THE RESCUE

ELENA'S POV

I made my way home to grab my things. Every step I took felt heavier as the announcement echoed in the distance.

"I hereby make Maria Broodwing my mate and the future Luna of this pack" Liam’s voice carried, and though I had already left, I could still hear him.

I wanted to collapse, to let the pain swallow me whole. But I wouldn’t. None of them deserved my tears. Not after what they did.

Grabbing my luggage, I took one last glance at the house I once called home. A surge of anger and sadness twisted inside me, but I pushed it down. Anywhere was better than here. Anywhere far from that traitor.

____

The sky was getting darker and darker, signifying the approaching night. Trees surrounded me in every direction, their branches twisting like skeletal hands reaching for the sky.

I must’ve crossed the borders by now and would be in the rogue territory. The main thought of it made my blood run cold.

I pray I don't run into one. Besides I was now a rogue too, maybe they'd leave me alone since I no longer belonged to a pack. Or maybe they'd hunt me down. The thought made me take another gulp of nothing but my saliva, swallowing hard.

Suddenly, a low growl sliced through the quiet air and my heart stopped beating, my spirit flying out of my body.

I spun around, and there it was—a wolf, eyes gleaming with hunger. It was a rogue, just like me. But unlike me, it was ready to attack.

My breath hitched. Fear clawed at me as I took a step back, my feet feeling like lead. Sweat trickled down the back of my neck, and my pulse quickened. I was alone. Defenseless.

The wolf’s growl deepened, and before I could react, it lunged at me.

I screamed, stumbling backward, the world spinning as I hit the ground. My limbs tangled in the underbrush, and I braced myself for the bite.

But it never came.

A blur of black shot out from the shadows, slamming into the rogue with a force that shook the earth beneath me. Another wolf, larger and more dangerous, had intercepted my attacker. The two clashed, their snarls ripping through the air like thunder.

I watched, frozen, as the black wolf’s savage precision tore into the rogue. The fight was brutal, the constant chattering of teeth and claws feeling the air, but it was over in seconds. The rogue whimpered, limping off into the darkness, leaving the black wolf victorious.

My chest heaved as I tried to catch my breath. The black wolf turned toward me, its piercing gaze locking onto mine. Something about those eyes felt familiar, though I couldn’t place it. They held a dangerous intensity, a power that sent a chill through me.

He took a step closer, and I scrambled to my feet, my heart pounding. Friend or foe? I couldn’t tell.

The wolf’s form began to shift, bones cracking and reshaping until a man stood before me. Tall, muscular, and every bit as intimidating as the beast he had just been. His dark eyes locked onto mine, cold and unreadable.

My gaze trailed down, and despite me cautioning myself, my cheeks flushed. He was... impressive. I quickly snapped my eyes back to his face, mortified at where my thoughts had wandered.

“Who are you?” I whispered, my voice barely audible.

He regarded me with an emotionless gaze, not saying a word for what felt like an eternity. Finally, he growled low in his throat, pulling me from my daze. “Oliver.”

My eyes widened immediately, Oliver, the Alpha of the Full Moon Pack. His reputation preceded him—fierce and ruthless, brave and nonchalant. And now, here he stood, towering over me.

“Thank you” I managed, my voice shaking. “You... you saved me.”

Oliver’s lips curled into a sneer. “What’s a wolfless omega doing out here, alone?”

The disdain in his voice cut deep. I swallowed the lump forming in my throat, trying to stand tall despite the sting of his words. “I was banished. I have nowhere else to go.”

His gaze swept over me, cold. “A rogue omega. Pathetic.”

My chest tightened, but I refused to break down. Not in front of him. I’d shed enough tears for Liam. I wasn’t about to show my weakness to another Alpha.

“I’m not weak” I protested, though my voice sounded more fragile than I intended. “I can take care of myself.”

Oliver’s dark eyes gleamed as he pulled out a bag from behind a tree. “Is that so?”

Without another word, he began dressing, pulling on a pair of boxers and trousers. I tried to avert my gaze, but curiosity got the best of me. My cheeks heated as I quickly looked away, feeling embarrassed and ridiculous.

He must’ve noticed because when I finally glanced back, he was smirking. My face burned even more.

Once fully dressed, he slung the bag over his shoulder and turned to leave without another word.

“Wait!” I called, panic creeping into my voice as the growl of another wolf echoed in the distance. Maybe rudeness wasn’t the best approach.

I ran after him, my feet slipping on the uneven ground. “Please, wait!”

Oliver stopped abruptly, spunning to face me. His eyes were blazing with fury, and I instantly regretted calling out to him.

My legs trembled under his gaze, and I forced myself to stand my ground. “I need help.”

For a long moment, I thought he might walk away, leaving me alone in the dark. But then, he let out a long, frustrated sigh.

