The forest swallowed me whole.
Branches scratched my arms as I ran deeper into the darkness, but I didn't slow down.
I couldn't.
Not after what just happened.
Damon's words still echoed in my head.
"I reject you as my mate."
My chest tightened painfully.
For years I had imagined standing beside him as Luna of the Silver Ridge Pack.
Instead, I left the ceremony as the girl everyone pitied.
Or worse.
The girl everyone mocked.
My legs finally gave out and I collapsed beside a large oak tree. The cold ground pressed against my palms while I struggled to breathe.
"Why…" I whispered hoarsely.
Why wasn't I enough?
My wolf whimpered softly inside my mind.
The broken bond still hurt, like a wound that refused to close.
But something else was happening too.
A strange warmth spread slowly through my chest.
At first, I thought it was just the lingering pain.
But then it grew stronger.
Hotter.
My breathing quickened.
"What is this?"
The warmth suddenly rushed through my veins like fire.
I gasped and grabbed my chest.
The pain was sharp now.
Different from the rejection.
Stronger.
My wolf stirred again.
But this time she didn't sound weak.
She sounded… awake.
A low growl escaped my throat.
I froze.
That growl didn't sound like my wolf.
It sounded deeper.
More powerful.
"What's happening to me?" I whispered.
The wind rustled through the trees, carrying scents from miles away.
Pine.
River water.
And… wolves.
I blinked in confusion.
How could I smell wolves from this far?
Suddenly every sound in the forest became clearer.
Too clear.
Leaves shifting.
Owls calling in the distance.
Even the faint heartbeat of animals hiding in the bushes.
My senses had never been this sharp before.
My heart started pounding.
This wasn't normal.
"Elena."
The voice came from inside my head.
I jumped to my feet instantly.
"Who's there?"
The forest remained silent.
No one answered.
My wolf stirred again.
But the voice returned.
Deep.
Ancient.
You have awakened.
My heart nearly stopped.
"What do you mean?"
Your true wolf has opened her eyes.
I shook my head.
"That's impossible."
Every wolf only had one wolf.
Everyone knew that.
But the voice only laughed softly.
You are not like the others.
Before I could respond, another surge of energy shot through my body.
My vision blurred.
Pain shot down my spine.
I fell to my knees with a cry.
My bones began shifting.
"Elena…!"
I didn't recognize the voice calling my name from far away.
Because at that moment—
My wolf took control.
Silver light flashed through the darkness.
And the girl who had been rejected by her Alpha…
Disappeared into the forest.