Betrayal Under the Wolf's Moon

I heard the loud voice from where I hid, and I knew it was game over. I had to run.

"Get her!"

I kicked against the door as hard as I could, bolting through it almost immediately. They were behind me, all four of them. I didn't stop running.

The sound of grasses and twigs being trampled upon by our feets echoed through the night. My hands gripped the object in my hand tighter, as I kept running.

"Stop!" One of them yelled. "Stop now, and we will let you go freely."

Lies!

I'm not a fool, and they're all liars. If their Alpha is a liar, then they are too.

My heart ached as I thought about the situation that led me here. I had my doubts, but he overrode them, and made me fall in love with him, only to be rejected at the last minute when it actually mattered.

Love sucks, but Alpha Thane sucks even more.

A harsh voice pulled me out from my little "That book belongs to the pack, you can't take it. You theif!"

I held unto it tighter. I'm not a thief!

I ignored them as best as I could, putting all my energy into getting away from them. The night air reeked of smoke and pain. My heart was pounding in my chest, as I tore through the woods.

A blur of black fur lunged at me from the darkness. I twisted, barely dodging the razor-sharp claws that sliced through the air where my head had been just moments before. That was close.

I fell roughly to the ground, a low growl escaping my lips. However, I barely had time to nurse the pain. Rolling to my feet, I met the golden eyes of my attacker-Derek, Thane's right hand man.

He never liked me from the start!

My fingers tightened around the leather-bound tome I had taken-secrets of the old world pressed between its brittle pages. Secrets that could change everything. Secrets that no one could read or comprehend, no one but me!

"Give it to us, Mira. Now!" he snarled, his eyes flickering to a deeper shade. "You don't know what you're dealing with."

The other three men had caught up, they stood behind me, baring their fangs at me.

I refused to be intimidated. I wasn't the same quiet librarian they thought I was. The one they played with like some tool. "Neither do you."

The leader lunged at me at this point. I almost didn't see it coming, but I dodged right in time. I fell to the ground, grabbing as much sand as I could. I threw it in his eyes, dashing past him without wasting another second.

I felt my legs begin to weaken beneath me, but I didn't stop. A deafening howl split the night-a warning. Reinforcements were coming.

Ugh! Give up already, Thane!

Pain was all I felt. That type that threatened to tear your heart apart, and shook your entire being. Yes, that kind of pain!

What do you do when your secret mate announces to the entire pack that he had found his mate, and it isn't you?

As for me, I was in denial. He couldn't possibly do that to me, could he?

Until it dawned on me. He rejected me, tossed me aside like a used tissue paper. He caused this, and everything else that's coming for him.

If the last thing I do is take my revenge, then I will, or die trying.

My thoughts distracted me, and I didn't realize that my company had all shifted into their wolves. "Shit!" I cursed.

Desperately, I attempted to reach my wolf all over again. I couldn't. I don't know what they did to me, I felt so human at that point.

How am I supposed to get past them without my wolf?

The sound of snapping jaws filled the air as the first wolf lunged. I ducked, barely avoiding the gleaming fangs that snapped shut just inches from my face. My heart pounded in my ears, my legs burning from the relentless chase.

Another wolf - sleek and black with eyes like molten gold - circled around to cut off my path. Derek!

"Mira," he growled, voice thick even in his wolf form. "There's nowhere left to run."

But I wasn't done yet.

I spun, hurling a jagged branch I'd snatched off the forest floor at the closest wolf. It wasn't much-barely a distraction-but it gave me a sliver of space to bolt deeper into the trees. Branches tore at my skin, and my breath came in sharp, panicked gasps.

They were faster. Stronger. And I still couldn't reach my wolf.

Claws raked across my calf, white-hot pain exploding down my leg. I stumbled, crying out as I hit the ground hard. Leaves and dirt pressed into my palms as I clawed forward, desperate to keep the book safe, desperate to stay ahead of them.

Another set of claws hooked into the back of my shirt, dragging me back as I screamed. My nails tore at the earth, kicking wildly, but they were relentless - a pack trained to hunt, and I was their prey.

"Hold her down!" Darek's voice barked through the chaos.