“Follow me” He ordered, his tone leaving no room for argument. “I’ll take you to my pack.”

Relief washed over me, and I hurried after him, struggling to match his long strides. As we walked, I couldn’t help but steal glances at him..

Soon, the dense trees thinned, and the Full Moon Pack’s territory stretched before us. Wolves moved about, their eyes wary as they noticed Oliver leading a stranger into their midst. I felt the weight of their gazes but kept my head down, not wanting to attract any more attention.

He led me to a small, isolated room on the outskirts of the territory. “You can stay here” He said, his voice cold. “But don’t expect any special treatment. You’re just an omega.”

I nodded silently, stepping into the small, barren room. Loneliness settled over me as I looked around. The cold air nipped at my skin, and the unfamiliar surroundings only heightened my sense of isolation. I missed the familiarity of my old pack—no matter how much it hurt to admit. I missed Liam.

But I’d never go back. Not after what he did.

I lay down on the makeshift bed, exhaustion weighing heavy on me. A cold breeze slipped through the cracks in the walls, sending a shiver down my spine. Something felt off—like I was being watched.

My eyes darted toward the window, and my heart stilled as I caught sight of a pair of glowing eyes in the darkness.

The rogue wolf. It hadn’t given up its hunt.

It had found me again.

BETRAYAL AND FEAR

My eyes darted toward the window, and my heart stilled as I caught sight of a pair of glowing eyes in the darkness.

The rogue wolf. It hadn’t given up its hunt.

It had found me again.

I gulped down hard, taking a deep breath afterwards, trying to steady myself. Just then, something sharp yanked my hair, and I was violently pulled backward. The ground rushed up to meet me, and I hit it with a painful thud.

I gasped, a cry escaping my lips as I instinctively reached for my head. I twisted to see who had attacked me, and there she was—a girl with fiery eyes and an expression filled with hatred.

Before I could scramble to my feet, she grabbed my hair again, yanking my head painfully backward, her fingers like claws digging into my scalp.

“Who the hell are you?” She spat, her voice dripping with venom. “How dare you touch my Oliver?! You think you can have him? I’ll show you! I’ll kill you!”

I flailed desperately, trying to pry her fingers from my hair, but her grip was too strong. The pain was searing, and all I could do was cry out. “I don’t even know him! I swear, I’m no one! Why would I snatch Oliver from you? You can have him…he’s all yours!”

My words came out in a frantic rush, my only hope that she would let go. I didn’t care who Oliver was to her or why she was so possessive—I just wanted her to stop pulling my hair.

Her face twisted with rage, and I could feel her fingers tighten even more. “Liar! You’ve been plotting this all along, haven’t you? You think you can sneak into our pack and steal him from me?!”

“I don’t want him!” I yelled, my voice cracking with the pain. “I swear!”

Just as I thought she might tear my scalp off, a deep, commanding voice cut through the air. “What’s going on here?”

Her grip loosened instantly, and I collapsed to the ground, my breath coming in ragged gasps. I looked up, dazed, to see the Oliver, I was almost killed for. The girl’s demeanor shifted instantly, and she backed away, her hands trembling slightly.

“Oliver…” She murmured, her voice suddenly soft and pitiful.

Oliver moved toward us, his gaze flicking between the girl and me, but I could see his attention was focused on her. “Hailey” He growled, his voice a low, dangerous rumble. “You know how much I hate repeating myself, so you better start speaking.”

Hailey swallowed hard, visibly shaken. “I…I saw her” She stammered. “I saw her sneaking into the pack. I’m sure she’s a spy sent by the rogues.”

Oliver’s eyes narrowed, and I could feel his stares swallowing me up as it shifted to me. My heart pounded in my chest, terror coursing through my veins.

“She’s not a spy,” he snapped, his voice cutting through the tension like a knife. “I brought her here myself.”

Hailey’s face twisted with a mix of shock and anger, but she quickly masked it with a gasp, feigning surprise. “She told you that right? But what if she’s lying? What if the rogues sent her to infiltrate our pack?”

“They didn’t” Oliver growled, his patience clearly wearing thin. “She was being attacked by them when I found her. I saved her.”

I watched as Hailey’s expression darkened, but she quickly covered it with an exaggerated look of concern. “But what if that’s exactly what they wanted you to think? What if it’s all a plan to get her into the pack, to spy on us for information?”

Oliver’s jaw clenched, his fists curling at his sides as he glared at Hailey. “Enough.”

Hailey flinched, her expression going sober “I never knew you’d bend your own rules, Alpha,” she said, her voice dripping with manipulative sweetness. “Allowing a rogue into our pack without a proper check. Are you really willing to risk the safety of the pack?”

