Chapter 2

Georgina's words rang in my ears, chilling me to the bone.

"Kill her," she had said, her tone casual, as if she were ordering a meal instead of my death.

The two men stepped forward, their expressions unreadable but their intent clear. Panic surged through me. My body reacted on instinct. I turned and bolted into the forest, my bare feet pounding against the ground as the scent of pine and earth filled my lungs.

Branches scratched at my arms, and the cold night air bit into my skin, but I didn't stop. Their footsteps were close behind, the sound growing louder with each passing second.

"You can't run forever, Bella!" one of them shouted.

But I had no intention of stopping.

The forest was dense, and the moonlight barely filtered through the canopy above. My wolf, weakened from the emotional blow of Cole's rejection, struggled to surface.

I begged inwardly, Come on. I need you now.

But there was no answer. Rejection had shattered our bond, leaving me vulnerable and alone.

A sharp crack behind me sent a jolt of fear through my veins. I darted to the right, weaving through the trees, my breath coming in ragged gasps. I stumbled on a root and fell hard, the impact knocking the air from my lungs.

Before I could scramble to my feet, a heavy hand grabbed my arm and yanked me upright.

"Gotcha," one of the men sneered, his grip like iron.

I thrashed wildly, kicking and clawing, refusing to give up. My nails caught his cheek, drawing blood, and he cursed, loosening his grip just enough for me to break free.

I ran again, this time heading for the river I knew lay just beyond the trees. If I could make it there, I might be able to lose them.

The sound of rushing water filled my ears as I approached. Without hesitation, I plunged into the icy current, the cold stealing my breath. I swam as hard as I could, the water pulling at me like an invisible hand.

The men shouted behind me, their voices fading as the current carried me downstream. When I finally dragged myself onto the opposite bank, I collapsed, shivering and gasping for air.

As dawn began to break, I staggered through the unfamiliar forest. My body ached, and my mind was a whirlwind of emotions-fear, anger, heartbreak.

Cole's rejection played over and over in my head. His cold eyes. The way he had dismissed me without even hearing my side.

How could he believe Georgina over me .

The pain of betrayal cut deeper than the icy water or the scratches on my skin. I had lost everything,my mate, my pack, my home.

But I wasn't going to let it end here.

I needed to survive.

A distant sound broke through my thoughts,the rhythmic beat of hoofbeats. My body tensed as I crouched behind a tree, peering cautiously toward the noise.

A figure emerged on horseback, regal and commanding. The rider's aura was unlike anything I'd ever felt before-powerful, intense, and impossibly magnetic. As he drew closer, I caught sight of his piercing golden eyes that seemed to see straight into my soul.

The Alpha King.

His gaze locked onto mine, and I froze, unable to look away. Something deep within me stirred, a spark that refused to be extinguished despite everything I'd endured.

"You're injured," he said, dismounting with effortless grace. His voice was deep and authoritative but held an undercurrent of concern.

I opened my mouth to speak, but the words caught in my throat.

"Who are you?" he asked, his tone gentler this time.

"Bella," I managed, my voice trembling.

The King's expression darkened, and a low growl rumbled in his chest. "Bella," he repeated, as if tasting the name. Then his eyes softened, and he extended a hand toward me.

"Come," he said. "You're safe now."

I hesitated, torn between trusting this stranger and running again. But something in his gaze told me he wouldn't harm me.

As I placed my hand in his, a strange warmth spread through me, igniting a spark of hope in my shattered heart.