Chapter 2

*Isabel* I think I died then and went to werewolf hell. There was no other explanation for the staggering pain that seared through me. I felt wave after wave of anguish, the noise from the crowd so loud in the quiet of my torture. I was officially a rogue. Empty. Numb. Alone. I didn't even have my wolf with me. Scalding tears strolled down my face as I doubled over in pain. I could only imagine what the rest of the pack could see. A weak werewolf in torn clothing down on her knees, wearing grease stains all over her face and body like it was make up. Could I really blame them for treating me as scum when it was what I had started to look and feel like? The Alpha nudged the side of my body with his foot, urging me to stand on my feet. "You have less than an hour to pack up your things and leave the pack." He ordered, dismissing the crowd afterwards. A thud landed by the side of my head, startling me. A small black bag I recognized as mine was on the ground. Without checking the content of the bag, I already knew it contained the few items I managed to own. I spotted well pedicured feet in front of me and even before raising my head completely, I already knew who it was going to be. The bane of my entire existence. Of course, the evil witch didn't disappoint. I stared at Heather, noting the pure happiness in her eyes at my sorry state. She kicked my bag closer to me. "There. That's everything you own." She spat. I swallowed, drawing the bag to myself before she ruined it with her shoes. The leather was already old and worn out as it was. "Take it and leave. Now." My eyes stung with unshed tears. My future had never seemed blurred as it did at that moment. How did they expect me to survive? The second I got to the woods I would be in danger of being attacked by other rogues, and it was clear who would lose the fight and get killed if that happened. Me. The impatient tapping of Heather's feet against the ground jarred me out of my thoughts. I sniffed, wiping tears away from my cheeks and getting to my feet. I wobbled slightly as I bent at my knees to pick up my bag. Two warriors were standing behind Heather by the time I got back up. I should have known the Alpha was going to get people to escort me out of the pack's borders to be sure they've gotten rid of me completely. I took in a deep breath and expelled it, bracing myself for whatever lay in wait for me in the future. I stared at Heather squarely in the eye, letting her see just how much I despised her. "You better pray to the goddess I get killed out there," I threatened quietly, baring my teeth. I took a step towards her, noting the way she almost took a step back in turn. "If I don't," I continued, my voice sounding firmer than I'd ever heard it. "You better believe I would come back here to mock the hell out of you." I gave her a sugary smile. "Because you and I know your relationship with Alvin would never last." I walked past her, forcefully nudging her shoulder with mine. The warriors followed me up until I had gotten past the borders of the pack. I stared at both of them for a few minutes. They were the last members of The South pack I was going to see before I died. Because there was no way I wasn't getting killed out here. I gave them a small salute, turned and began walking into the woods. My plan was to walk as far as I could until I stumbled into another pack. I didn't mind being a slave there as long as I had their protection. I didn't think I had it in me but I ended up walking for days. I was in pain. I was hungry and I was parched and there were times I just had to lay down for hours, but I made sure I eventually kept on going even though it didn't seem like I was going to come across anyone anytime soon. A few minutes later I realized I had reached a conclusion too soon. I dragged myself behind a thick tree, trying to make sense of what was going on. Three things registered at once. A werewolf was running madly. Three others were chasing him. One out of the four of them was my second chance mate.