Michael led Lauren through the winding tunnels beneath the rogue den. The air was thick with the smell of wet earth and smoke. It was awful. They finally arrived at a large, dimly lit war room filled with torture equipment and a mix of rogue wolves, deserters, and fighters, all marked by scars from the Moon Crest Park. The place looked like a dump, and the sounds of prisoners crying and metal clanging echoed around them. When Lauren stepped inside, the room went silent, and everyone turned to look at her. She met their stares, one by one, her expression steady.
The room showed the tough conditions of their world. Maps covered the walls, while weapons and plans cluttered the tables. It was a mess. The atmosphere was tense, and anticipation hung in the air.
Michael stepped forward, commanding attention. "This is her. The one they tried to break."
A rogue in the corner scoffed, "She looks soft."
Lauren turned and narrowed her eyes. "Try me."
The room stayed quiet, the tension thick. Michael smiled and tossed Lauren an old black leather jacket, torn at the collar. "Put this on. You're not royalty here. You earn your name."
Lauren caught the jacket and felt a rush of determination. She was ready to prove herself and earn her place among the rogue wolves. She wanted power.
Michael briefed her on her first mission—a low-risk surveillance job near the Moon Crest border. She listened closely and focused on the task. Two rogue scouts partnered with her, and together they headed into the night.
The mission quickly fell apart. Moon Crest warriors ambushed them. Lauren had to shift her focus and body mid-attack for the first time since her breakdown. The adrenaline crashed through her, and she fought with a fierceness that shocked her.
One of her companions panicked and ran, while the other got captured. Lauren barely escaped, her heart racing with anger and fear.
Back at the rogue den, she couldn't shake the feeling that someone had set her up. She stormed into Michael's quarters, covered in blood. Gritting her teeth, she shouted, "You knew. You set me up."
Michael didn't deny it. His face was unreadable. "You're alive. That's what matters."
Lauren threw the bloody jacket at his feet, her anger boiling. "Then don't expect me to follow your plans anymore."
She returned to her room, her emotions in turmoil. She stared at her reflection, her hands shaking uncontrollably. Her wolf was awake, but unstable and wild.
Unease crept over her as she questioned her own capabilities. The wolf's presence reminded her of her past and all the pain she had suffered.
A knock at the door interrupted her thoughts. It was the rogue who had run during the ambush, bleeding and ashamed. "I came back for you. But you were gone."
Lauren's expression was gone. She wasn't smiling. Her body trembled as she struggled to control her emotions. She didn't want to harm the rogue. "I'm not angry you ran. I'm angry you thought I would."
She left him standing at the door, unsure of what to do next. Lauren knew she had to focus on surviving; she had to grow stronger and more resilient.
Meanwhile, in the Moon Crest pack, Alpha Nuel learned that Lauren had been spotted near the border. His face contorted with anger. "She's still alive?"
His Beta hesitated. "Alpha, she survived a rogue ambush. She's not the same."
Nuel's voice sharpened. "Exactly. I want to see what kind of monster she's becoming."
He placed a bounty on Lauren's head, alive, not dead. He wanted to finish what he had started and see her broken and humiliated.
The Moon Crest pack was a dark and fearful place demanding loyalty and expecting obedience. Lauren understood she could never return; she had to forge a fresh path.
Michael found Lauren training late at night, striking a dummy until her fists bled. He lit a cigarette and watched her with a mix of curiosity and respect.
"They're coming for you," he said, keeping his voice low. "This time, not to silence you. To use you."
Lauren spat blood from her mouth, anger flashing in her eyes. "Then they should have killed me when they had the chance."
Michael's gaze rested on her, respect flickering in his eyes. "If you're going to be a weapon, Lauren, don't forget who you want aimed at."
Lauren didn't reply, but she knew exactly who she wanted.