MARKED BY REJECTION

Chapter 3 - INTO THE WILD

The deeper I walked into the forest, the colder the night became.

The pack territory lights disappeared behind me, swallowed by the thick darkness between the towering trees. The only thing guiding my path was the pale silver glow of the moon above.

Branches cracked softly beneath my boots as I moved forward, my small bag bouncing lightly against my back.

Every instinct inside me screamed that this was dangerous.

Wolves rarely traveled alone—especially beyond pack borders. Outside the safety of a territory, the forest belonged to rogues, predators, and things far worse.

But there was no turning back now, I had no pack, no home and no mate. The thought of him sent a sharp ache through my chest.

Alpha Ryker.

Even remembering his name made my stomach twist painfully.

The rejection bond had weakened, but the damage remained. My wolf was quiet again, hiding deep inside me like a wounded animal.

I pressed a hand against my chest as the dull ache pulsed through me.

“You’re weak.” His words echoed in my mind. I clenched my teeth and forced the thought away. No, I wouldn’t think about him anymore.

The forest grew thicker the farther I traveled. The path beneath my feet slowly disappeared until I was walking through wild undergrowth and tangled roots.

Owls hooted in the distance, leaves rustled as small animals darted through the bushes.

Everything around me felt alive and I had no idea where I was going.

All I knew was that I needed to get as far away from the Silver Moon Pack as possible before sunrise.

Eventually, exhaustion began creeping into my muscles.

My legs felt heavy, my breathing grew uneven.

The rejection bond had taken more strength from me than I realized. I spotted a fallen tree near a small clearing and sat down, letting out a tired breath. For the first time since leaving the pack, silence surrounded me completely. It should have felt peaceful but it felt painfully lonely.

I pulled my knees toward my chest and stared at the moon through the branches above.

“Why?” I whispered softly. The Moon Goddess was supposed to guide our lives. She was the one who chose our mates, so why would she give me someone who despised me? Why would she bind me to someone who would destroy me in front of an entire pack?

Tears came out of my eyes again but I quickly wiped them away, crying wouldn’t change anything. I am alone now and alone wolves don’t survive long in the wild.

A cold breeze brushed against my skin, sending a shiver down my spine, something felt wrong. I slowly stood up and started to scan the dark forest around me. The night had suddenly grown too quiet, the insects had stopped chirping. The wind had gone still.

My instincts screamed a warning and I knew I wasn’t alone. A twig snapped somewhere behind me.

I spun around quickly. “Hello?” I called out, trying to keep my voice steady.

My heart began pounding faster when another sound echoed through the trees.

A low growl. The sound made my blood run cold.

Rogues.

I had heard stories about them my entire life. Wolves who had lost their packs, wolves who lived without rules without loyalty, without mercy.

Slow footsteps circled the clearing, shadows shifted between the trees.

Then one figure stepped forward, A large man with tangled dark hair and yellow eyes glowing faintly in the moonlight.

Behind him, two more wolves appeared. Their expressions were predatory.

“Well, well,” the first rogue said with a crooked grin. “Look what wandered into our forest.” My stomach dropped.

“I’m just passing through,” I said carefully and the rogues laughed.

“That’s even better.” Their eyes moved over me like I was prey. A chill ran down my spine.

“Please,” I said quietly. “I don’t want any trouble.” The leader tilted his head slightly.

“Too late for that.” Before I could react, one of the rogues lunged forward, I stumbled backward as he grabbed my arm, his grip painfully tight.

“Let go!” I struggled against him, but he was far stronger than I was.

Another rogue stepped closer, sniffing the air, his grin widened.

“She’s a wolf.”

“Of course she is,” the leader said, then his eyes narrowed slightly.

“Wait.” He stepped closer to me, inhaling deeply. A strange look crossed his face.

“Huh.”

“What?” one of the others asked. The rogue leader frowned.

“She smells strange.” My heart skipped a beat.

Before he could say anything else, the rogue holding my arm suddenly shoved me to the ground. Pain shot through my body as I hit the dirt.

“Well, whatever she is,” he said with a cruel smile, “she’s alone.” Fear crawled through my chest. Three rogues,against me. I had no chance.

I scrambled backward across the ground, trying to create distance between us.

“Please,” I said again. The rogues only laughed.

