Chapter 2: Twisted Bonds

The air in the storage room turned musty with the strong scent of dust, stale beer, and the tang of my own panic. Kael’s golden eyes burned into mine, his broad shoulders blocking the only exit in the room.

My wolf clawed at my insides, howling mate, mate, mate with a ferocity that made my head spin. I shoved her down, forcing my face into a mask of sultry morale despite the confusion in my chest. I’d been trained to lie, to seduce, and to kill, but nothing in Viktor’s training had prepared me for this.

“Who are you?” Kael repeated in a low growl that vibrated through the room. His gaze turned to the man slumped on the couch—his twin, Rowan—and his jaw tightened. “And what the hell did you do to my brother?”

I straightened, smoothing my red dress as if I hadn’t just sedated an alpha heir. My dagger pressed against my thigh, but I couldn’t reach for it, not yet. Not with Kael’s aura pushing against me with raw power and barely leashed fury. My wolf whimpered, torn between the urge to bare her throat and the instinct to bolt.

“Relax, handsome,” I purred, stepping closer and letting my hips sway. “Your brother is sleeping. He had too much to drink, and I had to bring him in here.” I flashed a coy smile, tilting my head so my dark hair spilled over one shoulder. “I’m Gwen, by the way, one of the new bartenders from the last hire. And you are?”

Kael’s eyes narrowed. He wasn’t buying my act, not even a little. “Don’t play games with me,” he snapped, closing the distance between us in two strides. His hand shot out, grabbing my wrist to trap me.

The contact sent a jolt through my body, like lightning sparking along my nerves. My wolf surged again, and I bit the inside of my cheek to keep myself from gasping.

“Rowan doesn’t pass out from a few beers,” Kael said, his voice dangerously soft. “And you don’t smell like some random bartender. So I’ll ask again, who are you, and what did you do to him?”

His grip tightened, making my pulse race, but it wasn’t fear driving my heartbeat. It was his scent, pine, leather, and a storm brewing, pulling me in even as my mind screamed to get out. The mate bond was raw and insistent, tying me to the man I was sent to kill. I’d never felt anything like it, and it terrified me.

I twisted my wrist, testing his grip, but he didn’t budge. Fine. Time to switch tactics.

“Alright, you caught me,” I said, lowering my voice to a sultry whisper. “I’m a hooker, okay? Your brother paid for a good time, and we were just getting into it when he dozed off.” I leaned in, letting my lips brush close to his ear. “Guess I wore him out a little too fast, although I like my men to be awake and not sloppy. He’ll be up soon enough.”

Kael’s eyes darkened, the mate bond didn’t care about my lies or his suspicions; it just wanted us closer. His gaze dropped to my lips for a split second before he caught himself, his expression hardening again.

“You expect me to believe that?” he said. He released my wrist, stepping back as if he needed the distance to think clearly. “Rowan doesn't hook up with sex workers. Try again.”

I rubbed my wrist, more for show than necessity, and shrugged. “Believe what you want, big guy. But your brother’s fine. Check his pulse if you don’t trust me.” I nodded toward Rowan, who was still sprawled on the couch. The sedative would keep him out for some hours, long enough for me to figure out my next move. Assuming I could get past Kael. 

Kael moved to Rowan’s side, keeping me in his peripheral vision. He pressed two fingers to his twin’s neck, his shoulders relaxing slightly when he felt the steady pulse. “He’s alive,” Kael muttered, almost to himself.

I seized the moment, edging toward the door. “Well, this has been fun, but I’ve got places to be—”

Kael was on me in a flash, his hand slamming against the doorframe, caging me in. “You’re not going anywhere,” he growled, his face inches from mine. His scent overwhelmed me, and my wolf practically purred, traitor that she was. “Not until I know who you are and why you’re here.”

My heart pounded, but I tilted my chin up, meeting his stare. “Careful, alpha. Keep me this close, and you might not like the outcome.” I let my lips curve into a teasing smile, even as my mind raced.

I needed to get out, regroup, and figure out how to salvage this mess. I’d seduced the wrong twin, sedated him, and now I was face-to-face with my actual target, who also happened to be my fated mate. Viktor was going to skin me alive if he found out I'd jeopardize the mission.

