Chapter 3

AVA

The rogue was watching me.

I felt its eyes before I saw them, glowing faintly in the shadows as I trudged back toward the pack house. My heart slammed against my ribs as I froze in place, gripping my bag like it was some kind of shield.

“Who’s there?” I called, my voice shaking despite my best efforts.

No answer. Just the crunch of leaves under heavy paws.

I took a step back, my legs trembling. My wolf, weak as she was, stirred uneasily in the back of my mind.

Run, she whispered.

I didn’t need to be told twice.

I bolted, my feet pounding against the forest floor as I darted through the trees. Branches clawed at my skin, and my breath came in ragged gasps, but I didn’t dare look back.

The growl came next—low and guttural, too close for comfort. I pushed harder, my lungs burning as the pack house came into view through the trees.

“Help!” I screamed, my voice barely carrying over the sound of my frantic footsteps.

But the house was dark, its windows lifeless.

I stumbled into the clearing, falling to my knees as the rogue burst from the shadows behind me. Its teeth gleamed in the moonlight, its eyes glowing with a strange, otherworldly light.

I threw up my hands, bracing for the inevitable.

The impact never came.

A blur of black fur slammed into the rogue, sending it sprawling. I gasped, scrambling back as the two wolves clashed, their growls filling the air.

The second wolf was massive, its movements fluid and precise as it overpowered the rogue with ease. I watched in stunned silence as it delivered a final, devastating blow, leaving the rogue lifeless on the ground.

The black wolf turned to me, its eyes piercing and intelligent. For a moment, I thought it might attack me too, but then it shifted.

And there he was.

Logan.

“What the hell are you doing out here?” he demanded, his voice low and furious.

I couldn’t speak. My heart was still racing, my mind struggling to process what had just happened.

“You’re welcome, by the way,” he snapped when I didn’t answer.

I found my voice, shaky as it was. “I-I didn’t ask for your help.”

Logan’s jaw tightened, and for a second, I thought he might explode. But then his gaze softened, just slightly, as he looked me over.

“Did it hurt you?” he asked, his tone quieter now.

I shook my head. “No.”

He exhaled, running a hand through his hair. “You shouldn’t be out here alone. It’s dangerous.”

I bristled at his tone, the same condescending arrogance he always used with me. “I can take care of myself.”

He scoffed. “Clearly.”

Before I could respond, another figure appeared—Landon, his face pale and drawn.

“We’ve got a problem,” he said, glancing between me and the rogue’s body.

Logan’s expression darkened. “What kind of problem?”

Landon hesitated, his gaze lingering on me.

“I’ll explain later,” he said finally. “Just… get her inside.”

Logan turned back to me, his eyes narrowing. “Come on.”

I hesitated. The last thing I wanted was to follow him anywhere, but the look in Landon’s eyes told me this wasn’t the time to argue.

Reluctantly, I stood and followed Logan toward the pack house, my skin prickling under his silent scrutiny.

Back inside, the house was eerily quiet. Logan led me to the living room, where the others were waiting—Liam sprawled on the couch, Lucas leaning against the wall, his arms crossed.

Their gazes snapped to me the moment I entered.

“What’s she doing here?” Liam asked, his tone dripping with disdain.

“She was attacked,” Logan said curtly.

Liam raised an eyebrow. “And you saved her? That’s cute.”

“Shut up,” Logan growled, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Liam held up his hands in mock surrender, but his smirk didn’t fade.

Lucas, as usual, said nothing, his sharp eyes watching me like a hawk.

“What happened out there?” Logan asked, turning to Landon.

Landon shook his head. “It’s not just rogues. Something’s… wrong with them. They’re stronger, faster, and—”

“Corrupted,” Lucas finished quietly.

The room fell silent.

“What does that mean?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

All four of them turned to me, their expressions unreadable.

“It means you’re in over your head, Omega,” Logan said finally.

I glared at him. “I didn’t ask to be here.”

“No,” he agreed, his eyes darkening. “But you are. And now, you’re our problem.”

The words stung more than I wanted to admit.

Landon cleared his throat. “We need to figure out what’s causing this before it gets worse.”

“Agreed,” Logan said, his gaze never leaving mine. “Starting with her.”

My stomach twisted. “What does that mean?”

“It means you were out there when the rogue showed up,” Logan said. “And I want to know why.”

I didn’t have an answer.

But as I lay awake in the guest room they’d shoved me into, the weight of their suspicion pressing down

on me, one thing became clear:

Whatever was happening, I was in the middle of it.

And I wasn’t sure I’d survive.