Chapter 7

Morning came too quickly. I woke with a start, heart racing as sunlight streamed through the curtains. For one blissful moment, I didn't remember where I was. Then reality crashed over me like an icy wave.

The hunting party. Today.

My stomach clenched so hard I thought I might be sick. I dragged myself out of bed and splashed cold water on my face. The girl in the mirror looked pale and frightened, with dark circles under her eyes.

"Get it together, Lena," I whispered to my reflection. "You can do this."

I pulled my hair into a tight ponytail that would stay put during the hunt. No sense in having loose hair that could get caught on branches or give a male something to grab onto. I dressed in practical clothes—dark jeans, a long-sleeved black t-shirt, and hiking boots. Nothing bright that would stand out in the forest.

A knock at my door made me jump. When I opened it, I found my mother.

"Oh good, you're up," she said, bringing in a tray of food. "You'll need your strength today."

The smell of breakfast turned my stomach, but Mom was right—I needed energy.

"Thanks," I said, taking the tray.

Mom watched as I forced down a few bites. "I know you're nervous. That's normal. I was terrified before my hunting party."

I looked up in surprise. "Were you?"

She nodded. "I was certain no one would choose me. Or worse, that someone cruel would." A small smile crossed her face. "And then your father found me. The moment he marked me, I knew it was right."

"And if it hadn't felt right? What then?"

Mom's smile faltered. "That doesn't happen when it's your true mate, Lena."

"But not everyone finds their true mate. What about all those girls who get marked by someone who isn't their perfect match?"

"They learn to make it work," she said, her voice hardening. "Now finish your breakfast. The gathering is in thirty minutes."

At ten minutes to nine, I made my way to the resort's main lawn. The morning was beautiful—clear blue sky, gentle breeze, birds singing in the trees that soon would hide our desperate flight.

I spotted Maya immediately, standing apart from the other girls. Like me, she was dressed practically, her short hair tucked under a dark cap.

"There you are," she said. "I was afraid you'd changed your mind and run away in the night."

"And miss all this fun?" I said dryly. "Not a chance."

Around us, female werewolves fidgeted and whispered. Some looked excited, eyes bright with anticipation. Others looked terrified, casting nervous glances toward the forest.

At the edge of the lawn stood the males, at least twice as many as females, ranging from boys barely older than me to men in their thirties. All were eyeing our group with expressions from casual interest to hungry intensity.

"Are you ready?" I asked Maya.

She nodded. "Remember the plan. When they give the signal, we run straight for the densest part of the forest. No stopping, no looking back. We keep moving for the first hour, then hide."

"And we stay hidden until the two hours are up," I finished. "Then we meet back here, unmarked and free."

Maya squeezed my hand. "Exactly. And if we get separated?" She pulled out a small whistle. "Three short blasts means I'm in trouble. Two long ones means I'm safe and hidden."

I showed her my identical whistle. "Same. But let's try to stick together."

"Ladies and gentlemen!" Elder Krane's voice boomed. "Welcome to the annual Full Moon Mating Hunt!"

The males cheered while our side remained silent.

"As tradition dictates, our unmated females will enter the forest first, given a fifteen-minute head start. When the horn sounds a second time, the males may begin the hunt." He smiled, showing too many teeth. "Remember, the hunt lasts precisely two hours. Any marking during this time is binding under pack law."

Elder Krane raised an ancient ram's horn to his lips and blew a long, haunting note.

"Run!" Maya hissed, and we bolted.

We hit the forest at full speed, neither of us slowing until we were deep among the pines.

"This way," Maya gasped, veering left toward steeper terrain. "They'll expect us to take the easier paths."

I followed, lungs burning as we climbed higher. The terrain grew challenging—loose rocks, thorny bushes, fallen trees. Perfect. The harder the trail, the less likely males would follow.

We ran for what felt like hours when a distant horn sounded—the males had been released.

"Come on," Maya urged, pulling me toward a dense thicket. "We need to cover our tracks."

She demonstrated walking backward in our footprints, then brushing pine needles over them. I copied her movements.

"Where did you learn this?" I whispered.

"Books," she replied with a grim smile. "Been researching escape tactics since I was fourteen."

For the next hour, we moved constantly, doubling back, crossing streams to lose our scent. Twice we heard males crashing through the underbrush nearby, and each time we froze until the danger passed.

Then came the scream—high and terrified, cutting through the forest like a knife.

"Someone got caught," Maya whispered, her face pale.

Over the next hour, we heard more screams—some of fear, some of pain, and worst of all, a few that started as resistance and ended in surrender. Each one made me move faster, more desperately.

"There's a clearing ahead," Maya whispered. "We should avoid it."

As we started to detour around, voices approached from our right—male voices, laughing and calling to each other. We backtracked quickly.

More voices from the left. We were being surrounded.

"Up," Maya mouthed, pointing to a massive pine tree. "They won't look up."

We climbed as high as we dared, settling on sturdy branches about twenty feet up. Through the dense needles, we could see without being seen.

Just in time. Three males entered the clearing below, sniffing the air and scanning the forest.

"I swear I caught a scent," one said. "Two females, heading this way."

"Maybe they doubled back," suggested another. "These ones are clever."

"Good," said the third, a coldness in his voice that made my skin crawl. "I like a challenge."

They circled the clearing, coming disturbing close to our tree. I held my breath, praying they wouldn't look up.

After what felt like an eternity, they moved on. We waited ten minutes before climbing down.

"That was close," Maya whispered. "How much longer?"

I checked my watch. "About thirty minutes left. We've almost made it."

We found sanctuary in a small cave formed by fallen boulders. It was dark and damp, but it felt safe, hidden from sight with the wind blowing our scent away.

When my watch showed only ten minutes remaining, I nudged Maya. "We should start heading back."

We moved quickly but cautiously. With just five minutes left, I could see the edge of the forest, the lawn visible through the trees.

"We made it," I breathed. "Come on, let's—"

"Lena, wait," Maya hissed, grabbing my arm. "Listen."

Footsteps, coming fast from our right.

"Go," Maya urged, pushing me toward the exit. "Run. I'll draw them off."

"No!" I protested. "We stick together!"

"There's no time," she insisted. "You're faster than me. Get to the exit. I'll be right behind you."

Before I could argue, she darted away, deliberately making noise in the opposite direction. I heard shouts as our pursuers changed course.

With a silent prayer to keep her safe, I ran toward the exit.

I was so focused on the patch of sunlight ahead that I didn't see the figure step into my path until it was too late. I slammed into what felt like a brick wall, the impact knocking the breath from my lungs.

Dazed, I looked up at the male towering over me. He was massive, with broad shoulders and powerful arms. His face was all sharp angles and strong jawline, frighteningly handsome in a severe way. Dark hair fell across his forehead, nearly obscuring eyes that burned with intensity.

But it wasn't his size or looks that made my heart stutter. It was his scent—pine and smoke and something wild that called to a part of me I hadn't known existed. My wolf, dormant until now, suddenly howled to life inside me.

"Mate," I whispered, the word escaping my lips without permission.