I keep remembering when I stormed through the forest, my heart pounding as hard as my feet hitting the ground. I was shocked to hear the chorus of shouts calling my name—"Selene!" "Little Bit!"—echoing behind me, but I didn’t stop. I wouldn’t stop.

I needed to run. I needed to escape before I fell apart again.

The memory of our fight swirls in my head—Leo’s anger, Aaron’s frustration, Ryan and Ethan’s confusion, Devin’s disappointment. They were so mad. And worse? The looks on their faces when they saw my scars, the bruises. As if I was broken. Damaged.

It was just like I knew it would be. They would try to protect me now—but where were they before?

The weight of the past presses on my chest. That stupid f*cking motto they live by: Survival of the fittest. They threw it around like a joke during drills—taunts to make each other push harder. But they never realized that others were listening. They didn’t understand the influence they had, how people followed their lead without question.

They teased each other, thinking it was all harmless fun. But no one else knew it was just that—fun. They didn’t realize it was teaching others that it was okay to let the weaker ones fall behind, to leave them to fend for themselves.

They didn’t realize it was teaching people like Stacey that no one would stop her.

I throw off my covers and sit up in bed. I won’t find peace here—not with my mind spinning and the memories pushing me toward the edge.

I rub my hands over my face and glance at the clock. 3 AM. Perfect time for a run.

"Ready to let me out tonight?" My wolf’s voice hums in my mind, low and playful.

Finally, I think. It’s been a while.

"Hanging out with those boys has kept us busy. But you know what you need, and I’m here for it. Let’s run."

She feels like an old soul—a cool aunt that encourages bad decisions just to let you learn the hard way. She’s saved me more times than I can count but also let me make my share of mistakes. Back then, it was broken bones from practicing new moves. Now, it’s harder to heal what’s broken.

I slip on my running gear and tiptoe through the house, careful not to wake anyone. I don’t know if the guys stayed out partying or if they’ve gone home. Either way, it doesn’t matter. I can’t let myself care about them anymore.

I have to let them go.

When I reach the edge of the forest, I sit to pull on my running shoes. No shifting yet—someone might hear me. The transformation isn't quiet, and I can’t risk anyone noticing me out here alone. Not yet.

The night air is cool against my skin, and I secure my ponytail, wrap the straps of my little backpack around my waist, and start jogging. With every step, I push thoughts of Stacey and the guys out of my mind, letting muscle memory take over.

How does Stacey always know where I am? She tracks me down no matter who I’m with. If it’s not the twins, it’s Ethan, Devin, or Leo. And then the attacks follow, like clockwork. I wish she’d be stupid enough to come at me during training. Then I’d have a face to fight back against, someone to blame.

But Stacey’s smart. Too smart. She never leaves evidence. No scent. No camera footage. Just bruises, pain, and whispered threats.

Stay away from my men, she always says. As if they belong to her. As if they ever did.

The memory stokes my anger, and I push my legs harder, forcing my muscles to burn. I need to feel the pain in my body so it can drown out the pain in my heart.

An hour passes, and I fall into a steady rhythm—until my wolf senses a presence closing in.

"Someone’s following us." Her voice sharpens. "Left—flanking, but slow. Right—there’s a second one."

I sniff the air but can’t catch a scent. They’re downwind. Whoever it is, they’re not trying to be stealthy.

Stupid or intentional?

I’m hoping it’s the first. But then, like they’ve manifested from my thoughts, six familiar figures step out from the shadows. My friends.

Even Kylie is with them, her worried gaze locked on me.

I grit my teeth and push harder, ignoring the ache in my legs. I can’t let them catch me.

They’re all too stubborn to give up. If I stop, they’ll want to talk, want to fix things. And I can’t. I won’t.

Shift. It’s the only way to lose them.

"Are you sure?" My wolf’s voice is hesitant. "They’re trying, Selene. They care."

They didn’t care before. They don’t get to care now.

I push my wolf forward. Let’s go. Full throttle.

"Got it."

I take a deep breath, counting down.

One... Two... THREE!

I leap into the air, giving my wolf the time she needs to take over. My bones crack and twist, and my body reshapes mid-air. Dark fur ripples across my skin, my nose lengthens, and I land on all fours, powerful and fast. My shredded clothes scatter on the forest floor, forgotten.

The wind rushes through my jet-black fur as we sprint, faster than ever.

Behind me, I hear them.

“What the f*ck? Since when can she shift?” Ethan shouts.

“And how the hell is she shifting mid-run?” Aaron growls, frustration lacing his voice.

Leo’s anger bleeds through. “What else has she been hiding from us?”

Good. Let them wonder. Let them stew in their confusion. They don’t get to be angry with me—not when they ignored me for years.

We push harder, gaining ground. But my wolf... she falters. She doesn’t want to run from them. She slows, giving them a chance to catch up.

No. Don’t stop. They can’t be part of this. It’s safer for everyone if we keep them away.

But she ignores me, her instincts pulling us toward them. She slows to a trot and turns to face them as they fan out in a loose semicircle around us.

Leo steps forward first, his eyes filled with frustration and something else—something I can’t quite name.

“Selene, please,” Devin’s voice whispers through the mind link. "We just want to understand. Talk to us."

I bare my teeth, warning them to stay back.

Ryan steps forward next, hands raised in surrender. "We didn’t know, Selene. But we know now. And we’re not leaving you."

My heart twists painfully at his words. Why couldn’t they say this before?

Aaron drops to the ground, sitting cross-legged like he’s ready to wait forever. “This is your favorite spot, isn’t it? I smell you here every time I run the route.”

I whip my head toward him, stunned. He noticed?

Kylie slides down beside him, smiling gently. “Come on, Selene. We’ll stay out here all night if we have to. But you’re not getting rid of us that easily.”

I shift uneasily, my wolf's longing mixing with my own. They shouldn’t be here. They shouldn’t care. But they do.

“Let’s head to the fire pit,” Kylie says softly. “We’ll talk there. No pressure.”

I hesitate for a long moment, my wolf stirring with hope.

And then, slowly, we follow.