Rhydian's POV
Pain was like an old friend. It hung around me all the time. It never left me, even when everything else was gone. I was trapped in a small, dark cell. The cold stone walls smelled terrible. It was a mix of rot and blood. The iron chains dug into my wrists. With every breath, they rattled. My pride was gone, and my body felt weak. But my spirit? That was still alive. I couldn't forget who I was. I couldn't forget what they had taken from me, no matter how much I hurt.
Once, I was an Alpha. I was feared and respected. Then betrayal hit me hard. Someone I trusted turned on me and left me to suffer in Garrick's dungeon.
But he would pay for this.
Suddenly, I heard a soft sound outside my heavy door. It wasn't the usual guard patrol. No, this was different. It was too quiet.
Could it be a rescuer? I doubted it. I had no one left to save me.
Then the lock clicked.
I felt a rush of emotions inside me as I adjusted my posture. As the door opened just a crack, I saw her in the flickering torchlight. She was like a ghost from my past. A reminder of a mistake I had made long ago.
Saoirse.
I didn't know what burned brighte, her furious storm-gray eyes or the blade pressing against my throat.
"Miss me?" she whispered.
I held my breath, feeling the cold steel on my skin. It was hard to think straight. Saoirse had been nothing but a shadow in my life, a woman I had overlooked without a second thought.
But now she stood there in my enemy's stronghold, looking every bit like the fierce warrior I had never seen before. She was no longer the girl I had dismissed; she was someone different now.
"Are you really going to try to kill me with that?" I rasped. My voice barely worked.
Saoirse smirked, but it lacked any warmth. Only resentment. "Who says I'm here to kill you?" she said, keeping the blade steady. "Maybe I want to see how the great Alpha Rhydian looks in chains."
I met her gaze, holding back a wave of disgrace. "If you only came to gloat, you've had your fun. Either finish what you started or step aside."
Her jaw clenched, and something flickered in her eyes. Something fierce.
She took a step back, just enough to put the dagger back into her belt. But the tension didn't leave. It was thick and heavy. "I didn't come here to bicker," she said. "We need to go."
I couldn't help but let out a bitter laugh, shaking my chains. "Unless you have a key in your pocket, I'm not going anywhere."
Saoirse lifted her head. "Oh, I've got something better."
Before I could ask what she meant, she pulled out a tiny vial from her coat. Inside was a swirling, silvery-blue liquid that glowed softly in the dim light.
I stiffened. That was the antidote for wolfsbane. Rare and powerful. My mind raced with questions. But before I could ask anything, Saoirse uncorked the vial and held it to my lips.
"Drink," she said firmly.
I hesitated.
Trust was something I couldn't afford anymore.
Saoirse sighed, impatience clear in her voice. "If I wanted you dead, Rhydian, I wouldn't have come this far."
Finally, I gave in. I opened my mouth and swallowed. A warmth spread through me, pushing back the poison that had weakened me. My muscles trembled, but strength started to return.
Saoirse got to work on my chains with some tiny tools from her belt. I watched her in silence; my thoughts were a jumbled mess.
Finally, I broke the quiet. "Why are you helping me?"
She paused for a brief second. Then she went back to her work. "Because someone needs to clean up your mess, Alpha."
The lock clicked, and my wrists were free.
Saoirse didn't wait for a thank you. She turned and headed for the open door. "We've got five minutes before they realize the guards are gone. Can you walk, or do I need to carry you?"
I slowly pushed myself up, biting my lip to hold back a grunt of pain. I staggered but stayed standing. "I can walk."
She gave me a nod, but it was filled with urgency, not satisfaction.
"Then keep up."
Saoirse dashed into the corridor. I followed her, knowing every step was a struggle. The fortress was silent, aside from the soft crackle of the torches on the walls.
We moved through the stone halls, shadows creeping around us. I kept my footfalls light, ears perked for any sign of guards.
As we reached the outer corridor, Saoirse suddenly halted. I could see her nostrils flare.
"What's wrong?" I whispered.
Her eyes darkened. "They know we're here."
I tensed, straining to hear. Then I caught it.
Footsteps—lots of them.
A chill ran down my spine. We were out of time.
Saoirse gripped my arm tightly. "Run!"
As soon as she said it, a deafening roar erupted around us.
It didn't come from a wolf.
It was something else.
Something monstrous.
My blood turned cold as I watched the shadows shift ahead. A huge, grotesque shape moved closer.
A beast—one I had only heard about in frightening tales.
One I had hoped never to face.
"Rhydian," Saoirse said with urgency.
I took a sharp breath.
"Run!"
The walls shook as the terrifying growl echoed. Dust fell from the ceiling and the torches flickered wildly.
Saoirse and I froze.
The creature in the shadows slithered forward. I caught a glimpse of sickly gray skin, rippling as if something beneath it wanted to burst out.
Then I saw its eyes—glowing like hot coals and filled with an insatiable hunger.
I had fought many enemies before—wolves, men, even witches. But this? This was different.
Saoirse muttered a curse. "Tell me that isn't what I think it is."
Fear gripped me.
I couldn't respond.
Because I knew exactly what it was.
A Wraithborn.
A nightmare spoken about in hushed voices. The kind of monster kids were warned about at night to keep them close to home. But this was no bedtime story. It was right in front of us, blocking our only way out.
The Wraithborn twisted its awful body and lunged towards us—fast and deadly.
"Get out of the way!" I shouted, shoving Saoirse aside just in time. The beast's massive arm smashed into the stone wall behind her. The impact shook the ground.
Saoirse quickly got back up. She drew her twin daggers with a cool confidence. "What are its weaknesses?" she asked, her voice steady.
"None that I know of," I grumbled, forcing my body to move. Every part of me ached, but I didn't have time to feel sorry for myself. I needed to act.
The Wraithborn turned its gaze towards me. Its mouth opened, revealing rotten teeth. The stench made my stomach turn.
Then it lunged again.
I barely dodged, rolling under its claw. I looked back to see Saoirse already in motion, her daggers slicing through the air as she aimed for the creature's side.
Black blood oozed from the wound. The beast let out a terrible scream, a sound that was more felt than heard.
But it didn't stop.
The Wraithborn barely wobbled before it twisted and struck again. Saoirse was quick, but not fast enough.
The hit sent her flying into the wall. The sound echoed like thunder.
"Saoirse!"
My mind went blank, and I just acted. I charged at the beast, ignoring the pain ripping through me. My claws extended and I raked across its throat. More of the thick black blood spilled, sizzling in the air.
But the Wraithborn didn't die.
It only grinned.
Then it spoke.
"You cannot run from me, Alpha."