Maddy’s paws hit the cold wet earth as she ran deep into the woods like her life depended on it, and it did. Her lungs were burning, her fur soaked with sweat and mud yet she didn't stop.

Every step she took felt like her last, every sound behind her made her heart pound louder. The wind howled through the trees like it knew her shame, like it wanted the whole pack to hear how far she’d fallen.

She didn’t dare look back. She knew Rowan meant every word. He was going to torture and humiliate her till she prayed for death. And now with the guards behind her, she...