Chapter 2

Quinn bowed to her mother Katherine and her father Derrick as she adjusted her backpack straps. "I''ll be back in about four days."

"I heard from Delilah that you''re heading to the Wounded Moon Pack. Do you know the way?" Derrick asked.

"No, but the pack members who do will be leading us."

"Good. Come back in one piece, then spend some time with us."

"I will."

"Bring Giovanni too."

Quinn chuckled, trying to hide the sadness in her eyes. "I will, Dad. I will."

She glanced at her little sister and with trembling fingers ruffled her red hair. "Behave while I''m gone, Delilah."

Her voice cracked—she felt betrayed but couldn''t let it show.

Delilah twisted her fingers together, grinning ear to ear. "I''m always good. Come back soon and bring me meat."

"I will if I have time. For Mom too."

Katherine looked at her daughter with cold eyes—the same coldness that had been there for months. "There''s still meat in the fridge from your last hunt. Save your time for something else."

"Mom, I—"

Derrick chuckled, throwing his arm over Quinn''s shoulder and leading her away from the others. "Don''t mind her. Just go, sweetheart. I''d love some deer meat."

Quinn smiled at her father''s words. "Alright, I''m heading out now. Take care of them while I''m gone."

He nodded, and Quinn walked off to meet the pack members waiting at the border. Her mother had grown distant ever since Quinn became luna of the pack.

Maybe she was disappointed that Quinn never became the beta she''d originally trained to be. But her father supported her no matter what. He was a good man—the best.

He always said Mom would come around eventually, but Quinn didn''t think it was possible. Her eyes had changed, even her voice was harsh now. Maybe someday she''d really come around.

Sighing, Quinn nodded to the head warrior, Jeo''s gamma Cannon. "Ready?"

"Yeah, everything''s set. Weapons are packed. Henry''s carrying them for now—we can switch the load between us on the way."

Quinn glanced at Henry, who had already shifted into his beautiful gray wolf. A supply box was tied to his back with rope. "Alright, let''s go. Lead the way, Cannon."

She took one last look at pack territory before reluctantly crouching and shifting into her silver wolf. For some reason, her wolf was whimpering in her chest like it was afraid to leave.

She felt the same way. God knows what would happen between Jeo and Delilah while she was gone, but she''d been assigned this mission. As luna, she had to see it through.

But a day in, Quinn felt like she couldn''t complete the mission. Anxiety made her skin crawl, and when night fell, her eyes were red with tears though she couldn''t figure out why she was crying.

Her wolf was clawing at the mental barriers in her mind, and Jeo''s mark on her neck burned constantly. She felt like she was dying, and somehow it was connected to Jeo—it had to be.

Quinn rubbed her eyes as she stared back toward home. The campfire in front of her consumed the wood just like pain was consuming her heart. It was almost crippling. She felt... "Hey Cannon." She turned to Jeo''s gamma sitting beside her. "I think I need to... I think—"

"Hey Quinn, you alright?"

"I feel sick. I have to go back. I have to go back."

She stood up, but Cannon grabbed her hand. "Sorry Quinn, I was told not to let you return until this mission''s complete."

"Let go. I have to go."

"It''s an order from the alpha."

"And I''m his fucking luna. Let go of me, Cannon. Complete this mission without me."

Cannon looked up at her with confused, uncertain eyes before reluctantly releasing her hand. "You should have stayed. You''re strong, but anyone can break, and I''m sure you will."

Quinn hissed at him as she ran off, shifting into her wolf mid-stride. The pain had lessened but was still there, tearing at her chest. It continued until she reached the pack borders.

It was deep into the night, and the pain suddenly intensified, almost paralyzing her. Her wolf whimpered, collapsing onto its belly. It felt like she was being sliced open from the inside—like she was bleeding, but there was no blood.

Her wolf howled in agony, clawing at the dirt beneath her. The pain was so intense she involuntarily shifted back to human form.

What? The bond was already weakening, but now it felt like it was tearing—forcibly breaking. What was happening?

Naked and weak, Quinn crawled forward, barely managing to stand. She stumbled into pack territory, following loud voices that led her to the meeting grounds. Every pack member stood there, watching something happening on the platform.

Quinn stepped closer, spotting Jeo, Delilah, and an elder in the center. What? Was this a mating ceremony?

Tears streamed down her cheeks as she moved closer, clutching her chest when pain tore through her again. How could he? No—how could they do this to her?

Her mother.

Her sister.

Her own mate.

Where was Dad? Was he part of this too?

How could they? Why would they?

A sob escaped her lips as she pushed through the crowd. On shaking legs, she climbed onto the platform, ignoring the rising noise from the crowd.

Jeo turned away from Delilah, his eyes meeting hers with complete surprise. "Quinn?! What are you doing here?"