Chapter 12 Twelve

• SKY'S POV
• Standing on the wrap-around porch, I gazed out at the rolling landscape, trying to take deep breaths. The vast expanse usually brought me comfort, but tonight, it felt like a bitter reminder of my isolation. The moon hung low and heavy, casting an eerie glow over the fields that seemed to stretch into infinity. How had my only remaining family turned out to be so cruel and twisted? Why had the moon goddess seen fit to give me a mate who seemed just as heartless? A cold breeze whispered through the tall grass, sending a shiver down my spine. I felt a deep pang of disappointment—things were turning out exactly as I had feared. I knew I shouldn't have let my guard down, even for a moment. I knew better than this; it was just like them to kick me when I was down.
• As I stared into the distance, my eyes caught the flicker of lights and the distant hum of laughter. Narrowing my eyes, I smirked slightly, seeing some of the pack members heading into the woods. They were around my age, maybe a bit older, carrying beer, booze, games, and speakers slung over their shoulders. Their excitement and cheerfulness radiated even from a distance, and it sparked a tiny flame of rebellion within me. The woodland parties had always been my refuge, the one reason I'd stayed in the pack as long as I had. Watching them now, I felt a flicker of hope that maybe, just maybe, the night could still be salvaged.