“Relax,” the leader said mockingly. “We’re just going to have some fun.”

The moment he stepped closer, panic exploded inside me.

My wolf stirred weakly, sensing the danger but she was still too wounded from the rejection bond.

I was defenseless.

The rogue reached down, grabbing my collar and yanking me to my feet.

“You should have stayed with your pack,” he sneered.

Then suddenly— A deep, thunderous growl ripped through the forest. The sound froze everyone in place, even the rogues stiffened.

Another growl followed, louder and more dangerous.

It echoed through the trees like a warning from a predator at the top of the food chain. The rogue leader’s expression changed instantly.

“Who’s there?” he barked. The forest remained silent for a moment. Then a voice answered, it was low, calm and deadly.

“Let her go.” The command carried a power that made the air feel heavier. The rogues looked around nervously.

A tall figure stepped out from the shadows between the trees.

Moonlight revealed a broad-shouldered man dressed in dark clothing.

His long black hair was tied loosely at the back of his neck, and his sharp silver eyes glowed faintly in the darkness.

The moment he appeared, the atmosphere shifted.

The rogue leader’s face darkened. “Who the hell are you?” The stranger’s expression remained cold.

“That doesn’t matter.” His gaze moved toward me briefly before returning to the rogues.

“I said,” he repeated slowly, “let her go.” The rogues hesitated for a moment then the leader scoffed.

“There’s three of us.” He shoved me aside carelessly.

“You really think you can stop us?” The stranger didn’t answer.

He simply took one step forward and the moment he did—

The forest exploded into violence. In the blink of an eye, he moved. Faster than anything I had ever seen.

One rogue barely had time to react before the stranger slammed him into a tree with brutal force.

The second rogue lunged forward with a snarl, the stranger caught his arm and twisted sharply.

A sickening crack echoed through the clearing.

The rogue screamed.

The leader shifted partially into his wolf form, claws extending from his fingers but the stranger didn’t hesitate. His fist collided with the rogue’s jaw with enough force to send him crashing into the dirt.

Within seconds, the fight was over, the rogues lay groaning on the ground. The stranger stood in the center of the clearing, breathing steadily like the entire fight had been effortless.

Fear flickered across the rogue leader’s face.

“Let’s go,” he muttered quickly to the others. The three rogues scrambled to their feet and disappeared into the forest without another word.

Silence returned.

My heart was still racing wildly. The stranger slowly turned toward me.

Under the moonlight, I could finally see him clearly but unlike the rogues, his presence didn’t feel chaotic. It felt controlled and powerful. His silver eyes studied me carefully.

“You shouldn’t be here alone,” he said. His voice was calmer now, though still firm.

I struggled to find my voice.

“Thank you,” I managed to say.

He didn’t respond immediately. Instead, he tilted his head slightly as if noticing something unusual then his brows furrowed.

“You’re injured.” I blinked in surprise.

“What?” He stepped closer, his sharp gaze focused on my chest.

“The rejection bond.” My breath was caught.

“How did you—”

“Because I can smell it.” His expression grew more serious.

“You were rejected recently.” I looked away, embarrassed.

“Yes.” The stranger was silent for a moment then he sighed softly.

“That explains why you’re still alive.” Confusion flickered through me.

“What do you mean?” His silver eyes met mine again.

“Most wolves don’t survive a rejection bond this strong.” A chill ran down my spine. Before I could ask anything else, he spoke again.

“Come with me.” My head snapped up.

“What?”

“You can’t stay out here.” He glanced toward the direction the rogues had run.

“They won’t be the last ones to find you.” Suspicion flickered in my chest.

“Why would you help me?” The stranger studied me for a long moment then he said quietly,

“Because something about you isn’t normal.” My stomach tightened.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” His gaze sharpened slightly.

“Your wolf.” He paused.

“It’s different.” A strange feeling spread through my chest.

Before I could respond, he turned and began walking deeper into the forest.

Then he glanced back at me.

“Well?” he said, “Are you coming?”

I hesitated. Following a stranger into the forest sounded dangerous but staying here alone was worse. After a moment, I took a deep breath and stepped forward.

“Yes.” As I followed him into the darkness, a strange feeling settled in my chest.

My life had already changed the moment Alpha Ryker rejected me. But somehow, I had the feeling the real story was only just beginning.