Olivia POV 

The day was absolutely perfect, with the sun shining brightly and a gentle breeze rustling through the trees. It was a rare treat to have a day out with my daughter, Haylie, and I cherished every moment. As we walked through the park, I couldn't help but admire the vibrant colors of the flowers and the sound of birds chirping happily in the distance. 

Haylie, my five-year-old daughter, was exhausted from our adventures in the skate park. Her little legs had carried her tirelessly throughout the day, and when we drive home, she fell fast asleep in her car seat. 

I glanced at her through the rearview mirror, marveling at her red hair sparkled in the late sunlight what break though the car window. I held the car still in the parking lot then clime out and walked to the back and open the passenger door. The faint scent of her baby shampoo filled the air as I opened the car door with a creak. 

Carefully, I unbuckled Haylie's car seat, cradling her in my arms to ensure she wouldn't wake up. She felt so warm and peaceful, like a sleepy princess in my embrace. With one foot, I gently closed the car door behind me, the sound muffled in the quiet of the parking lot. 

Walking towards home, I noticed the familiar smell of freshly cut grass and the distant sound of children playing in the nearby park. 

The front door of our house was ajar, a sign that Camilia, my dear witch friend, was home. I entered the house, and the scent of something delicious wafting from the kitchen. The sound of pots and pans clinking filled the air, a comforting melody. 

In my bedroom, I laid Haylie down on the large, old wooden bed adorned with a light blue and pink knit blanket. 

 She looked so peaceful in her slumber, her small frame barely making a dent in the soft mattress. I couldn't help but smile at her innocence and beauty, knowing that she inherited her energy and zest for life from her late father, Kaysen. 

As I tucked a stray strand of hair behind Haylie's ear, I caught sight of the mark on her tiny neck. 

 It was a wolf mark, a reminder of her connection to our wolf bloodline. Even if I don't have my wolf any more had my mark move down to Haylie. 

We just don't know who mark was on her neck, though even if she was a human she was fated to someone else out there. 

Camelia and Amora had discovered it when she was born, and we were still trying to understand its significance. 

Taking a deep breath, I planted a tender kiss on her cheek before making my way to the kitchen, drawn by the inviting aroma that filled the house. 

My friend Camelia was busy in the kitchen preparing supper, while over by the sink, my other brother Jacob was hanging out. 

He loved being here and was especially close to Haylie, who had grown up without a father. In many ways, Jacob had become a father figure to her. Haylie father died before she was born and every day I miss him and wish that he was here to see how our daughter grow in to a beautiful young woman. 

"I smell something delicious," I said with a smile as I entered the kitchen. 

 Camelia looked up, smiling, and slid a dish into the oven. "Olivia, I'm so glad you're here," she said warmly. 

 I walked to the fridge, grabbed three beers, and handed one each to Camelia and Jacob as we gathered around the round kitchen table. 

"And how's my little princess doing?" Jacob asked, smiling from his seat at the table. I sat down, opened my beer, and took a long, refreshing sip. After a long day, the chill of the beer was pure bliss. "She had quite a day at the park," I replied, "and she's getting really good at skateboarding." 

Camelia joined us at the table, the soft click of her beer bottle opening breaking the quiet as she took her seat. "Olivia, someone came looking for you today," she said, a hint of worry in her voice. I frowned, wondering who it could be, and noticed the concern in Camelia's eyes as she looked at me. 

"Who was looking for me?" I asked, the tension in the kitchen thickening. 

Jacob's face shifted to a mix of emotions as he stood up, excusing himself quietly before walking out. I turned back to Camilia, who was staring silently at her beer bottle. 

"Camelia, who was it?" I asked again, my voice barely a whisper. 

After a long pause, she finally looked up, her voice trembling. "It was Matthew," she said, her words hitting me like a tidal wave. 

 "Matthew… but how?" I managed to ask, stunned. It had been five years since I went into hiding. On the day of our wedding, I'd left and asked Camelia to break my connection to my wolf bloodline so he couldn't track me. How could he have found me here? 

