Dominic hadn't realized that leaving the Silver Moon pack had technically made him a rogue wolf.
He no longer had a pack to call home.
Since leaving his born pack, his scent had been slowly fading, and he couldn't smell himself well enough to notice it.
Standing there in his full, furred wolf glory, with a deer sprawled on the ground before him, as a pack of six men closed in, he felt every bit the rogue he had become.
It was the first time he'd come face-to-face with any other wolves since his decision to leave his Alpha and pack, let alone out in the woods, or even outside his apartment, for that matter.
Now, he found himself surrounded by six huge, intimidating men who clearly weren't planning to let him go if they could help it.
"Told you there's a rogue wolf roaming the area. I picked up his trail after he came from the Skin Walkers' hunting grounds. He seems to think he can just keep passing through and stealing everyone's food. Is he the one you're looking for?"
The six men exchanged glances before their leader spoke up.
"Nope. He will do for now, though. You can go."
The wolf from the Red Wolf pack looked offended.
"What do you mean, I can leave? I'm not handing him over. He's my catch."
"You might want to leave before we deal with you as well. Get lost, Red. This isn't even technically your territory, which is exactly why this old wolf picked this spot, isn't that right, old man?"
Dominic let out a low, deep growl from his throat.
The wolf who singled Dominic out knew he was fighting a losing battle, so he decided not to keep at it, knowing exactly where it would lead.
His head on a pike.
"Don't worry, I'm heading out, but you all should be gone by the time I return. I won't be coming back alone."
That was the last thing Dominic needed: more wolves coming to the area.
For now, he stayed in his wolf form, keeping quiet.
As long as he stayed covered in fur, there was only a slim chance they'd figure out who he was.
With only Orion's team and Dominic left, it was time for the real fun to begin.
"So, what's a wolf like you doing out here all alone? Your size gives you away. You might be on your own, but I don't think you're a rogue," the leader said, addressing Dominic.
"Yeah, shift. Show us who you are and talk to us now," said the man Dominic assumed was his second-in-command.
Dominic hoped he'd given his team enough time to clear the area and erase any trace of their presence, then closed his eyes to steady himself.
Once his mind was free of all emotions, he dropped the large prey from his jaws, stepped back, then lunged forward and shifted into his massive, two-legged form.
His body, free from anything covering his skin, revealed every battle he had ever faced.
The men looked on, their eyes tracing over each bulging, perfectly sculpted muscle, marked with scars from fights they could only dream of having witnessed, let alone been a part of.
"What part are you with? Who is your alpha?" the leader barked.
"You've got it right. I'm just a humble rogue, living the rogue's life out in the woods. Can't you tell from the scars etched openly across my skin?"
"Tell us, who are you fighting for? Who's out here with you? Where are you headed?" his second-in-command pressed, stepping forward and demanding answers.
Dominic stepped forward, making it clear he wasn't the type to back down when challenged.
"I fight for no one. I answer to no one."
Just then, a voice called from behind him, dark, deep, and rugged.
"I know exactly who he is. Haven't you heard? He's dead, or at least that's what his alpha believes. So why are you letting everyone think that, Dominic?"
He ignored the man speaking behind him, refusing to acknowledge a single word.
"So, this is the renowned General Dominic, taken down by his own Colonel. Alpha Theo will be pleased to know you're alive and kicking, won't he? Yet you're not heading his way, so where exactly are you off to? Is the great general on the run?"
Dominic still wouldn't confirm or deny what they said, keeping a blank expression.
"I wouldn't taunt him if you know what's good for you, Mondo, he'll take you all down."
Dominic just raised an eyebrow at the words, listening to the men around him as they stayed silent, gauging their location solely by the sound of their breathing.
Once he was sure of how close each person was and what he needed to do to bring them to the door and make it safe for his team, he was ready to take down his new prey.
"What's the old man going to do, he's out..."
At that moment, Dominic seized the chance to catch them off guard, baring his fangs and claws.
