The rogues froze for a moment, their eyes widening as they took in the massive deer standing a few yards away. It was a powerful creature, with antlers that branched out like a crown. For a second, we all crouched there and stared at it.
"Oh, we're eating good tonight!" one of the twins whispered in excitement.
Another one let out a low, satisfied chuckle. "I really could use those antlers as a weapon."
"Quiet!" Kaid hissed, staring the deer.
The group immediately lowered themselves further into the brush. I followed suit, clutching the knife Cassidy had shoved into my hands earlier. I could see the eager glint in their eyes as they exchanged silent signals. Two of them pulled out crudely fashioned bows, their hands moving quickly to ready arrows.
I swallowed hard. My grip on the knife was clumsy, and my palms were slick with sweat. I tried to remember Jesse's lessons, the way he'd always been patient but firm. The blade is your extension, he'd said a hundred times. Hold it steady, let it move with you, not against you.
I adjusted my grip, tightening my fingers around the handle. It felt awkward, heavy in my hand. I shifted slightly, trying to mimic the stance Jesse had drilled into me over years of training. Feet apart. Blade angled just right. A steady grip—no trembling.
But this wasn't sparring practice in the safety of our training ground. This was real. My pulse thundered in my ears as I watched the rogues fan out, their movements almost feline. Silent. Efficient. They had done this a hundred times before.
I envied how seamlessly they worked together, a unit without spoken words. Kaid motioned for one of the twins to move left. Another rogue circled to the right, bow raised, as if they'd choreographed this hunt to perfection.
I, on the other hand, was an outsider—a clumsy tagalong fumbling with a knife I wasn't sure I could even use.
The deer remained unaware of the predators closing in. Its head lowered to graze, muscles twitching with every subtle noise around it.
Focus, I told myself, forcing my hands to steady. Jesse's voice echoed in my mind. Don't think—just act. You can do this, Lena. You've always been capable.
I tried to believe him.
The group crept forward, inch by inch, closing the distance. The twin with the bow nocked an arrow, the string pulled taut. Another rogue crouched low, with a jagged knife at the ready.
I followed behind them, trying to match their stealth. My breathing felt too loud, every step too heavy. I focused on the knife, willing myself to stay calm. Footfalls light, Lena. Weight evenly distributed. Don't lose your focus.
But then, a sharp snap echoed through the quiet.
I looked down, horrified to see the shattered remains of a twig under my foot.
The deer's head shot up, its dark eyes wide with alarm. For a moment, the entire clearing seemed to hold its breath.
"Are you serious?" one of the twins hissed in outrage.
"Idiot!" the female muttered under her breath, glaring at me.
The deer bolted, leaping through the underbrush with a grace that mocked my clumsiness. The rogues groaned in frustration, some letting loose curses that made my cheeks burn.
"Great!" one of the twins snapped. "You just cost us dinner."
"First time in the forest, princess?" another rogue sneered.
My cheeks burned again, but with anger this time. Was I the first person to ever make a mistake?
"I am sorry—"
"Don't bother, Lena." Kaid interrupted, waving me off like I was a pesky insect. "Just stay back next time. Let us handle it."
My cheeks flushed with a mix of embarrassment and rage. I wanted to shout at them, to remind them I hadn't asked to be here. I wanted to tell them I didn't need their approval, that I could hold my own if given the chance.
But instead, I bit my tongue, forcing myself to stay silent. I couldn't afford to alienate them further, not when I still needed them.
Prove them wrong, Jesse's voice echoed in my mind. Show them you're more than they think you are.
I let out a slow breath, forcing my grip on the knife to relax. The twins didn't waste time. As soon as the deer darted away, they exchanged a quick glance, then turned to us.
"Leave it to us," one of them ordered.
Before anyone could respond, they shifted. It was seamless—skin rippling, muscles contorting until two massive wolves with vibrant red coats stood where they had been moments ago. Without hesitation, they bounded off in the direction the deer had fled, their powerful forms weaving through the dense trees like streaks of fire. The rest of us stood there and watched as they dashed off.
"Well, at least they'll catch it," one of the rogues muttered.
I tried to ignore the glares and whispers, but one of them—the female, of course—decided to speak up, her voice sharp enough to cut.
"Maybe next time, you can stay behind, klutz."
I squeezed my eyes shut and turned away, gripping the knife tighter, pretending I hadn't heard her. But she wasn't finished.
"Can't even walk in a forest without screwing things up. Are you sure you're from a real pack? Or did they kick you out for being useless?"
The words hit harder than I wanted to admit. I could feel my anger bubbling up, hot and raw, burning my chest.
"Shut up!" I snapped.
But the girl just smirked. "What's the matter? Too fragile to hear the truth?"
That was it. Something inside me broke like the twig from earlier.
"You think you know me?" I shouted, spinning around to face her. My voice was cracked, but I didn't care. "You don't know a damn thing! You don't know what I've been through, what I've lost, or what it took just to survive this long!"
The words spilled out, uncontrollable, fueled by days and days of anger, fear, and exhaustion.
"I didn't ask for my father to kill my mate. I didn't ask to be a lab rat in the Sanatorium. I didn't ask to be here either! I didn't ask for any of this! But you know what? I'm still standing. So maybe I tripped, maybe I made a mistake, but at least I'm trying. What the hell have you done but peck at my mistakes?"
By the time I stopped, my chest was heaving, tears stinging my eyes. The forest felt impossibly quiet, and the rogues were staring at me in stunned silence. Even the girl seemed taken aback.
I wiped at my face angrily, hating that I'd let them see me like this.
Then, to my surprise, Kaid—quiet, observant Kaid—spoke up.
"Well," he commented, "you've got more fire than we all gave you credit for. Maybe you'll survive out here after all." The corner of his mouth twitched in what could have been a smile.
I blinked at him. His unexpected kindness had thrown me off balance. A reluctant smile tugged at my lips, and I wiped at my face again, this time more calmly.
"Thanks," I muttered, still embarrassed but grateful.
Before anyone could say anything else, a sharp howl echoed through the trees, followed by a voice—one of the twins.
"Hey!" he called. "You guys, get over here! You won't believe this!"
Everyone stiffened. Kaid's hands immediately moved to the hilt of his knife again.
"What now?" one of the rogues muttered.
I exchanged a glance with Kaid, his eyes narrowing in silent agreement. Then we all surged towards the sound of their voices.