SCARLETT

I stumbled through the dense forest, not having a clue where I was. I cursed to myself. Every direction looked the same.

A branch snapped from behind me, and I sprinted through the trees, my footsteps echoing in the silence of the night. My breath came out in ragged gasps as I pushed myself to my limit, adrenaline coursing through my veins.

Somebody was out there - likely following me. And I was weak, not having eaten for days, my limbs shaking as I continued to move as fast as I could.

Glancing behind, I couldn't see the perpetrator. I pressed my back up against a large tree, sliding down it and attempting to catch my breath, grumbling as I gazed down at my hands. One of my gloves had slipped off, exposing the red splotchy mark on my hand. I hated that it was scarred upon my body.

It made me easily identifiable - I was a gifted wolf.

We were a hunted breed, other werewolves seeing us as objects and snatching us up when possible, turning us in for a reward to the Enclave clan. I could have lived a perfectly happy and normal life with a pack and a mate if I hadn't been cursed, but instead, I was made a target through no choice of my own.

I could control the emotions of others, pushing the desired feeling into their brain and making them feel how I wanted them to for a short period of time. I stayed away from people for my own safety though, so I had never really had the opportunity to practise much. I was a little rusty.

I couldn't remember exactly how long I had been on the run, but I struggled to think of a time when I hadn't been moving around constantly. My childhood hadn't been the greatest - my parents gave me up when I was young once my red mark began to develop. I made their pack a target, and so, they let me go. It just proved how little they wanted me in the first place.

The scratchy feeling of bark against my back brought me back to the present moment, and I pushed my braided dark hair away from my face. The forest had gone silent.

Forcing myself up, I continued to walk. I needed to find some shelter. A storm was on its way.

I began to trudge through the forest, whipping my head around every few seconds to check my surroundings, my body complaining.

Suddenly, a force hit me so harshly that my breath was knocked out. I gasped, landing on the wet muddy ground, twisting around to see a large dark wolf hovering above me, snapping its jaw with drool dripping from its teeth.

Shifting into my own wolf, I growled, kicking it off and scrambling to my feet. Rain started to pour down as I stalked towards the wolf, and it lunged forwards, biting down harshly on my shoulder. I whined loudly, blood oozing from the large gash it had left.

I wasn't going to go down without a fight. However, just as the wolf released another threatening growl, we were both knocked to our feet. My body froze, unable to move, whereas the other wolf struggled against its attacker's chest.

The assailant bit my attacker's neck until it was limp, blood spurting from the gaping wound, signifying that it was dead.

I gawked up to see a huge wolf above me, using only one of its paws to pin me down. It studied me, looking intrigued as to why I wasn't fighting back. To my surprise, it removed its paw, and I pushed myself to my feet, backing away.

He shifted, my eyes going wide once I took in his naked human body, averting my gaze. He stood tall with muscles bulging out of his flesh, his tousled hair light on top of his head.

"You're awfully close to our land," the man stated, narrowing his eyes at me. "We heard a fight break out, but it's not often you see a female wolf out here alone."

I dipped my snout, unsure of what to say. I just wanted to get out of here. I had no idea I was close to anybody's land. This was unclaimed territory from my knowledge.

"You took a nasty bite to the shoulder," the man told me, nodding towards my bleeding wound. "We don't take kindly to strangers, so shift back and once we see you as no threat, you'll be on your way. We don't want to cause you harm."

I gulped, debating bolting, but I knew that they would catch up to me within seconds, ripping my head from my neck.

The wolf who hadn't shifted took a threatening step towards me, his paws hitting the ground with a loud thud. My legs felt like they were going to give out. There was no way I would be able to outrun them.

I shut my eyes, shifting for them, standing naked with no shame. I didn't know them and I wasn't going to see them ever again. Who cared if they saw all of me? However, the one thing I did make sure to cover was my marked hand. I couldn't allow them to see it. They'd hand me over.

The other wolf shifted back right after me, yet again in the buff.

"What's your name?"

"Scarlett," I told them. It was a name I had gone by for most of my life. I couldn't remember what my parents had actually called me, but I sure as hell didn't care.

"I'm Darrel, and this is Wyatt."

I nodded. I didn't care. I just wanted to go.

"You look a little young to be out here by yourself," Wyatt told me, and I shrugged, the action causing me to hiss in discomfort. My shoulder was messed up.

