The Runaway Luna

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spits you out when you're nothing but bones. My breath comes in ragged gasps that taste metallic. Every time my heel slams into a hidden stone,

raw. Bits of leaves and dirt cling to the blood on my arms and legs. I must look

ying, "Run, Pearl, if you want. The forest will eat you before you've taken ten steps." Maybe he was right.

my mother used to say: "You are not weak, my Star." You are s

o gentle they made my eyes sting. She was the only barrier between me and them: my fa

amed her, spreading filthy rumors-saying she was sleeping with rogues outside the pack borders, that s

dn't. It was like she expected it. She didn't even beg; she

of a fresh scratch across my collarbone, the dull ache in my knees from when I fell

think of

h my ribs, raw and ugly. I stumble, catch myself against the tr

e worthless. She was the one who pushed Kaela aside when she cornered me in the

tightly my knuckles turned white. I shared my plan, my voice trembling but determined: I'm leaving,

o you know what they say about the Vartun Alpha?

I shot back. I almost laughe

one," I whisper

d echoing in the quiet room,

romi

anyone-not my father, who had long abandoned that title, and not my

lace. Crack! I hear branches snap. Crunch,

sca betrayed me,

in. I bite my knuckles to stop the sob threatening to escape. I want to scream, to t

ow, I hav

er from when I slammed into a wall last week after Kaela shoved me

darkness, maybe carrying my scent to the hunting wolves behind me. "There's no mercy once a wolf betra

nd old tears. Mother would cover it for me in secret, so I'd have a cozy spot to sleep, showing me love that Kae

orever transformed K

place Mother took me when my father's rage turned our house into a tomb. I'd h

here it is! Its branches twitching like bony fingers reaching for the stars, half-r

I didn't run when you told me to.

low voice follows, issuing orders I don't recognize. I for

in my head as I slip around the old trunk. My feet instinctively navigate the marsh

I can just reach the bordering river, I can follow it to Vartun. They say the Alpha King is a monster; no mate can survive his

trip over the fence, landing hard on my knees. Blood wells up beneath

other's gentle yet strong voice. I ignore t

it symbolizes liberation for me; it's expansive enough to encompa

breath tearing at my thr

my foot. Ahead, another one slams into a tree, making me spin around. The cle

lips. The scar across his brow glistens in the torchlight. He'd sneered at

, better off

signaling the hunter

omewhere

it cuts my lungs. My fi

se to g

ey'll make sure you don't forget your place. Maybe your

w yards away; as the wind shifts, I briefly recall Bi

re I'd run? Did you whisper it in Kaela's ear w

e I can't define: grief, r

n I run

mmed onto the ground, my cheek scraping the dirt, my ribs screaming. A boot presses int

e, he says, "Stupid little mutt.

ger and betrayal rather than fear. The

e clearing, and the forest c

lashes. My mother's face swims behind them, h

day, you'll run far enoug

mething stubborn flickers-a spark that refuses to die,

I'll ru

time, they wo