As I ran over the woodland, the night felt stifling, weighty down on me. My legs burned with every desperate step, my breath sharp, ragged gasps. Branches tore at my arms, my bare feet hardly making a sound on the wet ground. I stopped not sure how to stop. Not right now. Not when I was so near to liberation. Under me, the cries got louder. They were after me for hunting. And I knew I wouldn't be alive to see the morning should they find me. My speed has always been quick. I outrun the others even young, my speed unparalleled. But tonight, speed was insufficient on its alone. I had to start thinking more wisely. I strayed off the road, jumping over fallen logs and dodging low-hanging trees. I made myself move randomly, to leave no obvious path. Still closing in, though, were they were. A quick change in the breeze made my spine shingle. Rumbled behind me was a roar. Far too close. too fast. I hardly had time to get ready when something big knocked me off. My body fell on the ground of the forest, agony shooting across my ribs as the air was forced from my lungs. I twisted and battled, but claws dug into my shoulder pinning me down. My ears picked up a snarl. I was aware of that aroma. Sebastian's "Going somewhere, little wolf?" Though his voice was smooth and in control, I could sense the simmering rage underneath. I vowed not to show terror. Gritting my teeth, I pointed up at him. Leave me off. Sebastian's golden eyes sparkled in the darkness; his grip tightened instead. "You should have knew better than to flee Zaia." I vomited blood on the floor. "I am not part of you." His jaw locked. The minute you were marked, you were mine. I stammered, detesting the way his words twisted my heart. "I was never yours". Sebastian's eyes darkened, something menacing flaring on his face. Then why does your body still react to me? I loosed contempt for him. I detested the way his presence still caused my pulse to speed. Though not shattered, our link was fractured. And that proved to be my biggest flaw. I made myself turn away and concentrate on the nighttime sounds instead. The other wolves were right here, their presence stinging against my senses. I felt surrounded. Sebastian leaned forward, his breath warm across my cheek. Come back voluntarily; I will be gentle. I met his look, hardness in my voice. "I would prefer to die." Not moving for a moment, neither of us I then drove my knee into his ribs and quickly yanked my arm free. Sebastian grumbled, his hold slack enough. I moved without thinking. I twisted out from under him and sprinted using every last bit of power. This time I let go without thinking twice. I drove past the anxiety, the tiredness, the agony. Sebastian yelled behind me, his fury rattling the air. "Stop hers!" The pack went ahead. Their heat seemed to be crowding in from all sides. One benefit, though, one they had never anticipated. I sprang. And turned midway. My wolf fell on all fours, silver fur shining beneath the moonlight exploding forward. My paws buried in the ground, muscles straying, energy blazing across me. I then disappeared. As I ran toward the one last opportunity, the forest blurring around me changed. Kirstan. I stopped only when my legs threatened to buckle and my lungs burnt. My body shivered with tiredness as I at last arrived at the riverbed. I turned my head, ears sharp. Still behind me, the group was farther now. I was making progress. Nevertheless, not enough. I had running time running short. My heart stuttered at a deep rumble. I was not on my alone. I turned slowly and my breath stopped in my throat. With arms folded, Kieran stood in the darkness staring directly at me. His demeanor incomprehensible. Neither of us talked for a moment. He shook his head and then sighed. "You really don't know how to keep out of trouble, do you?" I turned back to be human, my breath irregular. "They're coming." Kieran's eyes became focused. "who?" I inhaled strongly. "The pack.," Silence lay between us for a minute. Kieran then gave a smug smile. "Good". I bl blinked. "good?" His eyes shone in the gloom. "Because I was growing bored." The hunt is far from finished, and Zaia's frantic flee has just pulled her more into the anarchy. Sebastian closing in and Kieran's actual motivations still unknown highlight the real conflict just starting. Will Zaia be driven back under the authority of the pack? Or will she at a cost she never anticipated at last break free?