Run. Don't look back. Don't stop. My tears had finally dried up after I crossed state lines and now my only focus was forward. I hadn't slept in days. Even if my eyes closed for only a few seconds, my dreams would be filled with memories of murder and torture. No. I couldn't sleep. I'd lose the last bit of sanity and, dare I say, hope that I had left. So instead I ran. My only companions were my wolf, who was silent but restless, and the sound of my paws hitting the ground in a continuous rhythm.

I didn't have any specific destination besides East. That's where the Law Council was. I was living evidence of more than enough crimes against...against that rogue pack. Maybe they'd finally do something. I'd lost track of how long I'd been running. The only thing I was sure of was that the Moon was near full when I began. It was effectively a half Moon now, and I was starting to feel the weight of both my and my wolf's fatigue. My legs hurt. My paws were tender. I wasn't even sure if I was going east anymore. Suddenly, I broke through a wall of scent. Fuck.

I stopped for the first time in what was probably weeks. My legs shook, nearly too fatigued to hold my own weight. Dragging myself back to the scent line, I inhaled deeply while praying no one came to kill this particular trespasser. I felt my anxiety ease as I realized the scent line smelled heavily of sage. The universal sign of neutral territory. Thank The Mother. After pulling myself from the start of an anxiety attack, I tried to will myself to continue. Instead, my legs dropped me to the ground. The cool grass was almost too soft, and I was way too tired. My eyelids got heavier the longer I laid in the natural comfort. The last thing my eyes saw was the half-moon edging towards the end of the sky.

Sunlight. Pure, unadulterated sunlight. That's what I awake to. Squinting my eyes at the clear sky, I shake out my filthy fur. After stretching, I readied myself to continue. Before I could lift a single paw my wolf protested angrily, without explanation. He must be insane, and I let him know as much.

/We aren't safe! We need to keep going./

He sat us down firmly and fought me whenever I tried to get us up. I was starting to get irritated with this meaningless rebellion.

/Why are you fighting me?! Have you finally given up!? Would you rather we stay as Marren's plaything? To use our body and our skills?....To kill at his own discretion?/

I squeezed my eyes shut in an attempt to stop the angry and fearful tears that had started to fall. Had he really given up on me? On us?

/I'm still holding out hope for our future...for our mate./

He finally answered

||As am I. I'm not fighting you for the hell of it. The Mother Spirit called us to this place. I know you can't feel it, but I can. I also feel your fear. Believe me, I'm scared as well, but the goddess wants us here for a reason. Do you trust me?

I felt my wolf's honesty as he begged me to follow the pull he was feeling. Trust wasn't the issue but...if this was because of The Mother then maybe... Against my better, more rational judgment, something told me that it deserved to be looked into at least.

/Yes. But promise me that if nothing happens by winter, we move on.

I promise./

Finally, coming to an agreement, I was able to stand. Scenting the air, I strained my ears to find the water I smelled. Following the faint sounds, I came to a medium-sized lake. Walking around its shore, it was easy to see that it was fairly deep. My bones cracked and popped as I shifted back to my human form for the first time in weeks. Taking a deep breath, I jumped into the clear, pale blue water. I curled into a ball as the water surrounded me and then calmed. By the time I decided to breach the surface, my lungs burned and my chest ached. As I floated across the water, I felt the layers upon layers of dirt and muscle fatigue peel away. I wonder what this place held for us.

I decided to finally get out of the lake after cleaning myself as much as possible and then another 15 minutes after that. Shifting back into my wolf, I made my way towards the center of the territory. Hopefully, there was some sort of town. To my surprise, it didn't take long to bump into the edges of a city. It seemed fairly empty, but I still stuck to the alleyways. I need to figure out what day it is.

After searching through the trashcans of four separate alleys, I finally came to a storefront with fucking newspapers. I made sure the coast was clear and peered through the glass. Apparently, it was around the end of July, most likely Thursday or Friday. That meant there was maybe only a week or so left to register at the nearby school. My stomach growled in response and, considering the fact that I hadn't eaten in about two days, I couldn't blame it. I decided to look for the school first. There wasn't a time limit on hunting.

The city was fairly big but logically organized. It was clear to see that the Law Council had created this place to house a school. On the way, I was able to guiltily, but efficiently, steal an outfit from a used clothing shop. I'd shifted back to my human form and was dressed in the stolen goods, slowly making my way towards the center of town where I suspected said school would be. The buildings thinned out, revealing a large campus. The largest building at the center had a big sign in the center of its courtyard that read "Peace Valley High". I snorted audibly at the immense creativity. Clearly, the name was meant to be more of a warning than a declaration.