 "I thought he couldn't find me," I said, more to myself than to Camelia. 

Tears filled her eyes as she looked at me, worry etched across her face. "He's an Alpha, Olivia. Even without your wolf, he could still pick up your scent," she said softly. 

My world felt like it was crumbling. 

For five years, I'd hidden with Haylie, trying to escape that life, but now it had returned to haunt me. 

 I took a deep breath and another sip of my beer before asking, "Did he say what he wanted?" Knowing Matthew, he wouldn't simply walk away. We were fated mates, and our wolves had loved each other deeply. 

 I missed my wolf, Ella, but I had chosen to leave that life behind. My daughter deserved a better future, far from the chaos I had left in my wake. 

I rose from my chair and began pacing. 

 "I tried so hard to hide, to give Haylie a normal life after what happened on our wedding day," I said aloud, biting my nails again—a habit that returned whenever I felt stressed. 

"All he said was that he wanted to see you," Camelia said gently. I stopped, worry creasing my face as I looked over at her. "But why? I betrayed him, and after he killed Kaysen, I thought that was the end for us." 

 That day still haunted me; it was the same day I discovered I was pregnant, and the same day I lost Haylie's father. I didn't blame Matthew, but I loved Kaysen deeply and never meant for things to end that way. 

"Olivia, I think he still loves you," Camelia continued softly. "Besides, you'll always be a part of him, even if you removed his mark." I sank back down at the round table, taking a deep breath. 

"He asked if you could meet him in the woods where you two first met," Camelia added. I buried my face in my hands. Of course, he would choose that place. This wasn't good. I hadn't seen Matthew in five years, and I had no idea what I would even say. We might be fated, but he was an Alpha—and I was human now. 

My thoughts were interrupted by Jacob's cheerful voice. "Look who just woke up!" he said. 

I lifted my head to see him standing in the doorway, holding Haylie in his arms. My heart swelled at the sight of her—her red hair a messy tangle as she rubbed the last remnants of sleep from her eyes. 

Her rosy cheeks were flushed, and she looked as adorable as ever. 

I stood and walked over. "Did you sleep okay?" I asked, smiling as she nodded sleepily and held her arms out to me. I scooped her up, holding her close as she rested her head on my shoulder. 

 She smelled like daisies, and her scent brought me a sense of peace. I gently stroked her hair, comforted by the warmth of her little presence. 

Camelia's voice broke the quiet. "You don't have to go, Olivia. But if you do decide to see him, he asked to meet tonight." 

I glanced at Camelia, saying nothing, and then walked with my daughter to the front porch, where I loved to sit on the rocking chair. 

 I enjoyed watching the sunset, and Haylie loved to sit on my lap as I told her tales of the wolves. Since she would never be a wolf herself, I felt it was only right that she heard the stories of our family bloodline. 

Settling into the chair with Haylie on my lap, I took a deep breath of the fresh evening air. "Mommy, will you tell me that story about the wolf?" Haylie asked, her voice curious as ever. 

 Smiling, I began to tell her the story of how Matthew and I met. Our wolves—Ella and his wolf, Atlas—had fallen in love that same night, and they had mated in the woods where we first met. I left out the painful parts, ending the story on a happy note. 

Haylie's face lit up with excitement, her eyes shining. "That sounds like the most beautiful story, Mommy," she said eagerly. 

I smiled and thought of my necklace—the only keepsake I had worn every day since I left the Cress Moon pack. It had been a gift from Matthew when I became the pack's Luna, and I had never taken it off. But now, it felt like the right time to pass it on to Haylie. 

"Mommy has something for you," I said, carefully unclasping the necklace. 

 Haylie's eyes sparkled as she looked at me. "What is it, Mommy?" she asked, curiosity filling her voice. I gently placed the necklace around her neck. "I want you to have this," I said with a smile. 

She looked down, touching the half-moon charm with her small fingers, then looked up at me with her emerald-green eyes. 

"But it's yours, Mommy," she said softly. I let out a small sigh. "It was always mine," I said, "but I think it's time for it to have a new owner, and I want that to be you." 

