Chapter 7

The dawn light crept through the cracks in the cabin's old wooden walls, casting thin golden beams that danced across Camille's face. She stirred slowly, the remnants of sleep clinging to her, and for a brief, blissful moment, she forgot where she was. But the hard, unfamiliar cot beneath her, the scent of pine and earth, and the distant chirping of birds brought her back to reality with a jarring clarity.

She was no longer in the packhouse. She was free.

Camille sat up, rubbing her eyes and glancing around the small cabin. Adrian was already awake, crouched by the fireplace, stirring the embers to life. The sharp crackle of burning wood filled the room, and a comforting warmth spread from the hearth.

"You're up," he said, glancing over his shoulder with a slight smile. "How did you sleep?"

"Better than I expected," she admitted, stretching her sore limbs. Her body felt heavy, the aches from last night's trek through the forest settling in. But there was a lightness in her chest that she hadn't felt in years. "Thank you for letting me rest."

Adrian nodded, setting a kettle on the fire. "You needed it. We've got a long day ahead of us."

Camille swung her legs off the cot and stood, smoothing down her rumpled clothes. She felt exposed, vulnerable in this new reality she'd stepped into, but there was also a spark of excitement in her veins. It was a sensation she hadn't felt since she was a child-before her mother died, before she became nothing more than a lowly omega in a pack that barely tolerated her existence.

"What's the plan?" she asked, stepping closer to the fire. The heat was welcome against the morning chill, and she held her hands out, warming them.

Adrian poured two cups of steaming liquid and handed one to her. The aroma of herbs and something earthy she couldn't quite place filled her nose. "We need to keep moving. The safe house is a good place to rest, but it's too close to the pack's territory. Joffrey will send scouts if he realizes you're gone."

The mention of Joffrey made Camille's heart clench. She hadn't allowed herself to think about him since she left, but now his image flashed in her mind-those cold, unforgiving blue eyes, the sneer that twisted his lips as he declared his rejection of her in front of everyone. The memory burned like acid.

"Let him send them," she muttered, more to herself than to Adrian. "I'm not going back."

Adrian studied her, his gaze sharp. "You've got more fight in you than you know, Camille," he said quietly. "But don't underestimate him. He won't just let you go, especially not if he realizes what it means that you've left."

"What do you mean?" she asked, frowning.

Adrian took a sip of his drink, then set the cup down, leaning against the table. "Joffrey's rejection wasn't just a personal slight. It was a challenge to fate. The bond between a Luna and her Alpha is sacred. By rejecting you, he's left himself vulnerable, whether he realizes it or not. He might see you as a threat now, something to eliminate."

The thought made Camille shiver. It wasn't enough that Joffrey had humiliated her, thrown her aside like she was nothing. Now he might see her as a danger to his power. "He can try," she said, lifting her chin defiantly. "I'm not the same person I was yesterday."

Adrian's smile was small but approving. "Good. You're going to need that spirit."

They finished their breakfast quickly, the silence between them companionable. Camille felt a strange sense of calm around Adrian, as if the chaos of her world was kept at bay when he was near. It was odd, trusting a rogue-a complete stranger-but there was something about him that made her believe she wasn't alone in this.

She packed up her few belongings, slinging the bag over her shoulder as Adrian doused the fire. They stepped outside, and the crisp morning air filled her lungs. The forest was alive with the sounds of birdsong and the rustling of leaves. It felt different out here-untamed, free, like the world was full of possibilities.

"Which way?" Camille asked, turning to Adrian.

He pointed west, toward the rising sun. "We head deeper into rogue territory. There's a network of safe houses and allies we can use, but we have to be smart. We can't stay in one place for too long."

They set off at a brisk pace, weaving through the dense forest. The ground was uneven, covered in a thick carpet of leaves, and Camille had to focus to keep from tripping. She was still adjusting to the rhythm of their journey when Adrian suddenly froze, his hand shooting out to stop her.

"What is it?" she whispered, her heart thudding in her chest.

Adrian's eyes narrowed, his body tense as he scanned the area around them. "We're not alone."

Camille's breath caught. She listened, straining her ears, but she couldn't hear anything unusual. Just the wind, the rustling leaves, and-

A twig snapped to their left.

Before she could react, Adrian had her behind him, his body a shield between her and the unseen threat. His stance shifted, fluid and dangerous, like a predator ready to pounce. "Show yourself," he growled, his voice low and menacing.

The bushes parted, and a figure stepped out-a man with wild, tangled hair and a scar running down the side of his face. He looked like he hadn't bathed in weeks, his clothes ragged and dirty, but his eyes were sharp and calculating.

"Easy there," the man said, holding up his hands in a mock gesture of surrender. "I'm not looking for trouble."

Adrian didn't relax. "Then why are you following us?"

The man's gaze flicked to Camille, a smirk tugging at his lips. "Word travels fast. The rejected Luna, running off with a rogue. Quite the story. Some packs would pay a hefty sum for a piece of that drama."

Camille felt a surge of panic. He was a bounty hunter-a wolf who made his living capturing runaways and bringing them back to their packs. Her mind raced, trying to remember everything she knew about men like him, but it wasn't much. They were ruthless, driven only by the promise of a reward.

"Walk away," Adrian said, his voice deadly calm. "You don't want this fight."

The man's smile widened. "I'm not so sure about that. A rejected Luna? That's a rare prize. Joffrey's already put out a bounty. He wants her back, or he wants her dead. Doesn't make much difference to me, as long as I get paid."

Adrian moved so fast that Camille barely saw it. One moment he was standing in front of her, and the next he was on the bounty hunter, slamming him to the ground. The man let out a strangled gasp, his smirk vanishing as Adrian pinned him, a hand at his throat.

"I said," Adrian growled, his voice like the rumble of a storm, "walk away."

The man's eyes widened in fear, and he nodded frantically. Adrian released him, shoving him back. He scrambled to his feet, backing away with a look of pure terror.

"You're making a mistake," the man spat, but there was no conviction in his voice now. He turned and disappeared into the trees, crashing through the underbrush like a frightened deer.

Adrian watched him go, his body still tense, ready for a fight. Only when the sounds of the man's retreat faded did he relax, turning back to Camille.

"Are you okay?" he asked, his expression concerned.

She nodded, her heart still racing. "That was close."

Adrian nodded grimly. "It won't be the last time. The bounty will draw more of them, like sharks to blood. We need to keep moving."

Camille took a deep breath, steadying herself. She was afraid, but beneath the fear, she felt something stronger-determination. "Then let's go," she said. "I'm not giving up now."

Adrian's eyes softened for a moment, and he gave her a small, approving nod. "Good. Stay close, and whatever happens, don't look back."

Together, they plunged deeper into the forest, the shadows closing in around them as they left behind the safety of the clearing and stepped into the unknown.