Fated for the wolf king

st oblit

I could not understand. Each step twisted the knife deeper. My wounds were raw. The wind stung my wounds, and every step

o the emptiness inside me. The

e way no one even thought to look back. The way the quiet

thing or just away from everything. The moon was a sliver above me, like a half-hearted promise. My wolf was fluffing beneath my skin but not free yet, not

through my thoughts. I

eyes scanning the darkness. My instincts prickled. Rogues?

coiled tighter. Nothing. Probably a deer. Or the

able to control the trembling from exhaustion and adren

t. But where? I had nothing. No s

y knees close to my chest. The cold was s

s feeling? That w

ered the bond I thought was unbreakable. Replaced me with someone shini

, blasting me, but it wasn't sadness. I

. I would survive. Not because I wanted to. But because I had to. Beca

art quickened as I stood and tried to force my arms and legs to comply . I didn't know who or

h step heavier than the last. The loss of blood was dull

peared behind a cloud. And then I saw

i

ke a moth drawn to warmth , to hope. My legs gave out just as I re

-low, rough,

l. What ha

y eyes to

frizzy hair, a wild beard, and a jagged scar stretching across his jaw. His clothes were t

gleaming yellow-not gold as in w

e said, sneering, as he struck my chin roughly.. "What are

rembled from blood loss, exhaust

...

ungry. " Oh, I'll le

ammed again

"Pack scent... but fading. You're not claimed. No ties

im , panic fl

me back down. "Don't what?" he growled.

e wind rushed

id, voice like broken glass.

dn't scream. He leaned in , teeth glinting. And just as his fingers s

ped toward the sound.Another st

pproached fr

low, teeth bared

-The air

twitching. Something had caugh

rayed me. Useless. Weak. I bit down hard to keep f

me. Hunger still burned in his ey

out here. That

k ," he muttered darkly, tur

anch but there was nothing. My hand slapp

sped, kneeling over me again. "Even the wo

hot, rotted. My

ipped through th

ked toward the sound . Anothe

, confusion pai

t th

cent , smoke... and blood. The rogue took a step back, mutt

et

k at me , his face no longer smu

led, it wasn't me. It

y-not to finish what he sta

coming w

ed weakly

dy screaming in protest. I could ba

ing," he hissed in my ear. "Your precious A

ha

ged me toward the tree lin

sky-far off, but growing

econd scream came from the opposite side of t

in, and cursed quietly

ore I could utter even one syllable, he j

knows!" he growled

what you're

idn't be

g deeper, in

talking before t

snapped nearby. Too

ly prey in the