 Haylie's face lit up, and a bright smile crossed her lips. "Really? Thank you, Mommy!" she said, hugging me tightly with her small arms. "I'll never take it off, I promise," she added, her voice muffled in the embrace. 

 I hugged her warmly in return, just as Camelia called out that supper was ready. Haylie jumped off my lap and ran into the house, dashing to the kitchen. She was always so full of joy and love. 

I was about to follow her when I heard Jacob's voice. "You know the story you told her wasn't the whole truth," he said. I froze and turned to face him, folding my arms across my chest. "She's just a child. She doesn't need to know everything yet," I replied. 

 Jacob smirked. "Just admit it, Olivia—you still love Matthew," he said. My heart skipped a beat, and I bit my lip as he continued. "Maybe you should see him tonight, end this once and for all. It's obvious the two of you still care for each other." 

Discussing Matthew was too painful. There was so much left unsaid. I had left the moment I saw Kaysen take his last breath, and the words I'd hurled at Matthew that day—that I thought he was a monster and would always hate him—still haunted me. I had been hurt, confused, and utterly lost. 

"Mommy, are you coming?" I heard Haylie's voice from behind me. I took a deep breath, glanced briefly at Jacob, and then turned back to Haylie with a smile. "I'm coming," I said, making my way to the kitchen. 

We had supper together, and afterward, I bathed Haylie and helped her into her cozy pajamas. 

When we finished, she ran to the living room to join Jacob for their favorite cartoon, Bugs Bunny. She and Jacob loved watching those old Looney Tunes shows together. While they were busy, I helped Camelia clean up in the kitchen. 

Once we were done, I headed to the living room, only to find Haylie fast asleep beside Jacob. 

I come to stand under the door frame of the room and watch how Haylie was curled up next to Jacob lying under his wing and fast asleep. 

"you know that you mean the world to this little one "I say softly. 

 Jacob face light up "she means the world to me to, I may not be her blood but she feels like someone I always I wanted to protect and love "said Jacob warmly . My heart swell and I slowly approach the cough and sit down. 

 "Jacob you were right before "I say with a heavy heart and take a big breath in " I may not be a wolf or Luna any more but I cannot run away from my past and have to face Mathew some how " 

Silence fell between us, broken only by the sound of the cartoon playing in the background. 

"You don't have to go, Olivia. I didn't mean to push you," Jacob said softly. He would always be like a brother to me. We'd grown up together and had come a long way since then. 

 I leaned forward, resting my hand on Jacob's arm, which lay protectively over Haylie's small body. "I know, but this is my mess. I need to say goodbye to him," I said, feeling the weight of it in my chest. "I left things unsaid between us for five years, and I feel like all of this happened because of me." 

It was my mess, and because of it, my daughter would never know her father or experience life as a wolf. 

That part of her identity had been taken away from her. 

"Just so you know, Olivia, whatever happens, I'll never leave your side," Jacob said, his words warm with loyalty. My heart swelled. Though we weren't related by blood, we were family, and I loved my brother. 

I leaned in and kissed him on the cheek, then gently lifted Haylie from his lap, cradling her in my arms as I carried her to her bedroom. 

I walked to the bed, laying her down softly and tucking the blankets around her. Just as I was about to leave, her eyes fluttered open. 

 "Mommy?" Haylie said sleepily. A soft smile crossed my lips; sometimes just hearing her call me "Mommy" still made my heart swell. "Yes, sweetie," I answered warmly, sitting on the edge of the bed beside her. 

"I love you, Mommy," she murmured, her words tugging at my heartstrings. 

 I gently tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and leaned in to kiss her cheek. "I love you more," I replied. Her emerald eyes sparkled as she looked at me, then she reached her small arms out for a hug. I leaned in, wrapping my arms around her, feeling her warm little body against mine. 

"Goodnight, Mommy," she whispered. 

As I pulled back, she gave me a tiny kiss on the cheek. She was the reason I kept going, the reason I fought to give us a normal life. 

