Kyle's POV.
I woke up in my human form, naked and bandaged, pain flaring through my entire body.
Air burned my throat as I tried to breathe it in, my body jerking hard against the ground beneath me. Pain flared at my neck and spread through my shoulders and chest. I gasped again, panic rising when my lungs refused to work properly.
I forced myself to slow down.
The pain didn't disappear, but it eased enough for me to stay conscious.
I opened my eyes. The ceiling above me wasn't the sky, that was the first thing I noticed.
Wooden beams, stone walls. A faint light coming from a small opening high up on one side. The air smelled weird, too many wolves, too close together.
Pack territory.
I tensed immediately and tried to move.
My body reacted with a sharp pain. I hissed and dropped back down, teeth clenched. I lifted my hand slowly and felt thick bandages wrapped around my shoulder and upper chest.
Someone had treated the wound.
That made my stomach sink.
I wasn't alone.
I pushed myself up enough to look around. The room was bare. No windows I could reach, no weapons, no exits. Just a heavy wooden door at the far end.
I wasn't hiding in a cave.
I was being kept somewhere.
The door opened.
I froze.
Three wolves stepped inside. Two men and one woman. Their eyes went straight to me, sharp and unfriendly. They didn't bother hiding it.
"He's awake," one of them said flatly.
"Should've let him die," the woman muttered.
I tensed, jaw tight, fists clenching without thinking. Weak or not, I wasn't about to show fear.
All three of them stiffened at once.
"You're in Blackclaw territory," the taller man said, stepping forward. "You don't act like that here."
"Get me out of here and I'll show you exactly how I act," I snapped, my voice rough from disuse. My eyes didn't waver, and I planted my feet firmly, daring them to challenge me.
The woman crossed her arms. "You shouldn't have crossed the border."
"There was no particular sign of any sort."
"That's what rogues always say."
I pushed myself upright despite the pain, refusing to lie there like prey. My legs shook, but I stayed standing.
"Where is he?" I asked.
They all paused.
"The Alpha?" the man said.
"Yes."
Their expressions tightened.
"He's busy," the woman replied. "And you're not his concern."
A short and bitter laugh escaped my mouth. "Then why am I still breathing?"
None of them answered.
The door opened again.
This time a tall, broad-shouldered, man walked in. His dark eyes swept over me, and I could feel the weight of his presence before he even spoke.
The room went quiet immediately.
No muttering, no movement. Everyone straightened, eyes lowering in respect.
"Sir, Rowan—" the woman said but he cut her off before she could finish.
"Out," he said.
He didn't look at me at first.
They didn't hesitate. They left quickly, closing the door behind them.
He finally turned his attention to me. His gaze was steady, unreadable.
"You should still be unconscious," he said.
"I've had worse," I replied.
He nodded slightly, as if that confirmed something for him. "You were bitten by a vampire."
"I know."
"You shouldn't have survived."
"Then kill me yourself!" I snapped.
Silence stretched between us.
He didn't come closer.
That stood out. Most Alphas liked to loom. To make their dominance clear. He stayed where he was, arms at his sides, keeping distance like I was dangerous, or inconvenient.
"You're a rogue," he said.
"Surprise."
"You crossed into my territory."
"Surprise number two."
"You think this is a joke?"
I met his eyes. "Are you going to kill me?"
His jaw tightened.
"No."
The answer surprised both of us.
"Then what?" I asked.
"You're injured. You'll stay until you can move without collapsing."
"And after that?"
His eyes hardened slightly. "Then you leave."
Just like that.
No offer. No threat. No comfort.
I should've felt relieved.
Instead, something sharp twisted in my chest.
"Your pack doesn't want me here," I said.
"Surprise." He said mimicking me.
"And you?"
He held my gaze for a long moment.
"I don't want complications," he said finally.
"Then don't save rogues," I snapped.
A flicker of something crossed his face, irritation, maybe. Or restraint.
"Rest," he said, turning toward the door. "You'll be guarded."
"I'm not your prisoner."
He paused.
"You're alive because I decided you would be," he said calmly. "Don't test how far that goes."
Then he left. The lock slid into place. I stood there, injured, surrounded by enemies, and stuck in the territory of an Alpha who couldn't decide whether I was a problem or a mistake.
I looked over my shoulder at the bandage wrapped over it. I opened it and the bite had disappeared.
Disappeared?
How the fu—