Chapter 1 On The Run

My face pressed into the wet, muddy ground, my fingers sinking into the muck. I was in a desperate situation. The monster holding my leg was far stronger than I could handle.

But even in fear, a small spark of determination stayed inside me. I fought back, twisting my body with all my strength to roll onto my back. Seizing the chance, I threw handfuls of mud at his face, which stunned him for a moment.

The stakes were high, and my life hung by a thread. Survival seemed unlikely, and there was no time to pause or catch my breath. I ran against the relentless clock, forcing my aching legs to carry me along the dangerous path in search of safety.

I pushed through the murky waters and navigated debris left by the storm. Every part of my body ached, but I kept moving, aiming for the shelter of a massive tree where I could finally catch my breath and gather my strength.

Suddenly, I heard it-the sound of footsteps getting closer. Each step echoed through the quiet forest, making my heart pound with fear. Panic gripped me-I could feel that something terrible was about to happen. My life felt like it was hanging by a thread.

"We both know you're out of options. Do you really think you can escape me?" he sneered, his voice full of mockery as his eyes scanned the area.

I struggled to catch my breath, hiding behind the thick trunk of an old tree. He was only a few feet away, and I kept moving from one tree to another, trying not to be seen.

His attention shifted when a bird suddenly flew to a different tree.

"Don't test my patience, Sansa," he growled, his voice sharp and threatening.

In that moment, it was clear that Edward Elijah enjoyed seeing me struggle, taking pleasure in my hopeless attempts to escape. He seemed determined to end my life just before the trial, planning to hide the truth with my dead body.

I had never trusted the Oak Pack or their old, strict rules-they felt like a dangerous poison that kept their loyalty in check for generations. Even with Xavier's efforts, the Oak Pack never fully accepted me as one of their own.

Every part of me was bruised, and fresh drops of blood ran down, showing the pain he had caused. Most of the pack didn't know I had escaped or seen the terrible things he had done.

My heart pounded as Edward moved closer, each step bringing him nearer to where I was hiding. I tried to move slowly and quietly, slipping behind a tree, hoping to stay hidden and change my position.

A sharp crack broke the silence as I stepped into the thick underbrush-a mistake I instantly regretted. Edward's sharp eyes found me immediately. Before I could react, his hand shot out and grabbed my neck, lifting me off the ground with ease. Panic washed over me, leaving me unable to even cry out.

"Where do you think you're going?" he growled, his voice full of anger.

My eyes flashed a fierce green, my fangs grew longer, and my claws stretched out-a painful change that showed my life between being human and wolf. But I could never fully shift, always stuck between the two worlds.

"Oh, you weak little bird, you're not one of us," he sneered, enjoying my pain. He wanted my blood and saw me only as his prey and enemy.

"The Oak Pack never lets an enemy escape; that's our first rule," he said, his voice firm.

A desperate urge to scream for help rose in my throat, spreading through my body. But no sound came out as Edward Elijah, the Oak Pack's powerful beta, kept hurting me. The pack was known for being cruel and merciless, and now I was completely at the mercy of their harsh enforcer.

"Isn't it really sad?" Edward shouted, his anger rising. "We accepted you even though you were never truly one of us. And what did you do? You betrayed us!"

My life felt like it was slipping away, every second leaving me struggling for breath. Edward's anger wasn't just against me-it was a betrayal of his Alpha, Xavier. He wanted revenge for the death of his best friend, Levine Ronan, who he believed I had killed-my true mate.

"The guilty will not escape punishment," he muttered, clearly enjoying the thought of hurting me.

Suddenly, a voice cut through the chaos. "Enough," said Adam.

Adam Nigel, another beta, appeared just in time. Edward released his hold on me, giving me a brief moment of relief. I fell to the ground, coughing and struggling to catch my breath.

"What were you doing, Edward?" Adam asked, clearly confused.

"She was trying to run," Edward said stubbornly.

Adam's eyes narrowed. "We're not here to kill anyone."

I watched as Adam knelt down and gently lifted my chin so I could look at him, still struggling to breathe.

"Look at you," Adam said, his voice filled with genuine concern.

Adam looked over my battered body, noticing every bruise and my dirty, bare feet. He seemed to take in everything, trying to understand my pain.

"Why are you doing this to yourself, Sansa? Why are you running if you've done nothing wrong?" Adam asked, his voice full of both confusion and care.

He truly cared about me. He was the only werewolf who had never hurt me, always offering protection from Edward Elijah's attacks.

"Why did you kill him?" Edward's voice broke through the silence, full of anger and curiosity.

Fear surged through me, but I refused to let it control me. I quickly found the courage to respond, using my skill in deception. "Go to hell, Edward," I said, my voice strong.

Even though I was terrified, I kept my brave front. I pushed myself up, leaning on the tree behind me for support.

Edward, full of anger, stepped in front of me, demanding, "Why did you do it?" His voice was sharp and furious.

I ignored his questions, avoiding his intense gaze. Suddenly, he grabbed my hand tightly, stopping me in my tracks. In anger, I pushed his hand away, and he bared his teeth, ready to attack.

Adam quickly stepped in between us, sensing trouble. "Enough, "We're not here to take matters into our own hands, " he said firmly, his voice serious but urgent.

Edward stepped closer, his voice sharp with urgency. "Do you really think Xavier would punish her for her crime? Adam, we need to end this here and now."

"What are you trying to say?" Adam asked, sounding unsure and worried.

"I don't trust Xavier in this," Edward said, his tone full of doubt.

"He is the Alpha," Adam replied firmly.

"He is also her husband," Edward said bitterly.