I knew better. I should have known better!

But you had no choice... you had to cross pack territory or else they'll never stop chasing. They were so close. So close to you. We don't want to go back. Never! Never go back!

Free.

Freedom.

Safety.

My heart was pumping so much blood through my body that I wasn't sure it was out of fear or out of violence. My eyes blurred with anger and ears droned out all noises. There were so many unknown scents around me.

Danger!

Fear and anger roared through me. I only had one thing on my mind and that was to keep Liam safe. He was all that I had left. My only family. I would die before anyone could take him from me. We got this far already. No one would touch him. If these bastards refuse to let us go, I'll kill them. I'll kill them all.

Without nothing else but the survival skill to kill, I lunged and attacked anything within sight. I felt warm liquid underneath my claws and paws, and I knew it wasn't all for nothing. My efforts would get us out of here alive.

Don't let them pin you. Don't let them get a chance to pin you.

Saliva dripped down from my jaws. I don't care how I looked. Even if I looked like a rabid dog who has lost all of her sanity.

Then something changed.

Was it the air?

I felt a unique aura. A powerful presence that threatened me. Something that both made me want to obey and chase after it. That was pure insanity. Why would I want to chase after something unknown to me? It scared me more than anything. I wanted to run more than anything, but these idiots wouldn't let me go.

"Stop!" A commanding sound radiated the air.

But I didn't think. I couldn't think or hear. All I knew and understood was fear and running. I snarled and lunged at the nearest body.

Suddenly, everyone stopped and pulled back. It confused me. Were they going to let us go? The only reason I took Liam in this direction was because it was the quickest way to lose them. Those rogues wouldn't come after her when there was a pack that threatened their strength. It was too much. It would have given Liam and I enough time to find a different place. A different place to call home.

Not understanding what was happening but not letting down my guard, I growled and crouched, ready to find an exit. My eyes scanned the group of male werewolves until it landed on one. My heart hitched and my breathing stopped.

Sweet lord above, he was gorgeous.

A pair of the lightest blue eyes—the palest of nature. It reminded me of those days when Liam and I would look up at the sky and make out animals with passing clouds. Calm and lost. His dirty blonde hair flew all over the place as if he had been running for miles.

My eyes dipped lower and admired every curve and dip of his throat down to chiseled body. I've seen nothing like him. A whimper from Liam pulled me back to reality. What was I doing? I dropped my guard for a second there.

The unknown male examined the situation before it fluttered back to me. Then he started in my direction. Shit, I have the sudden urge to run but the glint in his eyes. I couldn't back down. No! Not with him. I have to stand my ground. I would not let him see I was inferior to him.

The circle opened, allowing him to pass. Another wave of dominance clogged the surrounding air, and I almost choked at how powerful it was. An Alpha and my fear doubled. Shit! Not another Alpha. I can't. Not like this. My skin crawled with awareness with each step he took closer to me. I wanted to run. Run so bad, but Liam was no longer by my side.

Then he stood before me. So close that I could smell his spice, masculine musk. God, my entire body reacted. I felt my fur bristled, and I fought the purr that was fighting its way up my throat.

"Shift," he commanded.

Oh god. Even his voice.

His command was loud and clear. Every fiber in my body demanded that I obey, but I would never bow down to an Alpha again.

Never.

I fought the urge. My head bowing slightly, but my entire body shook. Both my mind and body were not in sync.

Then he did something.

His jaw ticked.

If he was angry with me, he didn't let it show in his beautiful eyes. They were still as clear as sunny days.

"I said shift," he snapped.

Fuck you, I roared in my mind.

Somehow I ended up growling instead. I dug my claws into the earthy bedding beneath my paws. I fought his command so hard that my entire body was shaking. My muscles screamed for me to let go. To allow the Alpha to take over. To protect me. To just let go entirely. Yet my mind was unwilling. I will never bow down to an Alpha again.

Never again.

I snarled my anger towards him.

I thought he would get angry and lash out. Hit me or kill me. Either shift and attack.

He did nothing, though. He only continued to look at me. A flash of surprise and awe flickered in his eyes before it disappeared. So quick that I swear I imagined it.

My mind was losing the battle. My muscles were screaming so loud it ached. I think I got a cramp just fighting the command.

Then he did something that completely bewildered me.

The beautiful male before me dropped onto his knees. His shoulders relaxed. His hands resting on his thighs and his facial expression softened.