"I prefer it," I told them, ignoring the searing pain radiating throughout me.

They weren't going to let me go. They were going to take me. I gulped, attempting to push out a pitiful emotion onto one of them, hoping that they would just allow me to leave, but I was far too weak, my brain zapping at my effort.

Damn it.

"Well, at least allow us to help you with your injury. That's not going to heal on its own, judging by how weak you look. Our Alpha also wouldn't approve of us leaving an injured female to hobble off to her death," Darrel insisted, causing me to grimace.

I knew they were right. I was thin - a little too thin right now, and my shoulder hadn't knitted itself together in front of them, showing that I was running on pretty much nothing. It was definitely going to get infected.

I wrapped my arms around myself, ensuring I was still covering my mark. I had learned to do everything with my left hand, so hiding it wasn't a huge issue for me. Although I had lost my gloves.

"If you don't want our help, that's fine," Wyatt informed me, cocking his head. "We can't force you, but I have a feeling that you'll die out here with an injury like that. Especially if there are rogue wolves lurking about. You won't be able to defend yourself."

I hated the fact that they were spitting the truth. Entering the depths of the forest had been the stupidest idea I had ever had. Sticking to cities was something I was going to do from now on.

"As soon as I'm stitched up, I'll be allowed to leave?" I wondered, glaring at the two men, hoping that this wasn't some kind of trick and they had actually spotted my mark.

They both nodded. "Yes, of course."

"Fine, I appreciate that, but I want to be gone as soon as possible. I have miles to make up for," I told them, and they gestured for me to follow them through the thick shrubbery, the rain beating down on us. At least it was helping to clean out my wound.

I continued to run through my cover story in case anybody questioned me on what I was doing out here alone. My parents had been murdered by rogues and I had been living alone ever since. I was happy living a life of solitude though. I didn't want or need a pack.

We walked for around five minutes, the bustling sound of a village echoing through the ominous night. I raised my eyebrows in surprise. The village sounded large and I was shocked that I hadn't known it was here.

Wyatt pushed a large clump of high growing vines out of the way for me, allowing me to step out into the large clearing, people milling around and lit up houses dotted along the grass. I was feeling overwhelmed, but it was too late to back out now. I just needed to get stitched up and then I could run.

"The hospital is this way," Darrel told me, leading me into the opposite direction of Wyatt.

"Where is he going?" I asked, feeling paranoid.

"He's going to let Alpha Roman know of your arrival," he told me, and I gulped, my blood running cold.

"What? Why?" I questioned with panic.

Darrel gazed at me with confusion as if it was obvious. "We've allowed you into our territory. We came to the decision that you aren't a threat, but he still has to be made aware. It's procedure."

I gulped. I was hoping the meeting would be short and sweet. Alphas were known to be bossy and arrogant, and I hated the idea of being around one, especially since I knew that it meant more attention on me. If anyone was going to be able to sniff me out, it would be an Alpha.

"We'll get you something to wear once we get in there," Darrel told me. Nudity wasn't really a huge deal for wolves.

"Preferably something long sleeved please," I told him, wanting something to use to cover my hand.

I hesitated as I stepped inside of the building, the electronic doors buzzing as we did so, taking me off guard. Nobody paid us any mind, and I was even more surprised to see a few other nude wolves inside waiting to be seen.

"Oh my Goddess, what happened?" I heard a feminine voice say, and I looked up to see a nurse rushing towards me, her eyes filled with worry. She locked in on my wound, immediately ushering Darrel and I over and into a separate room.

"She was attacked by a rogue wolf," he informed the nurse, gesturing for me to take a seat on the cot placed in the corner of the room. "She'll need some stitches, and is it okay if we get her a long sleeved top to wear too?"

The nurse nodded, passing me a handful of tissues and exiting the room in a hurry, mumbling to herself with concern.

"Alpha Roman will want to see you as soon as possible," Darrel said. "My guess is that he'll come straight here if he's not busy."

"As long as he doesn't force me to stay," I mumbled, sitting on my hands after wiping at my wound, attempting to make the movements look casual.

"He would never do that. He's a fair man, but just don't say anything that will piss him off, okay? He doesn't take disrespect well."

"Noted," I mumbled, my body seizing up at the sound of voices outside after a few minutes, one of them causing my eyes to widen, goosebumps arising on my skin.

