Lian ran through the dense forest, her breath coming in ragged gasps as she tried to outrun the Betas pursuing her. She had to escape the Evergreen pack. She couldn't endure another day under Bruce's cruelty. But as she pushed forward, her feet skidding on damp earth, she found herself cornered at the edge of a steep cliff. Below was nothing but darkness, an abyss with no visible end.
The Betas smirked, their eyes gleaming with amusement. "Are you really going to jump?" one of them sneered. "No one’s stupid enough to throw their life away. You should be grateful the Alpha still lets you live."
Lian's jaw tightened. "I’d rather be thrown away than stay in that place."
Luminous, her wolf, spoke firmly. “Jump, Lian!”
Lian hesitated, her heart pounding in her chest. Before she could respond, Bruce arrived, his presence sending a chill through her veins. "Lian! Come here!" he ordered, his tone eerily calm. "Don’t be stubborn. I’ll overlook this—just this once."
Lian met his eyes, the cold, cruel promise lurking beneath his forced composure. If she returned, she would never escape again. The bruises and scars on her body told her the truth: if she went back, she wouldn’t survive.
Glaring at Bruce, she made her choice. "I don’t believe you," she said, her voice firm. "But never forget this face, Bruce… I’ll hunt you down.."
Then she turned her back on him and let herself fall.
The wind howled around her as she plunged into the abyss. She braced for the impact, expecting pain, but instead, she crashed into the cold embrace of water. The shock stole her breath, and darkness consumed her.
Lian's eyes fluttered open to a white ceiling. Panic seized her as she took in the unfamiliar surroundings. Her heartbeat quickened. Was she in a hospital? Had they called Bruce?
Her body trembled as fear clawed at her throat. She tried to move, but before she could react, several people entered the room. "Calm down," one of them said gently. "We won’t hurt you."
“Who are you? Let me go!”
Lian's mind screamed at her not to trust them. Hadn't she heard the same empty reassurances before? And what had they done? Nearly killed her. Her breathing turned erratic, and she thrashed against their grip. "Let me go!"
Before they could tighten their hold, a deep, commanding voice filled the room. "Let her go."
The hands restraining her immediately withdrew. The scent that followed was intoxicating, soothing her frayed nerves. She turned her head and saw a tall, well-built man approaching. His aura radiated authority, his cold eyes scanning the room before settling on her. When he looked at her, the ice in his gaze melted, replaced by something gentler, warmer.
He spoke softly. "Are you okay?"
Lian swallowed, her throat dry, her voice barely a whisper. "Yes."
The other people in the room hesitated before one of them, a woman, stepped forward and addressed him. "Alpha Kaizer."
Lian's breath hitched. Alpha Kaizer? She had heard of him—the powerful leader of the Black Wood Pack, the neighboring pack of Evergreen. Fear and relief warred inside her.
Kaizer’s gaze flicked to his Beta. "Leave us."
The Beta hesitated. "Alpha—"
A low growl rumbled from Kaizer’s chest, and the woman flinched before nodding and exiting the room.
Once they were alone, Kaizer turned his attention back to Lian. "Are you in pain?"
Lian shook her head, but the simple movement made her realize how weak she felt. Kaizer noticed and stood, pouring a glass of water before handing it to her. She accepted it with trembling hands, taking small sips to ease the dryness in her throat.
Kaizer watched her carefully. "We found you by the riverbanks near our pack. You were unconscious, covered in bruises." His voice was steady but laced with an unspoken question. "What happened to you?"
Lian’s grip on the glass faltered. The moment his words sank in, her body stiffened, and fear swallowed her whole. The glass slipped from her hands, shattering against the floor.
She curled into herself, arms wrapped tightly around her trembling frame. Panic surged, memories of pain and cruelty flashing behind her eyes. Her breaths came in rapid, shallow gasps.
Kaizer’s expression darkened. He hadn’t expected this reaction. Whatever she had gone through, it had left deep, raw wounds. His voice softened. "Hey, you’re safe here. No one will hurt you."
But Lian wasn’t sure she could believe that yet.
Then Luminous voice rang. “MATE!”
“What?”
