RHYNA'S POV
We finally stopped to rest. My legs were trembling, my chest pounding against my ribcage, but I forced myself to sit upright. I was sure he noticed how exhausted I was. Every muscle in my body screamed for relief, but I refused to give him the satisfaction of seeing me weak.
"Thank you," I muttered quietly as he helped me sit while trying to play the part of the obedient prisoner, at least for a moment. Maybe if I appeared calm, he would lower his guard. I had to survive. I had to wait for my chance.
He sank down beside me, moving carefully. That's when I saw it,his side was covered in blood. Dark, thick, and glistening in the moonlight. My stomach twisted, and before I even thought, my hand reached out.
"Here... let me help," I said, voice soft but insistent.
He waved me away, sharp and commanding. "Never mind," he said.
"You're wounded. You're bleeding. Let me take a look. Just lay down," I insisted, my voice trembling slightly, but my instinct to heal outweighed my fear.
"Fuck off," he spat. "Leave me alone."
I froze, my hand hovering in the air. My heart hammered in my chest. I wasn't supposed to care about my captor. I wasn't supposed to help him. But the blood... it called to me. My healer instincts were stronger than my fear.
I sat there, perfectly still, but inside, chaos raged. My mind raced through possibilities: if I moved carefully, I might slip away, vanish into the shadows, and leave this nightmare behind. He was weakened, slower now from blood loss, but something in his aura made me hesitate. I was afraid.
Then, without warning, I bolted. My legs moved faster than I ever thought possible, carrying me away from him, away from captivity. I didn't know where I was going,anywhere was better than being held by him.
I ran blindly into the forest, the cold air biting my cheeks, the roots and rocks threatening to trip me. My lungs burned with every gasp. "Please, Moon Goddess, help me," I prayed, my voice barely audible over the pounding of my heart.
A sudden, powerful grip caught me mid-stride. His hands wrapped around me, pulling me back.
"No!" I screamed, fighting with every ounce of strength I had. I dug my long nails into his side, into the wound I had seen.
Warm blood spilled over my fingers.
My breath caught. My chest burned, sharp and sudden, like something had awakened inside me, a fire I couldn't control.
He froze.
Just for a second.
Then his grip tightened, then loosened, as if he was fighting himself.
My wolf stirred instinctively, tense and restless.
He didn't flinch. He held me tighter. My strength began to fade. My arms dropped to my sides.
"What the fuck is wrong with you?" he shouted, voice booming, dark and dangerous. "Didn't I tell you to stay still? Huh? Do you have any idea what you've done?"
His green eyes blazed, and I realized he wasn't just angry,he was disturbed. Terrified by something I didn't understand.
"I could wring your small neck, you know," he hissed, tight and controlled.
"Fuck you," I spat back. "Do whatever you want."
And even as I said it, I knew I wasn't giving up. I would keep trying, keep struggling, until I was free.
****
Hours passed,or maybe it was only minutes. Time had no meaning as he carried me through the forest. My arms ached, my muscles burned, but I refused to fall silent. I refused to be broken. I focused on the sounds around me,the rustle of leaves, the snapping of twigs, the distant calls of nocturnal creatures,as though mapping a path to escape.
Finally, we reached his territory as the first light of morning touched the horizon. My breath caught at the sight before me. A massive camp stretched out in the clearing, dozens of werewolves moving with precision, their eyes glowing faintly in the morning mist.
They rushed toward him as if drawn by some invisible force. Bowing, howling, rushing to show their loyalty.
I realized then: this was no ordinary Alpha. He was respected, feared, loved, and cherished.
And here I was,the enemy, alone and helpless.
He gave quiet commands, and the pack obeyed without question. "Keep her safe," he said. "In one of the rooms. Guard her at all times."
I swallowed hard. "Where am I?" I asked, my voice small, barely audible, quivering with a mixture of fear and awe.
No one answered me. One of the guards led me through the camp, and I couldn't stop staring. The air was filled with the scent of earth, smoke, and fur. I could hear faint murmurs and the shuffle of paws on dirt paths.
The room was too comfortable.
Soft bed, clean air, and no chains.
My stomach twisted.
Why would an enemy Alpha keep his prisoner like this?
This place didn't feel like a prison. It was clean, neat, and calm.
I sat down on the edge of the bed, my mind spinning. My hands still tingled from contact with his blood. The warmth hadn't faded.
My chest burned faintly, it burned with a strange rhythm that wasn't entirely my own. My mind raced through scenarios, wondering if this was a trap, a test, or some cruel game.
Something was wrong. Too many things were wrong.
But my body ached. My muscles were sore. My wolf whimpered for rest, and for a moment, the thought of sleep brought me so much relief.
My eyelids felt heavy, my mind dizzy, but fear kept me alert, aware of every creak in the floorboards, every shadow dancing on the walls.
I lay down carefully, eyes darting to the door. I will rest, just a little, to gather strength. And when I woke up... I would decide my next move.
Because whatever he thought of me... he was wrong.
And I wasn't finished yet.
