Chapter 3

The forest welcomed me with open arms.

Three days had passed since I'd walked away from the Moonstone Pack—from Benjamin. My body still ached from the mate rejection, but each day the pain dulled a little more. Luna, my wolf, had grown stronger with every mile we put between ourselves and our past.

"These boundaries need to be marked," I murmured to myself, kneeling to examine the ancient oak that had once served as a territory marker for my family's land. "It's time to reclaim what's ours."

The morning sun filtered through the canopy, casting dappled light across the forest floor. This land had belonged to my family for generations before I'd given it to Benjamin. Now it was mine again—along with the responsibility of protecting it.

"We can do this," Luna encouraged within me. "We're stronger alone than we ever were with him."

I nodded, rising to my feet. The eastern boundary stretched along the neutral forest that separated our territories from the Lycan lands beyond. I needed to run it, mark it as mine.

I stripped off my clothes, folding them neatly against a tree trunk. The shift came easily—my bones cracking and reforming as fur sprouted across my skin. Within moments, Luna and I were one, a sleek silver wolf racing through the underbrush.

The freedom of the run was intoxicating. No Alpha commands, no pack politics—just the wind in my fur and the earth beneath my paws. I'd barely gone a mile when another scent hit me—powerful, masculine, and distinctly Lycan.

I skidded to a halt, hackles rising.

A massive black wolf emerged from the trees ahead, his amber eyes fixed on me with an intensity that made my breath catch. He was enormous—easily twice my size—with an aura of authority that radiated from him like heat.

*Lycan Prince,* Luna whispered within me. *Alexander Patterson.*

I'd seen him once before, years ago at an inter-pack alliance meeting. He'd been intimidating then, but seeing him in wolf form, in his own territory, was something else entirely.

"Easy," a deep voice resonated in my mind—not through the pack mind-link I'd grown accustomed to, but somehow more primal, more intimate. "I'm not here to challenge your run, Luna Olivia."

He knew who I was. Of course he did. The rejection ritual would have been felt by all supernatural beings in the region.

"I'm Alexander," he continued, his wolf form circling me slowly. "And you're on neutral ground."

I shifted back to human form, not bothering with modesty—Lycans weren't known for their prudishness. "I wasn't aware the Lycan Prince had taken an interest in border patrol duties."

He shifted too, and I forced myself not to stare at the magnificent specimen of masculinity before me. Tall, broad-shouldered, with those same intense amber eyes in his human form.

"I've been keeping an eye on the eastern territories," he said, moving closer with deliberate slowness. "There's been... disturbance."

The way he said it made my skin prickle. He meant the rejection.

"My business is my own," I replied coldly.

"Of course." His voice softened. "But if you need protection from any pack disputes, my territory offers sanctuary."

Luna stirred within me, suddenly alert in a way I hadn't felt since... since before Benjamin. *He smells like safety,* she whispered.

"I don't need protection," I lied.

Alexander's lips curved into a knowing smile. "Everyone needs protection, Olivia. Especially after what you've been through."

Something in his tone—respectful, gentle—made my defenses waver. He moved closer, and I caught his scent: pine forests after rain, mountain air, and something wild that called to my wolf.

"I'm Alexander Patterson," he said formally, extending his hand. "And I'd like to offer you my protection—should you ever need it."

Before I could respond, a sharp pain lanced through my head—Benjamin, forcing his way into my mind.

*Olivia! Where are you?* His voice was harsh, demanding. *You need to come back. The pack needs its Luna.*

I flinched, my hand flying to my temple.

Alexander's expression darkened. "He's still contacting you."

"It's nothing I can't handle," I said through gritted teeth.

But even as I spoke, more messages bombarded me.

*This tantrum has gone on long enough. You are MY Luna. MINE.*

*The elders are concerned. The pack is unsettled.*

*Come back, Olivia. We can work this out.*

Alexander's voice cut through the assault. "He has no right to force his way into your mind after a rejection."

And he was right. The rejection should have severed that connection completely.

"He's getting... creative," I admitted.

As if to confirm my words, a howl echoed from the direction of my territory's border—not just any howl, but one carrying Benjamin's unmistakable Alpha tone.

"He's stationed warriors at your borders," Alexander said grimly. "He won't accept the rejection."

Another howl joined the first, then another. Benjamin wasn't just refusing to let go—he was escalating.

"Olivia," Alexander's voice was low, urgent. "This isn't going to stop unless you—"

A sudden pressure built behind my eyes as Benjamin pushed harder into my mind.

*COME BACK NOW!*