72

72


It felt as if my heart had shattered into pieces. I looked at Maria, who stepped back but held her ground, as if waiting for something. I searched her eyes, but she avoided my gaze, turning away like my stare would burn her. How I wished it would. She deserved to suffer for her betrayal. The friend I’d trusted had sold me out.

My claws extended instinctively, a poor defense against the ten men encircling me. They hadn’t shifted, but several of them brandished black steel swords, glinting with poisonous intent. Though their sharp blades aimed at me, I felt no fear. I wasn’t about to go down without a fight.

“Come on, sweetheart,” one of them sneered. “We’d rather not cut you, but we won’t hesitate if you keep resisting.”

A low growl rumbled in my chest. I lunged forward, grabbing the man’s wrist and twisting until he dropped his sword. Seizing it, I spun around, barely blocking another warrior’s attack.

“Damn bitch!” he snarled, recoiling as I left a small but toxic cut on his arm.

The sword was heavy and unfamiliar, nothing like the daggers I preferred. But if it got me out of here, I’d make it work. Tightening my grip, I slashed across another man’s chest. He stumbled back, crashing into two more of his comrades. Smirking, I saw my chance. I dashed toward the forest, only for a dark figure to intercept me, slamming the breath from my lungs. I crumpled to the ground, gasping, the sword slipping from my grip.

I reached for the fallen sword, fingers brushing the hilt before a large boot kicked it away. A towering figure loomed above me, his face hidden in shadow, draped in black leather pants, his bare chest adorned with belts holding blades. His menacing aura seemed to freeze my every movement as he crouched beside me, a cruel grin flashing sharp teeth under the moonlight.

“I heard you were feisty, and you didn’t disappoint,” he growled, his voice dark and cold. His hand ripped the lapels of my cloak, exposing my nightgown beneath.

I tried to cover myself, but he seized my wrists, pinning them above my head. In an instant, his weight crushed me, locking me in place. “Let me go,” I spat, panic rising.

His grin widened. “Can’t do that,” he purred. “You’re meant for the Alpha King, though I’m tempted to keep you for myself.”

One of his men approached and bowed. “Orders, General Alvise?”

My blood turned to ice. The man restraining me was General Alvise, one of the Alpha King’s ruthless generals. At his glance, the soldier recoiled, taking a hasty step back. General Alvise released my wrists, only to twist a hand in my hair, yanking me upright. “Get up, wench,” he snarled.

A sharp, searing pain shot through my scalp. I fought back, clawing at his arms, but it was like scratching iron. He chuckled, his laughter cold and sinister. “Keep fighting, and I might just keep you to myself,” he said, tightening his hold as he forced me to my feet. Tears streamed down my face, and he leaned in, licking them away with a mocking smirk. My stomach twisted in revulsion, but I couldn’t even retch.

“Maybe Alpha Matteo will let me keep you for a while. I’d enjoy hearing your bones snap,” he whispered.

Terror surged within me, but I forced myself to snarl. “Alpha Stefano will rip you to shreds. And I’ll watch every moment.”

His laugh was bone-chilling as he dragged me toward a reinforced wagon. I writhed in his grip, but his strength was unyielding. His men sneered and mocked as they crowded closer. And then I saw Maria. Horror was etched across her face, but I felt nothing but contempt. The moment she’d betrayed me, she’d died to me.

Finally, General Alvise flung me to the ground near the wagon. My legs trembled from the pain in my scalp, and I rubbed the sore spot while his men jeered. “Get her inside,” he ordered with a cruel smirk. “And keep her quiet.”

Before I could brace myself, one of his men struck me from behind, and everything went black.



I woke with my head throbbing, chained to the metal railing inside a moving wagon. Across from me, Maria sat in silence. Rage boiled over, tearing a snarl from my throat. “You’re dead!”

She flinched, remorse written across her features. “I had no choice,” she murmured.

“There’s always a choice!” I snapped, laughing bitterly.

She shook her head. “Not for me.”

I strained against the chains, leaning as close as I could. “You betrayed your Alpha! Stefano trusted you!”

She swallowed hard, her voice cracking. “I did it for family. You would have done the same.”

“No,” I hissed. “I would never betray those who trust me.”

Her face crumpled. “She’s all I have… my only reason to live,” she whispered, tears filling her eyes.

“Chiara,” I realized with a pang. “Did they take her?”

Maria nodded, her voice choked. “The night you escaped, she wanted to go looking for you. I couldn’t stop her. Then Ornella’s warriors captured her. I begged them to release her. They agreed—if I did as they asked.”

Rage flared again. “Why didn’t you tell Stefano? He could’ve made Ornella’s men free her!”

“I couldn’t risk her life!” She looked at me, pleading for understanding.

“You’re a fool,” I spat. “Stefano would protect you both. You, of all people, should have known that.”

Maria fell to her knees. “I swear, I didn’t know they’d send General Alvise. I thought…”

“May the Fates forgive you,” I said coldly. “You won’t get it from me.”

She bowed her head, retreating in silence. We didn’t speak for hours, until the wagon jolted to a stop.



The back door opened, and a scarred warrior pointed at Maria. She scrambled out. Another man climbed in, keys in hand, reaching toward me. I kicked him hard in the groin. He collapsed with a cry of pain.

“What’s going on in there?” General Alvise’s voice boomed. I froze. “Get her out already!”

Two more men hauled me out, dragging me forward. I glimpsed the massive sign hanging over a stone gate: Daeville. My heart hammered.

“Where is Chiara?” Maria begged, falling to her knees before Alvise. “I did everything you asked. Please, return her to me.”

Alvise laughed, gesturing to a bald soldier, who disappeared briefly and returned with a black sack. He emptied it at Maria’s feet.

Chiara’s severed head rolled out, her lifeless eyes staring into nothingness. Maria’s scream cut through the night, raw and agonizing, as she clutched her chest, shattered by grief.

Alvise savored her torment before sneering at his soldiers. “We shouldn’t separate family, should we?”

One soldier bared his claws and slit Maria’s throat in a single, swift motion.