When I showed up for work the next morning, Jody immediately socked me in the face. My face began to swell at her attack. "Out, wretch! Go away! I don't want you back!"

That hurt far more than I was anticipating. Jody was my walking nightmare, but at least she was familiar. I returned to my cabin and decided to do laundry. The machines were in the main housing units, so I packed everything into a bag and walked over. The air was crisp with darkness and the infrequent streetlights made the day more ominous than normal.

The lobby doors were unlocked, but the lights were still dark. I started a load and sat down in one of the white plastic chairs. The loads took 34 minutes. At around 3 a.m., I had little concern that someone would see me; only the guards would be awake, and they wouldn't be doing laundry. I pulled out my small medical kit and long bandage strips. I examined the day-old burns and smeared clear gel across them. Then, careful with my sore shoulder, I wrapped the bandage around my forearm, starting at the wrist and working my way up to my elbow and back down.

By the time I was done, I switched laundry and began my second load. The milk-soiled black shirt made the memory resurface. I quickly started the load and sat back down. I took a deep breath, trying to stave off a panic attack—again. Soon, I found that my exhaustion compounded with pain and fear and I was gasping for air that never seemed sufficient. I put my head between my knees, using a trick that one of my auntie's taught me. Breathe. Breathe. Breathe.

After a few minutes, I was able to tune in to the hum of the washing machine and slow down enough to get a hold of myself. Today was the Hunt. There was nothing I could do to stop it.

I cursed my weakness.

When both loads were finished, I loaded them together into a dryer and pulled out the book I was reading. Once my clothes were dried, I put them back in the bag and headed back up to my house. It was still hours before the pack woke up. Two hours did little the warm the air. Thankfully, the bandages around my arms provided an additionally layer of warmth and the bag at my back was radiating heat from the dryer.

Once I was home, I unpacked the laundry, folded it, and put it away. Then, I began the tedious task of washing and braiding my hair. With my shoulder, it took considerably longer than normal, but I was grateful for the time. At six, I decided that I would go to breakfast. I hadn't eaten the day before; breakfast escaped me, lunch was spent serving the alpha and I missed dinner. I needed food in my system, especially because of the Hunt. Surely Jody wouldn't deny me my last meal?

Last meal? Last meal before I shifted, I corrected.

As I exited my cabin, I found several men standing outside, posted at various points around the small building. When they saw me, they rapidly surrounded me, and I nearly retreated back into the house.

"Come with us," they said sharply. I nodded as we walked up to the alpha's house. As my footsteps echoed on the marble steps, I realized that it was too late. I didn't shift.

Ever since I was twelve, I was convinced that I was going to shift. But, for some reason, I didn't. I knew that I should have been panicked, but something inside me had broken. I was exhausted. I wanted nothing more than to sleep and sleep for a long time. For the past seven years, so matter how long I slept, I never felt more rested.

They led me to the alpha's house. Instead of going to the main room, the fighters brought me to a side room. Irritation flooded me. I didn't want to go here; I wanted to get this over with. I wanted breakfast first, actually. I pushed it down. Maybe my irritation meant that I was going to shift.

Before I could adjust, I found myself in a dressing room, women swirling around me with clothes and makeup. I recognized their scents.

"Hi," I croaked for the first time in a year.

My voice sounded truly awful. None of them changed their course. Maybe they didn't hear me.

"Hi, Helen. Margie, Mama May, Sarah Beth, Carol. It's me." Margie met my eye and then glanced away.

No one wanted me.

The realization hit me like the alpha's ring-clad fist.

I wasn't a disgrace. I was a disease.

Before I knew it, I has been changed into a red dress that came only a few inches below my waist. It was sleeveless and my bra had disappeared somewhere. Carol began applying blush to my cheeks.

I was twelve and had come back from the Full Moon Ball. Most of my friends had shifted, but I hadn't. Carol sat beside me and carefully wiped the tears off my cheek. "Honey," she whispered. "There's always a reason. You'll shift. You may just be a late bloomer. I didn't bloom until I was thirteen. Thirteen! You'll be okay, baby."

Now, Carol brushed my cheeks, holding back her fear and disgust. I let them decorate my face, knowing that it would never matter again.

I had hoped to shift. I was convinced I could shift. Now, I would have to run. Helen handed me a pair of long white gloves. I put them on, covering the long bandages. As if they were a secret.

Finally, Mama May knelt and slid heels onto my feet.

