Chapter 2

I couldn't even snag a proper resting spot for Shawn yet, so I had to stash him temporary-like in the healer's ward.

It killed me, but I forced my feet to turn, heading back to the house Shawn and I used to share.

Rifling through the old storage bin on autopilot, my fingers hit a folder tucked in the back.

Inside was a bond-shattering agreement, already scratched with Joseph's signature, plus a vow scrawled like ironclad law.

Shawn had shoved it at me months back, my eyes bugging out like I'd seen a ghost.

"Joseph's too wild, sis—his kind of love's a rollercoaster with no brakes. I don't want you crashing. Told him straight: if the fire's out for Gina, set her loose."

The papers were their bet, him and Joseph, high stakes, no take-backs.

I could picture it clear as day: Joseph signing with that cocky grin, betting the pack he'd never fold.

The folder crumpled in my fist like it owed me blood.

Once I'd lined up a plot under the pines, I clutched those papers and marched to the nearest law office.

The old wolf behind the desk took one look and waved me off like bad news. "Sorry, Gina. can't touch this."

My face froze mid-breath. "Can't? What's that supposed to mean?"

He wouldn't even meet my eyes. "Just... can't help ya, hon."

I bit my lip bloody and stormed out, hitting the next spot down the strip.

Same song, different howl: "No dice. We're out."

My temples throbbed like war drums.

No way every law wolf in Galathia Town was too chicken to cut me free from Joseph!

I'd barely cleared the door when my pocket buzzed, Joseph, of course, sniffing out the drama.

"Gina, quit the tantrum. Without my nod, no one's touching that scrap of nothing." His voice dripped easy mockery, like we were swapping barbs over brews.

I clenched my fists till my nails bit skin, rage boiling in my veins. "Why fight it? I'm handing you Zoe on a platter—shouldn't you be howling at the moon?"

But before he could fire back, Zoe's voice purred through the line. "Joseph, time for your centering breath."

"Right there, love." He flipped soft as butter—just like that.

Then, cool as ice, back to me: "Gina, we've run this trail together long enough—you know my enemies, the wolves who'd chew me up for scraps. Cut you loose? You'd be lucky to see sunrise. Shawn pulled me from the fire once; for that, and the old trails we blazed, even if the spark's gone... I'll keep you safe. Count on it."

Click. Silence.

I stood rooted, his words looping like a bad dream.

Acid burned my eyes; all I could do was laugh—bitter, broken.

We'd howled through storms side by side, and it boiled down to pity? Old favors?

Screw that. I didn't need his scraps.

Nails gouging the wall till they snapped, I snarled through gritted teeth.

No way I'd stay bound to the wolf who got my brother slaughtered!

I spun on my heel, set to grab Shawn from the healers and bolt.

But as I hit the hospital steps, my phone screamed again.

"Gina—bad news! That she-wolf Zoe? She swiped your pup's remains!"

Blood turned to ice in my veins. I shook so hard I nearly dropped the damn thing.

I gaped, mouth working, but no sound came.

"Heard her yapping on a call—something about the old warehouse up the road!"

"Thanks," I choked out, slamming the call and hailing a ride straight there.

I'd just hit the warehouse edge when it started—thwack, thwack—the sick rhythm of metal on meat, pounding into my ears.

My boots glued to the dirt; my chest seized like a trap.

Then I bolted, stumbling blind toward the noise.

The door flew open, and the sight hit me like a freight train—a raw, ripping scream tore from my throat, echoing off the rust and shadows.