Warning:
This chapter contains scenes of violence and physical assaut. It may be disturbing or triggering for some readers. Please proceed with caution and prioritize your well-being.
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I watch as fur erupts from skin, bones shift and snap into new shapes, and howls fill the midnight air—raw, primal, powerful. The full moon glows brighter, almost as if it's feeding on their strength, amplifying the chaos and beauty around us. One by one, they give in to their nature, embracing what they are. What they were always meant to be.
Every wolf in the clearing becomes something more.
Every wolf… but me.
I kneel on the cold, bloodied earth, trembling. Damien's leash is tight around my neck, biting into the skin, his cruel way of reminding me where I stand. My knees burn from being forced to kneel for so long—scraped open and raw, bleeding into the dirt like an offering no one asked for.
They run into the forest, the newly turned and seasoned wolves alike. They vanish into the darkness with excited yips and confident strides, disappearing into the woods like it's some glorious celebration.
But I remain.
Alone.
Sacrificed to the silence they leave behind.
I'm scared. Not just of tonight, but of every truth it might reveal. My instincts scream at me to run, but where would I go? They always find me. They aren't ready to let me go—not when breaking me brings them so much pleasure.
The younger wolves—those who've just turned eighteen—have awakened their inner beasts. Tonight is their ceremony. They will be celebrated. They will be pampered. They will soon find their mates and step into a world that promises love and belonging. Those who don't find their mates yet might face judgment... but not like I do. Not like this.
Because me? I'm the cursed one. The one who never shifted. The one the pack whispers about when they think I can't hear.
I sit there for what feels like hours, the chill of the night sinking into my bones. All around me, the forest breathes in shadows and secrets. The moon hovers above the mountain's peak, watching me like a silent judge.
I want to run. Goddess, I want to run. But I stay rooted, because I know the rules. Running only makes it worse. I've tried before.
And they always catch me.
Eventually, one by one, the wolves begin returning, emerging from the trees in graceful, satisfied strides, glowing in their skin with pride, and one after the other, they begin shifting back to human form.
Our Alpha, Lucian, stands tall at the edge of the clearing, his voice echoing like a war drum. "Congratulations to all the newly unleashed wolves!"
They howl in response, sharp and joyful, echoing through the mountains.
"And also to those who found their mates tonight!"
The howls rise again—higher, louder. They sound like music, but to me, they're another reminder of everything I'm not. Will I ever know that feeling? That kind of happiness? That kind of welcome?
Or am I destined to always be on the outside?
"Now, presenting the best mate of the year!" Lucian announces, voice full of pride. "My son, Varek, the future Alpha of the Aurora Pack—and his chosen mate, Thorne's daughter, Evelyn, the future Luna."
Wolves howl once more, louder this time. The crowd parts for the golden couple. They climb to the top of the rocky peak that overlooks the whole pack. Varek walks tall and silent beside Evelyn, who smiles like she owns the stars.
"Thank you, everyone," Varek says, lifting a hand. His voice is steady, calm.
"Well," Evelyn purrs, stepping forward with perfect grace, "thank you all."
Then she turns to Alpha Lucian, bowing dramatically. "As the apple of the year tonight, I would like to make a request."
Lucian raises an eyebrow. "Your wish is my command."
My heart skips.
She smirks, her eyes locking onto mine with chilling precision.
"I would like to present the prey of tonight's hunt."
No.
No, no, no.
Lucian nods without hesitation. "You are free to do so."
Her gaze shifts to her brother, Damien. He nods.
That's when it hits me—they planned this. They planned it all along.
I feel Damien's hand yank the chain. I stumble forward, the collar burning against my throat. He drags me like a feral dog, throwing me into the center of the circle, where everyone can see.
I close my eyes, fighting back the tears. But it's too late. My humiliation is complete.
Their laughter burns worse than any wound.
The moment Evelyn's eyes meet mine, I know. I am tonight's prey.