It was cold in here. I needed those clothes.

"He's here," Darrel stated, standing up straight and clasping his hands in front of him, offering me a small reassuring smile.

Anxiety raced through me, my heart pumping loudly from within my chest. I was going to keep my mouth mostly shut and let Darrel do the talking. Surely the Alpha wouldn't want much from me? He just wanted to see me for himself so he could judge if I really was a threat or not. I clearly wasn't.

The door was pulled open, and I watched with shock as an extremely tall brunette man walked into the room, his nostrils flared slightly as his piercing green eyes landed on me. Our eyes locked in on each other, neither one of us wanting to break contact.

I all but forgot how to breathe as he studied me, my fingers and toes tingling as I took in how incredibly beautiful he was. He furrowed his thick brows as his eyes dropped to my bleeding shoulder, his hands balling into fists as he took a deep breath.

The world felt as if it had completely stopped - as if nothing else mattered. His scent consumed me, wrapping itself around me and almost choking me to death with how satisfying it was. I wanted more of it.

No, no. This wasn't supposed to happen.

"Get out," Roman ordered Darrel with a husky and authoritative tone, his voice causing my mouth to part on its own accord, a shudder running through me. It was sexy.

Darrel looked confused and taken aback, but he didn't complain, exiting the room quickly and shutting the door behind him.

Alpha Roman stepped closer to me, my whole being longing for him, as if an invisible string had been tied between our chests, pulling us closer and closer.

"My mate," he spoke, crouching down in front of me, his tanned body leaning closer as I attempted to control my breathing.

I shook my head. "No, I can't be."

Roman didn't seem to like my answer, and he sighed, looking hurt. "Please don't say that. You're my mate." His jaw flexed. "What's your name?"

"Scarlett." The word slipped out of my mouth before I could stop it, and Roman raised his eyebrows.

"Scarlett," he repeated, my name rolling off his tongue causing me to gulp. It sounded so good coming from his mouth. "My name is Roman."

I had almost forgotten that I was naked, but I spotted the way Roman's eyes darkened as his gaze travelled over me, causing me to stiffen.

"Who did this to you?" he asked, looking furious as he honed in on my shoulder.

"A rogue," I breathed quietly, willing for my voice to come out strong and confident, but my wish had not been granted.

"Here are your clothes," spoke the nurse as she barrelled her way through the door, causing Roman to shoot to his feet in front of me, his hands splayed out on the cot protectively. They were so close to my thighs - mere inches away.

Roman quickly relaxed, removing the top from the nurse's hands. I took it quickly, pulling it over my head, happy with the way that it was far too big, covering my hands but also exposing my injured shoulder so the nurse could take a look without me moving.

"Give her some pain medication," Roman demanded of the nurse, having noticed my wincing when I attempted to shrug on the top. She immediately nodded, getting to work on my shoulder, Roman crouching down in front of me again, gazing at my face. "Don't look at what she's doing. Just focus on me."

I took a deep breath, my shoulder extremely uncomfortable from being prodded and poked, but it was easy to ignore as I looked at the Alpha in front of me. His jawline was incredibly sharp, a light dusting of stubble coating it.

He looked a little older than me, perhaps three or four years, but it was hard to tell. His shoulders were broad, and he was incredibly muscular, his hands and arms covered in intricate tattoos.

"What were you doing all alone in the forest?" Roman asked me, his hand dangerously close to my leg. It looked as if he wanted to touch me, but I could tell that he was hesitant.

"Um, it's where I live," I stated.

"You don't have any family?"

I shook my head, swallowing.

"What's your last name?"

I paused. I didn't have one.

Roman opened his mouth as if he wanted to ask more, but he didn't, noticing my solemn expression.

I was in deep trouble here. Right now, Roman thought I was an average wolf, but I knew the second he found out I was gifted, he would either turn me in or kick me out. Having a gifted wolf within the pack would make them a huge target, and he would receive a hell of a reward for handing me over.

"It's okay," Roman told me, cocking his head and biting down on his lip as a perplexed expression appeared on his face. "Let's just get you fixed up."

Roman was my mate, but that didn't change the fact that I couldn't stay here. I needed to leave if I didn't want to get caught, but I knew he was never going to let me.

Gaining his trust as a normal wolf was the only way out. Then, I could run like hell.