bChapter /bb33 /b

1 straighten up. I could sit here, starve, and cry about my feelings… ot I could do what I’ve always done survive. If Jack couldn’t feed me, r’d do it the old–fashioned way

If bounty hunting taught me anything, it’s how to live withoutfort. I’ve done it before. I can do it again.

Rabbit stew. Wolf style.

I head out of the kitchen, rubbing my hands together as I make my way to the room. I slip on Jack’s hoodie and his oversized boots, stepping outside and inhaling the crisp, piney air. The house is secluded, swallowed by dense woods–perfect for a solo hunting session. Rabbits were easy prey. And honestly? Nothing tastes better than roasted rabbit under moonlight in wolf form.

Shiftinges naturally. Bones crack, skin tightens, and fur rushes across my body. My wolf stretches with a long, satisfied growl.

We run. Silent. Sharp. Hungry,

But after more than an hour of prowling through thick underbrush, I find nothing. Not even a twitching rabbit tail or the p of a bird wing.

Where the hell did they all go? Did Jack warn the wildlife I’d being?

My frustration bubbles hot and sharp. “Screw this,” I growl, shifting back into human form, breath misting in the cool air. “I’m going to find Fury. Maybe he’ll give me something to eat.”

Come to think of it… where is Fury? He’s been quiettely. Too quiet. He’s practically the only one I trust here–the only one who doesn’t treat me like a

threat or a ticking time bomb.

Jasmine asked to be my friend, but I don’t trust her. Not until she exins those bruises on her back.

I throw the hoodie back on, pulling the hood tight and keeping my head low as I follow the path Jasmine had mentioned. It winds through the woods and into the part of the packnds I’ve avoided.

After a while, I spot people moving–warriors in uniform, others in casual wear. I duck behind a wide tree, watching carefully. I can’t be seen. If anyone finds out I’m Jack’s mate… well, I don’t want to imagine what would happen.

When the coast is clear, I move fast and quietly, weaving through shadows, blending in like just another rogue on pack territory. My nose twitches, catching the warm scent of meat and herbs.

Food.

Finally.

The hallway stretches long with different doors lining both sides. I take a gamble, open the first door–and instantly regret it.

A man’s yelling. His hand ms the wall beside a frightened woman, who cowers with a wince.

“Don’t talk back to me again!” he snaps, voice sharp and venomous.

My lips press into a thin line, fingers twitching at my side.

Typical.

1 shake my head and quietly pull the door shut.

The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, I think bitterly. If that’s the kind of men this pack breeds… how different can Jack really be?

I bite my tongue. Not your business, I remind myself.

21:21 Fri 20 Jun

Ray stomach groats again, looder and more demanding, to keep walling. Ahe a few more turns, 1 feed a massive done lightly afar. The scent pouring but nearly knocks me out.

Jackpot

The dining hall is huge. A long, polished table stretches across the room, already set with steaming dishes–fresh fruit, golden bread, and sizzling meats My mouth waters instantly

And the best part? No one’s here.

Perfect

I rush in grab a drumstick and a roasted potato, and devour them like a starving lion who hasn’t eaten in weeks. Food has never tasted this good. Grease coats my fingers, warmth spreads through my body. I let out a low moan of blissb, /bjuice dripping down my chin as I reach for more.

“Sweet goddess.” I mutter between bites, “I could marry this damn chicken.”

I barely hear the approaching footsteps until it’s toote.

“Shit,” I whisper, diving under the table, clutching the drumstick like a thief caught red–handed. I press my back against the table leg, trying not to breathe too loudly.

Through the tablecloth, I see two women walk in, bncing trays andughing softly as they begin rearranging the tes.

Their voices carry.

“Soon, Alpha Jack won’t just be an Alpha,” one of them says with a girlish squeal. “He’ll be the Alpha King. Do you know what that means for us?”

My chewing slows. My ears prick.

The other woman lets out a breathyugh. “I still can’t believe it. We’re all going to be royalty. Can you imagine that? But wait…” She pauses, lowering her voice, “What happens to his mate if he marries the Alpha King’s daughter?”

The chicken slips from my hand, forgotten on the floor as my heart squeezes painfully in my chest.

Alpha King’s daughter?

Jack… marrying her?

I press a trembling hand to my stomach, the nausea tightening with every passing second. Suddenly, I’m not hungry anymore.

“Does it matter?” the first woman scoffs, her tone light but cruel. “Didn’t you hear? His mate dragged him like a dog in front of the entire pack–all the way to the mating room. And the fact that he hasn’t even introduced her as Luna says everything. He doesn’t want her. He probably already rejected her disrespectful ass.”

The other woman hums in agreement, voice smug and sour. “Exactly. She’s a disgrace. And didn’t she cause themander’s death too? Honestly, she deserves to be rejected. She’s not worthy of our precious Alpha. The Alpha King’s daughter and Alpha Jack are a perfect match.”

The words hit harder than any punch. I feel like I’m choking on air.

I can’t do this. I can’t listen to one more word.

My head snaps up, and in a single breath, I shoot out from under the table. The corner ms against my forehead–sharp pain blooms instantly, but! ignore it. The women shriek behind me.

“Who’s there?!”

But I don’t stop. I don’t even nce back, 1 sprint through the hallway, boots pping against the floor, breath ragged. I need to get out. Out of this cursed ce.

21:21 bFri/bb, /bb20 /bbJun /b

I finally reach the wide entrance doors–but just as I’m about to push through them, I m straight into something hard. It’s like hitting a brick wall. I stumble backward, cursing under bmy /bbreath.

“What the hell-

Before I can take another step, a brutal hand bfists /bin my hair, yanking me back so fast I scream. Pain shoots through my scalp, my neck snapping back.

“What the fuck?!” bi /bbtwist/bb, /biling, When I finally manage to look up, ready to fight-

Holy fucking moon goddessb. /b

b15 /b

The man is a monster, Towering, Massive. Muscles bulging bbeneath /bba /btight ck shirt Half man, half–beast. His bface /bis twisted in a scowl, eyes glowing faint red like his wolf is bjust /bwaiting to rip free. A scar shes across his bcheek/bb, /band bhe /breeks of power and violence. Fear jolts bthrough /bme–cold and sharp -but I shove it down before he bcan /bscent i

“You dare walk baway /bafter running into me?” be smarts, his breath hot against my face. “Without falling to your knees and begging for mercy?”

I scoff through the pain. “Your ego’s bbigger /bthan your body. You should be bthe /bone apologizing, asshole. What your eyes for? fancy? Or are they decorative ornaments?b” /b

His grip tightens, sending fresh bpain /bbthrough /bmy scalp.

He growls, fury radiating off bhim /blike wildfire. “Do you even know who I am?b” /b

troll my eyes. “if you’re not the Moon Goddess, i don’t give ba /bfuck who you are,” I bspit/b. “You could be the Alpha King himself and I still wouldn’t kiss your bdamn /bboots”