I saw Oliver’s face darken, his muscles tensing as his fury rose. He turned his attention back to me, and I felt a cold dread settle in my stomach. “You’ll be watched closely” He snarled, his voice cold. “If I find anything suspicious, I’ll snap your head off myself and feed your body to the vampires. Do you understand?”

My throat tightened, and I could only manage a nod.

He let out a low growl, standing abruptly. “Good”

With that, he stormed out of the cot, his footsteps heavy and full of anger. Hailey lingered for a moment, giving me a smug grin before she followed him, leaving me alone and trembling on the floor.

I pulled my knees up to my chest, feeling my heart race uncontrollably. Fear coursed through my body like an unstoppable current, and I couldn’t hold back the tears that burned at the corners of my eyes.

What was I supposed to do now? I should leave but I've got nowhere to go!

I was trapped, surrounded by people who hated me, accused of things I didn’t even understand. And worse, I had somehow become the target of this mad girl’s obsession with her Alpha.

I took a deep, shaky breath, trying to calm the storm inside me. There was no escaping this. No running away. I had to survive, even if it meant enduring this torment.

NEXT MORNING

The door creaked open, startling me from my restless sleep. I looked up to see him Oliver standing in the doorway, his imposing figure blocking the light. His expression was cold and indifferent, as if the events from the night before hadn’t happened at all.

“Get up,” he ordered, his voice devoid of emotion. “You have work to do.”

Scrambling to my feet, I winced as my body protested from the hard floor I had slept on. My muscles ached, and the remnants of last night’s attack still stung. I trailed behind him, trying to match his brisk pace, but his strides were too long, too fast. Couldn’t he slow down for once?

He led me to the edge of the grounds, where the warriors were already gathering for their morning drills. I could feel their eyes on me as we passed, whispers and murmurs trailing in our wake. I kept my head down, not daring to meet anyone’s gaze.

“You’ll assist with the training today” Oliver said curtly, not sparing me a glance.

I nodded silently, my mind buzzing with questions and anxiety. The fear from last night still gripped me tightly, but I forced myself to focus on what was in front of me.

Lucas, one of the head warriors, signaled for me to follow his orders.

As the morning passed, I did my best to keep up with the instructions, assisting where I could, though I knew I was being watched closely, but I didn't know who it was.

Just then I saw Hailey walking toward me with a slow clap. I froze. The memory of her assault flashed before my eyes, and my muscles tensed in fear.

“Well, well” She sneered, standing a few feet away. “The little rogue playing warrior now?”

I said nothing, keeping my gaze focused on the ground, my hands trembling.

“No matter the trailing you'd take omega, you don’t stand a chance against me” She hissed. “You’re nothing. Nothing but a worthless rogue. But don’t worry—I’ll put you in your place.”

Before I could react, she lunged at me, her fist connecting with my lip, sending a

sharp burst of pain through my body. I staggered backward, tasting blood.

Shit! She's crazy!

“Well, well” She sneered, standing a few feet away. “The little rogue playing warrior now?”

I said nothing, keeping my gaze focused on the ground, my hands trembling.

“No matter the trailing you'd take omega, you don’t stand a chance against me” She hissed. “You’re nothing. Nothing but a worthless rogue. But don’t worry—I’ll put you in your place.”

Before I could react, she lunged at me, her fist connecting with my lip, sending a sharp burst of pain through my body. I staggered backward, tasting blood.

Shit! She's crazy!

Before I could react, she lunged at me, her fist connecting with my lip, sending a sharp burst of pain through my body. I staggered backward, tasting blood.

Just as I braced for the final blow, a familiar voice thundered across the training grounds.

"Enough!"

Oliver's eyes burned with fury as he stormed toward us, his presence sending a wave of unease across the warriors nearby. They all stilled, watching him approach with fear.

Hailey froze in place, her hand still raised as if preparing to strike me again. She quickly dropped it, her face paling as she realized Oliver had seen everything.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Oliver growled, his gaze locked on her.

Hailey’s lips trembled as she stammered for an excuse. “I-I thought she was trying to…’” She stuttered trying to place in some words. “I was just…”

“You think I’m blind?” Oliver cut her off, his voice dangerously low. He stepped closer, his towering form casting a shadow over her. “You know how much I hate being lied to, Hailey.”

Hailey’s eyes widened, and she quickly dropped her gaze to the ground. “I’m sorry, Alpha” She whispered. “I didn’t mean…”

“Get out of my sight” He groaned, cutting her off coldly.

Without another word, Hailey scurried off, her face flushed with embarrassment.

I could feel the other warriors’ eyes on me, their disdain heavy in the air, but none of them dared to approach. Oliver remained in front of me, his expression hard, unreadable.

“Are you hurt?” he asked, his voice softer now, though I could still feel that commanding edge.