 Tears welled up in my eyes. "Goodnight, sweetie. Remember, Mommy loves you so much," I said, my voice cracking with emotion. A smile appeared on Haylie's lips as she closed her eyes, her hand reaching for mine. I gently held her tiny hand, deciding to stay until she drifted back to sleep. 

 She was my daughter, and I would always make time for her. Kaysen would have been so proud of her; she had so much of his spirit within her. 

Once Haylie was fast asleep, I rose slowly from the bedside and walked over to my drawer, pulling out a sweater. 

 The wind was cold outside, and if I was going into the woods, I'd need my flashlight as well. I was no longer a wolf, so I got cold easily, and I didn't have night vision or heightened senses anymore. 

 After putting on the sweater and grabbing the flashlight, I closed the drawer and walked back to the bed, leaning down to kiss Haylie on the cheek. A gentle smile appeared on her lips—she must be dreaming. 

 I used to watch her sleep for hours when she was a baby, and even now, my heart swelled just looking at her. 

I quietly left the room and made my way to the front door. Just as I reached it, I heard Camelia's voice behind me. "If you go, just be careful," she said softly. I turned to look at her. 

"It's the woods, Camelia—it used to be my home," I replied. But worry filled her eyes. 

"It's different now, Olivia. You're human, and you know rogue wolves are still out there looking for revenge," she said. 

It had been years since I'd seen a rogue wolf. I crossed my arms, thinking back. The last time I saw them was when I rescued a baby girl named Clair. 

Mathew and I had saved her from a group of rogue wolves who had attacked and killed her parents. In the chaos, I'd killed one of the brothers, and after that night, Mathew and I decided to raise Clair as our own. 

 She'd become like a daughter to me, but when I left Mathew, I had to say goodbye to Clair too. 

"I'll be okay, Cameliia—don't worry about me," I said, trying to reassure her. "I was the strongest Luna in the pack, and even without a wolf, I know how to be careful." 

 "Just don't come home too late. Haylie and I will be here, waiting for you," she replied, concern clear in her voice. 

 Camelia had always been like a sister to me. I hugged her tightly. "I'll come back safely, I promise," I said, kissing her on the cheek. 

As I turned back to the front door, I glanced over my shoulder to see her trying to smile. "I'll see you later," I said, then stepped out into the night. 

As I drove down the narrow, winding road that sliced through the woods, the chill in the night air seeped into my bones. 

 The sky was dominated by a full moon, casting a haunting silver glow on the trees, which loomed over me like silent, shadowy guardians. This forest was both familiar and alien; five years had passed since I'd last set foot here, though I used to roam these paths without a care. 

But tonight, the purpose was different. I was here to meet Mathew. 

I pulled the car to a halt on the side of the dirt road. Memories flooded back, almost overwhelming. 

This forest held so much of my past—moments that had bound me to Mathew in ways I never imagined possible. But tonight, I needed to confront those memories, to end this for myself and my daughter. Only then could we both be free. 

Stepping out, I shivered as the cold wind greeted me, carrying the scent of pine and damp earth, laced with an undertone of mystery. 

An owl's distant call echoed through the trees, adding to the eerie silence. I wrapped my arms around myself, pulling my jersey closer for warmth, then grabbed my flashlight from the car, grateful for its beam. 

 With the moonlight guiding me, I started down the familiar path into the woods, each step heavy with memories I couldn't escape. 

This forest was no place for humans at this hour, yet I knew it as well as I knew myself. 

My feet carried me forward, each step toward the spot where Mathew and I first met, a secluded clearing near an old graveyard. 

A statue of an angel stood there, surrounded by wild lavender, and even after all these years, I could recall every detail. 

 I stepped carefully over broken twigs and damp leaves, the sound of cracking branches underfoot seeming to echo my heartbeat, loud and fast. 

And then, I froze. There he was, standing by the angel, exactly where I'd expected him but still taking my breath away. "Mathew". His name slipped from my lips before I could stop myself, barely more than a whisper. 