I don't understand why they hate me so much. Is it because I haven't awakened my wolf? Because I don't have a mate? Because I'm alone? Or is it because of something I was born into—something I can't change?
My father, the man I never met, is the pack's favorite villain. "A traitor," they call him. Over and over. But no one ever tells me what he did. No one ever says his name with anything but venom. I carry his sins like chains, but I never even knew him.
What did I do to deserve this?
"Eve," Varek calls out, stepping forward. His voice is low, laced with warning.
He doesn't yell. He doesn't argue. He just looks at her with a silent plea.
Don't do this.
But Evelyn only smiles, eyes glittering with cruelty. Varek may be the only one who's ever shown me even the faintest kindness—maybe that's why she hates me so much. Because when things go too far, when their games nearly kill me, he always pulls them back. He steps in.
And she hates that.
She hates me.
She turns away from him now, dismissing his concern like it's nothing more than an itch.
"This will be fun," she whispers, just loud enough for me to hear.
The crowd starts chanting.
"Hunt! Hunt! Hunt!"
I try to steel myself. Try to be brave. But my legs are trembling.
Tonight, I will run for my life.
And the wolves I once called family will chase me like sport.
Because tonight...
I am prey.
"The game is simple," Evelyn announces, her voice sharp and cruel, echoing off the mountain walls. "Our predators will hunt you for the next two hours, just like we do with every prey during the full moon. The one who catches you before time runs out will be rewarded. He'll get to decide what to do with you."
She pauses, letting the weight of her words sink in. Everyone around her stares at me like I'm already dead meat. My heart races in my chest.
"But," she says, tilting her head with a wicked grin, "if you manage to survive the hunt—if no one catches you before time runs out—you'll be free. Free from the bullying. No one will touch you again. No one will even look your way."
I lift my head slowly, locking eyes with her. Something burns inside me—flickers like a dying flame refusing to go out.
Determination. Maybe, just maybe, this is my one shot. My one chance at freedom. At peace.
"Ohh!" Damien cackles loudly. "Is that hope I'm seeing in your eyes?" The others laugh with him, a pack of wolves ready to tear me apart.
"Someone actually thinks she can escape tonight!" he adds mockingly. His voice carries through the trees, cruel and taunting. I know this is his plan. His twisted little game. But I won't break. Not tonight. No matter how hard they play, I will play harder.
"The hunt begins on the count of three," Evelyn howls, raising her hands toward the moon. "One… two… three!"
Without a second thought, I turn and run.
My legs move before my mind can catch up. I dash into the thick woods, my bare feet barely touching the cold earth. Behind me, I hear them transform—fur erupting, bones snapping, snarls ripping through the night. The sound of primal power unleashed.
Damien's voice echoes through the forest. "No matter where you hide, Xena… I'll find you."
I run harder. My breath comes in short gasps. The thorns rip through my feet, sharp rocks bruise my soles. Pain shoots up my legs, but I keep moving. Ten minutes pass, maybe more. Every rustle in the bushes makes me flinch.
Suddenly, I hear a sound—branches breaking to my right. I turn instinctively, eyes wide. But the real attack comes from the left. Claws slash across my neck, searing hot pain explodes in my throat. I fall to the ground, my arm crashing against a rock. I scream. The agony is blinding. I know my arm is fractured.
Two wolves emerge from either side of me, baring their teeth. My breath hitches. This is it.
But then one of them howls, "Take it easy, Xena. We're not your predators tonight." They vanish into the trees before I can say a word.
They're playing with me—like a pack of sadistic children pulling the wings off a butterfly.
I push myself up with trembling arms, blood dripping down my chin. I force myself to keep going, dragging my broken body through the leaves and underbrush.
Then I see him.
A second predator. His eyes gleam yellow in the darkness. I barely react before he lunges, claws raking across my chest. I scream again as I hit the ground hard. He stomps on me, crushing the air from my lungs.
I fight back. My fists strike weakly against his ribs. He growls low but steps off. "You're not my prey," he snarls before disappearing into the trees.
