THE SILVER MOON PACK

chapter 4

I walked through the pack grounds with my head held high, even though my heart felt like it was being ripped apart with every step.

The morning air was cold against my skin, but I welcomed it.

I needed something—anything—to distract me from the thoughts that had been haunting me for the past four days.

My mate.

Sally.

My wolf.

The three things I had once believed would always be mine had somehow disappeared from my life within the same week.

I clenched my fists.

No.

I refused to cry again.

I had spent enough time locked inside my room feeling sorry for myself.

If my mate didn't want me, then fine.

If my so-called best friend wanted to betray me, then so be it.

And if my wolf had decided to abandon me when I needed her the most...

Then I would learn to fight without her.

I reached the training grounds and immediately spotted Xander.

He was standing near the wooden practice dummies, his arms folded across his chest. He looked like he had been waiting for me.

The moment his eyes landed on me, his expression changed.

"Kate."

I stopped a few feet away from him.

"Hey."

He stared at me for a moment.

"You actually came."

I frowned.

"Why wouldn't I?"

"Because you've been hiding in your room for four days."

I rolled my eyes.

"Apparently everyone knows about that."

"Your mother called my mother."

I groaned.

"Of course she did."

Xander chuckled softly.

"Your mother was worried about you."

"I know."

I looked away.

"I just needed time."

Xander's smile disappeared.

"How are you really doing?"

"I'm fine."

"Kate."

"I'm fine, Xander."

He raised an eyebrow.

"You're terrible at lying."

I sighed.

"Okay. I'm not fine."

The words escaped before I could stop them.

Xander didn't say anything.

He simply waited.

And somehow, that made it easier to talk.

"I don't understand what I did wrong."

My voice cracked.

"I gave him everything. My loyalty. My trust. My heart. And he rejected me like I meant nothing."

Xander's jaw tightened.

"His loss."

I looked at him.

"And Sally..."

My chest tightened.

"I can't even say her name without feeling sick."

"Then don't."

"I trusted her."

"I know."

"She was my best friend."

"I know."

"She knew how much I loved him."

Xander's eyes darkened.

"And she still chose him."

I nodded.

A tear slipped down my cheek.

I quickly wiped it away.

"I hate that I'm still hurt."

"You don't have to stop hurting overnight."

"I don't want to be weak anymore."

Xander stepped closer.

"Being hurt doesn't make you weak."

"Then what does?"

"Giving up."

I looked at him.

He pointed toward the training field.

"And you're here."

I took a deep breath.

"Teach me."

Xander smiled slightly.

"That's what I've been waiting to hear."

He tossed me a wooden training sword.

I caught it.

"Rule number one," he said. "Forget everything you think you know."

I frowned.

"I've trained before."

"Not like this."

He walked around me slowly.

"You've always trained like someone who expects their wolf to save them."

My grip tightened around the sword.

"That's not true."

"It is."

I didn't answer.

Because deep down, I knew he was right.

For years, every warrior in the pack had told me the same thing.

Your wolf will make you stronger.

Your mate will protect you.

Your Alpha will stand beside you.

But what happens when your wolf goes silent?

What happens when your mate rejects you?

What happens when the person you trusted most becomes your enemy?

You either break...

Or you become something stronger.

"Again," Xander ordered.

I swung at him.

He blocked effortlessly.

"Too slow."

I attacked again.

He stepped aside.

"Too predictable."

Again.

"Too emotional."

I growled.

"Stop saying that."

He blocked another strike.

"Then stop fighting like you're angry."

"I am angry!"

"And that's exactly why you're losing."

I lunged at him.

He caught my wrist and twisted it gently, forcing me to drop the sword.

"You're fighting against Sally."

I stared at him.

"You're fighting against your mate."

His grip loosened.

"You're fighting against your own wolf."

I swallowed.

"And until you learn to fight for yourself, you'll never become the warrior you're capable of becoming."

I looked down at my empty hands.

"Then teach me."

Xander nodded.

"Again."

Hours passed.

By midday, my entire body was aching.

My hands were covered in small cuts.

My legs trembled.

I had fallen more times than I could count.

But I kept getting back up.

Every time I fell, Xander told me to stand.

Every time I complained, he told me to try again.

And every time I thought I couldn't continue...

I remembered the look on my mate's face when he rejected me.

I remembered Sally standing beside him.

I remembered the silence of my wolf.

And I got back up.

Finally, I dropped to my knees.

"I can't."

Xander stood in front of me.

"Yes, you can."

"I can't feel my legs."

"Then use your arms."

I glared at him.

"You're enjoying this."

"A little."

I laughed despite myself.

It was the first genuine laugh I'd had in days.

Xander smiled.

"There she is."

"What?"

"The Kate I know."

I looked away.

"I don't know who I am anymore."

He crouched in front of me.

"Then find her."

I looked into his eyes.

"What if she's gone?"

"Then we'll build a new one."

My heart skipped.

For a moment, neither of us spoke.

There was something different in his eyes.

Something I couldn't understand.

Before I could ask, a loud howl echoed through the forest.

Xander immediately stood.

His expression changed.

"What was that?"

I looked toward the trees.

Another howl followed.

This one was deeper.

Angrier.

My entire body froze.

I knew that howl.

My wolf.

I closed my eyes.

"Luna?"

Nothing.

I tried again.

"Luna?"

A sharp pain suddenly shot through my head.

I gasped and grabbed my temples.

"Kate!"

Xander rushed toward me.

I stumbled backward.

Then I heard a voice.

Not Xander.

Not my mother.

Not my mate.

My wolf.

Kate...

My eyes widened.

"Luna?"

Run.

I froze.

"What?"

Run, Kate. Now.

My heart began pounding.

"Why?"

Silence.

"Luna!"

Nothing.

Then I heard another voice.

A whisper.

A warning.

They are coming for you.

My eyes snapped open.

Xander was staring at me.

"What happened?"

I looked toward the forest.

"I heard her."

"Your wolf?"

I nodded.

"What did she say?"

I hesitated.

"She told me to run."

Xander's expression became serious.

"Why?"

"I don't know."

Suddenly, the hairs on the back of my neck stood up.

Someone was watching us.

I turned toward the trees.

Nothing.

Only shadows.

"Xander..."

"I feel it too."

He stepped in front of me.

"Stay behind me."

A low growl came from the forest.

Xander immediately shifted his stance.

"Who's there?"

No answer.

Another growl.

Then a figure stepped out from between the trees.

My breath caught.

I knew him.

My former mate.

He stood there with two warriors behind him.

And beside him...

Was Sally.

My stomach twisted.

Sally's eyes met mine.

For a second, she looked guilty.

Then her expression hardened.

Xander stepped forward.

"What do you want?"

My former mate ignored him.

His eyes were fixed on me.

"Kate."

I felt my heart crack again.

But this time...

I didn't look away.

I didn't cry.

I didn't lower my head.

I simply stared at him.

"What do you want?"

He took a step forward.

"I need to talk to you."

I laughed bitterly.

"Four days ago you rejected me. Today you suddenly need to talk?"

His jaw tightened.

"It's not what you think."

"Oh?"

I