The mark given to me burned the hair from my skin in my wolf form. It was a glaring reminder to anyone who looked at me that I was a traitor, unworthy of a pack, unworthy of a mate, unworthy of kindness.

This was my fate.

As we reached the door Ben opened it and I slowly stepped outside.

"I'm sorry." I didn't stand there long to listen to his apology. He didn't need to apologize for something I had done.

I was a bad Omega.

The moment I stepped out into the darkness of the night I took off, running the same path I had just weeks before.

I was no longer welcomed on pack land, and I knew that if I didn't leave they would be out to hunt me.

I was stronger than I had been before but I was ignorant to the outside world. The grass was still a new feeling, trees were sights I had only experienced once. The sky held secrets I was unsure I wanted to hear.

Even in fear I ran. Kain stripped me of my rights. My Alpha wouldn't want me now. I was damaged and untrustworthy. Kain left his mark.

I heard the mournful howls of the pack I was leaving behind. Levi's stood out to me and I wanted so badly to answer her. I wanted her comforting embrace.

It was gone now.

I ran through the woods, my nose trying to remember the scents. I suddenly stopped in my tracks remembering the warning.

Cats.

The territory was surrounded by Cats. I wasn't sure their type but I knew they hated wolves. Slowly I started walking again. My back hurt from the rough pounding I had taken and knowing I had to be close to the stream I started to walk in the direction I could smell it at. It didn't take long and I didn't hesitate to lap at the water and slowly wade into the stream. Remembering my path from before I slowly started to walk, retracing my steps. The knowledge of cats had me on edge but if I was careful I might be safe.

The forest was shrouded in darkness. Bugs were silent and the only noise was from the stream and the movement of the water against my body. If not for my circumstances I would have found the quiet almost alluring.

My wolf was silent in my head. He wasn't controlling our movements like he had when we first shifted and ran. It would be surprising if we didn't turn feral. I felt his shame, his heartache. The only feelings letting me know that he was still there.

The moon shown bright overhead and I stopped for a moment and closed my eyes. The Moon would frown on my actions. I felt a sorrowful howl make its way up my throat, beg for forgiveness, but I didn't allow it out. I had made my bed.

Closing my mind off I focused on the water before me. The steps I took felt familiar. Howls from a distance sounded out. They spoke of the traitor, of the sorrowful action their Alpha was forced to commit. They cried for the beautiful Luna that never had a chance to be welcomed. My heart hurt and my wolf became even more distant.

As I continued my trek, I took notice of the water rising around me. Slowly it was becoming deeper indicating the need to swim or to move onto land. I chose land. Wading my way to the bank I looked around myself. The clearing didn't look familiar but I could still smell the pack. I was still on wolf territory, I wouldn't be able to rest here.

Limping, I continued walking. The smell of fresh marking was strong indicating the edge of the territory was close. Instincts told me of the things I didn't know. A second nature that begged to be listened to.

Shaking my head I tried to pick up the pace. My body wasn't used to the exertion it put out today. I had been confined to a bed and before that never out of the house. My body was tired.

The moment I stepped over the territory line, I felt the coldness of being without safety hit me hard. I felt the panic seize me and before I knew it I was running.

The scents were too new. Nothing familiar. No underlining smells to soothe me. I need shelter. I needed a space to calm down.

My senses were too overstimulated, but I pushed myself. I followed the instincts that I'd been refusing to listen to.

After a while of running and smelling, I finally found a hole in the ground. A huge tree had fallen and under it was a small crawl space. I dug my front paws into the ground to open the space up more. It didn't take me long to dig a big enough opening to fit my weary body in. I didn't bother to shift back to my human side. It would be cold without my fur.

The space was cramped but it felt safe. The dirt and dead leaves surrounding me were helping to mask my scent. It would do.

Curling up into a ball I closed my eyes. I wasn't sure what tomorrow would bring but hopefully, I would be able to avoid any cats and locate food.

With those thoughts in mind, I blocked out the day's events and tried to find sleep.