Chapter 3

Summer POV

A knock came at the door. I barely left my room since Dad grounded me. I’d only seen him a handful of times since then. From what I overheard, the borders weren’t stable, and they were expecting an attack. I used to love stakeouts and a good ambush. I wouldn’t be doing any of that anymore.

“Come in,” I said.

Marcella strolled into my room. She grimaced for a second before turning her smile back on.

“Darling Summer, I have good news.”

“You do?”

“Yes,” she grimaced again.

I battled my giggle. The stench of damp wood was getting to her. I got used to it and the occasional rat visitors.

“You don’t have to make dinner tonight!” She clapped her hands.

“Are you going out?” I asked.

“Yes… We are.”

We? Marcella barely included me in family issues. I was her husband’s daughter, but I was as good as the maid around here.

“Where are we going?” I asked, slipping my legs off the queen-sized bed.

Marcella walked around and stood under the window. “To the winter lodge, twenty minutes out of town for the shift. The girls and I always have our shifts out there. It’s more tranquil than the wild out here.”

“Oh, that sounds cool. When do we leave?”

Marcella touched her chest, tipped her head back and laughed. “Oh, honey. The girls and I leave before the sun sets. We would love to have you, but of course, your condition is unfortunate.”

I nodded. Of course, she just came down here to taunt me.

“Well, you guys have fun. Is Dad going with you?”

“Of course. We do it as a family.”

Another reminder that I was an outsider.

“All right, Marcella. Have a nice shift.”

Marcella grimaced at the walls before smirking at me. “Maybe next time, right?”

I bit my tongue and nodded. She cussed all the words in the dirty dictionary the second she was out of the basement. I contemplated calling my Mom, but I wasn’t supposed to. This was my first shift since the incident. The hours went by, and I listened as the house emptied.

I went upstairs when the sun was completely gone. I longed for the moonlight on my skin and the cool night air zipping across my skin. I opened the back door and sat on the step, gazing at the sky. I was dumb, but what if it could happen?

I closed the door. Most homes belonging to high-ranked members were connected to a forest. I reached deep within myself and called a familiar friend. Either I was clouded by hope, or there was something there. I waded through the forest, getting as much of the moonlight as I could. I read that moonlight had healing properties in the right atmosphere.

Howls burst into the night one after the other. My heart ached, and every ounce of hope I had died. I was being a fool. I didn’t turn, though I kept walking. I would never get used to this life—being human. The howls turned to barks and bodies beating against the ground.

“That doesn’t sound good,” I whispered.

A wolf fight played out mere minutes from me. I backed up. If I were found, I was toast. The fight grew gruesome. A wolf howled in severe pain. I thought he was dying, then his paws hit the ground. I turned and ran. I wouldn’t outrun them, so I had to be smart. I ran in circles, scattering my scent.

I bolted into the house and slammed the door. I let out a sharp breath.

“You.”

I snapped my head up. I swallowed.

A naked man marched into the kitchen. Heat rushed to my face. The man draped in tattoos and bronze skin glared at me.

“What are you doing here?” I squeaked.

“I should be the one asking you that.” He closed the gap between us, and his body slammed against mine, pinning me against the door. His hand wrapped around my neck. I dug my nails into his flesh, but he didn’t flinch.

“You’re with Red Claw, aren’t you?” He sneered and tightened his hold.

“Screw…you,” I rasped.

“Ezra,” Dad barked.

“What?”

“Put her down. She’s my daughter.”

His hold loosened, and I dropped to the floor. I held my neck and glared at him.

“You have an eighteen-year-old daughter?” Alpha Ezra asked.

Dad shrugged, “Twenty, but yes.”

Blood pooled out of Dad’s shoulder and dripped on the floor.

“Dad, you’re hurt.” I rushed to him.

He waved me away. “I’m fine. Go to your room.”

“Your wounds are deep; let me help.”

He held a first-aid kit in his hand.

He growled and stomped to the dining room.

“Were you attacked?” I turned to Ezra.

He chuckled, “I still don’t trust you. How long have you been in my pack?”

“Summer!” Dad bellowed.

Great, now Ezra knew my name. I hurried to the dining room. He thrust the aid box at my chest.

“Keep your mouth shut,” he hissed.

“What?”

“Let me do the talking,” he ordered.

“Yes, Sir.”

Ezra marched into the room, now wearing black pants, but his tanned, sculpted abs were on full display. He had to have been close to a decade over me.

“Make it quick, Summer,” Dad ordered.

I poured the antiseptic on the cotton and, without warning, brushed it over the wound. He growled, his wolf nature coming through.

“Why didn’t you tell me about her?” Ezra asked.

I kept my gaze on the open flesh.

“She hasn’t been here long. I had more important things to worry about,” Dad grumbled.

“You know, everyone who passes through my pack has to come through me. As your daughter, she has to swear loyalty to me, too.”

Dad chewed on his bottom lip and turned away. “Even if she’s not staying?”

My heart slammed forward. He was sending me away?

“Doesn’t matter. I’m expecting her tomorrow at the packed house. Got it?”

Dad growled, “Yes, Alpha.”

“Good. I’ve got things to check out.”

We remained in silence until Alpha Ezra walked out. Dad burst out of the chair and cursed.

“What was I supposed to do? I didn’t know you would be here?” I asked.

“No, where are Marcella and the girls?”

“Gone. I wasn’t invited.”

“Fuck Summer. You should have gone with them. Do you know what it means to swear loyalty to a new Alpha?”

“I say a few words, it stings a little, and it’s over? I won’t have to hide anymore either.”

He ran a hand down his face. I’m guessing that wasn’t correct.

“You’re not a rogue, Summer, you’re a fugitive, and when Ezra finds out, he’s obligated to hand you over. You know the penalty, sweetheart.”

“It wasn’t even my fault.”

“You'd better hope you’re not caught tomorrow.”

“How?”

“You’ll get the mark of a fugitive.”

Dad marched up the stairs. What happened months ago wasn’t my fault, but I still had a target on my head. Ezra was already suspicious of me, and a fugitive mark would send me straight to hell.