I twisted, and for a brief second, I locked eyes with him. There was no mercy there. Not even triumph. Just cold, dutiful purpose.

With the last bit of energy I had left, I reached for a large stone beside me, hurling it at the wolf above me. He dodged it, but I also escaped. It felt futile, they are still going to catch up with me.

What do I do?

A hand clamped over my mouth, yanking me backward into the thick shadows of the forest.

I thrashed wildly, kicking and clawing, but the grip was ironclad. My vision swam with panic as the snarling wolves burst into the clearing, their glowing eyes sweeping the trees-searching for me.

But whoever had me knew how to disappear.

The hand shifted, pressing two fingers to the side of my neck. A sharp sting bloomed where they touched, and then-nothing. My body went limp, and the world tilted sideways. I hit the ground, my fingers still curled around the book, even as darkness swallowed me whole.

"I'm here to announce to everyone that your Alpha has found a mate. She's Alexa, from a pack that was once our rivals, but will now be joined together in this beautiful alliance."

I was frozen into place, for over five minutes. I couldn't move, I couldn't speak, I couldn't think.

I couldn't breathe.

My eyes met his, and for a second, it felt like I had been restored, but only for a second. When I saw that same unusual far-fetched gaze settle in his eyes, I knew it was all over.

"Thane..." How could you do this to me?

He tore his eyes away from me, and it felt like a part of me was being torn apart.

I'm dreaming, right? This isn't real.

It can't be!

I swallowed, finally finding my feet. Whispers were beginning to rise from every corner of the huge hall, everyone had something to say-their Alpha had found a mate afterall.

If I stood there for one more second, I would probably lose my mind, so I turned and walked away. A part of me wished he would stop me, and tell me all of this was just some prank. It didn't happen, I was just being delusional. I found my way to the library, releasing a heavy breath I didn't know I was holding.

I couldn't cry, even though my chest felt unbelievably heavy. But I couldn't also breathe, my heart wasn't doing much work at the moment.

"Mira!"

I turned. There he was, staring at me with this distant look in his eyes, like he didn't just kiss me last night and tell me I'm the only wolf he'll ever love.

"Thane," his name rolled off my tongue in a broken whisper.

I saw the regret flash through his eyes, as he took a step forward. "Mira, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to..."

I took a step back, gripping something for support. He stopped, his fists falling to his side. "Mira, I'm sorry."

The tears finally came. "Thane, what's going on?" I mumbled.

He looked away. "I have to do this. The council thinks it's the only way, I couldn't refuse them. Mira, you have to understand." He was pleading, but it did little to pacify my wounded heart.

"So what? I'm just supposed to watch you get married to the daughter of a rival pack? I'm your mate, Thane. You're hurting me." I cried.

He ran his hand through his hair. "They don't know that, Mira. No one knows you're my mate, and we have to keep it that way. It's something we both decided, Mira."

Oh! "We didn't decide that you'll get married to someone else, did we?" I retorted.

"Mira..." I heard the strain in his voice, and my heart broke even more.

I bit my lips, trying to hold back the tears. "Why didn't you tell me?" I mumbled.

"I... I tried."

Loud footsteps echoed, and the door made way at that point. I quickly turned away, wiping my tears away.

"Thane, there you are! I've been looking everywhere for you." A shrill voice broke the silence of the room.

I didn't need to be told to know who it was.

"Who is she? Gonna introduce us?" She asked.

There was silence for a while, then, "Mira!" Thane called.

I blinked repeatedly, hoping to keep the tears in. Taking a deep breath, I faced him. My eyes fell on their interlocked hands first. My heart shattered.

His hand is supposed to fit in only mine.

"Alexa, Mira is the pack's library keeper." Thane said. I'm just the library keeper, moon goddess, please save me from this pain!

"Mira, this is Alexa, my..." he trailed off unexpectedly.

She didn't wait to ask why he stopped, she finished off for him. "His Luna-to-be. I am so excited already, aren't you?"

I swallowed, finally finding my voice. "Welcome to our pack, I hope you like it here." I said.

