Chapter one
Raina’s POV
“Raina, stop running right now!” my father’s angry voice thundered through the mindlink.
I knew better than to stop. I ran with everything I had. The forest tore at me as I pushed forward, branches whipping my arms, my legs burning with every desperate stride. I didn’t stop. I didn’t dare. The moment I slowed down even a little, I could hear them closing in, their footsteps, their growls, their breaths.
It was only a matter of time before they caught me, since I hadn’t shifted yet and didn’t have wolf speed. But I refused to give up.
“Rania. Stop. Now.”
My father’s voice slammed into my mind like the crack of a whip. The force of his Beta-blooded command hit me so hard that my knees buckled for half a second. Beta Alaric never needed to shout. Even his calm anger could bruise a soul. But tonight, it was pure rage, and I felt it in every bone of my body.
My body weakened, but I still refused to stop or answer him.
Behind me, I heard a growl as one of them closed in.
Killian.
My stepbrother and my father’s beloved son. Killian had always hated me, and if there was ever an opportunity to hurt me, he never missed it. Tonight was no exception.
“Rania!” another voice shouted.
Caden. The Alpha’s son and soon-to-be Alpha of the pack.
His voice radiated fury, the same fury that had made me run in the first place.
My lungs screamed. My legs trembled. I tasted blood as I bit down on my tongue, but I kept going anyway.
The river wasn’t far. If I could cross it, I would be in Bloody Wolf Pack territory. I’d be a trespasser, yes, but that was much better than being dragged back home.
A root caught my foot, and I stumbled, hitting the ground hard. Pain shot through my palms as stones scraped my skin. I scrambled up instantly, forcing my battered body to move.
“Come back here, Rania! You can’t outrun us, you little slut!” Caden’s voice tore through the forest.
I turned a deaf ear and kept running.
I could still feel the heat of his anger from earlier, the way he had slammed my head on the table, accusing me of helping Claire run away.
Claire, my stepsister.
The golden child.
The pack’s most beautiful.
Caden’s chosen bride.
Claire, whom everyone adored and believed would be the perfect Luna. Claire had suddenly disappeared, and somehow it had become my fault.
Caden’s anger had been beyond anything I’d ever seen. He had promised to kill me if he had to, just to get answers for something I knew nothing about. His eyes had burned with something unhinged and evil.
That was when I realized I had two choices: run or die.
So I ran.
Finally, the trees thinned, and I heard the sound of rushing water. Relief hit me so hard I almost sobbed.
Two more steps. One more breath.
I splashed into the water, teeth chattering as cold soaked into my bones. The current pushed against me, but adrenaline dragged me forward until my feet hit the other side. I stumbled out of the river, collapsed to my knees, and pressed my forehead against the wet earth.
I made it.
I crossed.
I was—
A shadow crashed into me from behind.
Pain exploded across my ribs as I was slammed chest-down into the mud. Water splashed around us. A hand twisted in my hair and yanked my head back so hard I screamed.
Caden.
Of course, it was him.
He straddled my hips, pinning me down with all his weight. His breath was hot against my ear, panting with anger and fury.
“You really thought you could run from me?” he growled.
I clawed at the ground, trying to drag myself forward, but he pulled me back with ease.
“This is Bloody Wolf territory,” I gasped, still fighting even though I knew it was useless. “You crossed borders—”
“I don’t care,” he snarled, jerking my hair harder. “You are coming back with me.”
Footsteps thundered around us, followed by the unmistakable clicking of weapons. I lifted my head just enough to see dark silhouettes surrounding us.
Bloody Wolf warriors.
“Release her,” one of them ordered sharply. “You’ve trespassed.”
Caden didn’t hesitate. “She ran from my pack. She belongs to us.”
I shook my head violently, choking on desperation.
“No! Please! please don’t let him take me back! I crossed the border. I’m seeking sanctuary!”
The gamma of the Bloody Wolf Pack stepped forward, golden eyes scanning me with cold calculation.
I clung to his boots. “Please. I beg you. Don’t let him—”
Caden yanked me back and slammed my head into the mud so hard stars burst across my vision.
“She’s lying,” he said coolly. “She committed a crime. We’re taking her back.”
Please. Someone. Anyone.
But the gamma only exhaled a long, annoyed breath.
“I can’t allow you to take her back. We need to verify with our Alpha and yours.”
A flicker of hope sparked in my chest.
“There is no need for that!” Caden snapped. “I am the Alpha heir, and this is my father, the pack Beta. You have no right to stop me from taking my pack member.”
He released his Alpha aura.
The pressure hit like a shockwave, forcing warriors around him into submission.
“Oh no… no…” I cried silently.
The gamma bowed, overwhelmed. “Take her and leave. I don’t want a pack conflict to start over some runaway girl.”
The world blurred in a mix of shock, terror, and disbelief as Caden hauled me up by the hair. My scream echoed across the trees.
“NO! Please… no… please help me!”
My voice broke into ugly sobs as I thrashed helplessly.
“Please, I can’t go back—”
But the warriors had already turned away.
Caden slung me over his shoulder, ignoring every kick, every clawing attempt to break free. Behind us, Killian and my father emerged from the shadows, both looking furious.
My father’s jaw was clenched, but his cold, distant eyes didn’t show even a flicker of concern for my bleeding body.
“You’ve caused enough trouble tonight,” he said flatly.
Caden adjusted his grip, pressing a hand against the back of my thigh to stop my struggling.
“She’s going to pay for it,” he hissed.
My heart sank. My throat closed.
I knew what waited for me.
“Please… just kill me,” I whispered in terror.
Terror of what might happen to me next.
Caden laughed, cold and cruel. “Too easy. By the time I’m done with you, slut, even death will reject you.”