He went for the leader and his second-in-command first, clamping his jaws onto the second's throat and shaking hard, while at the same time driving his claws into the throat of the man who had doubted his skills, ripping out everything in front of his spine with one swift pull.
In a swift turn, he now faced the four remaining men, crouched low and locking eyes with the one who bent his knees in an instant, signaling he was ready for the fight.
Still, not another word came from his lips as he and the other wolf moved in sync, each waiting to see who would make the first move.
Then the guard made a fatal mistake.
He stepped forward just enough for Dominic to kick his knees out from under him.
The guard crashed to the ground, and the old wolf's foot landed firmly on his chest before his claws slashed across his throat, leaving him bleeding out where he lay.
The sound of gargling slowly faded as his life left him.
Blood dripped from his chin and coated his claws, three of their teammates lying dead at his feet, as he finally spoke to the rest of the team.
"Do you three want to continue to see a ghost, or am I still dead? I seem to think you never saw me."
"Dominic, you didn't have to kill them. You could've just explained what the deal was."
"No, I couldn't, Locklan. They're just Orion and Shaw's lap dogs. They would've gone straight to their master and spilled everything. I couldn't risk that. These other two are still up in the air."
"They're with me, and I promise they won't say a word. Seri is my son, and Gris is his friend. Are you really out here by yourself? It's not safe right now. The witches are on the move for some reason."
"As far as you need to know, I'm alone. The witches are on their way to the mountains. What brings you so close to my pack?"
"What wolves do best, Dom. We are hunting. Luna and Orion sent us after the cursed one and her team that snuck out. We don't know where they went, but we figured she went home. Why are they going to the mountains?"
"You're on the wrong side of this Lock. Just like I was. That's why I am not a part of Silver Moon anymore. What the Alphas and Luna are doing isn't right. It's time to put an end to chasing that girl."
"Is that why you let everyone think you were dead? And why are the witches going to the mountains, Dominic?"
"A lot happened, but they're going to bless a match. It was just easier to let everyone believe one of my wolves killed me for now. Trust me, though, stop chasing her. I'm going to Crescent Moon. You can come with me and leave your pack behind. Help me with these new wolves."
Locklan glanced between his son and the other young wolf, uncertain about his next move.
"You don't need to decide right now. Head to Scarlet Crest, take some time to think things through, and relax. Spend some time away from your alpha. When I get back, we can talk. Just ask to book under my account at the hotel, trust me."
Locklan preferred that idea, because if he was going to defect, he wanted to put as much distance as possible between himself and his pack for a while, not end up right back next door to them.
"Thanks, Dominic. I'm glad the rumors weren't true, by the way."
As soon as the three wolves shifted back into their fur and four legs, they vanished within seconds, leaving Dominic to stare at the mess before him.
'Never fails. Can't get through one mission without another team trying to dominate me. I think it's time to retire.'
Feeling it was finally safe to rejoin the rest of his party, he set off, still carrying the deer he had originally gone out to catch for his crew.
It was time to grab a bite and continue their journey to the Crescent Moon pack, as staying where they were was no longer safe.
After Lucas and the others had stripped their meal to the bone, they didn't hesitate upon seeing the state Dominic returned in, quickly getting back to the mission at hand.
Deva, still radiating her bubbly, optimistic charm, now realized how quickly things could change in the woods they had entered, and just how dangerous the journey they had agreed to truly was.
For once, she didn't protest when the men insisted she stay in the middle of them as they ventured deeper and deeper into the forest, moving farther from the place she had always called home.
Although she shared many traits with Ayla, from her looks to her wits, to her snarky comebacks, she lacked her fellow orphan's natural leadership and rarely rushed into danger without considering the consequences.
Lately, just like Deva, Ayla had been a well-guarded wolf.
Something the wild, free-spirited young woman was struggling to grasp as she felt lost in her new surroundings.
Like a princess locked away in the highest tower of the castle, she gazed out the window of the pack house, the witch's torch burning brightly in the distance, mocking her.
