Lily POV

My eyes fluttered open, my head pounding with the worst headache I’d ever experienced.

For a moment, I lay still, trying to piece together what had happened. Then like a wave, everything came back to me. Lucas’s rejection, Vanessa’s words that night, the pain I had felt when Lucas rejected me. Everything I had feared would happen had truly happened… the moon goddess knew how to give the best birthday gifts.

I sat up abruptly, ignoring the wave of dizziness that washed over me. This wasn’t a nightmare after all. The ache in my chest was enough proof that everything had happened. This was my new reality and it was a bleak one.

“Happy birthday to me,” I muttered bitterly, my voice hoarse.

As I buried my face in both hands, trying to remember when I had kept the pain meds in my room, the door of my bedroom was thrown open and Lucas ran in. When he saw me, relief flooded his face.

My heart clenched painfully as our eyes met. Part of me wanted to scream at him to go away, to never show his face again to me but another part… the part that still loved him despite everything, wanted him to gather me in his hands and tell me everything would be alright but I was so done with this.

“What do you want?” I asked straightening my shoulders as I glared at him. “And is that a relief expression I had just seen moments ago? Did you think you had killed me with the stunt you played? I bet you’re happy,”.

“No!” he shook his head and rushed to my side. “I’m just so happy that you’re fine. I was worried, you fell hard,”.

“Great news!” I scoffed “Now, can you please leave? Go be with your girlfriend… I don’t want to ever see you around me,”.

“Lily, I…” he started ignoring my threats, then faltered. I watched as he took a deep breath and tried again. “I’m so sorry for everything. I’m sorry that I cheated on you and for everything I said that you must have heard. What I did… what I said … it’s unforgivable but I hope…”.

I laughed humorlessly, interrupting him. “You’re right, Lucas. What you did is unforgivable and I’m not sure I have the good graces to forgive you anyways. Is that all you came to say?”

He shook his head, as his eyes darted nervously to the door and back. His expression grew serious. “Lily, listen to me. You need to get out of here, it’s not safe for you anymore. You need to leave,”.

“Leave?” I glared at him, wondering what he was talking about now. “As in leave the pack? Are you mad? Is it because you’re now marrying my sister that you want me to leave? How much space can I possibly take up by being here? Or did she put you up to this too? She did right?”

“No!” Lucas yelled, running a hand through his hair. “did you hear me the first time. I said it’s no longer safe for you, so you need to leave,”.

I blinked, realizing he wasn’t joking. Confusion replaced some of my anger. “What are you talking about?”

He ran his hand through his hair, for the second time in a few minutes – it was usually a sign that he was agitated. “I overheard something a few minutes ago. Your father and Vanessa your sister, they’re planning something. Something bad. You need to get out of here, now!”

My mind reeled from curiosity and fear. After everything that had happened, now this? Was this another one of Vanessa’s ploy?

“Lucas, slow down. What exactly did you hear?” I asked.

But Lucas was already moving. He grabbed a bag from my wardrobe and started to throw clothes into it. “There’s no time to explain everything. Just trust me, Lily. You’re in danger here,”.

“And you expect me to go with you? You who betrayed me some hours ago,” I scoffed, climbing down from my bed. “Listen, Lucas, my father and Vanessa do not regard me as anything. If that’s the danger you’re talking about, be rest assured it’s normal. So please…”.

Before I could say, Jack, Lucas crossed the room and grabbed my hand, pinning me with his stare. “Why are you so damn stubborn. I just told you your life is in danger and you’re here…” he trailed off, letting go of her hand. “I’m sorry for raising my voice but I don’t care if I have to carry you on my shoulders. We need to leave now,”.

“Fine!” I squared my shoulders. “I’ll go with you but I need to check something. Give me a few minutes. I need to talk to my father,” I said my voice stronger than I felt. I’d spent my whole life trying to earn my father’s love, trying to belong in this family. I couldn’t just leave without answers.

