Selene's heart pounded as the huge gates of the Crimson Hold opened before her.
The fortress stood tall and strong against the evening sky, its stone walls blood-red in the setting sun. "Welcome to your prison," whispered a voice in her head, but she pushed it away.
This was not a jail. This was a choiceeven if it felt like no choice at all. Kael's strong grip on her arm reminded her of their deal.
Break his curse or face trial for a murder she didn't commit. Some choice. "Keep your head high," Kael whispered, his breath warm against her ear.
"Show weakness and they'll tear you apart." As they stepped through the gates, a hush fell over the courtyard. Dozens of werewolves stopped what they were doing and stared.
Their eyes burned with curiosity, fear, and hate as they took in her red-black hair and silver eyes that marked her as a Ruby Wolf. "It's her." "The last Ruby Wolf." "Murderer." "Alpha killer." The whispers followed her like shadows.
Selene straightened her back and met their stares, though her stomach twisted with fear. A tall man with light blond hair and cold green eyes approached.
The tribal tattoo on his arm seemed to dance as he moved. "Alpha," he said with a short bow to Kael, totally ignoring Selene. "The council demands an explanation."
"Cian," Kael nodded. "They'll get one. Tomorrow." Cian's eyes narrowed as they fell on Selene. "You bring an Alpha killer into our home and make us wait for answers?"
"Careful," Kael growled, the sound rumbling from deep in his chest. The scar on his neckevidence of the curse slowly killing himpulsed an angry red. Selene felt something surprising. Not fear of Kael's anger, but worry for him. Using his power seemed to increase the curse's grip.
"I didn't kill anyone," Selene said, her voice louder than she felt. Cian snorted. "The Ruby witch talks. Should I bow?" His hand moved to the blade at his hip. "You should leave," Kael said.
The air around him vibrated with power. "Now." With a final glare at Selene, Cian backed away. "The council meets at dawn," he said before turning and walking off. Kael led Selene across the courtyard toward the main building. She felt the weight of every stare, the burn of every muttered curse. One woman spat on the ground as she passed. "They hate me,"
Selene whispered. "They fear you," Kael amended. "Fear often looks like hate." Inside the castle, servants scrambled out of their way. The stone walls loomed cold and unwelcoming, decorated with ancient weapons and tapestries showing wolves in war. Kael led her up a winding staircase, his hand never leaving her arm. Not quite a captor's grip, but not soft either. "These will be your rooms," he said, pushing open a heavy wooden door. "You'll be safe here." The chamber was bigger than any place Selene had stayed in year.
A massive bed with fur blankets filled one wall. A campfire crackled on another. Wide windows overlooked the misty valleys below. "Safe, but not free to leave," Selene said, turning to face him. Kael's storm-gray eyes searched her face.
"Would you rather face their justice in the village square?" "We both know I didn't kill that Alpha." "Do we?" His voice dropped lower.
"I was just a boy when it happened. But I saw the fallout. An Alpha and his guards, torn apart by power only Ruby Wolves command." Selene stepped closer to him, refusing to back down.
"I was a kid too. Do you truly believe a little girl could do that?" Something flashed in Kael's eyesdoubt, perhaps. "The evidence"
"Was planted," she cut him off. "By someone who wanted all Ruby Wolves dead. They nearly succeeded." The curse mark on his neck pulsed again. Kael winced, one hand rising to cover it. "Is it getting worse?" Selene asked, her anger giving way to worry. "Every day," he revealed. "The healers give me a month, maybe less." Without thinking, Selene reached toward his neck. Kael caught her wrist, his grip hard but not painful.
"Don't," he warned. "Your power could trigger it." "Or heal it," she replied. Their eyes locked. For a heartbeat, the air between them crackled with something neither of them understood.
A knock at the door broke the moment. Kael released her wrist and stepped back. A young woman with freckles and curly red hair entered, bringing fresh clothes. She froze when she saw Selene, her green eyes widening. "Elara," Kael said.
"This is Selene Arden. She'll be staying with us." Elara didn't move. She looked at Selene with an intensity that made her uncomfortable. "Elara is our resident witch," Kael stated. "She helps with healing." "You're really a Ruby Wolf," Elara whispered, still staring. "I thought you were all dead." "Nearly," Selene answered.
Elara opened her mouth to say more, but Kael cut her off. "The clothes, Elara." The young witch jumped, then hurriedly put the bundle on the bed. "Sorry, Alpha." She backed toward the door but kept her eyes on Selene. "Welcome to the Crimson Hold," she said before slipping out. "Strange girl," Kael mumbled.
"But loyal. She can help you settle in." "Why does she look at me like that?" "Everyone will look at you like that. You're a wonder.
A monster to some, a gift to others." Selene turned toward the window. The valley below was beautiful but felt distant. "And which am I to you, Alpha Kael? Monster or miracle?"
"You're my last chance," he said bluntly. "Get some rest. Tomorrow won't be easy." He moved to leave, but Selene called after him. "What happens if I refuse the bond?" Kael stopped at the door. "Then I die, and you face the council alone."
"Is that a threat?" "No," he said, his eyes hardening. "It's a promise." After he left, Selene tested the door. Unlocked. She could run, but where would she go? The pack would hunt her down before she reached the forest. She moved to the window and looked out at the fading light. Something caught her eye on a nearby towera shadow that moved too quickly, too deliberately.
A chill ran down her spine as the shadow paused, and for just a moment, she could swear it looked straight at her. Then it vanished. She wasn't just being watched by the pack. Someone else had found her.
As darkness fell over the Crimson Hold, Selene understood the fortress wasn't just Kael's last chance. It might be hers too.