He turned to me, his gaze intense, piercing. "Olivia," he said softly, his voice threading through the night air, "I didn't think you'd come." 

He looked almost unchanged from the man I'd fallen in love with five years ago. His dark hair framed his face, and his eyes—those dark, compelling eyes—held the same fierce intensity. 

 He was rugged, every feature chiseled, his strong build evident under his white shirt and black leather jacket. The moonlight made him appear almost unreal, ethereal. I felt my knees weaken as he took a step closer, his gaze never leaving mine. 

"I never stopped looking for you, Olivia," he whispered. 

My hand shook, struggling to keep hold of the flashlight. Memories, emotions, the past we shared—everything rushed back with crushing force. 

I didn't know if I was ready to confront the truth, we both held between us, but I had come this far, and there was no turning back now. 

He came to stand before me, his presence casting a shadow over my trembling form. 

His dark brown eyes bore into mine, their intensity palpable. The air was charged with nervous energy, the anticipation of our reunion hanging heavy in the air. Even as a human, the chemistry between us was undeniable, an invisible force that bound our fated love together. 

"Matthew, how did you find me?" I managed to ask, my voice quivering with uncertainty. I struggled to steady my breath, fighting against the urge to let it escape in uneven gasps. 

"I sought the help of an old friend from the village," his words reached my ears, each syllable filled with determination. 

 His gaze never wavered, and I felt a wave of shame wash over me, making it difficult to meet his eyes. The nerves continued to course through me, preventing me from looking directly at him. 

 "I needed to find you, to know if you're okay, if your baby is okay," he confessed. 

 My eyes swelled up with tears, and I hastily wiped them away, not wanting them to betray the emotions building within me. "I'm okay, and my daughter Haylie is doing well," I whispered softly, the weight of the situation settling in my chest. 

Suddenly, Matthew's touch on my chin snapped my attention back to him. His fingertips ignited a thousand sparks across my skin, sending a surge of chemistry through my body. 

 My stomach churned with a flurry of butterflies, the physical manifestation of the emotions swirling within me. 

"Olivia, look at me," he urged, lifting my head to meet his gaze. Tears streamed down my face, the sight of his warm brown eyes reawakening a flood of memories and love. The pain was almost unbearable. 

"I... I..." I stuttered, unable to find the words to express my overwhelming emotions. 

 My attempts to break free from the grip of sobs were futile. Without hesitation, Matthew pulled me closer, enveloping me in his embrace. 

 As his arms encircled my body, I crumbled, my entire being trembling as I released the pent-up sorrow. I longed for his touch, his strength, his comforting hugs. In his arms, I had always felt safe. 

The moon hung high in the night sky, casting an ethereal glow over the clearing where the two of us stood in each other arms. 

I felt the weight of the world on my shoulders, the shadows of our shared past looming over me if they were ghostly reminders of mistakes, I wished I could erase. 

 But here, in this moment, Mathew was right in front of me, his presence igniting the embers of feelings I buried deep within my heart. 

His touch was like a warm blanket, enveloping me in familiarity, care, and an intimacy that felt both comforting and devastating. 

 I remembered a time when everything had seemed perfect—when our bond had felt unbreakable. 

But time, it seemed, had a cruel way of unraveling even the strongest threads of fate. 

"Olivia," Mathew's voice broke the silence, shaking slightly, heavy with emotion. 

I gazed up into his deep brown eyes, a forest of untold sorrow and lingering love. The very depth of his gaze told me everything that words could not convey, a world of heartbreak tangled with hope. 

I wanted to sink back into his embrace, to let the warmth and affection wash over me once more, but I knew that doing so would only lead me back into a trap—a repeat of a past that had left both of us shattered. 

I had come here, not to rekindle old flames, but to confront the demons of our history. 

"I came here to make things right." My voice trembled as I pulled away from him, hot tears cascading down my cheeks. 

 The moonlight caught Mathew's face, highlighting the glimmering trails of his own sorrow, the silent tears that rolled down his cheeks, marking him just as broken as I felted. 