I shook out my arms and prepared for the inevitable hostility that would most likely be awaiting me...if the office was actually open. Neutral territory or not, a rogue was still a rogue. Closing the distance between me and the entrance, the operating hours slowly came into view. The office didn't close till 7 and, judging by the sun, it was a little after 12. I took a breath and walked in. The scents of various shifters wafted from my left. I turned to see the office entrance tucked into the left wall of the entryway. Opening the door, various neutral gazes met mine,

"Hello, young one. Are you here to register?"

I met the gaze of the female tiger shifter unblinkingly and nodded. I could tell that she was a normal pack member from her scent alone. She pointed a manicured hand towards the larger counter where a male wolf sat. He smelled like an Omega and smiled at me with kindness in his eyes,

"Hello, my name is Marc. I'll help you get registered. You know, you made it just in time. Today's the last day we're taking in new students since there's only a week left before school starts."

He stopped talking to type a few things into his computer before continuing,

"So, since you're a new student I'll need some basic information from you. I can tell that you're a wolf. I can also smell your alpha blood. What I need is the name of your current pack."

"I don't have one."

He looked to me with slight surprise, but no judgment, before turning back to typing on his computer,

"Rogue, Understood. So what year are you? You seem like a senior but I don't want to assume."

"Senior."

"Alrighty. Are you interested in any of the advanced classes?"

"No."

"Do you have basic battle training?"

"Why?"

"Well, I know you've probably come to the realization that this school was specially created for shifters by the Law Council. Battle training is a part of the curriculum and age-appropriate classes are offered. Those who show promise are placed into the advanced classes and are automatically entered into the tournament during the winter break. So, my question remains, have you received basic battle training?"

I nodded and added,

"I think I'm interested in at least one of those advanced classes."

"You'll be tested with a sparring match on the first day of class. Now, lastly, I need a name and whether you have a number I can put down as your emergency contact?"

"C-Y-R-U-S Black-Moon. And no."

My cold tone almost faltered as I answered the question, but I shoved those feelings as far down as they would go. I didn't have the mental room for more self-pity. He finished typing up everything before pointing towards a black cloth screen. I walked in front of it and faced the small camera. Marc counted down from three and then there was a quick flash. I heard the printer go for a while and then Marc handed me a thick envelop that smelled of hot ink. He also gave me a lanyard with my freshly made ID. Before I left, he explained that the rule guide, as well as my schedule, was inside. I silently nodded and took my leave.

Walking a ways, I reached what seemed to be a children's playground. Like most of this town, it was empty. Sitting on a bench in front of the sandbox, I examined my little information pack. I looked at the ID. My emotionless eyes stared back at me. I don't think I could remember a time when they didn't look that way. That I didn't feel that way. Cold, empty, numb. Why the fuck was I staying in this place. Hoping for a fucking miracle? Why would my mate accept something so broken?

My arms begin to itch slightly as I felt the urge to add to my cuts. Anything to quiet these thoughts. But instead, I forced my claws back and shoved the ID into my pocket. It wouldn't be smart to leave the scent of my blood here. Taking a breath, I turned my attention back to the actual envelope and relieved it of its contents bit by bit. The first thing I pulled out was the rule book. The pages turned as I speed read without really paying attention. Random things stood out like the different shifter species that usually attended, the mandatory basic battle training, and the like. I reached the back of the book and was met with a two-page spread covered in bold letters. The top read:

*Above all else, the following rules are the foundation of Peace Valley High.*

I went down the pages, taking it in:

- All students are subject to the authority of all staff regardless of the rank of either party

- All students are to be considered equal while on campus grounds regardless of rank and/or pack status

- Shifting on school grounds without the proper supervision and/or permission is prohibited and offenders will be placed on academic probation

- Shifter Law is to be followed with the utmost scrutiny at all times

Hmph. I almost laughed out loud. We'll see how well a building full of hormonal adolescent shifters sticks to these. Hell, adults struggled to follow rules like this. I sat the book down and pulled out what looked to be my schedule. There wasn't anything particularly special about it. The top showed the usual basic information. The only differences between this one and the one I'd had at the human school before was the inclusion of the Advanced Battle class and the sections that stated my species, rank, and pack. I also noticed that this school had free periods, something I hadn't experienced yet. That should be at least slightly relaxing.

I folded the schedule and placed it in the same pocket as my ID. The last paper packet was a list of all the Packs, Shadows, Clans, and Prides that had students in the school. It looked like the majority werewolf packs, vampire clans, and jaguar shadows. Rolling my eyes, I didn't know what I looked forward to more. Horny vampires, judgemental wolves, or touchy jaguars, which is saying a lot since I don't consider myself to be the calmest person around.

I looked again at the list, a particular pack catching my eye: Black Sun Pack. It was an interesting name. Reminds me of my original pack, Black Moon. Hmm, small world. After locating the nearest trashcan, I tossed anything that wasn't in my pocket. My stomach growled again, showing that I needed to make my way to the forest within this territory, which I now was. As soon as the city limits were out of sight, I stripped and shifted. Carrying my clothes between my teeth, I ran towards the scent of prey.