Chapter 1: The Price of Freedom

The cold night air stung Selene Vaughn's skin as she stumbled through the dense forest, her breath coming in ragged gasps. Moonlight filtered through the towering trees, casting silver beams on the damp ground, but she had no time to admire its beauty. She was running—for her life.

Behind her, the howls of wolves echoed, a cruel reminder of the pack that had cast her out. The Nightfang Pack, once her home, had turned against her in an instant. Accused of a crime she didn't commit, betrayed by the very people she trusted, she had no choice but to flee.

Her heart pounded as she pushed forward, ignoring the burning ache in her legs. She could still hear Damien's voice in her head—her former mate, the man who had promised her forever but had chosen power over love.

"You are no longer welcome here, Selene. The pack rejects you."

She clenched her fists, forcing away the sting of those words. They had banished her, left her to fend for herself in the wilderness, knowing that rogues didn't survive long. But Selene refused to die.

Then, a new sound reached her ears—the deep growl of a predator.

She froze.

A massive figure emerged from the shadows, his golden eyes glowing like embers in the dark. Alpha Kieran Blackwood.

Selene's breath hitched. Everyone knew his name. He was the feared ruler of the Shadowmoon Pack, a ruthless leader who never took in outsiders, especially not exiles like her.

And yet, he wasn't attacking. He simply stood there, watching her with an unreadable expression.

"You're trespassing," he said, his voice a low rumble.

Selene forced herself to meet his gaze. "I had no choice."

A slow smirk curled his lips. "There's always a choice, little wolf. The question is—are you willing to pay the price?"

Her pulse quickened. She knew what kind of deals Alphas like him made. Dangerous. Unbreakable.

But she had no pack. No future. No home.

And for the first time in her life, she was willing to make a deal with the devil.

"Name your price, Alpha."

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