Stolen Mate

The horn's echo chased us into the woods, Darius's rage a storm at our backs. Rylan's grip on my arm was iron, his breaths ragged as we stumbled over roots and rocks. The lunar flower, still glowing faintly in my satchel, felt heavier with every step. 

"They'll flank us," Rylan growled, shoving me behind a moss-cloaked boulder. "Stay low." 

We crouched, listening. Nightshade howls split the air, but they were distant—scattered, uncoordinated. Rylan frowned. "They're not following. Why?" 

A twig snapped. 

Three figures emerged from the shadows, cloaked in Nightshade pelts, but their scents were wrong. Bitter, like poisoned herbs. Rylan tensed. "Traitors." 

The tallest one grinned, teeth yellowed. "Darius thinks we're hunting you. But we're here to *help*." 

Rylan's dagger glinted. "Bullshit." 

The traitor tossed a small pouch at our feet. Inside: juniper paste, a map, and a lock of auburn hair. *Lila's.* 

"Your false Luna sends her regards," he sneered. "Says you've got something she wants." 

My blood turned to ice. "The flower." 

The traitor lunged. Rylan met him mid-air, their collision brutal. The other two circled me, claws out. I scrambled back, clutching the satchel. 

"Give it up, scentless," one spat. "Your friend's already sold you out." 

*Lila. Lila did this.* 

Rylan slammed his attacker into a tree, bone crunching. "Elara, *run*!" 

I bolted, but a clawed hand snagged my cloak. The satchel ripped, the flower tumbling into the dirt. Its glow flared, blinding. 

"No!" I dove for it, but a boot pinned my wrist. 

"Pathetic," a familiar voice purred. 

Lila stepped into the moonlight, her crimson ribbons bright against Nightshade's gloom. She scooped up the flower, its light gilding her smirk. "Did you really think I'd let you win?" 

Rylan roared, breaking free of the traitors, but two more emerged, blades drawn. 

"You're outnumbered, rogue," Lila said, twirling the flower. "But I'm feeling generous. Walk away, and I'll let you live." 

"Never." Rylan's gaze locked on mine, blood streaking his jaw. 

Lila sighed. "Then die with her." 

The traitors attacked. Rylan fought like a feral thing, but there were too many. I thrashed under the traitor's boot, desperation clawing up my throat. 

"Why, Lila?" I choked out. "You already stole everything!" 

She crouched, gripping my chin. "Because *he'll never love me* while you breathe. Even scentless, you haunt him." Her nails drew blood. "But Nightshade's happy to make you disappear." 

The traitor yanked me up, blade at my neck. Lila raised the flower, ready to crush it— 

A howl tore through the night. Not Nightshade. *Silvermoon.* 

Kieran burst into the clearing, warriors at his heels. His storm-gray eyes found mine, then Lila. "What is this?" 

She paled. "Alpha, I—they attacked me! Stole the flower—" 

"Liar!" Rylan snarled, disarming his foe. "Check her hand!" 

The lunar flower pulsed in Lila's grip, its light exposing the vial of stolen scent at her belt—*my* scent. Kieran froze. 

"You," he breathed, staring at her. "All this time… it was *you*." 

Lila backed away, panic sharpening her edges. "Kieran, please—" 

He seized her wrist, the flower falling. "You betrayed your pack. Betrayed *me*." 

Chaos erupted. Silvermoon and Nightshade traitors clashed. Rylan grabbed me, shoving the flower into my hands. "Go! Now!" 

We ran, Kieran's roar of grief echoing behind us. 

But the flower's glow was fading.