Lucas looked at me like I was crazy. “Lily, No! We need to go,”.

But I was already moving, marching out of my room and down the stairs. I found him in his study, buried in his usual pile of paperwork. As soon as he saw me, he looked up from what he was doing, with a calm expression.

“Ah, Lily,” he said “Feeling better, I hope?”

My hands clenched into fists at my sides. “Why?” I demanded, my voice shaking as tears gathered in my eyes. “Why can’t you love me like you love Vanessa? What did I ever do to deserve this?”

He sighed, closing the lid of the laptop. “Lily, I know you’re upset. Perhaps, we should have this conversation when you’ve calmed down…”.

“No!” I shouted, surprising even myself. This was the first time I was raising my voice at him. “I want answers and I want them Now!”.

He stared at me for a while, his expression blank and unreadable. Suddenly, he smiled – making me take a step back in shock. It wasn’t a kind smile.

“Very well,” he said, his voice suddenly turning cold. “You want the truth? You’ll get it. I hate you because you’re the reason why I lost my mate. You were never meant to be a part of this family in the first place,”.

“This same, old story again,” I bit my lips trying not to cry. “I’ve spent every waking moment of my life apologizing for that. I’m sorry, Mom had to die giving birth to me but I’m also sure that she would never want you to blame me for her death, I didn’t ask to be born,”.

“Oh shut up!” he snapped “We lied, okay! She didn’t die giving birth to you… she died protecting you. She gave her life for your sake…”.

I froze as the weight of his words settled in. “What…what are you talking about?”

He stood and came to where I was standing, looming over me. “Your blood, Lily… it’s special and you’re the vessel. You were handed over to my mate by some strange man when you were a child with instructions that she must take care of you and protect you. I guess she took it personally,”.

“That’s… that’s not true,” a tear rolled down my cheek as my voice cracked. “She was my mother… she gave birth to me….”.

“And you think I’ll treat my daughter the way I treat you?” he scoffed “Please... I don’t want to laugh,”.

Tears stung in my eyes but I refused to let them fall. “Then why keep me around all this while? You could have gotten rid of me the moment your mate died? Why bother to keep me here only to maltreat me?”

“Because,” he said, his smile turning cruel “I made her a promise and I intend to fulfil it. By the way,” he paused, went back to his desk to pick up a file which he stretched in my direction “I secured you a spot to go to college in the neighbouring pack’s territory,”.

My head spun; this couldn’t be happening. “You…you want me to leave?”

He nodded, his voice taking on a fatherly tone. “It would be good for you. A chance to start fresh and I could finally have some peace in my own house,”.

“I don’t want to leave, Father, please…” I cried trying to reach for him but the stern look on his face stopped me.

Then everything dawned on me.

“You’re lying,” I whispered turning to face him. “This isn’t about college is it? You’re trying to get rid of me,”.

The smile on his face was replaced instantly by a smirk as he sneered. “Smart girl. Always too clever for your good,” then he sighed. “Yes, the truth is, you were going to leave tonight anyways and as soon as you do, I’m going to declare you a rogue and if you ever try to come back, you’ll be treated as a rogue… just so you know, there are lots of packs who hate rogues, I wish you the best of luck surviving out there,”.

I staggered backwards, bumping my back on the edge of the table in the room. “You can’t do this,” I said, my voice barely audible. “I’m your daughter,”.

“You’re not my daughter!” he repeated “You’re just some stupid girl with no wolf and great blood running inside of you. You have until midnight to leave or I’ll have you dragged out myself and thrown out. Hurry my dearest, Lily… time is not your friend,”.

I felt numb as I dragged myself out of his study, and back to my room where Lucas was done packing. As soon as he saw me, he murmured.

“I’m so sorry, Lily… I never thought… I never knew…”.

I nodded not trusting myself to speak. My entire world had crumbled around me in the space of a day. My boyfriend, my sister, my father and a mother who wasn’t my mother after all. I went from being the girl hated by her father and sister to a … BASTARD! Everyone had betrayed me… I had nothing left.

