Chapter 4: Last Straw

Nephele's POV

The cold bit deeper than any wolf's teeth as I staggered through the underbrush, my blood trail glowing faintly silver where it touched the frost, guiding me deeper.

The sounds of pursuit had faded hours ago, but that meant nothing. Magnus wouldn't give up.

My foot caught on an exposed root, sending me sprawling into the dirt.

For a moment, I considered not getting up. What was the point? Where was I even going?

Get up. Keep moving. Survive.

The voice in my head sounded like Fidelis. My brother, who had slipped me a silver dagger, knowing this day would come.

I pushed myself upright, wincing as fresh blood soaked through my torn dress. The birthmark's glow brightened rhythmically now, like it was answering some distant call.

The light drew my gaze toward a cluster of tall tree. Between them, a cave entrance yawned black beneath moss-crusted boulders.

Something about its too-smooth edges made my skin prickle, but exhaustion drowned suspicion.

I crawled inside, collapsing against walls that smelled of old frost and something sharper—like winter apples left to ferment.

The comparison triggered a memory I couldn't grasp, lost as darkness swallowed me.

Sleep came in fitful bursts, interrupted by pain and cold.

Halfway through the night, I jolted awake, a scream dying in my throat. In my nightmare, Magnus had chased me with a glowing syringe, promising to drain every drop of my blood.

I've never thought I'd end up like this... Wolfless me, more vulnerable than even a regular human.

No shifting ability, no enhanced senses, just a strange glowing mark.

Mom's lessons echoed in my mind: "Wolfless surviving in the wolf world have only two paths – find a strong protector, or learn to endure humiliation."

But I'd chosen a third path... escape.

Dawn brought voices.

"—Wolfless scent!"

My blood turned to ice. I pressed deeper into the shadows.

"Are you sure?" another voice responded. "We're close to Sovereign territory."

A harsh laugh. "I know a Wolfless scent when I smell one. They fetch good coin in the black market."

Three ragged werewolves appeared at the cave entrance. Rogues who answered to no Alpha, no pack laws.

My gaze darted around the small space, searching for anything useful.

In the corner, sprouting from a crack in the stone, was a cluster of pale blue flowers with silver-edged leaves. Moon shadow herb – a plant that irritated werewolf senses.

"Come out, little Wolfless," the leader called. "We won't hurt you... much."

I carefully gathered the herbs, crushing them in my palm as I listened to them drawing closer.

"Seriously, Varg, this is risky," the third man said. "What if it's a trap?"

Varg sniffed the air. "Wait... this scent... she's from Sovereign Pack."

"Sovereign?" The second man sounded surprised. "That's Alpha Magnus's territory."

"More interesting. Alpha Magnus doesn't let his pack members wander alone... unless..."

He suddenly laughed. "You're a runaway, aren't you? A Wolfless fugitive!"

My heart hammered against my ribs. In desperation, I tried bluffing. "The Alpha of Sovereign Pack is hunting for me. He won't forgive anyone who harms me. Do you want to incur an Alpha's wrath?"

They laughed. "If an Alpha is hunting you, then you're a runaway. And you reek of fear, little Wolfless."

As they closed in, I crushed the moon shadow herbs completely, sending the powder into the air.

The effect was immediate.

All three began sneezing violently. "It's Moon shadow!"

I bolted past them, out of the cave and into the forest.

Behind me, I heard the terrible sound of bones cracking and reshaping as Varg shifted to give chase.

I zigzagged between trees, leading my pursuers through silver-leaf plants. The powder clung to their fur, temporarily overwhelming their sense of smell.

Their howls of frustration told me my plan had worked, but it wouldn't last long.

A small stream appeared ahead. I plunged into the icy water, gasping at the cold but forcing myself to wade upstream. Water would wash away my scent trail.

For hours, I followed the stream, my feet and hands numbing from the cold. Only when I could no longer hear any sounds of pursuit did I drag myself onto the opposite bank, shivering uncontrollably.

What felt like miles later, I stumbled upon a charred campsite. I scavenged half a loaf of stale bread, a torn cloak, and a small broken knife.

As I huddled there, voices approached. Two men in Sovereign Pack uniforms walked by.

"Alpha's ordered a territory-wide search for the escaped Luna."

My breath caught.

"The bounty's been posted: one thousand silver coins for capturing the Wolfless traitor alive."

"Wolfless? I never understood why Alpha married a Wolfless as Luna."

"Heard it's because of something special in her blood..."

My blood? What could possibly be special about my blood?

I waited until they passed before continuing my journey, their words haunting me.

The terrain gradually opened to scrubland. In the distance, flickering lights drew me forward.

What I saw froze my blood.

Around a bonfire, rough-looking werewolves drank and caroused while emaciated Wolfless were chained to stakes, crawling on all fours, begging for scraps.

The largest werewolf, clearly their Alpha, raised a crude goblet. "To the wilderness law! The strong rule, the weak serve!"

The others echoed: "Flesh for the taking! Wolfless for slaves!"

I watched in horror as an escapee was dragged back for "entertainment."

As I backed away, a branch snapped beneath my foot.

All heads turned, eyes gleaming in the firelight.

The Alpha's nostrils flared. "I smell... fresh Wolfless scent!"

Two werewolves shifted instantly, bounding toward my hiding place.

I tried to run, but my exhausted legs betrayed me. They caught me easily, dragging me into the circle.

"Look what we caught!" one announced proudly, throwing me to the ground at their Alpha's feet.

The massive Alpha roughly grabbed my chin, turning my face to the light. "A lost little Wolfless?" He sniffed. "She smells of... an Alpha."

He tore my shoulder, exposing my birthmark which gleamed silver in the firelight.

His expression changed instantly. "This is no ordinary Wolfless. This is a Star-marked one!"

Murmurs spread. "Star-marked? Isn't that just a legend?"

An old rogue elbowed forward. "Saw a carving like that in Alpha Magnus's vault—" The Alpha silenced him with a backhanded blow.

The Alpha grinned wickedly as he grabbed my arm. "Where did you run from, little star? Which Pack knows you bear this mark?"

An older werewolf sniffed me. "She has a powerful Alpha's scent on her..."

Alpha's excitement grew. "Valuable cargo! You'll bring me great fortune."

He dragged me toward a stone cave. "Let's get better acquainted, little star-bearer."

As he shoved me roughly into the cave entrance, I knew what would happen next. I would rather die than become what those other Wolfless had become.

My hand slipped into my boot, feeling for the small charm Fidelis had given me alongside the dagger. "If you're ever in mortal danger," he'd whispered, "break the seal."

While the Alpha turned for liquor, I activated Fidelis's charm. It emitted a blue light, forming Northwind Pack's symbol before fading.

Fidelis, if you still remember I'm your sister...