She smiled at me, "Oh, I will. I know it." I saw mischief flash in her eyes, and my heart sank.

This is not going to be good.

She took Thane's hand, half-dragging him away. I watched them, my heart in my hands. So this was it!

My legs failed me, and I crumbled to the floor, finally letting the tears fall freely. This is what I get, I loved him shamelessly, with every thing I had, and this is what I get.

Who knew rejection hurts so bad!

The next few days of my life was torture. They were everywhere I went, I hated it. I hated the way she ran her eyes over him, the way she touched him, the way she intentionally kissed him anytime she knew I was in the room. I hated her.

To keep myself from having murderous thoughts, I buried myself in the library. It was my only source of comfort, the only way to stop myself from going insane.

Today however, I was going insane nevertheless.

The door made way, and she strode in, her shoulders raised like she owned the world. My fingers wrapped around the book I was holding subconsciously, as she approached me.

Fake a smile. "Luna-to-be, do you need anything?" The words fell off my mouth, leaving a lingering aftermath.

She grinned. "I hear this library has a lot of ancient books." She said.

I nodded. "Yes."

She looked around, then back at me. "And you take care of it all by yourself?"

I bit my lips. "Yes."

She was silent for a while, looking around again. "You're doing a very good job, I must say."

I parted my lips to respond, but her next words made me freeze. "But we'll have to find someone else for the job."

"What?" I snapped.

She gave me a perplexed stare. "I'm very sure you heard me, Mira." Her tone was lowered, far from calm.

I swallowed. "I don't... I don't understand what you mean."

That same mischievous grin spread out on her face as she said, "It's quite easy to understand. We need to find someone else for the job, because I'm giving you a promotion."

I hesitated, knowing fully well that the words she was going to spill wouldn't be any good.

She, however, didn't want for me to ask. "I like you, and I want you to serve me directly. This shabby library will do you no good, there will be a lot of benefits, however, from being beside me."

What the...?

My lips parted in shock. How dare she? "Are you asking me to be your personal servant?"

She shrugged carelessly. "That's one way to see it, love. I just want you to be around me."

This lady must think that I'm a fool. "Well, I'm sorry, Luna-to-be, but I am not taking that offer." I said, as politely as I could.

I must not have been polite enough, because her face twisted into an ugly frown. "You don't really have a choice, darling."

What? "I do. You can't just come in here, and start making decisions for me. I had a life before you, and you have already taken enough from me. I'm sorry, but I won't put my life on hold to serve you."

I didn't mean to say so much, but the words came spilling.

Her eyes darkened, as she glared at me. "You... how dare you talk to me like that? I'm your Luna."

I was fuming already. "Not yet, you aren't. And before you came in, I was there. He was mine."

I realized my words too late. Way too late. And I also realized someone else had walked into the room, and my hands flew to my mouth.

"Mira, what nonsense are you saying?"

It was the Head Chief.

The crackling sound of fire was the first thing I heard, the scent of herbs and charred wood heavy in the air.

The room was dim, the flickering orange light casting shifting shadows along stone walls carved with symbols - ancient ones, some I recognized from the very book I'd risked my life to steal.

I bolted upright, pain lancing through my shoulder.

"You're awake."

The voice was deep, but not unkind. A man stepped from the shadows, his face partially obscured by a hood. His scent was unfamiliar - neither part of Thane's pack nor any of the neighboring clans. Rogue, maybe?

"Who are you?" My voice came out hoarse, raw from breathing in too much smoke.

He crossed his arms above the other. "Your saviour?"

My eyes narrowed in confusion. "Those guys didn't seem willing to take it easy on you. A thank you would be nice at this point." He said.

The air seemed to hum between us. "I know you saved me, thank you. But that won't stop me from asking who the hell are you?" I said, my voice coming out harsher than I intended it to.

"Luca," another voice echoed in the room. "I'll take it from here."

My head snapped towards the direction of the door, and my eyes fell on a woman. She had a hood on too, and it only raised my warning instincts even more.

"Yes mother," the man, named Luca, said. He cast me a calm glance, before striding out of the room.

The door closing behind him reminded me that I was alone in a room with a stranger, two actually. And they may be after my life for all I know, or the book.