A few minutes later, I reached the edge of the pack lands with my bag and Lucas hovering behind me. He had kept apologizing and asking for my forgiveness but I had managed to successfully avoid him.

Beyond these lands… I will now be a prey… but it’s fine…I had nothing to lose now.

Without turning back, I drove through the gates.

Kai POV

Royal Hunters Pack.

I go by many identities…

Some say I am ruthless and do not have blood flowing through me, other’s say I am a reincarnation of the king of death sent to live about werewolves as punishment. Some say I am a human who was punished by the universe but none of these identities stood out more than the last one…

That I was a monster – a monster who had killed his father, to claim the Alpha title.

There was a time when I used to get bothered by the rumours but the more, I lived, the more I slowly got used to these rumours. These days, I don’t bother myself trying to explain how to become a better person. I just wanted to live my life, protect my pack… that’s all,”.

I gazed out from the window of my bedroom to the expanse of my pack lands, loving the way the moon hung low and full over the dense forest, casting long shadows across the land. My pack was like an impenetrable fortress – I made sure of that.

The scent of my Beta Liam arriving wafted up to my nose. His footsteps echoed in the eerie quiet outside the hall. It was quite late; I wondered what could have brought him to my room so late at night. I heard him take a deep breath before knocking.

“Come in!” I said without turning.

Liam pushed open the doors and stepped into my study.

“Why is it so dark here?” he complained turning on the light “Are you some sort of dark lord?” he complained again, “How can you survive staying in the dark for so long? Looking at you now, I could almost believe that you killed your father to claim the Alpha title, goddess?” Liam hissed.

“I think you’re the reason why I’m yet to take a Luna. The way you nag at me is enough to make me stay off women,” I retorted, turning slightly to face him. What do you want again? And please don’t tell me it’s another list of eligible women you need me to go out on a date with?”

“Well!” he stuttered guiltily. “They’re saying that we might be in a relationship and I cannot stand that sort of rumour. You’re not even the kind of guy I’d date if I was into men,”.

“Nice try, Liam,” I chuckled leaving the window to join him “What news, Liam?” I asked, my voice a low rumble.

“Celeste asked me to deliver a message. She said the birds just brought her the information a few minutes ago and it’s from the neighbouring pack – Silver Moon Pack,”.

Celeste was my sister – twin sister. She was born with a special and rare ability to communicate with the elements. She could speak to birds, trees, leaves… whatever that has a natural existence. It gave our pack an edge over every other pack.

I leaned forward, my interest piqued. “Go on,”.

“She says the Alpha of the Silver Moon Pack had driven his daughter out of the pack. He stripped her of her identity and declared her a rogue,”.

A slow, smile spread across my face. “Interesting, very interesting. And what of the girl now?” I asked.

I saw Liam shift uncomfortably. “She’s currently on the run, Alpha. Our monitors picked up her scent and it seems she’s heading in the direction of our pack. And …” he paused “She’s not alone. rogues are pursuing her,”.

“I thought we got rid of every one of them outside our territory,” I sighed “Gosh! This is so frustrating. Gather a team of our best men, I want that girl around and brought to me, Alive and unharmed,”.

“And the rogues sir?” Liam asked.

I smiled, “Kill them all,”.

As Liam hurried to carry out my orders, I turned and gazed out of the window at the moonlit forest. Was this what my mother had meant when she sent me a message earlier today about some prophecy? Saying it was going to be fulfilled today.

‘The one who bears the mark of the Moon has the fate of the Gemini and in her flows the blood of ancient Lycan King. It’ll come in an unexpected form… either as a man or as a woman but he who harbours her, shall evoke the blessings of the Universe,’.

That was the ancient prophecy… was it this girl? Could she be the one that could bring liberation to me and my people? I wondered silently. The only way to find out was to bring her alive to the pack.

