Page 7 of Wolf Hunted (Rejected Moons 1)

“Of course I’m not,” I say, my voice trembling. I’m offended, but I’m also scared because it’s clear that he believes what he’s saying, and I’m in a very small tent with him. “Irejectyou as my mate,” he hisses. “Moon Caster.”

He rejects me.

It’s like being slapped.

No, it’s like being gutted. Like something vital inside me has been ripped out.

And he’s shaking too, his pupils dilated, and I can tell by looking at him that he’s on the verge of shifting. I need to get out of here.

There’s no time to think about clothes. There’s no time to worry about the fact that I’ll be running out into the clearing completely naked. I throw myself backward out of the tent.

Immediately, I feel the eyes on me. The other members of the pack, those who aren’t having their mating ceremony tonight, are still sitting around the bonfire, up late drinking and telling stories. Now they’re all looking at me.

If I can get myself into someone else’s tent—if I can find Jess, maybe—

“Moon Caster!” Victor yells. “She’s a Moon Caster!”

They don’t wait for an explanation.

People are shifting all around me. Teeth are bared. Bodies are lowered to the ground, ready for the attack.

I have a split second to decide what I’m going to do.

I run.

Chapter 5

EMLYN

Thewolftakesoverquickly, and I’m glad. It might be what saves me because I can hear the voices behind me trying to figure out what’s just happened.

“Moon Caster!?”

“What do you mean, Moon Caster?”

“I’m telling you, she did magic in our tent! She’s been lying about who she is this whole time!”

That’s definitely not true. I’ve never deceived the pack! That’s the greatest crime a wolf can commit. I’d never, ever do it.

And I’mnota Moon Caster. I can’t be. Because I know what Moon Casters are. They’re an evil sect. They only care about themselves, about gaining power. They were so desperate for power that they overused their moon magic and pulled the moon out of its orbit.

They’re the reason almost all the humans are dead. They’re the reasonmy mother,who died trying to give birth, is dead. Everything that’s wrong in our world, Moon Casters are to blame for.

No. I’m not one of them. It’s insane. I can’t be.

But then, what happened back there?

Because Victor is right. Wolves don’t use moon magic. And I don’t have any other explanation for how I found myself hovering off the ground the way I did.

I can hear the steady beat of running wolves behind me now. They’ve decided to give chase.

But I’m fast.

Hunting me isn’t going to be like hunting a Moon Caster who’s been languishing in chains for months.

Still, I can’t help picturing Victor as he killed our Moon Caster. The glee he took in it. The blood on his lips and teeth. Will he be the same when he tearsmythroat out? Will he even feel a moment’s remorse?

Probably not.

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