When I was six and my ankle was killing me. Mama May slide my cleats off and her warm hands gently handled my swollen foot. "It hurts," I said. I held back tears; I was strong. "Honey, sometimes pain is part of the game. Did you have fun?" I nodded. "Well, until I hurt my foot." She smiled warmly. "Well, sometimes it's the fun we've got to focus on, huh?"

Tears flooded down my face, but I avoided their gaze. Once the heels were on, the women left the room. I took a deep breath.

I had to run. I could make it to the border.

The humiliation fueled my determination.

I began to plot my course. I had no food or water, so I would have to be conscientious. Once I was out of pack lands, I was a human. No one had ever shifted after twenty-one. I'd find a town, find a job. I would do this.

I stood and almost toppled in the heels. I ripped them off. This was the beginning of my rebellion. A full-sized mirror stood in front of me. I looked in, confused and angry at what I saw. My face was caked with makeup, covering the fresh bruise on my cheek. The dress covered the bruise across my back and the long gloves covered my zebra arms. Why?

I took the shoes in my hands and set them in the chair. I wasn't playing the alpha's game.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door, and a fighter walked in. He handed me a note.

I looked around and carefully opened it. Take the overpass route. Your way will be clear. Trust me.

"Time to go. You will see the alpha before your hour begins."

I nodded. My brain tried to process that note. The alpha had cleared a path for me to escape? Why would he do that? The overpass route was one of the closest ways to exit the pack land. Yet, the exit was through a narrow strip of raised land. If I ran into a werewolf there, I would be stuck.

Did I trust him?

I walked in step behind the fighter. Finally, we entered the throne room. The ceilings were high and open. The air was chilly.

It was cold out. And this was all I was wearing. The gloves were silky, which made gripping anything difficult. I knew I would need the warmth, though, especially as I made my way through human territory to find some semblance of society. If I could find a road, I might be able to find a town.

Or a human would think I was a prostitute.

I slowly made my way to the front of Alpha Maximus's throne. Instead of keeping my eyes down, I stared brazenly at my alpha. My bare feet slapped against the marble floor. They were already ice cold.

The beta of Cedar scoffed when he saw me. He looked at my alpha, shocked and confused. The alpha had eyes only for me. Charlotte stood over his shoulder, glaring in jealousy.

"Alpha. You cannot seriously expect to conduct a Hunt with her dressed like this?" the beta of Cedar asked incredulously. "At least give her some tennis shoes and pants." The room was packed full of people lining the walls. The fighters were all there, eager for their attempt to hunt me.

Maximus ignored him. "Ditched the shoes, did you?" I didn't answer. "You will have one hour to leave pack lands. If you fail to leave, the first wolf to get to you has claim over you and can do to you whatever he pleases. Understood?" I nodded. "Then, according to my power as alpha I officially—"

"Apologies for my delay, Maximus," a deep voice asked. "What is your name?"

My heart began to pound as I whirled around to see who had spoken. I felt as if my insides had been liquified and turned into golden sunrise. He radiated power and authority, yet his eyes were the deep, kind green of the trees around us. My jaw fell open.

"Naomi," I said. My voice was still a bit weak.

"Look at me," my alpha commanded. My head turned and filled with clouds of confusion. What was happening? "I officially begin this Hunt. Run."

I blinked a couple of times before sprinting toward the door. I cast every other thought out of my head. Escape. Find a road. I sprinted outside and began running toward the overpass route.

Alpha Damien closed his eyes as his desire crashed over him. Eric looked at him in confusion.

"Alpha, are you alright?" he asked.

Damien snarled and leapt at Alpha Maximus. Maximus took a step back. "Whoa, there wolfie. I did not mean to start the Hunt without you. Calm down. We have an hour to relax. You are, of course, free to join in the Hunt as our guests."

"Who. The hell. Was she?" Damien grit out. He was tall, muscular, and dangerous. Like his beta, he wore a suit, tailored to fit him perfectly. He poked Maximus hard in the chest, causing him to lose his balance and topple into his throne. He crossed his legs, as if he meant to fall back.

Eric raced up behind Damien and yanked him back. "Alpha?" He looked him in the eyes and saw that his dark green eyes had brightened and were almost white. He stumbled back. "Her?" he asked in confusion.

Damien growled and began walking to the door.

"Oh, Damien, Damien, Damien," Alpha Maximus said sadly. Damien whirled on him. "You cannot leave this room. Your presence confirms your partaking in the Hunt. Anyone found leaving before the hour is punishable by death. This is an old magic at work."

Damien snarled and paced in front of the door.