The rogues finally retreated, leaving the forest silent once more. I stood there, panting, my body trembling. My hands were slick with blood—not theirs, not mine—just... blood. Crimson streaks stained my clothes, my skin, my very existence. My stomach churned, the hunger that had gnawed at me moments ago now gone. But it wasn’t relief I felt. It was dread.
I caught a glimpse of myself in a broken shard of glass stuck in the ground. My reflection stared back, wild and unrecognizable. My eyes glowed faintly, the color unnatural. My lips were smeared with blood. Is that really me?
My chest heaved as the realization sank in. This is why they called me a monster. This is why they were chasing me. Because... they were right. I was a monster.
I stumbled back, tears spilling down my cheeks. "No," I whispered, my voice trembling. "No, no, no..." I dropped to my knees, clutching my head, the memories of what I’d just done flashing like a horror film. What’s the point of being reborn if I’ve come back as this?
Before I could spiral further, a strong hand gripped mine. Startled, I looked up to see Orion, his piercing gaze steady but... not angry. Not disgusted.
“I’m not going to kill you,” he said firmly, as though reading my thoughts. “You’re coming with me.”
“What?” My voice cracked.
“You’re joining my pack,” he said, pulling me to my feet. “You’re dangerous, yes. But with training, with control, you could be more powerful than anyone. You could use it for good. But you need help.”
I swallowed hard, still shaking. “Why would you help someone like me?”
He met my gaze, his expression softening just slightly. “Because I’ve seen what happens to hybrids who don’t learn control. You don’t want that. Trust me.”
He told me about a rare herb, one that grew high in the mountains, said to suppress the overwhelming urges and powers of hybrids. If I wanted a chance to live without being consumed by this... thing I’d become, I needed that herb. And I needed to learn.
The next day, we set off—Orion, two of his warriors, and me. I stuck close to him, too afraid to stray, too afraid of myself. The journey was long and grueling, the mountain terrain unforgiving. But the physical toll was nothing compared to the memories that haunted me.
As we began our journey, I couldn’t help but think back to my life before everything changed. Working three part-time jobs just to save up for college, the dreams of a better future... and then being betrayed by the one person I thought I could trust. My ex-boyfriend. I shuddered at the thought of him, the way he’d used me, spent my savings, and then killed me in cold blood.
The image of the truck’s blinding headlights seared through my mind. The impact. The pain.
I stumbled on the trail, and Orion caught my arm, steadying me. "You okay?" he asked, his tone softer now.
I nodded quickly, brushing away a tear.
But fate wasn’t done playing games with me yet.
When we reached a clearing near the mountain base, another pack was waiting. Their Alpha stepped forward to greet Orion, but my heart stopped.
It was him.
No, not him, I realized. But he looked exactly like my ex-boyfriend. The same smirk, the same sharp jawline.
"Damian," Orion said, addressing the man. "Alpha of the Ashfang Pack."
I couldn’t breathe. My fists clenched at my sides, nails digging into my palms. Could this be another cruel twist of fate?
Damian’s piercing eyes landed on me, and his smirk deepened. "Who’s this?" he asked, his voice eerily familiar.
I didn’t answer. I couldn’t. Because all I could see was the face of the man who had betrayed me, pushed me, and left me to die.
