After being left in the woods for dead I awoke to find that the Rogue King was no where to be seen. When I rolled to my side I realised that I had been shackled once again in a silver chain by my left ankle.

"Fucks sake" I said.

God I hate these bastard things. I had been beaten once again and with nothing to pick the lock i was cut off from my wolf and my healing abilities again. I was just a human now with no strength or supernatural senses. When I looked to my left I found my best friends body had been left along with me. Pulling Liam to my chest I held him against me. I was never one for hugging my friends but Liam was different. We had been brothers since we could crawl and to see how his life had ended will haunt me for all of my days.

"This was not the ending I had hoped for you brother" I whispered.

All these years I had defended him and offered only loyalty and friendship. In the end though I had failed him by not protecting Anya like I should have done. After wiping away a few stray tears I decided that Violet would not befall the same fate.

No.

I would not allow it!

After I spent an hour digging Liam's grave I finally lay him to rest. Crouching down to the dirt which now covered him I scratched the dirt into the palm of my hand and made him a promise. If it was within my power do so, I would do all I could to bring down this Rogue. For Liam, for Anya and for my pack's fallen brothers. I stood and said my final goodbyes.

Turning around I scanned the forest.

Still nothing.

They must have left completely. After all, I had not seen or heard a living soul since I awoke. It would have been better if i had my wolves abilities to sense my enemy but without it i had to trust my gut instinct. My gut was telling me I had no time to waste. Violet was in danger and the Rogue King was looking for her. I knew he had plans to attack Alpha Demitri's pack and that would not be as easy as Bloodstones downfall had been. That meant that I had time to find Violet and keep her safe before travelling to RedFang and joining Trevor and Demitri in the fight. I decided to make a start by going in the direction Violet had left me on the day she turned her back from me. I hobbled a few paces and had to lean against a near by tree to catch my breath.

They really had done a number on me. Without medical attention or my wolf's healing ability I doubt I would last long enough to even reach her. I walked for almost five hours without stopping until I could take no more. I sat down by a stream and took a few mouthfuls of water from the cup of my hand. I was dehydrated and starting to feel sleepy but I had to keep moving. I'm not sure what help I could be to her in this state. In fact, I'm sure she would be the one protecting me. But she needed to know what danger she was in. On shaky legs I rose to my feet whilst leaning on a tree for support. My breathing was ragged and my sight was blurred. Shaking my head to throw away my mind fog and tiredness I continued my journey.

Within a few minutes I heard snarls in the distance a couple of paces behind me. The sounds were coming from werewolves that much I could gather. I closed my eyes and slumped to the floor, completely drained. It was obvious that the Rogues had chased me and I was now going to meet my end.

Looking up to the sky I told Liam that I would meet him soon.

I heard a few more growls before some whimpering and one or two necks breaking. Scowling, I sat up and continued to scan the forest in front of me.

What the hell was that?

Were they fighting over who was going to kill me?

"Unbelievable" I scoffed.

Out of no where one by one three dead fully grown male wolves were thrown in my direction and fell at my feet. Their killer however had yet to reveal themselves. I heard the sound of someone shifting and readied myself.

Out came a man who looked to be around my own age. He had blonde hair and was well built. He carried a presence that I knew all too well. His ranking was high and this was no Rogue wolf.

"I have been tracking you Beta Alec" he exclaimed

I nodded too tired by this point.

"I can see that, but why"?

"I came upon your scent a few hours ago. I also noted that you were chained in silver and had not been aware of the three wolves here who were tracking you".

I was shocked. So I had been followed then?

"Who are you"? I asked

"I am Matthew Riley, Beta of the RedFang pack. My Alpha is under the impression that you were the cause of Bloodstones defeat and had ultimately turned rogue". He pointed at the true rogues by my feet.

My mouth dropped open and i tried to protest but he cut me off with a raised hand.

"No need to explain Beta Alec. If you were a threat you would not have been held hostage and running away in a silver chain without your wolf to rely on".

I sighed and leaned my head against the trunk behind me. I was completely zapped of energy so thank god no explanation was needed.

He bent down towards me.

"How long have you been running"? He asked as he pulled out a small pocket knife and started to pick the lock of the chain round my foot. I was unconcious and held hostage for quite a few days but no need to go into details...

"I am not running I am trying to warn a friend of mine that she is in danger".

"And who is your friend"? He questioned.

"Violet Hayes, I believe she was one of your old pack members" I clarified.

He stilled.

"I too am looking for her. My Alpha wants her to return to the pack for her saftey".

My eyes went wild and I caught his arm so he would look at me directly and not the chain.

"She cannot return to RedFang, those who infiltrated our pack are the same people who are going to attack yours.

They pretended to be survivors from an Eastern pack and when we took them in they did nothing but sow hate and discord".

He thought for a moment before the penny dropped.

"The siblings"?

I nodded.

"Wait, if they are already at your pack then my other pack members must not have made it there like planned. Did you see a Gamma named Trevor"?

He shook his head.

"In that case they must have been caught on their way to us, I am sorry Beta Alec for your loss".

I let out a howl of anguish just as Mathew removed the chain and threw it into a nearby bush. I stood on shaking legs and came to the horrifying conclusion that I was now the last warrior alive in Bloodstone pack. Beta Matthew rose to his full height, his expression remorseful. Placing his hand upon my shoulder he offered me support and comfort as I wept for my sisters and brothers. The very thought of our women and children being slaughtered as they ran sent me into a frenzy of hate.

"I need to return to my Pack and inform my Alpha of this" he said.

I shook my head slowly.

"No, I am in now condition to protect your Luna right now. You must do what your Alpha asked of you and find Violet but keep her safe. I myself will go to RedFang and inform Alpha Demitri of their betrayal".

Matthew looked conflicted.

"I must warn you Beta Alec, If you go to see my Alpha, I doubt you will get a warm welcome. After all, all of RedFang currently believes you turned Rogue. It would be suicidal to step into his territory".

I laughed sarcastically.

"Don't worry about me Matthew, I won't be giving Alpha Demitri a warm reception either". My eyes held a meaning I didn't think he would understand but he grabbed a hold of my arm to prevent my leaving in the direction of his pack.

"Violet is the rightful Luna of RedFang pack, he is her mate and they had mated right before I had left to find her. You would be wise to conceal your feelings for her with him around".

God, he was astute. I had known him all but five minutes and he could see my love for Violet.

Mated?

How could that be? He must be mistaken.

Hardening my eyes I nodded and tried to not show the surprise i felt at his statement.

"Good luck Beta" he said before shifting into his sandy coloured wolf and continuing his search of the woman I loved.

The same woman who was apparently mated now?

But if she was mated, why was she not with him then?

Straightening myself i began to feel my wolf stirring and my senses returning. I sniffed the air and noted the path leading towards RedFang, straight towards the Alpha who was my rival in every way. But for the survival of our race and for Violets safety I would have to swallow my pride.