RHYNA'S POV
I woke up in the evening.
At first, I didn't know where I was. The room was quiet and a bit dark. The soft light from outside filtered through the window, painting strange shadows on the walls.
I sat up abruptly.
I was alone.
"No... no," I whispered, my heart beginning to race. I looked around wildly.
No sign of anyone.
"Hello?" I called out, my voice trembling.
"Hello! Can anyone hear me?"
Nothing.
Fear crawled into my chest, tight and suffocating. I didn't even know where I was.
Strange land with an enemy Alpha.
Strange thoughts flooded my mind.
What if I was brought here to be sacrificed?
What if this was all a trick?
What if they planned to humiliate me publicly? Or flog me to death.
"No," I muttered, shaking my head. "I won't accept that."
I jumped off the bed and rushed to the door, banging on it with my fists.
"Someone open this door!" I screamed.
"Let me out!"
I screamed louder. And louder.
I had been told I was guarded. So where was everyone?
Then the door finally opened.
Two small women entered, both smiling gently. They looked harmless. Kind, even.
"You're welcome, dear," one of them said warmly.
"There is no need to panic," the other added. "You'll be safe here."
Safe?
I scoffed inwardly.
I had been taken without my consent.
Dragged through the forest. Treated like a discarded tool. And they dared to speak of safety?
"Where is your Alpha?" I snapped. "I want to see him. Now."
The women exchanged glances, as if I had said something foolish and unthinkable.
"You do not command Alpha Conan," she said softly. "He is kind,but you do not want to anger him."
Kind and warm?
I almost laughed.
"Then why was I taken captive?" I demanded.
"You are not a prisoner," the woman said gently. "If you were, you would not be here. You would be locked away."
"Then why can't I leave?" I shot back.
She smiled again, calm and patient. "Be patient, dear. Everything will make sense with time. Freshen up. Eat what we've prepared."
And with that, they left.
I stood there, shaking with anger.
No.
I would not settle.
I would not wait quietly.
If I wasn't a prisoner, then the Alpha would explain himself.
*****
He didn't come until hours later.
Hours of pacing, Of anger building in my chest. Hours of imagining every terrible plague that could come upon him.
Did he plan to abandon me here?
Was I just a problem he didn't want to face?
The door finally opened.
He stepped inside.
"Yes," he said calmly, as if this were an ordinary meeting and I was one of his subjects. "I heard you've been looking for me."
My anger exploded,who the fuck does he think he is to capture me and leave me like this without an explanation?
I lunged at him, my hands aiming for his wounded side. But before I could even touch him, he overpowered me effortlessly. His hands wrapped tightly around my wrists, pinning me against the wall.
I gasped, my body stiffening in shock.
I could feel him,his heat, the steady beat of his heart, his scent wrapping around me like smoke and fire.
Warmth spread through my body.
No. Focus, Rhyna.
"Let me go," I snapped, struggling weakly.
"No one commands me," he said coldly.
"You're holding me too tight," I gasped. "I,I can't..."
"You can't do what,hmmm?" he asked quietly, his voice low, almost a whisper
I couldn't finish the sentence.
My mind felt foggy. My thoughts scattered. Why did he feel so close? Why did my body react this way?
"You asked for me," he continued. "Now I'm here."
And then I looked up.
I shouldn't have.
The moment our eyes met, something snapped.
His lips crushed against mine.
Not gentle. Not soft.
Claiming, Dominant, Overwhelming.
My breath left me in a gasp. My body reacted before my mind could catch up.
I felt warm in all the right places.
Heat flooded my veins, sharp and confusing, and for a terrifying second, I forgot how to push him away.
His tongue caressed my lips,warm, tantalizing, teasing.
I let out a soft sigh and pressed myself against him
Then reality slammed back, what the hell Rhyna.
I shoved against his chest, breathless, shaking.
"What are you doing?" I whispered, fear and anger tangled together as I wiped my lips with my hand
He pulled back, just slightly, his eyes dark, with his lips slightly curved. It was like he found this amusing.
My wolf whimpered. Something stirred inside me, different from how I've ever felt . What is happening? I barely recognized myself anymore. And then he leaned close, whispering, "You feel it too, don't you?"
My blood froze. What had I done?
"That," he said slowly, "is what will keep happening when you become my Luna.
My heart pounded wildly.
I didn't seem to hear well.
My wolf howled in terror.
Luna?
Before I could speak, pain sliced through my chest,it was sharp, burning right where my heart should be.
His eyes widened.
"It's already started," he murmured.
And that was when I knew,I was no longer just his captive.
I knew something worse than the kiss had begun.
Something I couldn't control.
And whatever it was... it was tied to him
