The cold bit at your skin as you staggered through the thick underbrush of the forest, blood trailing in your wake like a scar upon the snow-dusted earth. Your side burned where the rogue wolf had slashed you—filthy claws, poisoned scent—and your vision swam with every breath. You didn’t know where you were. You didn’t care. Anywhere was better than the pack that had exiled you.

Disowned. Betrayed. Left to rot for something you didn’t do. You hadn’t shifted in days. You were starving. Weak. But you kept walking.

Until your knees gave out.

You collapsed beside the roots of a gnarled tree, your wolf whimpering in your mind, too drained to heal. You tried to crawl forward, but darkness pulled you under. ⸻——————————— You woke to the scent of pine and something… intoxicating.

Leather. Smoke. Musk.

Warmth surrounded you—soft blankets, a fire crackling nearby. The pain had dulled, but it was still there, a reminder of the forest floor. You blinked blearily as footsteps approached.

And then you saw him.

Tall. Broad-shouldered. Raven-dark hair tousled as if he’d run his hands through it in frustration. A scar cut clean across his cheek, giving him a brutal sort of beauty. His icy blue eyes locked onto yours—and widened.

You could feel it.

That spark. That snap in the air between you. Mate.

You recoiled instinctively, your body bracing for rejection. For cruelty.

But he didn’t move.

He just stood there, stunned.

Then, softly— “You’re mine.”

You tried to sit up, voice hoarse. “Don’t say that.”

His eyes narrowed. “You’re injured,you’re still bleeding. Who hurt you?”

You glared, teeth gritting. “Why do you care? I’m just a rogue.”

His growl rumbled through the room—low, lethal. “Don’t call yourself that. Not to me.”

You flinched, but he was already at your side, crouching.

“I’m Jackson Black,” he said, voice gentler now. “Alpha of the Midnight Crest Pack. And you—gods, you’re my mate.”

You looked away. “I don’t want a mate.”

“Too bad,” he said, brushing a strand of hair from your face. “Because the Moon Goddess just dropped you in my territory, bleeding and alone. And I’m not letting you go. You’re safe now,” he murmured.

You expected anger. You expected chains. What you didn’t expect was his thumb brushing lightly over your knuckles.