Chapter 1
Hellbound By Two Alphas
Nora~
I ran through the forest as fast as I could, my breath ragged and shallow, the sound of heavy footsteps pounding behind me. My once-pristine dress, now torn and stained with blood and dirt, clung to my body as I stumbled over roots and fallen branches.
A sharp sting in my leg reminded me of the wounds I'd accumulated, but I pushed on, knowing if I stopped, they would catch me. Their growls echoed through the trees, chilling me to the bone.
I tripped and hit the ground hard, dirt scraping my palms and knees. Tears blurred my vision, but I forced myself to rise, biting back a scream as pain shot through my twisted ankle. I couldn't let them find me. I wouldn't go back.
Pressing my back against the trunk of a towering tree, I placed a trembling hand over my mouth to stifle the sound of my breathing. My heart thundered in my chest, so loud I was sure they could hear it. Blood trickled down my leg, the gashes from the branches deepening with each movement.
From the shadows, I could hear them—closer now. Their growls were menacing, the sound of hunters closing in on their prey.
"Come out, Nora," a voice boomed. It was Beta Grey. His voice carried authority, but there was a cruel edge to it. "The Alphas will forgive you if you surrender now."
Lies.
I pressed my lips together, refusing to make a sound. I couldn't trust them. I couldn't trust anyone.
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My wolf, Lara, stirred inside me, her anger seeping into my veins like molten fire. "Let me take over," she urged, her voice a growl in my head. "I'll protect us."
I clenched my fists, shaking my head. "No," I whispered softly, so softly I wasn't sure if I even spoke aloud. I couldn't let her out. She was powerful but reckless. And after everything that had happened, I couldn't risk her losing control.
Lara growled again, this time louder. "You can't fight them alone, Nora. You're going to get us both killed."
I peeked out from behind the tree, my heart sinking as I spotted Beta Grey standing in a clearing, flanked by guards. Their sharp eyes scanned the forest, searching for any sign of movement.
"Search every inch of this forest!" Beta Grey barked, his voice cutting through the night. "The Alphas will not show mercy if we return empty-handed!"
The guards scattered, heading in different directions, their growls and movements sending the animals in the forest fleeing in fear.
This was my chance.
I forced myself to stand, biting down on the pain in my ankle. But as I took a step forward, my legs gave out, and I fell back to the ground. A sharp cry escaped my lips before I could stop it.
A growl echoed from behind me, low and guttural.
My blood ran cold.
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I turned slowly, terror gripping me as I came face to face with a massive black wolf. His glowing amber eyes locked onto mine, burning with fury.
Killian.
I took a shaky step back, but my heel struck a root, nearly sending me to the ground again. Before I could move, another wolf stepped into view from the shadows. This one was white as snow, his icy blue eyes just as unforgiving.
Keal.
My mates.
I wanted to scream, cry, and break down all at once. I couldn't go back to them. I wouldn't.
Slowly, the two wolves began to shift, their hulking forms transforming into the towering figures of the men who had once been my salvation but were now my tormentors. Killian's dark eyes bore into me, and Keal's expression was just as cold, his jaw set in anger.
I glanced at Keal's side and saw the wound I had inflicted on him—the stab mark still fresh and angry. I had tried to kill him. If someone had told me a year ago that I would one day attack my own mate, I would have laughed. But now, I would rather die than return to them.
"Stay back!" I shouted, my voice hoarse. I moved behind the tree, using it as a flimsy shield between us.
Killian smirked, the cruel twist of his lips sending a shiver down my spine. "You can't run forever, Nora."
Before I could respond, the Beta and his guards appeared, their growls silencing the night.
"She's here," the Beta announced, bowing his head slightly toward the Alphas.
Killian's gaze didn't waver from mine. "Take her," he ordered, his tone as cold as ice.
The Beta stepped forward, and I stumbled back, shaking my head. "Stay away!" I screamed.
But Lara's growl erupted in my head, louder and angrier than ever.
"Let me out."
I had no choice.
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My vision blurred as I gave in, letting Lara take control. A sharp pain rippled through my body as my bones shifted and broke, my screams merging with her growls. When the transformation was complete, Lara stood in my place—a sleek, powerful wolf with piercing blue eyes.
Lara didn't wait. She launched herself at the Beta, her claws slicing across his face. He cried out in pain, stumbling backward, but before she could strike again, the guards dragged her off him.
She snarled, her teeth snapping as she lunged at them, her fury unmatched. One by one, she took them down, her attacks merciless and efficient.
When the last guard fell, she turned her gaze to Killian and Keal, who hadn't moved an inch during the entire fight. They stood there, watching us, their expressions unreadable.
"Lara, stop," I pleaded, trying to regain control.
But Lara didn't listen. Her growls deepened as she turned her focus to Killian, hatred burning in her eyes. She hated him more than anything, more than even Keal.
"Lara, you can't beat them!" I cried, panic rising in my chest.
But it was too late. Lara charged at Killian with everything she had.
Killian didn't even flinch.
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In one swift motion, he caught her by the neck, his grip unyielding. Lara snarled and thrashed, but Killian's strength was overwhelming.
"You foolish, useless wolf," Killian growled, his voice dripping with disdain. "You think you can defy me and live?"
With a cruel smile, he threw Lara against a nearby tree, the impact shaking the ground beneath us. Pain tore through me as I felt every blow she endured.
Lara tried to stand, but Killian's foot pressed down on her, pinning her to the ground.
"You'll learn your place," he hissed. "Both of you."
My body began to shift again, the pain unbearable as Lara was forced back, and I returned to my human form. Lying on the ground, broken and bleeding, I looked up at him with all the hatred I could muster.
"I hate you," I whispered, my voice barely audible.
Killian's expression didn't change.
And then, darkness consumed me.
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