Kael’s eyes flashed, and for a moment, I thought he might kiss me. The mate bond hummed between us, electric and undeniable, urging me to close the gap. His gaze dropped to my mouth again, and his breath hitched. But then he stepped back, shaking his head as if clearing a fog.

“Shut up,” he said, grabbing my arm and pulling me toward the door. “You’re coming with me.”

I dug my heels in to make it convincing. “And where exactly are we going, tough guy?”

“To my pack,” he said, his tone leaving no room for argument. “You’ll answer for this, one way or another.”

My stomach twisted. His pack? That was the last place I needed to be, surrounded by wolves loyal to Kael and Rowan, all of whom would tear me apart if they learned what I’d done. But I couldn’t fight my way out, not without blowing my cover completely. Seduction hadn’t worked, and running wasn’t an option with Kael’s iron grip on my arm. I had to play along, at least for now.

“Fine,” I sighed, tossing my hair. “But if I’m meeting your pack, I’m gonna need a better dress. This one was ripped by your brother.”

Kael didn’t respond, but his grip loosened slightly. “Move,” he said, pushing the door open and steering me into the hallway.

The bar was still lively with noise, but heads turned as Kael marched me through the crowd. His presence alone commanded attention as every wolf in the room sensed his alpha aura, and a few even lowered their eyes in deference. I kept my head high, letting my hips sway, playing the part of the confident femme fatale even as my mind churned. I needed a plan, and fast.

Once outside, Kael led me to a black SUV parked near the bar, its tinted windows reflecting the moonlight. He opened the passenger door and gestured for me to get in.

“Such a gentleman,” I quipped, sliding into the seat. My dagger shifted against my thigh. If things went south, I could still fight my way out. Probably.

Kael climbed into the driver’s seat. “Don’t test me,” he said, starting the engine. “You’re in deep enough as it is.”

I leaned back, crossing my legs so the slit of my dress revealed a glimpse of my thigh. He shot me a warning look and pulled onto the road. The city blurred past, but my focus was on him. My wolf wanted to climb into his lap and ground him, but I had to clench my fists to keep her in check. This wasn’t just a job anymore. It was personal, and that scared me more than Viktor’s threats ever had.

We drove in silence for what felt like hours, though it was probably only nine minutes. The city gave way to dense forest, the road narrowing until it was barely more than a dirt path.

My wolf perked up, sensing the wild energy of the pack territory. Crescent pack, if Viktor’s intel was right, was one of the strongest in the region, and Kael was its heir. No wonder Viktor wanted him dead.

The SUV stopped in front of a sprawling compound, all stone and timber, with lights glowing in the windows. Wolves patrolled the perimeter, their eyes glinting in the dark. Kael got out, circling to my door before I could open it myself.

“Out,” he ordered, his tone clipped.

I stepped onto the gravel, my boots crunching. “Nice place,” I said, scanning the compound. “Very rustic.”

Kael didn’t respond, just grabbed my arm again and led me toward the main building. The wolves on patrol watched me with suspicion and I could feel their loyalty to Kael, their readiness to rip me apart if he gave them the order.

Inside, the compound was warm, all polished wood and leather furniture. A huge stone fireplace dominated the main room, its flames giving off shadows on the wall.

A dozen wolves were scattered around, some playing cards, others chatting and drinking. They all went quiet when Kael walked in, their eyes darting to me.

“Jace,” Kael called, and a tall man with sandy hair stepped forward. “Rowan’s at the Rusty Claw. He’s down. Mobilize a team and bring him to the hospital. Now.”

“Who’s she?” Jace asked.

“Intruder,” Kael said, releasing my arm. “Lock her in the guest room. No one talks to her until I say so.”

Before I could respond, Jace smirked. “This way,” he said, leading me toward a hallway.

We got to the guest room that was more like a cell, with bare walls, a narrow bed, and a single window with bars. Jace locked the door behind me, his footsteps fading down the hall.

I slumped onto the hard bed with a tired sigh, staring up at the ceiling. There was nothing else I could do, so I closed my eyes and waited for sleep to come.