The iron bars felt colder than they should, their chill seeping into my fingertips as I gripped them. My cell was small, its walls of rough stone damp with condensation, and the air carried a metallic tang of blood and rust. My wolf stirred uneasily within me, weak and restless. The bond simmered under my skin, a constant, maddening reminder of the Alpha who had thrown me here.
My mate.
The word felt like a curse. A cruel joke the universe had played on me. My chest tightened, my fingers curling into fists as I forced the thought away. I couldn't afford to dwell on it. Not now.
The fortress's heavy silence was only broken by the occasional echo of footsteps. I had been here long enough to feel its oppressive weight, the scent of dominance and fear clinging to the air. It reminded me too much of another place, another cage. My stomach churned at the memory, flashes of pain and chains ripping through my mind. I squeezed my eyes shut, swallowing the bile that rose in my throat.
I wouldn't break. Not again.
The sound of approaching footsteps snapped me out of my thoughts. They were measured, deliberate, each step radiating power. I forced my back straight, shoving my fear deep down where it couldn't be seen. He was coming.
The Alpha.
The cell door creaked open, and I didn't need to look up to know it was him. His scent hit me first—smoky cedar and frost, cutting through the dampness like a blade. My wolf responded instinctively, a low whine echoing in the back of my mind. I ignored her, keeping my gaze fixed on the floor.
"Look at me," his voice commanded. It was deep, laced with authority that demanded obedience. My muscles tensed as I raised my head, meeting his golden gaze.
He was as imposing as I remembered, his angular features sharp enough to cut. His eyes bore into me, searching, calculating. There was no warmth in them, only suspicion and something darker.
"Who are you?" he asked, his tone cold.
I held his gaze, refusing to flinch. "Does it matter?" My voice was steadier than I expected, though my heart thundered in my chest.
His jaw tightened, a muscle ticking as he took a step closer. "You trespassed on Blackwood land. That makes you a threat."
"Or a victim," I shot back before I could stop myself. His eyes narrowed, and I bit the inside of my cheek, cursing my impulsiveness.
"A victim doesn't run like a hunted animal," he said, his voice low and dangerous. "A spy does."
"I'm not a spy," I snapped, the words spilling out before I could think. His gaze sharpened, and I cursed myself again. I was giving too much away.
"Then what are you?" he pressed, taking another step forward. The bond tugged painfully, like a chain pulling taut between us. I gritted my teeth, forcing myself not to back away. Showing weakness would only make this worse.
"A trespasser," I said finally, my voice flat. "Nothing more."
His lips curled into a snarl, and for a moment, I thought he might strike me. But he didn't. Instead, he studied me, his gaze raking over me with unnerving intensity.
"You're lying," he said, his voice a low growl. "I can smell it."
I forced my expression to remain neutral, even as my pulse quickened. He stepped closer still, the space between us shrinking until I could feel the heat radiating from him. My breath hitched, and I hated myself for the way my body reacted to his presence.
"You're hiding something," he said, his voice soft but menacing. "And I will find out what it is."
Before I could respond, the door creaked open again, and an older man stepped inside. His presence was different from the Alpha's—calm, measured, but no less commanding. His silver hair caught the dim light, and his sharp blue eyes flicked between us.
"Alpha," the man said, his tone respectful but firm. "A word."
The Alpha's gaze lingered on me for a moment longer before he turned and followed the elder out of the cell. I exhaled shakily, my knees threatening to give out beneath me. My reprieve was short-lived, however, as their voices carried through the stone walls.
"She's your mate," the elder said, his tone low but insistent. "You can't just execute her."
"She's a threat," the Alpha replied, his voice taut with frustration. "A stranger who crossed into our territory. I can't risk the safety of the pack."
"The mate bond exists for a reason," the elder countered. "Rejecting it could bring disaster. You know the stories."
There was a long pause, and I held my breath, straining to hear more. Finally, the Alpha spoke, his voice heavy with reluctance.
"Fine. She stays. Under observation."
My stomach twisted at his words. I wasn't sure whether to feel relief or dread. The cell door clanged shut behind him as he left, his scent lingering like a ghost. I slumped against the wall, exhaustion washing over me.
Then I heard it—a whisper, barely audible but enough to send a chill down my spine.
"The Alpha won't see it coming."
My head snapped up, my heart pounding as the faint voices faded into silence. A conspiracy. Against him.
And now, I was caught in the middle of it.