The journey to the Night Walker Pack's territory took three days. For three days, I was shaken around in the iron cage, my body still hurting from the aftermath of Owen's rejection.
The physical pain had become a dull ache that wouldn't leave, but the hollow emptiness inside remained, a void where our bond had once been.
We stopped at the border of Night Walker territory just as the sun began to set. The guards who had accompanied me from my former pack grew increasingly nervous, their hands tightening on their weapons as shadows grew longer around us.
"Remember," one of them hissed, "you're nothing but a wolfless omega. If you breathe a word about your heritage or reveal your true nature, we'll make sure everyone knows about Mara. And you know what the Night Walker Pack does to murderers."
I nodded silently, understanding the game Owen was playing. If the Night Walker Pack discovered my Alpha bloodline, they might question why Owen would give up such a valuable asset.
Questions would lead to investigations, and investigations might uncover the truth about Mara's death. He had trapped me perfectly, forced to hide my true nature to protect myself from an even worse fate.
The guard smirked. "Good. Keep masking your scent like you always have. At least that's one thing you're good at."
The sound of approaching footsteps silenced any further conversation. Night Walker warriors came from the shadows, their massive forms making my escorts look like pups in comparison.
Their eyes shined with an unusual amber color in the fading light, and their faces had scars that told stories of many battles.
"You're late," the largest warrior growled.
“Our apologies," my escort bowed slightly. "We brought what was promised. The omega girl."
The warrior breathed in deeply through his nose to smell my scent and I held my breath, keeping my power tightly masked as I'd done for so many years. It was second nature now, this hiding of my true self.
"This is the one?" He circled me slowly. "She doesn't smell like much."
"She's an omega," my escort confirmed. "Weak, but healthy enough for whatever purpose you need."
The transaction was quick after that. I was handed over like a piece of property, my previous life dismissed with a few signatures and a bag of gold.
The lead warrior grunted in acknowledgment. "Move out," he ordered his men and then to my escorts: "Leave. Now. Consider our business concluded."
I watched as the guards from my former pack quickly scrambled to turn their wagon around, eager to escape the Night walker territory before full darkness fell. They didn't look back once. Not that I expected them to.
"Walk," the warrior commanded, yanking on my chains.
We moved deeper into Night Walker territory. The forest here felt different darker and more ancient. The trees grew closer to each other, their branches crossing above us to shut out the last bits of daylight. Weird noises echoed in the dark around us, and several times I saw glowing eyes watching us as we moved.
Everyone was quiet as we walked. We could only hear our footsteps and sometimes the sound of my chains clicking. I spent this time watching my captors, seeing how they moved, how they stayed in formation, and how they used small gestures to talk to each other.
Even though I was weak, my mind kept working to collect details. If I wanted to stay alive here, I had to learn all I could.
After what seemed like hours, we came to a clearing. I had to catch my breath.
In front of us was a fortress that looked different from any I had ever seen. The black stone walls went up so high, with towers that looked like they touched the night sky.
Torches burned along the walls, making strange shadows move across the stone. And just like the stories said, I could see lines of skulls placed along the outer wall – a terrible warning to anyone who might try to fight against the Night walker Pack's power.
"Welcome to your new home," the lead warrior yanked my chain forward. "Though I doubt you'll live long enough to appreciate it."
They led me across a courtyard where around fifty women gathered close together, their bodies trembling even in the warm air. Their eyes showed a mix of fear and acceptance that made my stomach churn.
A woman came forward, standing straight with authority. I figured she was the overseer, noting her cold manner and the harsh curve of her lips.
"Welcome to the Night Walker Pack," she announced. "You are here because you were deemed suitable for the breeding program." She paused, letting her gaze sweep over us. "However, we only accept the strongest. Those who fail today's trials will be sent to the mines."
The crowd shivered together. I felt my own blood run cold. The mines were notorious, a death sentence disguised as labor. Workers were forced to dig in unstable tunnels with minimal food and water. Most didn't survive their first month.
"You will fight in pairs," the overseer continued. "The winners advance. The losers..." She smiled cruelly. "Well, the mines always need more workers."
They paired us off randomly. My opponent was a young girl, barely eighteen with terror written across her face. Yet beneath the fear, I saw determination in her eyes, the desperate need to survive.
I knew immediately what I had to do. Winning would mean becoming a breeder, forced to bear children for the pack's warriors. The thought made me feel sick. But more than that, winning would risk exposing my true strength. The mines, despite their horrors offered anonymity. A place to hide until I could plan my revenge.
The fights began. Around us, women threw themselves at each other with wild desperation. Some fought with skill, others with pure fear. We could hear the sounds of bodies hitting each other, mixed with screams of pain and triumph.
When our turn came, I stepped into the makeshift ring. The other girl attacked first, throwing a messy punch that I could have easily dodged. Instead, I let it graze my shoulder as I fell backward. We exchanged several more blows, and I carefully ensured each of my strikes landed just shy of any vital points.
Finally, I saw my opportunity. When she aimed a kick at my midsection, I deliberately dropped my guard. The kick sent me down into the dust.
"Pathetic," the overseer spat as I lay there, pretending to struggle for breath. "Take her to-"
"I'll take that one."
The voice cut through the courtyard like a sharp knife. It was deep and commanding, carrying an authority that made everyone stop moving. I turned toward its source and found myself staring into the most compelling eyes I'd ever seen.
He stood at the edge of the courtyard, and his presence was impossible to ignore. Everything about him radiated power – from his imposing height to the aura of strength that seemed to pulse around him. He looked like a deity stepped down from the heavens, beautiful and frightening in equal measure.
"My King," the overseer stammered, dropping into a deep bow. "She just lost her fight. She's meant for the mines-"
The Lycan King? The ruler whose name struck terror into the hearts of warriors? I suddenly found it hard to breathe, but not from my pretended injuries. His scent hit me then, overwhelming and intoxicating, and My wolf suddenly pushed forward with such force that I nearly lost my careful mask.
No. No, this couldn't be happening. My wolf's whispered confirmation made my blood feel cold.
Mate.
The Moon Goddess had given me a second chance at a mate bond with the most dangerous wolf in existence.
And I was supposed to be nothing but a weak, cursed omega.
