Selene followed Lena through the fortress corridors, her mind racing. The Beta moved with the effortless grace of a predator, each step calculated, each movement deliberate. Selene didn't trust her. She didn't trust any of them.
She had to be careful. She had to play along.
For now.
The halls were eerily silent, save for the occasional flicker of torches along the stone walls. The air smelled of burning wood, damp stone, and something deeper—something distinctly wolf.
They passed several warriors along the way. Some stared at her with open curiosity. Others with disdain. A few, however, regarded her with something else entirely—something she couldn't quite name.
Pity?
Fear?
She swallowed hard and kept her head high.
She was no one's prisoner.
No matter what Killian thought.
"Move faster," Lena snapped without looking back.
Selene gritted her teeth but obeyed, keeping pace as they stepped through a set of massive iron doors. The moment she entered, the scent of sweat and blood hit her.
The training grounds.
The area was an open-air courtyard, surrounded by towering stone walls. Warriors filled the space, some sparring, others shifting between forms as they tested their strength. The sharp clash of steel rang out as two fighters dueled with swords, while another pair of wolves snapped and lunged at each other in a brutal contest of dominance.
Selene barely had time to take it all in before Lena turned on her.
"Strip," she ordered.
Selene stiffened. "Excuse me?"
Lena sighed, rolling her eyes. "That dress won't last five minutes in training. You either take it off, or I rip it off."
Selene glared at her, but she knew she had no choice. Swallowing her pride, she peeled off the tattered dress, leaving her in the thin undergarments she had worn beneath it.
Lena tossed a bundle of clothes at her. "Put this on."
Selene unfolded it, relieved to find it was simple fighting gear—black leggings and a fitted top. She dressed quickly, grateful for the coverage.
Lena circled her like a predator assessing prey. "You're weaker than I expected," she mused. "But we'll fix that."
Selene clenched her fists. "I'm not weak."
Lena smirked. "Prove it."
Before Selene could react, Lena struck.
A fist slammed into her stomach, knocking the air from her lungs. She doubled over, gasping.
Lena stepped back, unimpressed. "Pathetic."
Rage flared hot in Selene's chest. She surged forward, aiming a punch at Lena's face. But the Beta was faster. She dodged easily, catching Selene's wrist and twisting it behind her back in a painful lock.
Selene gritted her teeth against the pain.
"Lesson one," Lena murmured against her ear. "Control your anger. Or it will control you."
Selene wrenched free, stumbling back. She hated how easily Lena had overpowered her.
She needed to be stronger.
She needed to be better.
Lena eyed her for a moment before nodding. "Again."
Selene exhaled sharply and dropped into a fighting stance.
This time, she wouldn't lose.
Hours passed.
Lena pushed her to the brink, forcing her through endless drills, relentless sparring matches, and brutal endurance exercises. Selene's muscles screamed, her body battered and bruised. But she refused to break.
She was stronger than they thought.
Stronger than he thought.
By the time the sun dipped below the horizon, her limbs felt like lead, her breaths ragged. Lena studied her with something almost resembling approval.
"Not bad," she admitted. "For a half-breed."
Selene ignored the insult. She was too tired to care.
Lena smirked. "You'll want to clean up before seeing the Alpha."
Selene stiffened. "I'm seeing him tonight?"
Lena's grin widened. "Oh, yes. He insisted."
Her stomach twisted.
Killian Voss never did anything without a reason.
And whatever he wanted from her tonight…
It wouldn't be good.
Selene stood outside Killian's chambers, her heart hammering against her ribs.
Two guards flanked the entrance, their expressions unreadable.
One of them finally pushed the heavy door open.
"The Alpha is waiting."
She hesitated for only a moment before stepping inside.
The room was dimly lit, the warm glow of candlelight casting flickering shadows along the stone walls. A massive fireplace crackled at the far end, illuminating the figure seated in a high-backed chair.
Killian.
He looked at ease, one leg draped lazily over the other, a glass of dark liquid in his hand. But she wasn't fooled. The tension in his shoulders, the sharp gleam in his silver eyes… He was anything but relaxed.
Selene squared her shoulders. "You wanted to see me?"
Killian's gaze dragged over her, slow and assessing. "Sit."
She didn't move. "I'd rather stand."
Something dangerous flickered in his eyes.
"Sit, Selene."
Her legs moved before she could stop them, carrying her to the chair across from him. She clenched her fists, hating the way her body responded to his commands.
The bond.
It was growing stronger.
Killian leaned back, watching her. "How was training?"
She met his gaze head-on. "Brutal."
A smirk tugged at his lips. "Good."
She scowled. "Did you bring me here just to gloat?"
Killian chuckled, the sound dark and smooth. "No. I brought you here because you need to understand something."
He set his glass down, rising to his feet. Slowly, he approached her, stopping just close enough for her to feel his warmth.
Selene refused to flinch.
His fingers brushed her jaw, tilting her chin up. "You are mine, little wolf."
She gritted her teeth. "You keep saying that."
Killian's silver eyes burned into hers. "And you keep denying it."
His grip tightened slightly, not enough to hurt, but enough to make her breath hitch. "You feel it, don't you?" he murmured. "The pull?"
She did.
And she hated it.
Selene swallowed hard. "It doesn't matter. I will never be yours."
Killian's smirk returned. "We'll see."
Then, without warning, he released her and stepped back.
"You may go."
Selene blinked. "What?"
"I said you may go."
She hesitated, trying to decipher his game. But she didn't question it. Instead, she rose quickly and strode toward the door.
Just as she reached it, his voice stopped her cold.
"Tomorrow, we begin your real training."
A chill ran down her spine.
She turned to face him. "And what exactly does that mean?"
Killian's smirk was pure wickedness.
"You'll find out soon enough."