Three months.

We've been on the run for three months.

Each day that was added we grew weaker. Faustina, my younger sister, could barely continue walking even when I'd been secretly giving her my food rations.

She didn't deserve it, at just eight years old she had already become the target of the Hunter's Order.

Yes, every werewolf was chased by humans, but for us, it was worse.

We, the Daughters of the Moon, were destined to extinction.

"Valen, I'm tired," Faustina said, stopping her walk. "I want to sleep."

"Just a little more, princesa, we're almost there." I bent down in front of her and brushed the lock of brown hair out of her face.

"And that'll be our forever home? I don't want to live in the forest anymore."

"I promise we'll stay there forever." I held her hands. "I'm sure you're going to love it, there are more wolves like us there. Now, why don't you hop on my back so you can rest a little?"

"Aren't you tired?"

"Don't worry about me, I'm your super sister."

The path between the trees was difficult to navigate, the roots extended over the ground, and if I wasn't careful it could send us both to the floor.

The strength of my legs could barely support Faustina's weight and the pain in my back continued to grow.

Just a little more.

I wasn't lying when I said the Wild Fangs pack was nearby. Perhaps with the blessing of the Moon Goddess we would have a home after our long journey. I could only pray that they had compassion for two weak wolves who crossed the continent from Argentina to survive.

The main entrance of the pack could be seen from meters away. A double metal gate was the only way to get into the town protected by a tall brick wall. The werewolf territories used to be open to the community until the creation of the Hunter's Order, then they went from living in communion with nature to being locked in a prison that they created themselves.

"Look, we're here," I said.

Faustina opened her eyes and peeked at the gate without lifting her face from my shoulder. "Where's everyone?"

"Probably inside. Let's talk with the guards first."

Two men were waiting by the entrance. In their hands they each held an ax. From their physical build it was clear that they were trained warriors and their upright posture made them appear taller than they were.

I approached them carefully with my head bowed in submission.

I hated it. Putting myself down is not something I would have done months ago, my mother taught me to stay strong but sometimes my strength wasn't enough to save Faustina.

"Good afternoon," I said. "My name is Valentina Flores and this is my sister, Faustina. We came from the Luz de Luna pack and we're seeking refuge."

They looked at us from head to toe, making me feel self-conscious about my appearance. Despite many attempts to untangle my long hair, my waves seemed out of control. At least its brown color partly hid the dirt. Where it was most evident was on my face, I was sure it must look like I had rubbed my cheeks against the floor.

However, the biggest damage had been done to our clothes. The worn pants and old T-shirts already had several holes in their fabric.

"Never heard of that pack," said one of them.

"That's because we come from Argentina."

The man approached us and walked around me. At his strong gaze, Faustina put more pressure in her embrace around my neck.

"I can smell that you are one of us but I cannot feel the presence of your wolf," he told me.

My hands started to shake. "I lost connection with my wolf."

"Look, girl. We don't do charity, if we let everyone who comes to ask for asylum pass we wouldn't have enough supplies to survive. Only those who can be beneficial to the pack are accepted and anyone can see that you're weak."

Why hadn't I thought of that? It was obvious that the strongest pack was going to have many werewolves trying to join.

Wild Fangs, the pack that had the last lycan as their alpha. Rumors said that not even the Hunter's Order dared to face the beast.

In the end, the town has earned the title of the last safe haven for werewolves, the only place where one can live without worrying about dying the next day.

"Please, there has to be something I can do for the pack," I begged.

"A girl on the verge of death and without a wolf can't be of any use to us. Give up, I don't want to kick you out by force."

"I want to speak with your alpha, you can't be the one to make this type of decision."

The man in front of me started laughing and turned around to talk to the other guard.

"Did you hear the trash? She wants to talk to our alpha. Kiddo, I can't even demand to talk to him and he's not even inside the town at the moment."

"Then I want to speak with your beta," I insisted.

"She's with the alpha. The best I can offer you is five minutes with our oldest pack member. She's in charge when the high rankings are out."

"I'll speak with her."

"Hey! We can't call Adira for a rat like her," said the other man.

"She won't go away otherwise and I don't want to hurt two kids. Just bring Adira so we can get them out of our way."

The guard entered the pack's territory, muttering insults towards his companion.

"Why don't they let us in?" Faustina asked with her face hidden against my neck.

"Don't worry, I'll find a way," I told her.

For my little sister I would find a solution, no matter how much it cost me, I was going to fight to keep her safe.

After that, I would make sure to carry out my revenge against the hunters.

"It better be important, you guys interrupted my knitting time."

An old woman with gray hair and green eyes arrived next to the guard. She fixed her gaze on us and a grimace grew on her face, scrunching it up even more.

"Who are they?" she asked.

"Rogues, they are looking for shelter. I already told them that we have no place for the weak but the oldest one demanded to see the person in charge."

"We don't do charity," Adira commented.

