I felt so much guilt as I ran away from the territory. It was so easy to slip out and lie to everyone. It was so easy for Shayne to trust me and fall into my arms. I left him sleeping in bed while I carefully slipped out from under his nose.

I felt the tears spill over my eyes and a sob escaped my lips. I slowed down my paste when I was sure no one was following me. I was still in my human form since my scent wouldn't be as strong.

I pulled out my cell phone and looked at the time. I had time before Shayne would notice my absence. I had to make it quick or else things wouldn't fall in my favor. I quickly dialed the number I had saved in my contacts.

"Hello?"

"It's Sage," I said. "I-I'm gone. You know what to do now."

I hung up the phone and dialed the next number. Justin answered on the fourth ring. He sounded somewhat sleepy when he answered and I wondered if he had gotten tired of waiting for any call from me.

"Tell Rider I'm here." I said.

I ended the call before he could respond. I started running again and i had about fifteen minutes to get to Imperial territory.

Even being a wolf my legs were burning. This would have been much faster if I were running in all fours. It would also be faster if I would stop zig-zagging while running. My scent would be faint but they will be able to catch it. I needed to lead them where they would attack.

I had an advantage since I used to belong to Imperial. I knew what their weaknesses were. I knew what side they would leave blind. Rider would be too distracted to think about putting up double security.

Once I was close to the border of Imperial I slowed down. I started going around to make sure that guards would leave that spot open. It didn't take long for someone to spot me.

"You there."

I recognized the boy. He as much older now but when I had left he had started as a guard. His name was Aron.

"State your name."

"I don't have time for this crap." I said. "Get Justin and Rider for me, Aron."

Aron stepped closer to me and he almost seemed invisible against the darkness. His brown skin hid him well. His eyes were bright and so were his pearly white teeth. If it weren't for me being a wolf I probably wouldn't have noticed him.

"How do you know my name."

"I used to belong to this pack before you all kicked me out. Six or seven years ago you all kicked me out without giving me quarter."

"What are you talking about?"

"My name is Sage."

"No fucking way."

He didn't know I was coming? Did Rider keep this from everyone? Why would he do something like that? He wanted me back so bad and if he's planning to keep me for himself then...

"I thought you were dead." He said with a dry laugh. "I do remember a search group being assembled though. Maybe that's what it was about."

"Rider didn't tell anyone I would be joining Imperial again?"

"No one knows what the Alpha is always up to but we never question him." Aron said. "You betrayed the pack so why would Rider want you back?"

That sounded like something my mother would have said. These people so blindly believed in Rider. I was forgetting that they didn't know the real reason for me being thrown out of the pack. Rider- that sneaky bastard.

"You didn't know he was looking for me? How could you follow someone that doesn't share what's going on with the pack?"

"He probably just wants to kill you for betraying us." Aron said casually with a shrug.

It amazed me how calmly he could say that. These people really were blind when it came to following Rider. They didn't question him even when Rider was keeping secrets from them.

Being part of a pack and having an Alpha meant that you had to trust they would do anything to protect you. Before I would have believed that Rider only wanted the best for his pack but now I'm sure he's probably just a selfish bastard.

"Well aren't you going to be in for a big surprise." I said.

"If he wants you dead I won't mind killing you now." Aron said.

His eyes narrowed and now looked at me with disgust. He stepped closer to me and tried to look intimidating. Aron was much taller than me and probably stronger.

"You," I said. "Kill me?"

"I'm sure no one will miss you."

Aron took another step and I thought he was going to attack but stopped. A grey wolf stepped in front of him and snapped his teeth at him. Aron growled at the wolf but stepped away. I recognized the wolfs scent and I relaxed a bit. Aron's cold state was on me and I couldn't help the smirk that was now plastered on my face.

"Surprise." I said.

Aron growled at me and seemed like he wanted to lunge at me but then a black wolf casually made his appearance. I knew right away it was Rider. Most Alpha's had black or grey fur.

Rider shifted in front of me and I averted my eyes. I so did not want to see his junk. I rather get stabbed in the eye repeatedly then seeing him naked.

"Leave." Rider said.

I felt a hand on my shoulder and I jerked away. Rider was in front of me with a grin. He wasn't expecting me and he was definitely happy to see me here sooner. I wanted nothing more than to slap that look on his face.

"You came." He said.

"Of course I came." I said bitterly. "You didn't leave me much of a choice."

"I would never hurt you or anyone you love, Sage." He said.

"Bullshit." I called.