Suddenly, it was too much. Too much emotion. I think I preferred him the other way around where he wasn't showing anything. This pulled me in faster. My heart was reacting in a way that I couldn't control. I think I'm having a heart attack.

"I am asking you to shift," he said in a softer tone.

I continued to stare at him. Not heeding his commands or what he was asking. What was it he wanted from me? Was he trying to lure me into a trap? I don't trust any of these fuckers. I needed to get Liam and run away. Run far away from everybody. I snarled again, letting that anger fuel my disobedience.

The male didn't react at all to my outburst. It was as if he didn't hear a thing. He gazed at me, and I didn't know what else to do.

"I won't hurt you. I just need you to shift. Change back," he assured.

I couldn't hold on to it anymore. The little strength I had left. We had been running all day and the lack of food made my knees give out. I dropped onto the ground and slowly, my body shifted.

When I felt my human self again, the man grabbed the hem of his shirt and yanked it off before pulling it over my body swiftly. It covered all the important parts of my body.

When he stepped back, I looked up at him, still wary of his actions, and hugged my body. I felt expose in my human form. It's been so long since I shifted. So long since I felt human. Now, I felt unprotected. Not safe. So, I wrapped my arms around me.

My body shook on its own. The lack of food was getting to me. Exhaustion falling over me quicker than nightfall. I looked around me one more time. Saw how everyone stared at me like I'm some weird creature that they have never seen before. Finally, I faced the inevitable. I looked up at the male who has his scent wrapped around me. The warmth of his t-shirt seeping through my skin. Warming me and offering me a strange strength that I've never felt before.

"Mine," the male whispered and our gaze collided. It held a possessive tone and my body shivered for a whole different reason.

One word.

One little word.

It shouldn't do anything to me, but I could feel my entire body responding. I clenched my teeth and dug my fingers into my side. I can't lose myself. The painful digging of my fingers reminded me that life was cruel. People were cruel.

Suddenly, Liam's little growl pierced the air. My eyes snapped to him. He bit a male werewolf's hand. The strange male cursed loudly and shook his hand free of Liam.

Liam came bounding towards me, and instantly, I shielded my brother from everyone. Hiding him behind my back. I stood up on my feet and my muscles protested. My legs shook, but I stood up. It's been so long since we had a good meal.

I snarled and peeled my lips back. Inching back. Looking for another exit. My eyes darted all over the place. The circle of werewolves didn't come any closer, but they weren't letting me go anywhere. Instead, they followed me. With each step I took back with Liam, they followed us.

It was clear they would not let us go. Did they mean to keep us prisoners?

Liam hid behind me, shivering. And instinct takes over.

I grabbed him by his arm, and we pivoted and ran.

I heard him shouting.

He ordered his guards back, but I could hear at least three people pursuing me. Liam tripped over a rock that was sticking out of the ground and he fell. I bent down and swooped him up. He was a heavy boy, even if he was slightly malnourished. However, fear gave me the adrenaline to pick him up.

We made another ten more yards before they surrounded us. I whimpered because I had failed. I dropped Liam to stand next to me. He clung and buried his face into my side.

"We won't hurt you," he said.

They inched closer with their palms raised, but the stiffness in their body told me differently. They were on their guard.

The olive eye male stood there with calculative eyes. He looked past me to his other buddy before his eyes returned to Liam.

No one was going to take him from me! I wrapped my arms around Liam tighter.

"You can trust me, little one." he continued.

I snarled my response. I flashed my teeth and glared in his direction. Like hell, I would believe him. He was an Alpha. I could feel it. I just know it. No one could command the way he did earlier and not be.

If they were going to take us, they would have to get through me first. I launched at him. Ready to claw his eyes out. His eyes widened a fraction before he snapped out of it and grabbed a hold of my wrist. Quickly spinning me around until my back was pressed to his front. His arms tightened around me. Keeping me locked in. I kicked and screamed.

"Stop."

Never.

"Stop it now. You are safe, little one. I promise," he whispered into my ear. His fiery breath fanning my ear and the side of my neck.

I could hear Liam growling and fighting the other two. I watched out of the corner of my eyes as they controlled Liam but not hurt him. Still, I fought. I fought through the tingles that spread through my body. I fought the strong masculine musk that wrapped around me like a safety net.

Then I felt pressure at the back of my neck. Suddenly, unconsciousness slipped in and I couldn't stop myself from slumping against his body.

"You're safe."

No.

I'm never safe.