REJECTED BY THE ALPHA KING

d than looking behind. Y

ng along the meandering dirt road, the backpack thrown over my shoulder bounced against me loaded with the meagr

iny crescent moon. Their branches tore at the remaining scraps of my

derness gav

irst-rank, fetid, and

etrayed me, glued to the place. A deep, frightening growl rum

ury. Their matted coats and damaged bodies told of lives spent

, gaunt figure with a twisted smile. "Fres

rs, but my legs shoo

omach churn. "You don't belong anyplace, renegade.

ce was calm, but my heart

kling in the moonlight. "

d reflexively, the snap of his fangs a whisper away from my neck. M

the bush, their laughing escalating to cries of chase.

ee blood flowing from a new incision. A rogue's claws. I swallowe

uddenly, vaguely, I saw it-a clearing drenched in silvery moonl

he cleari

rberated within me, deep and commanding. Without asking,

human forms altering as the

the leader hissed, getting c

e little knife in my purse. The dull blade w

e scented the air. Confusion passed over his

f the others whispered

their eyes

the earth, and then, slowly, a creature took shape-a gigantic

e rogues murmured, his v

to disguise his own horror. "It'

light, intent on the rogues. One of them rushed, but the wolf didn't flinch. I

emselves in their desperation to leave. Within seconds, they r

excitement drained from my body. The knif

ant shape diminishing and alterin

his shoulders, shining like molten moonlight. His eyes, pene

e," he replied, his

to grasp what had just transp

ncholy in the curve of his lips.

truggling to my fe

forceful. "You've been picked, Sophia

me?" My voice increas

"I know more than your name. Come with me. If you

trust battling inside m

. "Then you'll die, and the

Reluctantly, I put my hand in his. His touch was war

borders melting into flashes of light. I felt a tug deep

e sky above swirled with colors-blues, purples, and silvers-dancing li

" I muttered, my vo

ed simply. "And the end o

at sent a shudder down my spine. The sky dimmed,

ned, his eyes sweeping the h

oud boom broke the silence,