I nodded slightly. “I’ll be fine” I muttered, though the pain was still fresh.

He stared at me for a moment longer, then sighed, running a hand through his dark hair. “This isn’t going to be easy for you” He said, his tone almost resigned. “But if you want to stay, you’ll have to learn to defend yourself. I won’t always be there to stop them.”

I swallowed hard, my throat tight. “I didn’t ask for any of this” I whispered.

He glanced at me. “You didn’t,” he agreed quietly. “But you’re here now. And that means you’ll have to play by our rules.”

I wasn’t sure if that was supposed to comfort me or make me more afraid.

His hands slowly moved to my lips, sending me jolting out of my thought and then he cleaned off the blood, drawling down my lip with his thumb.

I swallowed hard, staring at his actions. He locked his gaze on me and slowly licked the blood off his thumb, with his tongue. I swallowed hard staring at how sexy he looked doing that.

All of a suddenly, I felt a rush of wind, my heart racing faster than necessary, my legs weakling, as if I'd wobble and fall to the floor anytime.

Oliver's face suddenly crippled into a frown, his eyes darkening as he stepped backwards, away from me.

Just then I felt a silver lining shoot up in the sky. His lips parted open and the words that left his lips left me frozen. “Mate"

My lips parted to say something but nothing came out. Oliver suddenly spun, turning his back to me, then said “Go clean yourself up immediately” I nodded even though I couldn't see him and walked off.

I wandered toward my room, lost in a whirlwind of thoughts. Everything felt surreal. Could this really be happening? A second chance mate? I wasn’t sure whether to be relieved or terrified.

Once inside, I made my way to the bathroom and quickly turned on the shower, hoping the hot water would calm my racing heart. It didn’t. No matter how long I stood there, letting the warmth cascade over me, I couldn’t shake the dread that clung to me. The water only washed over the surface—it couldn't reach the storm brewing inside.

I wrapped myself in a towel and sat on the edge of the bed, my mind swirling with everything that had been revealed. A second chance mate—something I never thought I’d have. It felt like the universe was offering me an opportunity to rewrite the painful chapters of my life. But Oliver… Oliver was…

I let out a deep sigh. Would he reject me like Liam had? That thought sent a shiver down my spine, fear creeping into my chest. I tried to push it away, unwilling to let the pain of the past consume me again.

Suddenly, the sound of heavy footsteps approaching snapped me out of my thoughts. Before I could fully register it, the door swung open with a sharp bang. Oliver stood in the doorway, his eyes stormy, his presence overwhelming. The air in the room shifted, heavy with tension.

His gaze fell on me, and I instinctively tightened my grip on the towel, feeling a sudden vulnerability under his intense stare. His aura—so commanding, so intimidating—made my heart race for reasons I didn’t fully understand.

"Do you have a family?" His voice was sharp, cutting through the silence.

I blinked, caught off guard by the question. It wasn’t what I expected. "No," I said softly, my voice barely a whisper. "I don’t remember."

“Parents, relatives, uncles, auntd, guardians?" He listed, panting. My eyes shifted to his shirtless chest and i swallowed hard, he was making it hard to concentrate.

“I don't have any" I slowly took my gaze to the floor.

For a moment, there was silence. Then, his face twisted with something cold, almost disdainful. He growled loudly and banged his hand hard against the desk, just next to my bed "You don’t remember?" He scoffed, the scorn in his tone unmistakable. "What do you even have to offer? A rogue with no pack, no family, no lineage worth mentioning."

His words hit me hard, each syllable driving deeper into my chest. The way he looked at me, like I was nothing—worthless—made my stomach churn. I bit down hard on my lip, fighting to keep the tears at bay. I wouldn’t let him see how much his words hurt. Not again.

"I should reject you." His voice was cold, distant and I felt my heart shatter. He took a step closer, his eyes burning with clear fury. "You’re nothing but trouble. A burden I don’t need."

Another rejection. The thought of it sent waves of pain through me, but I braced myself for it, preparing for the inevitable. Just like before. But then, something flickered in his eyes. But as quickly as it had appeared, it was gone. His expression hardened, the brief moment of softness replaced with cold resolve.

He stepped closer again, his presence consuming every inch of space between us. His scent filled my senses—a mix of pine and musk that made it impossible to think straight.

"Stay away from me." His voice was low, dangerous. Without waiting for a response, he turned on his heel and stormed out, the door slamming shut behind him.

For a moment, I stood there, frozen, his scent still lingering in the air. But then the weight of it all crashed down on me, and my legs gave way. I sank to the floor, my chest heaving as silent tears finally spilled over. I pressed my palms to my face, trying to stifle the sobs that threatened to break free, but it

was no use. The pain, the rejection—it was all too much.

What was I supposed to do now?