"That's what I said. Especially when it's a little girl who's not yet old enough for her first shift and a weakling who lost her wolf."

"Is it true, you lost your wolf?" asked the woman.

"Yes, ma'am, but I can be useful in other ways. I'm a hard worker."

"A lot of people can be hard workers, unfortunately, that's not enough. I can offer some food to help you on your journey but that's all I can do," she said.

"Please, we have no other place to go. My sister is too young to live like a rogue, there has to be something I can do to win our spot."

"You're not the first one that comes here with a sad story. We're living in hard times, sacrifices have to be made for the sake of the pack. You're not even a full werewolf, without your wolf you're just an empty shell." The old lady lifted her right hand to get the attention of the guard that came with her. "Bring them some food."

It hurt. I should be already used to those types of words after hearing them so many times, yet they never stop hurting.

"We don't need much, you don't even have to give us a house. Just let us in."

"It's not easy for me to do this but I have to think about my grandchildren. Wouldn't you be willing to make difficult decisions for your sister?"

My neck started to get wet. Faustina was crying, trying not to make noise. I put her off my back and turned around before wrapping her in a hug.

Her crying got louder as she squeezed my hip with all her strength.

"We'll find a way," I whispered.

I no longer cared about the presence of the other werewolves, Faustina was my only priority. In my distracted state I didn't realize the guard had returned until Adira placed a bag next to us.

"This is all I can do," she said. "You should leave before the guards lose their patience."

The strength to fight abandoned me. It became obvious to me that I wasn't going to be able to convince them, and using what little energy I had left in a losing battle was not the best option.

"Let's go," I said to Faustina. With one hand I grabbed the bag and with the other I held my sister.

Back in the forest, the air seemed heavier. The shadows that inhabited the area grew until we were enveloped in darkness. Not a ray of light crossed the treetops, causing the temperature to drop.

I looked for a place to sit down to eat and I found the perfect hiding spot in the space between the trunk and the long branches of a weeping willow.

"Here, eat something, princesa," I said, giving Faustina her portion.

"No tengo hambre," she answered, switching to Spanish.

"You should eat even if you're not hungry, you need to stay strong."

"I'll eat if you eat too."

We took the first bite in silence. After being hungry, even a simple bread was a delicacy. Then I let my guard down, the flavor of the food and the tranquility of the forest helped me relax.

Until I heard a branch break.

The sound of footsteps approached us, someone else was there. I put the food back in the bag and poked my head through the branches.

My breath caught in my throat.

It was the Hunter's Order and they were too close to our location.

"Stay here and don't make a sound," I whispered to Faustina.

I came out of our hiding place. Just a few steps away from me was a group of five hunters. I couldn't win against them but at least I could keep them away from Faustina.

Being careful to make as little noise as possible I ran in the opposite direction of the willow tree. The hunters began their chase, they were fast and moved through the trees with ease.

A silver bullet flew past me, grazing my left cheek. I changed direction, zigzagging to avoid the projectiles.

My mind was so focused on the bullets that I didn't notice the roots spread out on the ground, tripping over one of them.

I fell and tried to stand up but the pain in my ankle prevented me from doing so.

There was no escape, the hunters pointed their weapons at my head.

"We finally found you," said one of them.

A howl burst into the forest. The humans turned their heads towards the sound.

The biggest wolf I've ever seen appeared from behind the trees. In a precise movement, he lunged at the hunters, killing two of them.

The black wolf jumped on another of the humans, opened its mouth, and with its sharp teeth ripped the skin of his victim's neck.

I should have been afraid, a beast as ferocious as that one could destroy me in seconds but my body felt the need to get closer to him.

For the first time in months, a part of my instinct woke up and pushed me towards the wolf. I felt weak against my impulses, my legs moved in the direction of the fight.

The hunter who was still alive took advantage of my carelessness and grabbed my arm.

A howl made the treetops shake. The wolf was blinded by fury.

He jumped at the human. Again and again he dug his claws into the hunter's chest. Soon the ground was covered with blood.

When he was satisfied the wolf walked away from the lifeless body.

He looked at me.

His eyes were red.

He was the alpha.

I took another step forward and immediately regretted it. A stab of pain shot up from my ankle to my knee. My body lost balance and I began to lean forward. I closed my eyes waiting for the impact but it never came.

Instead, I felt a soft, warm grip around my waist. After taking a deep breath I opened my eyes.

My pulse quickened. The alpha's face was only centimeters from mine, so close that I noticed the small cross-shaped scar on his right cheek. For a moment I got lost in his beautiful, sharp, and gray eyes. The pull became stronger, his human form was captivating, every part of my being called for him.

He helped me to get back on my feet, but he didn't move his arm from my waist. I was surprised that someone so tall, with broad shoulders and a muscular body, was capable of such a delicate touch.

The alpha held my cheek with his free hand and gently lifted my head so our eyes met once again.

"Are you alright, my treasure?" he asked.