"I wanted you to know that I never meant to hurt you back then," I continued, my words shaky and sorrowful. "What happened between me and Kaysen was a momentary lapse—one night of weakness that spiraled us into this mess." 

I could see the pain etched on Mathew's face, the way his brow furrowed at me admission. 

The reality that we were both victims of our choices weighed heavily between us, a chasm that seemed too wide to cross. 

"I know I cannot undo the past," I said, the truth ripping through my chest like a jagged knife. "But I wanted you to know that I am so, so sorry for what I did to you, as your fated mate and your Luna." 

Mathew's eyes searched mine, and I could see the desperation flickering behind his tears. 

 "I will always love you, Olivia, even if you betrayed me." His voice shook a raw rasp that tore through my heart. "You are the only one who holds my heart." 

His confession sent a wave of shock coursing through me, each word a crashing tide against the fortress I'd built around my heart. 

 Gasping for air, I felt the gravity of our shared past pressing down on me as if the very air had become thick with our history. 

But I couldn't stay. 

 The pain of our unraveling was too much to bear. 

"I need to go," I whispered, turning away, desperate to escape the entanglement of emotions in that clearing. 

 I felt fragile, like a tapestry on the brink of fraying, terrified that one more pull would cause it all to unravel. 

Just as I was about to take a step away, I felt his hand reach for mine. The warmth of his touch shot through me like electricity, anchoring me to the spot. 

 Mathew pulled me closer, our bodies colliding in a way that felt both terrifying and achingly familiar. I looked up at him, stunned, and as our eyes met, I momentarily lost myself in the depths of his. 

And then, unexpectedly, he pressed his lips against mine—a fiery, passionate kiss that had the power to thaw the frosty barriers I'd so carefully erected around my heart. It was warmth, it was longing, it was the reawakening of emotions what I thought that I have buried deep down my heart. 

My mind swirled with confusion and hesitation, but my heart, wild and untamed, responded instantly leaning into the kiss, tasting the salt of our shared tears, the bittersweet memory of all that we had lost. 

But as the kiss deepened, clarity struck me like a bolt of lightning. 

 I pulled back, breathless, and looked into his eyes, my heart aching with love and guilt. "I can't—I can't do this," I stammered, the truth clawing its way out once more. " I am scared that I will hurt you again?" 

"Olivia, please," Mathew whispered, desperation lacing his voice. "We can figure this out. We always have." 

But deep down, I knew that our journey forward required something deeper than just rekindling old flames. 

 It called for healing, forgiveness, and a chance to rebuild ourselves from the broken pieces. 

"I have to go" I finally said, my voice steady despite the turmoil within. 

I took a step back, distancing myself from Mathew. I couldn't bear to be close to him, afraid that my resolve would crumble. 

Tears streamed down my cheeks as I looked at him, and I saw my own heartbreak mirrored in his eyes. 

 "Olivia, please… just give us a chance," Mathew pleaded, his voice broken. "I still love you, and I'll never stop loving you." 

His words were sweet, like honey, but the risk of losing him again was too great, and the thought of hurting him once more was my biggest fear. I had to go, to leave before regret overtook me. My daughters, Haylie and Camila, were waiting for me. I couldn't change the past or undo my mistakes. I had to let go. 

"I'm sorry," I whispered, my voice thick with emotion as I looked at Mathew. "I'll always love you too, but I can't risk hurting you again, like I did before." With those words, I turned and ran into the forest. 

I couldn't wait for his response; my heart was already shattered, held together by a thin thread. I would always carry our love with me, but I couldn't let the flame rekindle. 

Branches snapped beneath my feet as I sprinted, making my way back to the car. Somewhere in my haste, I'd dropped the flashlight near Mathew, but I couldn't turn back. I had to get out of here before he came after me. 

 But as I ran, a chill crawled up my spine. Red eyes appeared around me, gleaming in the darkness. 

I stopped, gasping for breath, and there in the shadows, a pair of red eyes glared back at me. My pulse quickened as panic set in—those eyes belonged to wolves, but not ordinary ones. These were the eyes of rogue wolves, their crimson gaze betraying their malice. 

