2
Jester’s POV
The rodent squirmed weakly in my grip before I bit down. It was stringy and bitter, but it was all I could catch. My wolf whined in my head, furious and humiliated. We weren’t supposed to live like this. My instincts craved something larger, something worthy such as deer, elk, anything that could make us feel strong again. But I couldn’t hunt like I used to. My strength was a shadow of what it once was, my claws dull, my senses sluggish.
For weeks this had heen my life harely surviving I stayed in wolf form most of the time too ashamed to face the
For weeks, this had been my life: barely surviving. I stayed in wolf form most of the time, too ashamed to face the world as a man. I didn’t want to see my reflection. I didn’t want to feel the full weight of what I’d lost.
Marcus. That traitor.
He’d waited for me to falter, waited for the moment when I was too distracted, too broken to defend myself. And then, like the snake he was, he struck. Took my pack. Took my home.
The thought made my claws extend, even in my weakened state. I would make him pay. I’d take it all back.
But even though I was very angry, something else wouldn’t go away, a deep, hollow ache for my lost Luna.
I’d let her go. No, I’d pushed her away. I believed Amber’s lies, fell for her manipulations, and now I was paying the price. Amber was nothing but poison, and I let her infect everything. I wasn’t just a fool–I was a coward. I chose to ignore what I knew deep down: Mauve was my true mate, the only one who truly mattered.
I’d find her again. I didn’t care how long it took or how far I had to go. She had to know I’d changed.
My ears perked when I heard voices, and I sniffed the air. Wolves. But there was a sterile, chemical scent that reminded me of antiseptic.
Curious, I followed the sounds, and I stopped at the edge of the forest, peering out.
White vans were parked along the road, their sides marked with the words Shadowpine Hospital Wolves moved around them, wearing clean white coats and unloading medical supplies.
I froze, unsure of what to do. My wolf growled softly in my head, wary of the strangers. But my desperation pushed me forward.
Shifting back into human form, I staggered out of the trees. My body trembled, weak and exposed, and I could
feel every scratch and bruise on my battered frame.
“Help!” I called out. “Please!*
All movement stopped. The wolves turned to me, their eyes wide with shock. A few stepped back, their hands instinctively reaching for weapons
“It’s a rogue!” someone shouted.
“No!” I rasped, holding up my hands. “I’m not a rogue.” My legs felt like they could give out at any moment, but ! forced myself to keep moving toward them. “I’m an Alpha, My pack was taken from me.”
The group exchanged nervous glances, and a few of them whispered among themselves.
“Stay back!” one of them warned.
“I’m not here to fight,” I said. “I just need help.”
“Look at him,” another voice said. “He doesn’t look like an Alpha. He looks terrified.”
“I am an Alpha!” I snapped, though the words lacked their usual strength. “My Beta betrayed me. He took everything. My pack, my home, my Luna…” My voice faltered, and I looked down, my hands shaking. “I just need
help.”
“Why should we trust you?” one of them asked.
D
“I have nothing left to lose,” I said, meeting their eyes. “If I wanted to hurt you, I wouldn’t be here begging.”
The one who seemed to be in charge stepped closer, her eyes narrowing as she studied me. “You don’t look like
much of a threat,” she admitted.
“I’m not,” I whispered.
A wave of dizziness hit me, and I stumbled, nearly falling to my knees. One of the wolves moved forward
instinctively, but the leader raised a hand, stopping them.
“Who’s your Luna?” she asked, her voice cautious.
7
A wave of dizziness hit me, and I stumbled, nearly falling to my knees. One of the wolves moved forward instinctively, but the leader raised a hand, stopping them.
“Who’s your Luna?” she asked, her voice cautious.
“Mauve,” I said, barely able to get the word out. Her name reminded me of everything I had lost and everything I still had to fight for.
“Mauve?” someone muttered. “Isn’t that the name of-”
“Enough,” the leader snapped, silencing them. She turned back to me. “We don’t have time for this. Either he’s telling the truth, or he’s delusional. Either way, he’s not our problem.”
“Please,” I said again. “Don’t leave me like this.”
My vision blurred, and I swayed on my feet. The world tilted, and I felt myself falling.
“Oh no! He’s collapsing!” someone shouted as darkness consumed me.