The morning air was sharp and cold, easily sinking into Zoey's skin as two guards dragged her and Ryan out of the cell. Snow had begun to fall again, a light dusting that covered the courtyard in a quiet white layer.
Zoey's legs shook with every step, not just from pain but from the fear that sat heavy in her chest. Ryan stumbled beside her, one of his eyes swollen shut, his lip split, his breath short.
They were led to the center of the compound, where the Alpha stood waiting near the stone fountain. His long coat brushed the ground, the black fur collar thick around his neck. His eyes were cold, hard.
Calista stood beside him, dressed in deep red this time, her expression unreadable.
"Kneel," one guard ordered.
Zoey hesitated but dropped to her knees, helping Ryan beside her.
The Alpha stepped forward, hands behind his back. "You've caused quite a storm, Zoey."
She didn't answer. She didn't look up.
"The vampire lord is here," he said simply. "He's in one of our guest towers. Tonight, we host a wedding banquet in his honor. And tomorrow, you will go with him."
Zoey's head snapped up. "What?"
"You will serve him. Do as he asks. Be good. Win his trust. And when the time comes, you will help us destroy him."
"No," she whispered. "I won't."
The Alpha's eyes darkened. "You will."
"I'd rather die than be used like that."
"You misunderstand." His voice was calm, but deadly. "This isn't a choice."
Zoey shook her head. "He's dangerous. He kills. He drinks blood. I'm not going with him. I'm not your bait. And I know you want to serve me on a platter to him. When things go south."
Calista stepped forward then, her voice like a knife. "If you don't go, we'll kill Ryan. Again. And this time, you won't have him returned to you. Not only that. Even after his death, you'll be forced to come with us."
Ryan looked up at her, terrified.
Zoey felt like she couldn't breathe. "You already punished him. He's just a child!"
"Yes," Calista said softly. "But we can do worse. Lily is ready to testify. She'll say she never helped him. That he came to her on his own. He'll be charged with trespassing, aiding a fugitive, and lying."
Zoey blinked. "No... she wouldn't..."
"She already did," Calista said. "She's scared. She has a family too. She chose them. And this is probably not the first time she's done such a thing to you. Remember?"
Zoey's chest hurt. Lily had always turned up for her. She was like her safe space. But now, she'd betrayed him. All to protect herself.
"If you refuse again," the Alpha said, "he goes back into the cell. The next time, we won't be gentle."
Ryan's hand trembled in hers.
"Zoey, you don't have to," he whispered. "You've done alot for me already."
She looked at him. Looked at the bruises on his face. The fear in his voice.
And she broke.
Slowly, she nodded.
"Fine. I'll go." She said, cleaning the tears off her brother's face and then hers.
The Alpha gave a short nod to the guards. "Get her ready."
They dragged Ryan away first. Zoey watched him until he disappeared through the doors.
Calista walked with her as she was taken to the inner quarters. "You'll be dressed. Cleaned. You will not speak unless spoken to. You will not run. You will not fight."
"I'll remember," Zoey said bitterly.
Calista stopped at a door. Opened it. Inside was a warm room with a tub, steam rising from hot water. A dress hung by the wall. Long, silver, elegant.
"Wash. Dress. You'll be taken to the banquet room by sunset."
She left.
Zoey stepped inside and locked the door. Her hands were shaking as she slowly undressed. Her body was a canvas of bruises—ribs purple, arms scraped, shoulders marked.
She slid into the tub. It stung. She bit her lip and said nothing.
Time passed. She cleaned herself, put on the dress, braided her hair as best she could. When she looked at her reflection, she barely recognized herself. She looked like a ghost.
Just before sunset, two guards came for her.
They led her to the grand hall, where torches burned bright and food lined long tables. The scent of meat, wine, and roses filled the air. The crowd buzzed with low chatter, the pack dressed in their finest.
Then, she saw him.
The vampire.
He sat at the head of the table. Tall. Pale. His dark hair was neatly tied back, and his suit was crisp and black. His eyes were unreadable, but they settled on Zoey the second she entered.
She felt them pierce into her, like ice through skin.
"You'll serve him wine," the guard behind her muttered. "And food. And anything else he wants."
She walked toward the head of the table.
He watched her. Didn't smile. Didn't blink.
Zoey kept her hands steady as she poured him wine.
He raised the glass. Sipped.
"The name again?" he asked softly.
"Zoey," she answered. Her voice barely a whisper.
He tilted his head. "We've met already, yeah?"
She didn't answer.
He didn't press.
The banquet went on. Music played. People laughed. Toasts were made.
Zoey stood beside the vampire's chair the whole time. Still. Silent. Watching. Waiting.
At one point, he leaned close. "You don't seem interested."
She looked at him. "I'm not."
A faint smile touched his lips. "I like that."
She looked away.
By the time the banquet ended, the moon was high. The halls were quieting.
The Alpha approached. "The lord will leave in the morning. You will go with him."
Zoey said nothing.
"Don't try anything," Calista warned, stepping beside her. "He won't protect you from us."
Zoey met her gaze. "I know that."
"As you should. Now back to your dom"
She left . And walking down the hall, she didn't know what the next day would bring. She didn't know what the vampire wanted from her. Or what the Alpha truly planned. But she knew one thing.
If she had to burn the world to keep Ryan safe, she would.
She closed her eyes. Sleep did not come easily.
Morning came fast.
Zoey was already dressed when the guards arrived. The vampire was waiting outside, a black van behind him. The sky was gray, snow still falling.
Zoey climbed inside.
She looked back at the compound.
At everything she was leaving behind.
And she whispered to herself, "This isn't over."
The carriage doors closed.
And they rode into the unknown.