Wrapped in a blanket, she stood watching the pack as they bustled about the grounds below, whispering, pointing toward the lit torch, and readying the town for the blessing celebration, wondering just how big it might be and who the lucky couple was.
No one thought twice about the fact that no one had shown up yet claiming to be the mated pair, but with each member that passed by, eyes were glancing for a mark.
Everyone just assumed it was because they were wrapped up in each other, tucked away, and savoring the pure bliss of finally finding each other.
As she watched the pack members' reactions, she instinctively touched the spot where Titan had bitten her, the lingering sensitivity sending a pleasant shiver through her body just as the door swung open.
The sudden intrusion jolted her, fear flooding in and washing away the calm and pleasure she'd just been feeling.
She pulled the blanket up to her face, wrapping it tightly around herself.
"I really need to figure out a way to know when you're arriving. Aren't you supposed to knock?"
"We did. Didn't you hear us? It's almost lunchtime. Why aren't you dressed? The Luna is expecting you to join her for lunch. Don't you like the dress? Next Alpha Titan picked it himself."
"I don't think I'll be going. Please give her my apologies; I'm just not feeling up to it."
"You don't really have a choice. She's invited you to join her, so you're going to have to go."
Ayla wasn't the type to take orders, and it showed plainly on her face.
"I don't have to do anything, and I enjoy choosing my own clothes. Thanks."
"If you didn't want him choosing your clothes, you should've gotten up earlier or maybe stayed in your own room instead of trying to get ahead by sleeping with him. That's not going to get you anywhere, especially with us. Besides, when he finds his mate, you'll be long gone."
Ayla shot a sharp glance at the two girls in front of her, each with a smug expression plastered on their faces.
She didn't let it bother her, since they were the last people she wanted to find out the truth.
"You know what, you're right. If it's all the same to you, I think I'll head out."
Ayla tried to leave the room, only to find Titan standing right outside the door, having heard the whole conversation.
"Ladies, apologize for speaking to my guest that way. Now!"
"But sir, she's been disrespectful to both you and our Luna since she arrived. She never planned on attending the lunch that your mother was expecting her at. Why do you treat her so differently?"
"That's none of your business, Fidda," he said, as the edge of his mark showed beneath his high-neck shirt.
"It's you. You're the one who found his fated mate."
Titan and Ayla immediately glanced back at the two maids and walked toward them, slamming the door closed as soon as they were inside the room.
The desperation to silence them burned in Ayla, fear surging higher than ever, and the urge to run stronger than it had ever been, and Titan could feel it all.
"Don't do anything that both of us will regret, RAYA. We need to talk to them first."
"Talk about what? They already don't like me. If they think I'm helping you hide something, they'll just run even faster to anyone they believe will listen. What options do we have?"
She kept her gaze fixed on Fidda, their eyes locked as she finished her thought.
"We have to kill them."
Titan rested his hand on her shoulder, hoping to comfort her with his touch and the connection they shared.
"You don't know them like I do. The three of us grew up together, and if there's anyone I can trust with my secret, it's them. They're not even going to tell my mother, like they do with everything else about me. Right?"
"Right, we didn't see a thing. But how exactly do you plan on getting away with it? You know the witches are coming to bless you and… oh, it's you two. They'll be expecting a couple to bless. How are you going to handle that?"
Ayla stayed quiet, just listening, because she didn't trust the two girls.
She hadn't revealed it was her yet, keeping her mark hidden and giving nothing away.
"I haven't figured that out yet. I'm sure there have been matings since the curse, but not all of them were blessed by the witches. I need to find another couple to stand in for me, one that hasn't been blessed, but I have no idea how to track them down. A couple that hadn't alerted the witches."
Fidda let out a quiet chuckle.
"Do you ever listen to what the elders say? You're asking for the impossible. You'd need a rogue wolf to find a mate, and good luck with that. Besides, your mom is never going to let you leave with the witches swarming this way."