He Rejected Me, So I Let His Pack Fall

The bones in my arms popped. A searing heat flooded my veins, blinding me. I stumbled, slamming my shoulder against a rough pine trunk.

"Help," I gasped, clutching my chest.

The heat vanished, leaving me hollow and freezing. The mysterious shift stopped before it even began.

A twig snapped to my left.

I spun around. "Who's there?"

A low, guttural growl answered. A massive rogue wolf crept from the bushes. Its fur was matted with dried blood, its eyes wild and starved.

"Stay back," I warned, backing away.

The rogue didn't hesitate. It launched itself at me.

I raised my arms. Jaws clamped down on my forearm.

I screamed, kicking wildly. My thin shoes struck the beast's ribs, but it didn't budge. It shook its head, tearing my flesh.

"Get off!" I yelled, punching its snout with my free hand.

The wolf released my arm and tackled me to the dirt. The impact knocked the wind out of me. Saliva dripped from its jaws onto my face.

It snapped at my neck. I shoved my bleeding arm into its mouth to block the fatal bite. Agony radiated up to my shoulder.

I was going to die here. Damon had won.

Suddenly, a massive black shape slammed into the rogue.

The weight vanished from my chest. I rolled over, coughing.

Through my blurred vision, I saw a giant black wolf tear the rogue's throat out. The black wolf turned its head toward me.

Then, the pain dragged me into darkness.

***

A bucket of freezing water hit my face.

I gasped, choking on the liquid. My eyes flew open.

"Look who decided to join us," a gruff voice mocked.

I blinked, trying to focus. Coarse ropes dug into my wrists, tying my arms to a heavy wooden chair. My ankles were secured to the chair legs.

I tugged at the bindings. The friction burned my skin.

"Where am I?" I croaked.

A burly guard leaned against a concrete wall. He tossed an empty metal bucket aside. "You're in a cell, Omega."

"I can see that," I snapped. "Whose cell?"

The heavy steel door creaked open. A tall man stepped inside.

"Mine," he said.

He wore a dark leather jacket. A jagged scar sliced through his left eyebrow, drawing attention to his icy blue eyes.

"Leave us, Thorne," the man ordered.

"Yes, Alpha Elias," the guard grunted, stepping out and shutting the door.

Elias. The Alpha of the Night Howler Pack. Silver Thorn's oldest and deadliest enemy.

Elias dragged a metal stool across the floor and sat down facing me.

"You're a long way from home, Selina," Elias noted.

"I don't have a home," I replied, keeping my voice steady.

"My scouts watched the little show Damon put on tonight," Elias said, leaning forward. "Quite the rejection."

"So you know I'm useless to him," I said. "Let me go."

Elias chuckled. It sounded like grinding stones. "Let you go? I just found Damon's fated mate wandering my borders."

"I was in the neutral zone," I argued.

"You were bleeding out in the dirt," Elias corrected. "Thorne's patrol found you unconscious next to a dead rogue."

"Then you know I'm not a threat."

"You are a hostage," Elias stated plainly.

I stared at him, dumbfounded. "Are you deaf? Damon rejected me. He banished me. He doesn't care what happens to me."

"He paraded you around as his future Luna for two years," Elias said. "The neighboring packs know your face."

"He announced Mia as his Luna tonight," I shot back.

"A political move," Elias waved a hand. "But the Moon Goddess chose you for him. Holding you makes Damon look weak."

"Holding me makes you look desperate," I retorted.

Elias's eyes flashed dangerous gold. He stood up, towering over me. "Watch your tone, Omega."

"Or what?" I challenged, lifting my chin. "You'll kill me? Damon already ordered my death if I return. You're just doing his dirty work."

Elias paced around my chair. "I am going to send a message to Silver Thorn. I will demand a ransom. Land, weapons, perhaps a formal surrender of the eastern river."

I let out a dry, bitter laugh. "You're delusional."

"We will see," Elias said, stopping beside me.

"You think you understand pack politics," I said, my voice echoing in the small room. "But you don't understand Damon."

"Enlighten me," Elias mocked, crossing his arms.

"He values strength above all else," I explained. "He rejected me because I haven't shifted. He chose Mia because she is a fighter. By taking me, you aren't threatening his pride. You're taking out his trash."

Elias's jaw tightened. "A fated bond isn't broken so easily. The Goddess binds the souls."

"He severed it," I argued, the phantom pain flaring in my chest at the memory. "He felt nothing."

"He will feel the humiliation of his enemy holding what belongs to him," Elias insisted.

"I belong to no one!" I shouted, yanking the ropes. The chair rattled against the concrete floor.

Elias stepped closer, leaning down until his face was inches from mine. "You belong to me now. You are my prisoner. My leverage."

"You're a fool," I spat.

Elias struck me across the face.

My head snapped to the side. A sharp sting erupted on my cheek. The metallic taste of blood filled my mouth.

I slowly turned my head back, meeting his gaze. I didn't cry. I just smiled.

"Hit me all you want," I whispered. "It won't make Damon care."

Elias stared at me, a flicker of surprise crossing his features. He wiped his knuckles on his jacket.

"You have a lot of fight for a shiftless Omega," he noted.

"I had to learn how to survive," I replied.

"Time will tell if you learned enough," Elias said, walking toward the door. "Thorne!"

The door opened instantly.

"Send the messenger to the Silver Thorn border," Elias ordered. "Tell Damon we have his Omega."

"Yes, Alpha," Thorne nodded.

"Elias, wait," I said, straining against the bindings.

He glanced over his shoulder. "What?"

"When your men found me," I started, choosing my words carefully. "Did they see another wolf? A black one?"

Elias raised an eyebrow. "Thorne?"

"Just the girl and the dead rogue, Alpha," Thorne answered.

"Why?" Elias asked me.

"Nothing," I muttered, looking away.

"Bring her some food," Elias told the guard. "I need her alive for the exchange."

"I won't eat," I warned.

Elias stepped back into the room, grabbing my chin. His grip was like a vice. "You will eat, or Thorne will force it down your throat. Do not test my patience, Selina."

I glared into his icy eyes. "When Damon ignores your message, what will you do with me?"

Elias smiled. It lacked any warmth. "Then I will send you back to him. One piece at a time."

He released my chin and walked out. The heavy door slammed shut, the lock sliding into place with a loud clank.

I sat alone in the damp cell. My arm throbbed where the rogue had bitten me. The crude bandages were already seeping red.

Damon wouldn't negotiate. He would probably celebrate.

I had to escape before Elias realized how truly worthless I was to the Silver Thorn Pack.

A faint scratching sound came from above.

I tilted my head back. A small, barred window sat near the top of the concrete wall.

Two glowing yellow eyes stared down at me from the darkness.