Rejected By Alpha, Marked By The Cursed Lycan King

Camilla's POV

I was warned about the danger of the rogues along this border, but my instinct gave me no room to reconsider. 

With my claws thudding against the ground, I ran as fast as my legs could carry me. That could only mean one thing; retreat. But I was soon surrounded by rogues, their teeth bared, ready to tear me apart.

I lunged at them, kicking hard at their heads, fighting off tens of wolves with what little strength I had left. I glanced back toward the direction of my pack. Noelle was nowhere in sight. She had run off the moment she heard that menacing howl echo through the air.

The rogues charged at me, letting out guttural growls, their eyes dark and wild with hunger. I met them head-on, fighting with every last ounce of strength until something struck me from behind.

My eyes snapped shut as I crashed to the ground. I felt the scrape of leaves and the sting of stumps bruising my face as a wolf pounced atop me. It drove its claws into my spine, and a painful moan tore from my lips. I let out a wild, desperate howl. The pack wasn’t far; maybe they would hear me and send help.

I was dying. Blood pooled around my chest, but the rogues were merciless. They wouldn't let me go. Not like this. They kicked me viciously, their blows landing all over my body, until one final strike shattered my ankle. I felt the dislocation snap through me. I couldn’t scream anymore. Tears streamed down my face. This wasn’t how the mission was supposed to end.

A loud sigh escaped me as tears blurred my vision. I heard faint voices; the rogues were retreating. They must have thought I was already dead. They walked away, and I rolled onto my side, trying to rise, but my wolf wasn’t responding.

My heart raced and my chest tightened as I realized I'd been bitten with silver claws. They had damaged my wolf; I couldn’t shift, couldn’t even send a mind-link. Reality hit me like a storm. I reached out for a nearby branch, gripped it tightly, and pulled myself to my feet. I could only limp toward the pack.

With dislocated limbs and searing pain in my body, I stumbled back toward the territory. My heart burned with rage. This wasn’t how our missions ended.

---

My name is Camilla, and I am the strongest warrior in the North pack. Close to my strength stood my best friend, Noelle. We went to battles together, and we won them all.

Neither of us had parents anymore. The pack had raised us from birth. We were trained under brutal conditions, and our strength earned us honor and the right to represent our people in war.

Last night, Alpha Damon revealed the most shocking truth of my life. He called me his mate; right in front of many wolves. Joy washed over me. Noelle was thrilled for me,