_Serena's POV_
The village was quiet, almost too quiet, as I walked down the narrow dirt path. My boots felt heavy, weighed down by exhaustion and doubt. I could feel the curious stares of the villagers on me, though no one approached. The air was crisp, and the scent of pine and smoke lingered, making the place feel warm yet foreign.
I paused in the middle of the clearing, unsure where to go. The weight of the past days pressed down on me, and for the first time, I felt the full impact of my decision to leave the pack. My chest tightened as I took a shaky breath.
"Who are you, and what are you doing here?"
The sharp voice startled me. I turned to see a tall man approaching, his gaze hard and calculating. His dark hair fell over his brow, and his broad shoulders were set in a stance that screamed authority.
"Speak," he said, his tone leaving no room for hesitation.
"I—I'm Serena," I stammered, clutching my bag tighter.
"Serena," he repeated, his eyes narrowing. "That doesn't tell me why you're here. Are you a rogue?"
The accusation stung. "No," I said quickly, my voice steadier now. "I'm not a rogue. I left my pack."
"Left?" He arched a skeptical brow. "Who leaves their pack willingly?"
His words cut deep, but I held my ground. "Someone who had no other choice," I said firmly.
He studied me for a long moment, his piercing blue eyes searching for something—truth, maybe. Finally, he sighed. "I'm Luca, Beta of the Crescent Moon Pack," he said. "And if you're lying to me, I'll find out."
"I'm not lying," I said, meeting his gaze.
Luca's jaw tightened, and for a moment, I thought he was going to send me away. Instead, he gestured toward the largest building in the village. "Come with me," he said.
"Where are we going?"
"To see Marcus," he said over his shoulder. "Our Alpha. He'll decide what to do with you."
---
The inside of the building was warm and smelled faintly of woodsmoke and leather. Luca led me down a wide hall and into a room where a man sat behind a large wooden desk.
"Alpha Marcus," Luca said, bowing slightly. "This is Serena. She claims she is not a rogue, but I found her wandering the village alone."
Marcus looked up, his dark eyes sharp and assessing. He was older than Luca, his features weathered but commanding. "Is that so?" he said, his voice deep and even.
"Yes," I said, trying to keep my voice steady under his gaze. "I... I left my pack. I had nowhere else to go."
"Why did you leave?" he asked, his tone neutral.
I hesitated, the words catching in my throat. How could I explain everything—the rejection, the heartbreak, the feeling of being so completely lost?
"I was rejected," I said finally, my voice barely above a whisper.
Marcus's expression softened just a fraction. "Rejected?"
I nodded. "By my mate. He... he chose someone else."
The silence in the room was heavy. I could feel Luca's gaze on me, though I didn't dare look at him.
"And your pack?" Marcus asked.
"They didn't stop him," I said bitterly. "They didn't care. I had to leave. Staying there... it wasn't an option."
Marcus leaned back in his chair, his eyes thoughtful. "You've been through a lot," he said after a moment. "More than most could handle."
I didn't respond. I didn't trust myself to speak without breaking.
"You're not a rogue," Marcus said firmly, looking at Luca.
Luca frowned but nodded. "If you're sure."
"I am," Marcus said. He turned back to me. "You're welcome to stay here for as long as you like, Serena. This pack will give you the safety and peace you need."
His kindness caught me off guard. "Thank you," I said, my voice trembling.
"You'll earn your place here," Marcus added gently. "Luca will help you get settled. For now, rest. You look like you need it."
---
Luca led me to a small room near the healing ward. It was simple but clean, with a bed, a chair, and a small table. I set my bag down and sat on the edge of the bed.
"Marcus is a good man," Luca said, leaning against the doorframe. "You're lucky he didn't turn you away."
"I didn't ask for his pity," I said, my voice sharper than I intended.
Luca raised an eyebrow but didn't respond. Instead, he crossed his arms and studied me. "You are not like the others who wander in," he said after a moment. "Most rogues are desperate, dangerous. But you..."
"What about me?" I asked, meeting his gaze.
"You're just... broken," he said, his voice softer now. "But not dangerous."
The words stung, but I couldn't argue with them.
"Get some rest," he said, turning to leave. "Tomorrow, we'll figure out where you fit here."
As the door closed behind him, I lay back on the bed, staring up at the ceiling. Luca's kindness surprised me. He didn't seem like the type to take in strangers, yet here I was. Part of me wanted to trust him, but another part couldn't forget the betrayal that had brought me here in the first place.
Damien's face flashed in my mind, his cold eyes as he rejected me. The memory was like a knife twisting in my chest.
I clenched my fists, trying to push the pain away.
---
That night, as I sat by the window in my room, I noticed something strange.
A faint glow caught my attention, and I looked down at my wrist. There, on my skin, was a small mark I hadn't seen before. It shimmered softly, shaped like a crescent moon.
I touched it, expecting it to fade, but it didn't. Instead, a warmth spread through me, gentle and soothing.
"What is this?" I whispered to the empty room.
The mark didn't answer, but I couldn't shake the feeling that it meant something.
Something important.