While I pondered on the words of the prophecy, my phone dinged, with a notification. When I opened it, my brows clouded with anger as I stared at the pictures my mom had sent me. They were pictures of women and the data. I sighed, fighting the urge to hurl my phone to the wall, my mom was on my neck to get married but I couldn’t just find the right woman yet and she was not giving up soon.

Trying to take my mind off it, I decided to join the team going after the rogue and hoping I would also find the girl. I ran out of the pack house and shifted into my wolf. I raced through the forest, loving the way the gentle evening felt on my fur with the moon shining gently on me.

The night air felt strange, I couldn’t place my finger on it. While I stood, trying to figure out the best way to search, my car drove past. I could smell out at least ten rogue wolves chasing after the car. That must be the girl but why was she in a car for moon’s sake?

When with her wolf, she could be faster.

Ignoring my intrusive thoughts, I started running in the direction of the car. The rogues were gaining in on her by the minute and I was a bit far. I needed to do something to distract them.

As I got ready to howl, up ahead, one of the rogues suddenly darted across the road in front of her. Instinctively, she swerved, the car’s tyres screeching in protest. For a heart-stopping moment, I thought she would flip but somehow, she managed to regain control

I was gaining in on the rogues. Without thinking, I reached for the first one, slitting its throat with my claws, making it deep enough to kill it. I grabbed two more rogues at once, snapping their necks with the flick of my wrist.

The woman was driving faster than before now. I wish I could reach out to her and ask her to slow down but I was a bit far. I grabbed three more rogues and snapped their necks. I had like four more rogues to kill. They were still chasing after her like their lives depended on it.

From the corner of my eyes, I saw one of the rogue darts from the corner of the forest and slammed itself into the side of the car. The impact sent the car spiralling out of control as it went off the road, and into the dense forest.

A low, menacing growl escaped my lips and, in a flash, I reached the four rogues and in unison, I tore them apart. I was angry… and I couldn’t even tell why. I looked up to the moon, and howled… it was louder than my usual howl and carried thrice as much strength as it did before plus I didn’t know why I just did that.

I started towards the valley the car had gone into… when I was a few distance away, I noticed about 10 rogues had gathered on the upturned vehicle, looking for a way to bring her out, so they could feast on her.

Something pumped into me… the kind of burst of energy I had felt go through me, some moments ago.

“I don’t mind ripping some heads over their shoulders of these rogues,” I said as I raced towards them. When I got closer… the anger in me at the sight seemed to fill up every part of my body, until I felt they would burst.

Turning to the moon again which was strange… I howled… Lightening cracked through the sky as thunder clapped… when I lowered my face, hoping to reach out for the first rogue… but they had all disappeared and instead, staring at me with fear in her eyes…

Was the most beautiful woman I’ve seen.

Lily POV

Tears blurred my vision as Golden Moon Pack slowly disappeared behind me.

I was trying so much to be strong… to not feel, but goddess! I’ve been bottling everything up for far too long and I am tired. My knuckles whitened as I gripped the steering wheel, my mind a whirlwind of emotions.

The events of the past 24 hours played on repeat in my head like a cruel, never-ending movie.

I had sincerely hoped that my 18th birthday would be my big break. I would finally feel get my wolf – I thought I could finally belong. Instead, I’d found my boyfriend – no, ex-boyfriend now – tangled in the sheet with my sister. The betrayal cut deep… it was a wound that would never heal.

Then came the shocking truth surrounding my birth and my eminent exile from the pack – as a Rogue. The word tasted bitter on my tongue. How quickly my dad had turned on me, all because I hadn’t shifted. Because I was weak.

I knew I could have insisted on leaving tomorrow… but I was didn’t want to spend another night in the same space with them. I needed a break. Shaking my head to dispel the memories, I tried to figure out where I was.