I broke into a run again, faster this time, feeling the wind cut through me as I heard the wolves' chilling howls. 

 Panic surged through me. I'd told Camila I was brave, but here, surrounded by snarling wolves, fear took hold. There were at least five of them, too many to outrun. 

My legs weakened, and suddenly two wolves appeared on each side of me. They were black, their fiery eyes locked onto me, closing in as they prowled forward. I tried to push forward, but my foot snagged on a tree root, and I fell hard to the ground, dirt covering my hands and face. 

 I scrambled up, but as I did, I found myself staring up at a massive black wolf, its eyes fixed on me. 

My whole body trembled, terror rooting me in place. My breath was so loud, it echoed in my ears. 

Then, the wolf began to shift, its bones cracking as it transformed into human form. He knelt before me, his face hovering close, the faint moonlight illuminating a burn scar across his face. 

"Do you remember me?" His voice was deep, carrying a sinister edge that sent a shiver through me. 

I took a shaky breath. "Who are you?" I managed to ask, my voice barely whispered. 

A wicked laugh escaped his lips, sending every hair on my skin on end. "What do you want?" I asked, my voice laced with fear. 

He leaned in, his face coming into full view under the moonlight. Recognition hit me like a jolt of lightning—he is one of the rogue brothers. And just tonight, I had told Camila I hadn't seen them in five years. 

"You," I whispered, my voice thick with dread. 

It had been five, maybe six years since Mathew and I had rescued Clair from these monsters. 

 That night was seared into my memory—their ruthless attack, the way they slaughtered that innocent baby girl's parents. I'd lost control when I saw what they were doing, unwilling to let them harm her. In my fury, I'd killed one of their brothers. But now they had found me. 

The man before me noticed my recognition and sneered, his voice low and venomous. "Good. You remember what you did—to my face and to my brother." 

I held his gaze, defiance sparking in me despite the fear. "I do," I replied, sitting up straighter. "What you did was terrifying, and your brother deserved what he got. He was hurting an innocent baby." 

My words seemed to enrage him further. His lip curled, and a growl rumbled from his chest. "How dare you," he snarled, his eyes flashing. Before I could react, his hand clamped around my throat, stealing the air from my lungs. 

"No one speaks to me like that, especially a human," he hissed, his grip tightening as he lifted me from the ground, my toes barely brushing the earth. 

Darkness closed in around me as he squeezed harder, cutting off my air. Panic surged, and I clawed at his hand, desperate for breath, but it was no use. 

 He was too strong, and I was too weak. 

 My vision blurred, fading as I glimpsed four other wolves closing in, their red eyes glowing with malice. This was it. 

My past had finally caught up to me, and there was no escape. But just as I felt myself slipping, something slammed into him, knocking his hand from my throat. I collapsed to the ground, gasping for air, my lungs burning as I lay there. 

I managed to sit up, and my heart stilled when I looked up and saw him. 

Atlas's deep brown eyes met mine, filled with an urgency I didn't need words to understand—*run*. 

 I gave him a shaky nod, pushed myself up, and sprinted into the darkness, my heart pounding as hard as my feet hitting the forest floor. My human legs were my only defense now, but I had to hold steady. I couldn't slow down, not with the rogue wolves chasing behind me. 

The snarls grew louder, their hot breaths closing in, and I could sense them right at my heels. 

 Each stride sent shocks of fear through me, and I thought of Haylie—my reason for everything. Tears stung my eyes as I imagined her face, the life I wanted to give her, a life free from fear and violence. 

And yet here I was, facing the very nightmare I'd fought to keep from her. 

One of the wolves lunged, its fangs tearing into my leg, pain ripping through me as I stumbled. I turned, just in time to see the gleam of feral eyes beside me, their snarls echoing around me as they closed in. 

Panic seized me as I lost my balance, and in that split second, my life flashed before my eyes—the memories, the love, every fleeting moment. 

Then, as I hit the ground, a searing pain shot through my head, and everything faded into darkness.