The Bloodfang fortress rose like a beast from the forest floor stone fangs piercing the dawn sky, its walls thick with snow and shadows. Selara's stomach tightened as Kaelen dragged her through the iron gates.
Dozens of wolves in human form lined the courtyard, their eyes glowing gold, amber, and crimson as they watched. Silence rippled through them as they scented her. Recognition struck. Their lips curled back, low growls vibrating the cold air.
"Moonveil," one spat.
"Witch," hissed another.
Selara's pulse hammered. She tugged against Kaelen's grip, desperate to flee, but his hand clamped her wrist tighter. His silver gaze swept across his pack, sharp as steel.
"She is under my protection," he growled.
The words silenced the courtyard, but not the hatred in their eyes. Loyalty kept them still, but Selara could feel the weight of their hunger pressing on her like claws.
They don't want me alive.
Kaelen pulled her through the hall, past stone walls etched with claw marks from centuries of battles, until they reached a chamber lit only by torches. He shoved the door open and hauled her inside.
It was no bedroom. It was a cage. Chains hung from the stone walls. The floor was stained with blood, old and new.
Selara's breath hitched. "You call this protection?"
Kaelen released her at last, his broad shoulders shadowing the torchlight. "Protection is not comfort."
Her heart thudded as she backed against the wall, clutching her dagger though she knew it was useless here. "If you mean to kill me, then do it. Don't play with me like a wolf toys with prey."
Kaelen's jaw clenched. For a long moment he just stared, his silver eyes unreadable. Then, to her shock, he moved past her and closed the iron door.
"You think I want this?" His voice was low, dangerous. "You think I chose to be bound to cursed blood?"
Selara flinched at the venom in his tone, but her chin lifted. "And you think I wanted it? You are my enemy, Kaelen Drazek. I would sooner die than"
Her words choked off when his hand shot up, slamming against the stone just beside her head. He leaned in close, his scent thick with pine and smoke, his presence filling the room.
"Careful, Selara." His voice dropped to a growl. "Every wolf in this fortress wants your blood on their claws. The only reason you still breathe is because of me. So tell me would you truly rather die?"
Her lips parted, but no sound came. Because though every part of her wanted to say yes, the bond betrayed her. Her wolf trembled, pressing closer to him, whispering one undeniable truth.
Mine.
She shoved it down with fury. "You'll regret this bond."
For the first time, his expression cracked not with anger, but with something darker. A shadow of fear, quickly hidden.
"Perhaps," he said. Then he turned and left her in the cage.
The iron door slammed shut.
Hours bled away in silence. Selara sat on the cold floor, arms wrapped around her knees, the bond tugging at her chest like a leash. She tried to meditate, to call on the old Moonveil ways her mother had taught her ways to quiet the wolf, to sever the threads of fate.
But the bond only pulsed stronger. Each beat of her heart answered by his, as if the fortress itself carried the echo of Kaelen's presence.
She hated it.
Hated him.
Hated herself most of all for the part of her wolf that didn't want to break free.
The door creaked. Selara scrambled to her feet, dagger ready.
It wasn't Kaelen.
Mira Drazek stepped into the chamber Kaelen's younger sister, her dark braid swinging over her shoulder, her eyes gleaming with ambition.
"Well, well," Mira drawled, circling Selara like a predator. "The little Moonveil mouse my brother dragged in. The pack is already whispering, you know. Some think he's lost his mind. Others think…" She leaned closer, lips curving. "Others think you've bewitched him."
Selara's heart thudded. "And what do you think?"
Mira's smile sharpened. "I think my brother is a fool. And I think you're an opportunity."
Before Selara could answer, Mira's hand shot out and gripped her chin, forcing her gaze up. Her nails dug into Selara's skin. "You won't last here. Not unless someone teaches you the rules. Obey me, and perhaps I'll keep the wolves from tearing you apart when Kaelen isn't looking."
Selara wrenched free, fury flashing. "I don't need your protection."
Mira laughed softly, stepping back. "No. But you'll need my silence. Because if I tell the pack the truth that the Alpha's mate is cursed blood they won't wait for Kaelen's orders. They'll rip you to pieces in your sleep."
Selara's stomach dropped. She had known she wasn't safe. But hearing it in Mira's venom-laced voice made the danger real.
Mira leaned close again, her whisper brushing Selara's ear. "You have two choices, Moonveil. Serve me in secret or die before the next full moon."
Selara's grip tightened on her dagger, but her wolf whined. Killing Mira here would doom her instantly. The pack would swarm, and Kaelen could not protect her from them all.
She swallowed hard, trembling with fury and helplessness. "And if I refuse?"
Mira's smile was all teeth. "Then I'll be the one to drive the blade through your heart. And my brother will thank me for it."
That night, Selara curled on the cold stone, her dagger clutched tight. Every sound outside the door set her on edge the scrape of claws, the echo of footsteps, the growl of wolves pacing the halls.
She had walked into the wolf's den. And now the walls closed tighter around her, every shadow holding teeth.
When sleep finally dragged at her eyes, she dreamed of fire. Of her sister's laughter. Of Kaelen's hand reaching for her across the flames.
She woke to the slam of the iron door.
Kaelen stood there, silver eyes blazing not with control, but with fury.
"Selara," he growled, voice low and dangerous. "What did you tell my sister?"
Her blood froze.
Selara realizes Mira knows the truth and is blackmailing her. But Kaelen has just stormed in, furious, convinced Selara has betrayed him by speaking with his sister.