"I don''t hate your pack!" I shout, clutching my hair tightly at the roots in frustration. "I''ve been part of Dark Moon longer than anywhere else. Why would I stick around if I didn''t like it?"


    She narrows her eyes. "You spend a lot of time away from the pack. What''s up with that? Scoping out new territories to conquer?"


    I spin around, anger bubbling beneath the surface. "Screw you!" The young warrior princess will never truly understand what it means to be a rogue. She can''t fathom the constant fear, the crushing loneliness, or the way suspicion clings to every interaction. Deep down, I actually care about Dark Moon. I just won''t say it aloud. And despite everything, she and her luna have be a big part of why I''ve stayed. Even if she doesn''t want me, I''m starting to find a purpose here. I just have to figure out how to live with this unwanted matebond, and maybe, just maybe, things will be okay.


    Suddenly, a sharp breath leaves me as the wind is knocked out of my lungs. I stumble, barely catching myself before my face hits the deck.


    "Take it to the ground, both of you. I don''t want one of you identally flying off the balcony," Greta orders firmly.


    “But—” I begin, but before I can finish, I feel a strong tug at the back of my shirt, pulling me down onto all fours.


    “You heard the Luna. Let''s settle this down on the ground. Maybe by the time we reach the bottom of these thousand steps, you''ll be calmer," Greta says, her grip tightening. My wolf stirs, refusing to resist her touch. I rise to my feet reluctantly, and she leads us forward.


    The long descent down the wide stairway gives me time-more than enough—to take deep breaths and try to clear my mind while my mate follows silently behind. When we finally reach the bottom, I start pacing over the gravel, refusing to stand still. If she wants to talk, she can do it while I''m moving. It helps keep her scent from overwhelming my senses and makes it easier to avoid direct eye contact.


    "You''re giving me whish and vertigo at the same time. Can you stop moving?" sheins.


    "No. You say what you need to say, and then we can figure out how to handle this," I reply firmly.


    "Well, I hate to burst your bubble, but it looks like we''re stuck together," she says, her voice steady.


    "Why?" I ask, genuinely puzzled.


    "We have to protect the Luna. Janelle is still out there, and she''s hungry for revenge."


    "Why us, though? Dark Moon has plenty of warriors who can protect her."


    "Because you have a target on your back, too. You betrayed them, sold them out. They want you dead just as much as Kennedy."


    "Why not just let them have me? It would save everyone a lot of trouble. You wouldn''t even have to reject me," I say bitterly.


    "I''m not going to reject you. Will you stop saying that?" she snaps.


    "Great. Another mate who won''t cut me loose but won''t ept me either," I mutter, exhaling my frustration and staring up at the sky.


    "I WASN''T SUPPOSED TO HAVE A MATE! You asshole," I yell, the anger and hurt spilling out.


    "Then reject me. Kill me. Do whatever. Just end this," I plead.


    "You don''t even want to know why? You''re ready to give up that easily?" she asks, surprised.


    "There''s nothing left to give up, Warrior Princess. I''ve been doing this alone for so long. I thought Amy would make me whole when I found her, but you saw how that turned out. My wolf won''t let me walk away, and he won''t let me reject you. The ball''s in your court, Princess."


    "Stop calling me a f*cking princess," she growls.


    "Why not? Isn''t that what you are? Better than me, with your pack of warriors you can choose from. An alpha and luna who care about you. I don''t belong in your world. That''s been made painfully clear."


    "Are you seriously jealous?" she asks, disbelief coloring her tone.


    "Maybe." I let my arms drop to my sides. "You have everything you want. I''m not on


    that list, and I''m trying my best to give you space."


    "I don''t need space. I need time. Can you handle that?" she says quietly.


    My head snaps toward her. "What?"


    Suddenly, a sharp voice breaks through the tension. “Greta... Finn! Get up here, now!!"


    The urgency in the call cuts through the charged atmosphere, leaving us both momentarily stunned.