Five more wolves come after that. Each one leaves me broken and bruised, but none finishes the job. The clock ticks down, and hope inches closer.
Just a few more minutes.
I can't stop now.
My body is shredded. Blood paints my skin like war paint. Cuts, bruises, fractures—everything hurts. But I drag myself forward, step after step. I can almost taste freedom.
Then, I hear it.
A whistle.
The sound that freezes my blood.
He's coming.
The breeze shifts—the forest goes still. It always does when he's near. Damien.
I run. I don't care that my legs are giving out. I don't care that I can barely breathe. My lungs burn, my heart pounds like a war drum. But I run.
"Xena," he calls, his voice smooth, almost calm.
I stop and turn.
No one.
I turn again.
"Oh, my prey…"
He's gone again. Playing his favorite game. Hide and seek.
I try to run, but a blow slams into my side, sending me flying. My head smashes against a tree trunk. Blood trickles from the back of my skull. My back drags down the bark, scraping raw.
I hit the ground. My fractured arm bends at an unnatural angle. I scream in pain, but it doesn't matter. Nothing matters now.
I try to get up—just one step—when claws dig into my back. Deep. Searing.
He drags his claws downward, ripping my flesh and tearing through what's left of my shirt. I collapse to my knees, screaming into the cold night. The pain is unbearable. But I won't stop. I can't.
I drag myself forward, crawling over thorns, branches, broken glass. Every inch is a battlefield.
Then I feel him again. He grabs my legs, dragging me backward. My skin scrapes against every sharp object on the ground. My body burns.
He hovers over me, shifting back to human form as I lie motionless. My clothes are shredded. My skin, torn. Blood pools beneath me.
"Please… Damien…" I whisper through cracked lips. "Just kill me."
I mean it. Not because I want mercy—but because I want it to end.
He kneels beside me, snarling. "I'm your predator, Xena. And you can't run from me. Not even in death."
He grabs me with his teeth in wolf form again and drags me through the dirt, the leaves, the stones. When we reach the mountain peak again, I am half-conscious. My eyes roll back, my breath shallow.
With one final motion, Damien tosses me to the ground at the Alpha's feet.
He shifts back into his human form, chest heaving with satisfaction, blood on his hands—my blood.
And I lie there, broken, battered, barely breathing… but alive.
"Congratulations, brother," Evelyn says, her voice filled with excitement. The others cheer loudly, their joy echoing through the trees. How could they be so happy watching someone suffer? How much do they hate me?
Tears stream down my face.
"As promised, the winner will be rewarded," Lucian announces, handing over Jade to Damien — one of the pack's most prized possessions. Damien raises it high in the air, and the pack erupts in applause.
"What are you going to do with her?" Evelyn asks, smirking.
"I want her for the night," Damien replies with a smug grin. The guys howl in celebration, shouting and cheering him on.
No. Please, no.
"She's not in any condition for that," Varek interrupts, stepping forward.
"I don't care. I won — that's my wish," Damien snaps, shrugging like it's nothing.
"No," Varek says firmly, his eyes locking on his father's. There's something powerful in his tone — a finality.
Lucian steps in, placing a hand on Damien's shoulder. "Let her heal first. Then she'll be yours."
Damien growls low in his throat, glaring before storming off. "Fine. Once she's healed, I'll take her."
One by one, they all disappear into the darkness, leaving me alone. My body is broken, my spirit barely hanging on. I drift in and out of consciousness, the pain numbing everything else.
I don't know how much time passes before I hear footsteps approaching. My eyes flutter open, heavy as stones. It's Varek. He bends down and lifts me gently into his arms.
We don't speak.
He carries me through the forest, silent and careful. The sky begins to lighten as dawn approaches. After what feels like forever, we reach the outskirts of San Diego. He stops in front of a hospital.
Varek lays me down near the entrance, propping me up as best he can. I want to thank him, to speak, to ask why — but my mouth won't move. Everything hurts. Everything is fading.
I watch him walk away, his back disappearing into the early morning mist.
Then, everything goes black.