Tara's heart stopped.
She turned her head sharply and saw her.
Ayla,
Tara blinked, thinking she was dreaming.
But no. There Ayla stood, her long hair messy from training,
her eyes—those stormy blue eyes—looking at Tara with something almost close to concern.
"I heard something," Ayla said, stepping forward. "I thought it might be a rogue, but…it's you."
Tara tried to stand but failed, then gave up. Her shoulders shook as she cried. "I messed everything up."
Ayla knelt beside her.
Even after everything that had happened between them, Ayla didn't hesitate. She wrapped her arms around Tara like she wasn't planning to hurt her, as though they hadn't been avoiding each other since Landon started showing interest in Tara.
"I couldn't stop it," Tara whispered. "We mated, and he rejected me. It hurt so bad, Ayla. It still hurts."
Ayla was quiet, fingers lightly brushing Tara's back. "You did what you had to do."
"But why does it feel like a part of me is missing?"
Ayla didn't answer.
She just held her closer, like a sister would.
But her jaw clenched the longer she hugged Tara.
Tara pulled back a little, looking up into Ayla's face. "I'm so scared." she whispered.
Ayla's expression softened, but there was something in her eyes that didn't feel right.
She smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes.
"You don't have to be scared," she said. "You did what you had to do.I'll help you."
Tara swallowed, still unsure. But she leaned into Ayla, her friend who had always been there for her. Always. She could trust her, couldn't she?
The next morning…
Ayla was waiting for her outside the small cabin, the one Tara had been hiding since she had been rejected. Ayla's eyes were sharp, calculating. She'd never looked at Tara this way before. Tara noticed, but pushed the feeling away.
"You need to get out of here," Ayla said, her voice low. "The pack is searching for you. the longer you stay hidden, the worse it is going to be. The pack would never let you leave peacefully."
Tara flinched. She didn't want to think about Landon or the pack . She just wanted to forget, to escape.
Ayla stepped closer, her voice softening. " I know a place, far away from all of this. You'll be safe there. We just need to get you out of the pack's territory."
Tara hesitated, the urge to run and disappear pulling at her. Ayla was right —staying wasn't an option. Not with Landon's family searching for her, not with the pack watching her every move. She would never be free here.
With a heavy heart, Tara nodded. "Okay, Take me there."
Ayla smiled —brief, but real. She helped Tara pack what little she had, and together, they made their way into the woods.
As they walked, Tara noticed how quiet everything had become. The usual sounds of the forest were missing. She felt uneasy, but Ayla soft voice kept her calm
"you'll be safe here. We're almost there," Ayla said, her hands holding Tara's Tightly.
Tara nodded, her mind full of thoughts. This was it. This was her chance to disappear, to break free of the bond. But as they walked deeper into the woods, a sense of dread began to settle in her stomach. It felt wrong. Her wolf was telling her something was off.
When they reached a clearing, Ayla stopped. Tara looked around, confused. There was nothing here. No shelter, no safe haven .
"What is this?" Tara asked, her voice shaking.
Before Ayla could respond, there was a loud noise behind them. Tara turns around, her heart skipping a beat.
A tall, imposing figure stepped out from the trees. He was a rogue.
Tara's blood ran cold. "What is this? What's happening?"
Ayla stepped forward, her eyes cold. "You think I was going to let you go free?" The words hurt her more than they should.
Tara's stomach dropped. "You…set me up?"
Ayla's smile was wicked, sharp. "You think I'd let you ruin everything? You're a threat. To the pack. To me. I've worked too hard to let you spoil my plans. Landon is mine, he has always been mine."
Tara stumbled back, trying to run, but the rogue was faster, grabbing her with so much strength.
"No!" She screamed, by the time she screamed, it was too late. She was already gone.
Ayla stood watching, her face unreadable —but there was a dark satisfaction in her eyes. Tara was gone for good —taken by those watching her all along.
At the silver moon pack, Landon was losing his mind.
His mind kept going back to Tara —the moment he pushed her away, the bond he broke himself. He told himself it was for the pack's sake. That she'd kept too many secrets. That he just couldn't trust her.
His father was growing annoyed, "Landon, enough. "You need to focus. the pack needs you. They're pressuring me to find a solution, which is marriage. You need to marry Ayla. It's the only way."
Landon shook his head. "I can't. Not after everything. Not after her."
The Alpha's expression darkened. "You have no choice, son. The pack's future depends on this marriage. Ayla would strengthen our bloodline. This is what is best for everyone, including you."
Landon felt the weight of his father's words, but that did not stop him from thinking about Tara. The rejection still haunted him. He was torn —stuck between his duty and what he felt. And slowly, as the pressure built, his resolve started to crack.
Ayla stood by his side, looking happy, which was something he didn't understand. She had played her cards well, keeping her composure and now, with Tara gone, she was his only option.
Landon swallowed as he finally nodded. "Fine. I'll marry her. But not because I want to. I'll do it for the pack ."
Ayla's smile was all teeth. Her plan was moving exactly as she wanted.