The firelight flickered against the walls of the great hall, casting jagged shadows that seemed to claw at the edges of my vision. I stayed near the back, deliberately avoiding the gaze of the pack. Their stares burned into my skin anyway—some hostile, others wary. None friendly. The air bristled with unspoken tension, the kind that made my wolf's hackles rise.
I was the intruder. The lone wolf who had crossed their borders and refused to grovel. To them, I was a mystery wrapped in danger, and wolves hated what they couldn't understand.
I shifted my weight, fighting the urge to flee. The Alpha sat at the far end, his presence dominating the room. Even now, as he spoke in low tones with his Beta, his attention felt like a noose around my neck.
The dreams hadn't helped. They came almost every night now, pulling me back into the horrors of my past. Chains that bit into my skin. Blood pooling beneath my feet. And the betrayal—the one that had left me running, scarred in ways no healing could touch.
I clenched my fists. I couldn't let those memories win. Not now, not here.
The whispers started when the Alpha rose to leave, his golden gaze sweeping over the room. He didn't linger on me, but the weight of his suspicion was unmistakable.
"She doesn't belong here," someone muttered nearby.
"An outsider," another voice hissed.
I turned sharply, my jaw tightening. "Say it to my face," I growled, my voice low but steady.
The nearest wolf—a lanky man with sharp features—sneered. "Careful, stray. Your leash only stretches so far."
"Keep pushing," I shot back, my wolf stirring at the challenge. "See how far it snaps."
He stepped forward, but before he could respond, the Beta's voice cut through the tension like a blade. "Enough."
The room fell silent as his icy blue eyes settled on me. "The Alpha's patience is thin, outsider. Don't test it."
I swallowed my retort, nodding stiffly. But the glint in his eyes said he wasn't finished.
Later that night, sleep eluded me. My room was small and sparsely furnished, the walls too thin to block the hum of life outside. My dreams had been relentless—faces I wanted to forget, their betrayal etched into my soul.
I was about to give up and pace the room when the muffled sound of footsteps caught my attention. Too quiet for a pack member's usual stride.
I crept to the door, pressing my ear against the wood. A faint metallic click echoed, followed by a low growl. My heart leapt into my throat.
Opening the door a crack, I peered into the hallway. A figure moved in the shadows, their silhouette unmistakable. They were heading toward the Alpha's quarters.
The wolf inside me snarled. Despite everything, I couldn't let this happen.
I moved quickly, my bare feet silent against the stone floor. The figure slipped into the Alpha's room, and I followed, keeping low.
Inside, the room was dark, but the assassin's intent was clear. A blade glinted in their hand, poised over the sleeping Alpha.
"Stop," I barked, my voice slicing through the silence.
The figure spun, their mask catching the faint light. They lunged at me without hesitation, the knife flashing toward my throat. I ducked, slamming my shoulder into their ribs.
We hit the floor hard, the knife clattering away. The assassin was fast, but I was desperate. My wolf surged forward, giving me strength as I pinned them down.
"Who sent you?" I snarled, baring my teeth.
They didn't answer, their struggle frantic. A sudden burst of strength knocked me back, and they bolted for the window.
I scrambled after them, but it was too late. They disappeared into the night, leaving only a tattered scent behind.
The commotion brought the Alpha and his guards storming into the room. His golden eyes locked on me, furious and questioning.
"What happened?" he demanded, his voice sharp.
"Someone tried to kill you," I said, breathing heavily. "I stopped them."
The Beta stepped forward, his gaze cold and suspicious. "Convenient that you were the one to intervene."
"You think I did this?" I snapped, my exhaustion turning to anger. "If I wanted him dead, I wouldn't have warned him."
The Alpha's gaze pierced me, searching for a lie. After what felt like an eternity, he nodded. "Enough."
"But—" the Beta started, but the Alpha silenced him with a look.
"She stays," he said firmly. "Under closer watch."
The guards escorted me back to my room, their eyes heavy with mistrust. I sank onto the narrow bed, my mind racing. The assassin's scent lingered in my nose, their identity just out of reach.
I had proven my loyalty—for now. But I knew it wasn't enough. The Alpha's trust was fragile, and his Beta's suspicion was unyielding.
As I leaned back, something slid under the door. A folded piece of paper.
I hesitated before picking it up, my fingers trembling as I unfolded it.
Leave before it's too late.
The words were scrawled in a sharp, hurried hand. My stomach twisted as I read them again.
The warning wasn't a threat. It was a promise.