Revenge of the Alpha's Ex-Mate
s the only law, and trust was earned one action at a time. For Luna, joining the rogues wasn't just about
. Their eyes followed her every move, their whispered comments brushing against her ears like the hi
r than rank, and newcomers were often given the hardest, dirtiest jobs. Luna was no exception. She foun
're tough, pack wolf?" he sneered one afternoon as she dragged a waterlogged branch towa
e had learned quickly that responding to Dax's provocations only gave him more
f suspicion. Kira, the wiry young wolf who had shown a flicker of curiosity during their first meeting, occasionally approac
e circle. The laughter and camaraderie of the group felt like a wall, separating her from the bonds
oice carrying across the firelight. "Rogues don'
"I'm not asking for trust,
curling into a sneer.
tion before, but this was different. In Silvermoon, she had been betrayed by those she had loved and trusted.
s silence and solitude, a tempting escape from the constant scrutiny. But each time the thought crossed her mind, she reminded
val in meaningful ways. Her first opportunity came when one of the younger rogues, a brash wolf named Jorin, returned to camp limping from
ining the wound with a cursory glan
g from the edge of the camp, stepped forward. "Let m
u think you can do
eplied, meeting his skeptical gaze. "I
ed back with a huff. "Fine.
water from the stream and applied a poultice of crushed herbs she had gathered earlier.
a grudging nod of approval. "Not bad," he admitte
quiet "Thanks" before limping away.
her with minor injuries and ailments. Each time, Luna treated them with the same care and professionalism she had shown
herbs by the fire, he approached her with a faint smirk
an," Luna replied, not l
an said. "That's more than I can
surprised by the co
ber eyes gleaming. "Respect out here is f
ng wolf who had shown interest from the beginning, began to seek Luna's company more often. They talked about
Kira said one night, her voice thoughtful.
wolf anymore," Luna repl
n contemplative. "Maybe th
a's presence. He no longer went out of his way to provoke her, though
once surrounded her was beginning to give way to something more complex-a mix of curiosity, respec
. She had survived the hostility of the rogues, and she had begun to carve out a place for herself in their wo
g stronger, step by step, challenge by challenge