Chapter 11

Arielle’s POV  

I was done running and being angry in private with just myself to blame, as their voices faded,  something in me snapped.  

Whatever sorrow that had mingled with the anger in my gut since Valery’s revelation, evaporated almost immediately and left in its place was the overwhelming sense of betrayal and helplessness—burning away under the heat of my fury.  I had spent too long feeling like a discarded piece of trash, too long grieving over a bond that was never meant to be mine.

But this? This was different.  

Damian had marked me.  

He had bound me to him likely forever—even after rejecting me and now he had the audacity to return like nothing had happened? I wouldn’t stand for it.  

With a deep breath, I pushed off from the wooden beam I had been leaning against my hands curled into fists as I stepped out into the cool night air, each step I took forward my determination solidified

I was going to find Damian and he was going to give me answers. My legs carried me toward the pack house , my mind racing with all the things I wanted to scream in his face. 

I didn’t care if he was Alpha and I didn’t care if he was stronger than me.  I wanted him to explain why he had condemned me to a lifetime of pain while he went on living his life perfectly and unbothered.  

Damian lived in a pack house  a bit far off from the rest of the pack, it always loomed in the distance, its towering structure casting long shadows in the moonlight at night. 

I moved quickly, my steps barely making a sound against the cobblestone path. I knew these grounds like the back of my hand. I had spent years watching Asher from afar, dreaming of the day he would finally notice me and if once or twice I had noticed his brother there was nothing anyone could say about it. I gritted my teeth, swallowing the bitter taste of annoyance and kept walking.

I needed an explanation from him immediately and this time, I wasn’t here to beg.  I approached the entrance and two warriors – betas stepped into my path, their expressions instantly darkening when they saw me.  

Damian’s guards.  

I recognized them instantly—Elias and Kade, they were Damian’s most loyal men and  for years since he had steeped up to the responsibility of being the packs alpha they had always been by his side, always ready to do his bidding.  

And judging by the way their eyes hardened as they took in my presence, it was clear that their loyalty had not wavered.  

“You shouldn’t be here,” Elias said coldly, stepping forward to block my way.  

“I need to see Damian,” I said firmly, lifting my chin and glaring into his face despite the sinking feeling in my chest. Kade let out a harsh, mocking laugh.

“And why would the Alpha want to see you?”  I  stiffened at his tone. 

"That’s none of your business. Move.”  Elias scoffed.

“You just don’t get it, do you?” His eyes flickered with disgust. 

“You’ve already been rejected. And yet here you are, still trying to force yourself into his life.”his words were like a slap to my face. 

I wanted to be angry but that would love anything and I couldn't leave here without getting answers from him so I refused to back down.  

“I’m not here to beg him to take me back,” I snapped, though it burned that they even thought I would. 

“I just need to talk to him.”  Kade smirked. 

“And what do you think that’ll do? Make him suddenly change his mind?” He stepped closer, his voice dripping with mock sympathy. 

"It’s honestly shameless at this point, Arielle. Don't  you have any pride?”  

My gut shriveled. Shameless.  

That’s what they thought of me? That’s what everyone thought of me?  I wasn't surprised by it, maybe disappointed that people I had lived with my whole life thought of me that badly but it didn't matter anyway I swallowed against the lump forming in my throat, my fingers curling into my palms.  

“Leave,” Elias ordered.

“Or we’ll make you.”  

I glared at them both, my entire body shaking with rage.I didn't need their approval to feel anything, and I wasn’t shameless. I was angry, hurt and damn tired of being treated like a desperate fool but never shameless. I opened my mouth to say exactly that but the disgust in their eyes stopped me cold.

They wouldn’t listen and they wouldn’t let me see him.  To them they were protecting their alpha from an unwanted visitor. I wasn’t stupid either it wasn't like I could fight them, and I wasn’t about to beg.  

Without another word, I turned on my heel and walked away, my vision blurring with unshed tears. I didn’t run, I definitely wouldn’t give them the satisfaction.  

My chest grew heavier with each step I took away from the house but I forced myself to move with purpose, ignoring the ache in my chest. By the time I reached the woods bordering the pack house , the tears were unstoppable. I let them fall.  

Bitter, silent sobs wracked my body as I stumbled along the path my mind spiraling and confused. I had been right all along.  

Damian had never cared about me, to him, I wasn’t even worth a conversation even after he had kissed me and taken me that night, to him it didn't matter because I was nothing.  I don't know why but the realization nearly crushed me.  I wrapped my arms around myself, trying to hold myself together even if that didn't seem like it would work at all.

I heard it then— a snapping sound echoing through the trees.  I froze, trying to listen to what could have made that sound in the first place my breath caught in my throat while every instinct in my body screamed at me to run.  I turned slowly, my pulse hammering a chill running down my spine as I took a cautious step back, my eyes scanning the shadows.  The woods were silent a little too silent.  

Then—movement.  

Some dark blur darted between the trees, barely visible in the dim light but the little outline of them that I saw sent panic surging  through me.  

Rogues.  

I wasn’t alone. I was being hunted. I barely had time to react before something lunged from the darkness— huge, fast, and deadly.  

I barely managed to twist away before sharp claws ripped through the air where I had just been standing.

I stumbled, falling hard onto the damp wet grass, pain shot through my palms as I scrambled back, my heart hammering.  Four figures emerged from the shadows, their eyes gleaming in the dark a glaring red. 

Rogue wolves.  

They were grinning, they looked like every story we'd ever read, lanky and thin with their hair matter likely from the dirt. 

“Look what we have here,” one of them sneered, stepping forward. He was tall, muscular, with wild hair falling over his face and a cruel smirk on his lips.

“All alone in the woods. That’s dangerous, little wolf.”  he drawled. I pushed myself up, my breathing ragged. 

"I don't see why that's any of your business" I called out to him and he smiled walking closer to me. 

I needed to shift. I needed to—  But before I could call on my wolf, another rogue circled behind me, cutting off my escape.  

“Don’t even think about it,” he growled. 

"We only need you in one piece.”  

Need me?  Fear twisted in my gut.  

They weren’t just planning to attack  me they were trying to capture me. I clenched my fists, forcing myself to focus. There were four of them.  

I was alone. But I wouldn’t go down without a fight.  

I bared my teeth, summoning every ounce of courage I had left.  

“You made a mistake coming after me,” I hissed and their leader chuckled. 

"We’ll see about that.”  And then—they attacked. I barely had time to brace myself before the first rogue lunged.