The sound of my pure white paws thudding against the muddy ground was the only thing that I could hear as I ran through the woods and away from my pack. Let me retract that statement, it was my pack until they kicked me out.

I couldn't help the resentment I felt towards them——the resentment towards my father, especially. They say nothing is stronger than the love a father has for his daughter. Mine obviously did not get the memo. It was still a shock to me how he could exile me, his only daughter. But I guess love is cold and the only person you can really trust is yourself.

Lord knows I was aware that my father has priorities other than me. He was the Beta of the Blue Shadow pack after all and he had to abide by the Alpha's rules. But when said Alpha got too touchy with his hands, those rules should not have resulted in this kind of betrayal.

I couldn't help but shake my head as a snarl forces its way out of my throat. Since being kicked out two months ago, I've let loose a few curse words directed towards my old pack——none which would be appropriate to say in public. I was used to being the sweet and helpful girl who everyone seeks advice and comfort when something was wrong, but I guess all you need is one bad rumour that you slept with another's mate for shit to hit the fan. No one thought to acknowledge my good reputation, resulting in my new one. The one that brands you a slut, a mate thief and now: a rogue.

My thoughts are cut off and my head snaps up when an excited howl rings through the air. How could I possibly forget that rogues——real, eat rip your flesh from your body who kill for the fun of it——have been hunting me for three days straight? Cause, you know, my day wasn't already interesting enough as it was. Next thing you know I'll be told that I'm a princess and that a frog is my prince. Although taking a second to think about it, I realise that is probably a better outcome than where my life is headed right now. But still, gross. Imagine what our children would look like. As I think about it, I can't help but roll my eyes.

The rogues on my tail were fast, but unfortunately for them, I was faster. The blood of a beta was coursing through my veins but a bite in my hind leg, courtesy of one of the rogues, was throbbing. For now, I could manage but I knew I would have to find somewhere to rest and let it heal up.

After an hour of continuous running, I finally lost the rogues by dodging through the thickness of the trees and sprinting in an entirely new direction, before finally collapsing in a heap to the grassy floor beneath me, finding aid under a tree.

I stay still for minutes, attempting to catch my breath, before looking at the scene before me. My eyes widen a fraction as I take in the beauty of my surroundings. The greenery of the bushes and trees complement the crystal blue of the lake which dominates in the centre of the clearing. With the light of the warm sun reflecting off the lilies in the water, I feel at peace.

With a sigh, I lean my heavy head on my paws; thankful for the little bit of refuge I had for this small amount of time. Unfortunately, much like every other time I felt at peace, it didn't last.

My once relaxed body immediately tenses when a growl echoes throughout the clearing. I groan, exhaustion and frustration stiffening the joints of my body. Can't the rogues give my a five—second breather? However, those thoughts fly out the window when I realise the wolves now surrounding my are not rogues.

Obviously, getting too relaxed had let my guard down long enough for these wolves to approach me slowly, surrounding me so that there was little chance of escape. Attempting to stand, my legs shake beneath me, blood still seeping out of my wound.

I bow my head to the wolves, trying to communicate that I mean no harm to them or the pack they came from. I guess with all my thoughts on getting away from the rogues I hadn't realised that I'd trespassed on another pack's territory.

I turn to the largest wolf of the six as he speaks to me via mind—link; a form of communication wolves use amongst their pack. However, only wolves of a high standing could talk to others which weren't a part of their pack.

[Don't bother trying to run. You won't get far.] He commands firmly. This wolf was either the beta or the alpha. Taking in his size I assume the wolf is the beta of this pack as he wasn't much larger than me.