"Yeah, I would have probably killed every single one of them while you watched." He said. "I can't let you get away from me."

"You do realize that Shayne isn't going to let me go that easy, right?"

"I could care less about him. You coming alone shows that you were able to slip away. I'm prepared for him." Rider said confidently. "Now let's go, I have plans for you."

Rider grabbed my upper arm and started dragging me away. Justin was still at his side and his eyes were on me. I tried to avoid making eye contact with him.

"Wait." I said pulling out of his grasp. "You can't expect me to just go with you. How do I know you really won't try to kill me?"

"I give you my word." He said. "I have other plans for you. I won't hurt you."

He was being sincere about that much. He didn't want to hurt me but he definitely had other plans. I had my own to follow and I wasn't going to let him get that far.

"First you'll have to catch me." I said.

I threw an unexpected punch at Justin that was enough to have him stumbling back but it didn't hurt. I threw a punch at Rider who easily caught my fist in his hand but I was quick to throw out a kick.

"I hope you didn't think it would be that easy." I said before taking off running.

I heard Rider throwing out profanities and he was soon chasing after me. I untied Shaynes shirt from the back and slipped it off. I put the shirt in my mouth and threw myself in the air. I shifted into my wolf and continued to run.

Rider, Justin, and two other wolves had joined him. Their scents seemed familiar and I figured they were the men that were with him the day he went to Night shade.

All of them were definitely faster than me but I still tried to push myself further. I needed to run as far away from the territory as possible. Everything had to turn out right.

I was tackled down to the ground with Rider pinning me down. He growled at me and snapped his teeth close to my face. I rolled out from under him and shifted back. Rider and Justin shifted back as well. I quickly slipped on the shirt to cover myself.

"Did you think you could get away?" Rider spat.

I was crouched down on the ground and he reached up to pull me by my hair. I cried out in pain and his nails dig into my arm.

"What kind of game do you think you're playing here?" Rider growled.

"Did you honestly think I would come here willingly?" I said, narrowing my eyes. "You're a bigger idiot than I thought."

Rider growled and pushed me down to the ground. My back hit the solid ground and it aging for a moment. I looked up at Rider and then turned to look at Justin.

I got up and sat back on the balls of my feet. My claws were out and dug into the ground. I now had a hand full of dirt in my hand and Rider was moving closer to me.

"Now, Justin!" I shouted.

Before Rider could react I threw the dirt on his face hoping it would fall in his eyes. My sharp claws dug on the side of his face leaving four long marks. Rider stumbled back and cursed.

Justin had already shifted and was fighting with a wolf. One was already dead on the ground. He pale skin glowed with the moon falling down on us. His body laid naked and now lifeless. It didn't take long for Justin to take down the other wolf.

"What the hell do you think you are doing, Justin?!" Rider growled. "Fall back!"

He was still blinking the dirt out of his eyes. The marks on the side of his face no longer bled. They were starting to heal and in less than an hour they would be light pink scars.

"I don't follow you." Justin said coldly.

Rider looked dumbfounded and at any other time this would have been funny but it was no time for laughing. He soon understood what was going on and he didn't waste any time to lash out at me.

I cried out when he actually dared to throw out a punch to me. I stumbled back but still fell to the floor. He was definitely pissed and did not expect his Beta to turn his back on him.

"Kill her." Rider ordered.

"No." Justin said.

"I said kill her!" He growled. "That's a fucking order to you!"

"I told you that I no longer follow you."

"You're no longer his Alpha." I stepped in.

"So now you're going rogue?" Rider laughed. "Don't make me laugh."

"Oh, not at all." Justin was calm. "You fell perfectly into the plan."

If Rider was confused he didn't try to show it. He kept his cold stare on Justin as he moved closer to Rider. By the way he was standing and by how he had his jaw clenched I could tell he was pissed. I bet he was already calling for back up.

"What the fuck are you talking about?" Rider said.

"Isn't it obvious? I Justin Morgan am challenging you for the Alpha Title." Justin said.

"You're fucking kidding me." Rider said, giving out a short laugh. "You think you can take me?"

Justin smiled at Rider before throwing himself at him. They both fell to the ground but were quick to roll away font each other. They both were crouched down in a runners position.

"I know I can and I will." Justin said. "First blood has been drawn. You can't back away now."

I looked at the big gash on Riders bare chest and felt relieved and somewhat scared. Once the first blood has been drawn no one can intervene. They would have to fight until someone surrender or dies.

"Now you'll know," I said speaking up and getting Riders attention, "what a true betrayal feels like."