I’ve been driving for hours; I didn’t know where to go… I knew no one, I had no friends but all I wanted was to put in enough distance between me and Golden Moon Pack. But as the lonely road stretched, Lucas’s warning echoed in my mind.

“Don’t leave, Lily. You don’t know what’s out there,”.

For a moment, I wondered if it was because he still cared or because he was under duress by Vanessa and my father but the memory of how cold his eyes were as he stood by while the Alpha – my own father- banished me, squashed the thoughts.

“There can’t be anything worse out there than what I’m leaving behind,” I muttered to myself, trying to fight the fear that was slowly creeping into my heart.

As I drove, a shrill chirping caught my attention. Sticking my head outside the window of my car to check, I noticed a flock of birds following my car. Their cries seemed almost frantic, as if they were trying to warn me of something and it was strange to see white birds at this time of the night.

Sticking my head back inside, I grumbled “Great, just what I need. Feathered stalkers,” I eyed them warily, hoping they wouldn’t leave their droppings on my car. Several times, I stuck out my hand and tried to shoo them away but it didn’t work either. Giving up, I continued driving.

Finally, I drove through the pack border and into the dense forest that laid in front of it. An eerie silence filled the night, the birds that had been following me seemed to have faded into the darkness. All that was left, was the noise of my rickety car and the eerie silence.

The hairs at the back of my neck stood on its end, my finger tightened on the wheel as my eyes darted from tree to tree, scanning for any of movement. Stories of the forest filled with Wild Werebear, Mountain Lions, Werecats or even Werefoxes and who knows what else could be lurking in the shadows and it didn’t help that I didn’t have a wolf of my own making me feel painfully vulnerable.

I tried to drive as fast at my car could go when suddenly, a twig snapped somewhere in the darkness. My heart doubled its pounding as my foot instinctively pressed harder on the gas. The car surged forward but it didn’t seem to be going as fast as I wanted. I wound up the windows and continued driving, so focused ahead that I almost missed the flash of movement in my rearview mirror. Almost…

My heart leaped into my throat as I caught the massive sizes of wolves racing through the trees behind me. I peered closer discovering they were werewolves. In the mirror, I squinted, trying to check if I would be able to identify their packs but I couldn’t pause long enough to stare. I was driving.

But they were wolves alright and they were gaining fast on me.

“No, no, no,” I chanted, panic rising in my chest. This couldn’t be happening. I’d just left our pack land and I hadn’t noticed them. So, where did they all come from?

A snarl ripped through the quiet forest, closer than I’d expected. I screamed as a hulking figure launched itself at my car, massive paw landing on the hood with enough force to dent the metal.

Time seemed to slow as I locked eyes with the beast. Its lips were pulled back in a vicious snarl, yellow fangs gleamed in the moonlight that peaked through the trees in the forest. This wasn’t a pack wolf – it had no mark on its forehead.

I froze - It was a Rogue!

And from the gleam in its eyes and sinister smile that curved on its lips and the way it was thumping on my windshield, I knew it was trying to kill me.

The windshield of my car cracked as it landed on it with the cracks spreading like spiderwebs across the glass and I knew it was only a matter of second before it shattered completely.

Suddenly, I came alive. Acting on pure instinct, I jerked the wheel hard to the left. The car swerved violently, as the tires screeched in protest. The sudden movement caught the wolve off guard, sending it tumbling off the hood and into the road.

But my victory was short-lived. The ones behind me were running almost side by side with my car. More wolves emerged from the forest, I could hear them snapping at the car’s tires, their thunderous paws and the hungry growls that filled the night air was all the indication I needed to confirm I was supposed to be their feast tonight.

Tears streamed down my face as I pushed the old car to its limits. My eyes shifted to the gas gauge – it was running low. Suddenly, the engine hissed, whining in protest, it was overheating, but I couldn’t slow down. Not now. Now when death was at my door.

“Please!” I sobbed though I wasn’t sure who I was begging. The moon goddess? The universe? Anyone who would listen. “Please, I can’t die like this,”.