The book!

"Where's the book?" I blurted out, ignoring the pain that soared through my lower stomach. "Did you take the book? Who are you? What do you want from me?" I asked all at once.

"Relax, Mira. Your wounds are not fully healed, yet." She said calmly.

My eyes widened. "How do you know my name? Who are you?" I snarled.

The pain was beginning to be unbearable, but I wasn't about to show weakness in front of this stranger. "Who are you?" I questioned yet again. I needed an answer.

"Mira, listen to me. You haven't healed, you're going to make yourself bleed to death." She said again, her voice strained but firm.

It was then my eyes fell on my stomach. My shirt was stained. I pulled it up, a gasp escaping my lips as I saw the wound.

"Shit!" The gash was bleeding profusely, the bandage totally ruined. I recognized it as the slash I had gotten from Derek.

"You can't heal because you don't have access to your wolf at the moment," the strange woman said. "Lie back, and let me take care of it."

I hesitated, a thousand thoughts racing through my mind. If they are going to kill me, they wouldn't take care of me.

With a low groan, I laid back as she said, watching as the wooden ceiling spinned. "Who are you? And him too?" I asked yet again.

I expected her to pull out a first aid box or something, but instead, she began rubbing her palms together. I watched, my confusion heightening as she placed her palms a little above the injury. The concentration on her face was intense.

A blue glowing light shone from her hands, sending a cold sensation through me. What the... ?

"Stay still," she commanded.

I was already too stunned to move. Her glowing seized, but so did the pain. Without waiting for her, I ripped the bandage off, gasping in shock as I saw my body closed up.

The wound was gone.

"I would have done that earlier, but the spell needed you to be awake." She said.

My eyes darted from her to my stomach, my mind a jumbled mess. "Was... was that magic?"

"Wolves and Sorceresses aren't much different, don't you think?" At this point, she took off the hood over her head.

She looked young, but there was this elderly gaze resting in her eyes-one that told me she had seen a lot. "My name is Della," she began. "And the guy that was here is my son, Luca. I'm a sorceress, and he is a sorceror. They're many others like us here, and many others that aren't like us. We create a safe space for hybrids, accepting the rejected."

My heart churned at the mention of the word,"rejected". I swallowed, pulling my mind back to the situation on ground. "But I'm not a hybrid," I said.

She smiled, one that didn't reach her eyes. "Come with me, Mira." She said, calmly.

She began walking out of the room, and I immediately followed her, taking hurried steps to meet up with her pace. "Where are we going?"

She ignored that question as we walked through a dim lit corridor. "Why were you being chased by your pack warriors?" She asked instead.

I didn't expect the question, but it reminded me of something else. "Where's the book?" I asked, panic settling into my voice.

She seemed to notice it, casting me a glance just as similar to that of her sons. "The book is safe, Mira. I'll give it to you as soon as we get your wolf back." She explained.

My eyes lit up. "Really? Is that where we're going?"

Again, she ignored the question. "Did you steal the book?"

I clenched my fists subconsciously. "Yes!"

I expected her to ask why, but she didn't. She said nothing else. We finally reached door which she pushed open to reveal an open yard.

"Wow!" I mouthed, taking it all in.

"Stay close, Mira." Della said, as she took another turn.

We walked past the probing eyes of several people. I couldn't recognize what they were, but I noticed a vampire amongst. This place indeed has every species.

We finally came to a stop. "This is Cara. She's a hybrid wolf and witch, she'll break the spell holding back your wolf." Della said.

My eyes met the girl. She looked young, probably fifteen. I turned to Della who gave me a reassuring look.

"Why are you helping me?" I suddenly asked.

"You ask a lot of questions," was all she said.

She was trying to avoid the question, but I wasn't about to let it just go. "I need to know. That's the only way I'll be able to trust you."

"I don't really need you to trust me, Mirabel. All you need to do is trust yourself, that's more than enough." She began walking away.

How? How did she know my full name? No one knew that.

Her next words made my heart stand still.

"And as for why I'm helping you," she stopped walking and looked at me, "it's what your mother would have wanted."

"..."