makes me heal so quickly.

And maybe it's the same heat that fuels my temper.

"Are you jealous, Lamen?" I shoot back, my voice trembling but defiant. "Didn't you fail your midterms?"

Lamen's jaw tightens. "Shut up!" he barks, his voice echoing through the forest. Silver chuckles behind him, earning a sharp glare.

I can see light peeking through the trees again. Just a few more steps. I tighten my grip on my backpack straps and take a careful step sideways, ready to bolt the second I see an opening.

But I'm too slow.

Lamen steps into my path, blocking me completely. Before I can move, he slams his hands into my shoulders, sending me crashing into the ground. The others burst into laughter, their voices sharp and cruel.

"On the ground where you belong," Lamen snarls, his shadow looming over me. "You'll never run the Silver Moon Pack. You don't have the right blood. You're not even a full wolf."

His boot presses hard against my spine, forcing my face into the muddy earth. The pain tears through me, hot and unbearable. I cry out, unable to stop the sound from escaping.

Their laughter echoes around me, filling the forest, drowning out my own voice. I bite back another scream, tasting dirt and blood, wishing, just once-that someone would come.

That someone would make it stop.