Chapter 6 The Hunt

• Beta's POV
• “I don’t belong here,” I said, glaring at Alice. The words were sharp, but my heart was pounding.
• Alice raised an eyebrow, a smirk curling at the corner of her lips. “You think you can just walk away from all this?”
• I didn’t answer her. Instead, I focused on the door. It was the only way out.
• “Enough,” Kade’s voice cut through the tension. He stepped forward, his gaze cold. “You’re not going anywhere, Beta.”
• “I’m not part of this world,” I shot back, my fists clenching. “I’m leaving.”
• Buford let out a dark chuckle from across the room. “You think you can just walk out? You’re already marked , Beta. You’re not getting out.”
• “I’ll find a way,” I said, swallowing hard.
• Trey stepped in front of me, his eyes unreadable. “You can try, but you won’t.”
• I pushed past him, heading for the door. “I don’t care what you say. I’m leaving. I’m done with this.”
• Buford’s voice rang out from behind me, commanding. “Stop.”
• I turned, but before I could respond, the room went silent. There was no escaping.
• Kade’s smile was cold. “You can’t leave, Beta. You’re part of us now.”
• “No, I’m not,” I said, shaking my head, panic starting to creep into my chest.
• Buford stepped forward, his eyes locked onto mine. “ You don’t get to choose.”
• I looked at the door again, my heart racing. I’ll leave. I don’t belong here!”
• Buford’s grin only widened. “Oh, you will leave,” he said, his voice smooth, almost amused. “But not yet.”
• Suddenly, the sound of howling wolves pierced the silence, echoing through the walls.
• “What the hell is that?” I demanded, turning toward the sound.
• Buford’s voice was low, almost a growl. “The hunt has begun. And you, Beta, are the prey.”
• I spun around, panic rising as the walls seemed to close in. “No, I won’t be a part of this!”
• Trey took a step forward, his expression hardening. “You already are. There’s no going back.”
• I turned toward the door again, only to find it slammed shut.
• “What is this? Let me out!” I shouted, my voice cracking.
• Buford took a slow step toward me, his voice cold and deliberate. “ You’re already in the game.”
• I backed away, but there was nowhere to go. “I won’t be your pawn.”
• Buford’s eyes glowed with something dark.
• I could feel their eyes on me, all of them waiting for me to break. But I wasn’t going to. I couldn’t.
• Then, in a sudden shift, Buford’s voice broke through the heavy silence. “You’re free to go.”
• I froze. My heart skipped a beat. “Whaaat?”
• Buford stepped aside, the door creaking open behind him. “You heard me. You’re free to go.”
• I couldn’t believe it. For a moment, I just stared at the open door. Was this some kind of trick?
• But no. The door was wide open. I could walk out.
• I didn’t hesitate. I rushed toward it, heart pounding, lungs burning as I sprinted out of the room. The cold air hit me like a slap in the face, and I kept running, not daring to look back.
• I was free.
• I quickly walked down the street, the world around me feeling surreal, like a dream I couldn’t wake up from.
• When I reached the front door of my house, I knocked quickly, trying to steady my breathing.
• The door opened almost immediately.
• My mother stood there, her face as expressionless as always. She didn’t speak.
• I walked past her, ignoring her gaze as I made my way to my room.
• She closed the door behind me.
• As I turned to face my bed, I saw it.
• A single, glowing symbol etched into the wall.
• A wolf’s paw print.
• It wasn’t there before.