Rayne POV
The rogues were coming closer, their growls vibrating through the ground.
My heart raced as I turned to face the stranger, his dark grin still in place as he watched me, waiting for my decision.
Time was running out, and I still haven't made a choice.
I could feel it in the air, the pressure building, the danger looming around like fresh air of the night.
There was no escape at this time. Not unless…
"Decide, Rayne," the stranger whispered to my ears, his voice cutting through the chaos like a sharp blade.
"Power or death?" He Said, still with same tone.
I clenched my fists, my body trembling as the Rogues drew closer.
Every instinct screamed at me to run for my life, to fight, to do anything but trust him.
But the truth was, I had no choice. Mateo had stripped me of everything I had.
I was powerless, weak. And now, surrounded by enemies, I was about to be torn apart like a chicken.
"Fine," I spat, my voice laced with desperation.
"I accept."
The stranger's smile widened, a flash of triumph in his eyes, while my heart race.
He stepped closer to me, his hand reaching out to touch my forehead. The moment his fingers brushed my skin, I felt a surge of energy so intense, it nearly knocked me off my feet.
It was raw power, untamed, rushed into my veins, filling every corner of my being with heat and huge strength.
I gasped, staggering as the sensation overwhelmed me at once.
"You've made the right choice," he whispered to my ears, his voice distant now, as if fading into the shadows.
"Now, show them what you're capable of doing and prove them wrong."
The power continued to run through me, sharpening my senses, heightening my awareness of everything around me.
The rogues were closing in as soon as they can, but now... I wasn't afraid anymore.
Not anymore.
One of the rogues lunged at me, its teeth bared, aiming for my throat and my skin.
I moved faster than I thought possible, sidestepping the attack with ease. The world seemed to slow down, every movement of the rogues clear, precise, predictable. Another came at me, and I spun, delivering a kick that sent it flying back into the trees.
I wasn't the same Rayne anymore.
The remaining rogues circled me, growling in frustration. They could sense the change, the shift in power. But they wouldn't retreat. Not without a fight.
"Come on!" I shouted, my voice echoing through the dark night. "Is that all you've got in you?"
The largest rogue, its fur matted and eyes glowing with a savage hunger, leaped at me, claws outstretched. I raised my arm, blocking its attack with newfound strength, then slammed it into the ground with a force that surprised even me. It let out a whimper before scrambling to its feet and retreating into the forest.
The others hesitated, then followed, disappearing into the darkness.
I stood there, panting, adrenaline still pumping through my veins. The night was quiet again, the threat gone. But the stranger remained, watching me with an expression I couldn't read.
"You're stronger than I ever expected," he said, his voice smooth, almost impressed.
"This power suits you, and this I'm proud."
I turned to face him, my mind still spinning from everything that had just happened.
"What… what did you do to me?"
"I gave you what you needed to suit your life," he replied, stepping closer. "Strength. Control. The ability to fight back and be strong."
"But at what cost?" I demanded, the fear creeping back in. This power, it wasn't natural. It felt dangerous, dark. "What did I just agree to?"
The stranger tilted his head, his gaze piercing. "Nothing comes without a price, Rayne. But don't worry. I'll collect when the time is right."
Before I could respond, he stepped back into the shadows, his form dissolving into the night as if he had never been there at all.
I stood frozen, my mind racing. What had I done? I had accepted his power, yes, but at what cost? What had I just unleashed?
Suddenly, a sound broke through my thoughts—the unmistakable sound of footsteps. I whipped around, heart pounding.
From the trees, Mateo emerged, his eyes locking onto mine. But there was no softness, no regret in his gaze. Only anger boiling within him.
"Rayne," he growled, his voice low and dangerous. "What the hell have you done?"
My stomach twisted at the sight of him. The man who had once been my mate, my everything, now stared at me with pure hatred. And I could feel it—the bond that once connected us was gone. I was no longer his, and he… was no longer mine.
"I told you to leave," Mateo continued, stepping closer, his fists clenched. "I gave you a chance to walk away, but you just couldn't, could you? Now look at you."
His eyes flickered to the spot where the rogues had attacked, to the crushed earth where I had taken them down. His lips curled in disgust. "You've become something else."
"You don't know anything about me," I snapped, my voice shaking. The power I had felt moments ago was still there, simmering beneath the surface, but now… it felt wrong. Like it didn't belong to me. Like it was waiting to take control.
"Oh, I know enough," Mateo said, his voice cold. "I know you're a danger to the pack. And I know you need to be stopped."
Fear gripped me as I took a step back, my heart racing. "What are you talking about?"
"You've aligned yourself with something dark, Rayne," he said, his voice heavy with accusation. "You're not the same girl I rejected. You're something else now. Something I can't allow to exist in my pack."
"You rejected me," I spat, anger flaring inside me. "You don't get to tell me what I am anymore."
Mateo's eyes darkened, his expression hardening. "You made your choice. Now, you'll face the consequences."
Before I could respond, a howl cut through the air—louder, more menacing than before. Mateo's eyes widened, and he turned toward the sound, his muscles tensing.
More rogues.
"Stay out of this," Mateo growled, turning back to me. "This is my fight."
But the power inside me surged again, stronger this time, as if it were reacting to the threat. I clenched my fists, trying to hold it back, trying to stay in control. But it was too late.
The ground trembled, and a dark force exploded from within me, radiating outward in a wave of energy. Mateo staggered back, his eyes wide with shock as the force knocked him off his feet.
"What… what are you?" he gasped, struggling to stand.
I stared down at my hands, horrified by what I had just done. The power was no longer just a tool—it was something else entirely. Something I couldn't control.
"I don't know," I whispered, my voice trembling. "I don't know what I've become."