Chapter 3: Caught in the Heat

The barred window let in golden streaks of sunlight, casting jagged light across the floor. I barely slept last night after my mission failed. I had knocked out the wrong twin. The real target was still alive, and worse, he had me locked up in his cell. I couldn’t stop thinking about how close I’d come, and it was only a matter of time before they figured out who I was. I needed to get the hell out of here and finish what I started.

I sat up on the edge of the bed, my fingers tracing the hilt of the dagger still strapped to my thigh. The cold metal grounded me, a reminder of who I was, a killer, not some lovesick pup tangled in a mate bond. But no matter how hard I tried to focus, Kael’s scent lingered in my mind, pulling at my wolf like a tether. I squeezed my eyes shut, forcing myself to think. I had to get out of here, finish the job, and find my mother. Nothing else mattered.

The lock clicked, and my head snapped up. The door swung open, revealing Kael, his broad frame filling the doorway. He’d changed into a black shirt and jeans, the fabric hugging his muscles in a way that made my mouth go dry. His golden eyes were on mine, and the mate bond flared, hot and insistent, stealing my breath. My wolf whined, urging me to close the distance, but I stayed rooted to the bed.

“You’re awake,” he said slowly, striding inside and closing the door behind him.

“Hard to sleep in a place like this,” I shot back, forcing a smirk. “Not exactly five-star accommodations, alpha.”

His gaze roamed over me, lingering on the red dress that still clung to my curves, now slightly torn from last night. “You’re lucky you’re in a room and not a cell,” he said, crossing his arms. “So I need you to start talking? Who are you, and what did you do to my brother?”

I leaned back on my hands, letting the dress ride up just enough to distract him. “I told you already, I didn’t do anything. Your brother had way too much to drink and passed out.” I shrugged, letting my dark hair fall over one shoulder. “Not exactly my fault, is it? You're gonna keep me locked up because your brother couldn't control his alcohol consumption?”

Kael’s jaw tightened, and he took a step closer. “You’re lying,” he growled. “I can smell it. Your heart’s racing, and it’s not just because you’re scared.”

“Oh, you think you know me already? That’s cute.” I stood, closing the distance between us until we were inches apart. His scent enveloped me, and my wolf purred. “My heart’s racing because you’re standing so close, alpha.”

His eyes darkened, and for a moment, I thought I’d won and I’d thrown him off balance. But then he grabbed my shoulders, pushing me back against the wall with just enough force to make my breath hitch.

“Stop playing games with me,” he growled. “You’re not a hooker. You targeted Rowan, and I want to know why and who sent you?”

My wolf whimpered, torn between the urge to submit and the instinct to fight. I tilted my chin up, meeting his stare. “And what if I don’t feel like talking? You gonna torture me, Kael? Or maybe you’ll just keep me pinned here all day.” I let my voice drop, daring him to cross the line.

His gaze dropped to my lips. The mate bond roared, urging me to lean in and taste him. For a heartbeat, I thought he’d kiss me and give in to the pull that was driving us both insane. But then he stepped back with a low curse.

“You’re a temptation,” he muttered, running a hand through his dark hair. “And I don’t trust you.”

I smirked, smoothing my dress. “Smart man. You figured you’re my mate, haven't you? And the way I see it, you're not allowed to mate outside of your pack.” I sauntered back to the bed, sitting down with a deliberate slowness. “I suggest you let me go before your pack starts asking questions.”

Kael’s eyes narrowed. “My pack’s already asking questions. And they’re not happy about a stranger in our territory, especially one who attacked my brother.”

“Attack is a strong accusation,” I said, crossing my legs. ”How is Rowan feeling, by the way?” I asked.

“Rowan’s in the hospital. He’s stable, but he hasn’t woken up yet. When he does, he’ll tell me what happened. And if you’re lying, you’ll wish you’d never set foot in that bar.”

My stomach twisted, but I kept my face blank. Rowan was still alive, and his waking up was a problem, a big one. If he remembered what happened, my cover was blown. And if he didn’t, well, that might buy me some time, but not much. I needed to get to him, finish the job, and get out before Kael figured out who I was. But the mate bond complicated everything, tying me to the one man I was supposed to kill.

“Sounds like you’ve got it all figured out,” I said, leaning back on my hands. “But let me give you a little advice, Kael. Locking me up isn’t gonna make your problems go away, it will make things get worse.”

Kael took a step closer, his aura pressing against me. “You’re hiding something, and I’m gonna find out what it is.”

“Good luck with that,” I said, flashing a grin. “I’m an open book, alpha. Just not one you can read.”

He didn’t respond, just turned and headed for the door. But before he left, he glanced back and warned. “Don’t try anything stupid. My men are watching, and they’re not as patient as I am.”

The door slammed shut, and the lock clicked into place. I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding. My wolf whined, mourning the loss of Kael’s presence, and I growled under my breath. “Get a grip, Nyx,” I muttered.

I needed a plan. Rowan was in the hospital, which meant he was vulnerable but also guarded. Kael wasn’t letting me out of here anytime soon, and the mate bond was making it hard to think straight. Every time he got close, my body betrayed me, craving his touch even as my mind screamed to run. And then there was Viktor, waiting for results. If I didn’t deliver Kael’s head, he’d never tell me where my mother was. Assuming he even knew.

I stopped at the window, gripping the bars. The forest beyond was alive with the sounds of the pack, howls, rustling leaves, and the distant snap of a twig. Crescent pack territory was vast, and Kael’s men were everywhere. Escaping wouldn’t be easy, but I’d done harder things. I just needed an opening.

A knock on the door startled me, and I turned, expecting to see Kael. But it was Jace, the beta from last night, holding a tray of food. His green eyes studied me way too curiously.

“Breakfast,” he said, setting the tray on the bed. It held a sandwich, an apple, and a bottle of water. Basic, but better than nothing.

“Wow, room service,” I said, raising an eyebrow. “You guys really know how to treat a girl.”

Jace didn’t smile. “Kael says you’re trouble, and I’m inclined to agree.”

I picked up the apple, rolling it in my hand. “Trouble is my specialty, Jace. But don’t worry, I’m housebroken.”

He snorted, leaning against the doorframe. “You don’t scare me. I’ve seen your type before. All talk and no action.”

I took a bite of the apple, chewing slowly. “Keep telling yourself that, big guy. But something tells me you’re not as tough as you look, either.”

His eyes narrowed, but he didn’t take the bait. “Eat. And don’t try anything foolish. Kael’s got enough on his plate without you causing more problems.”

“Aw, you worried about your alpha?” I teased, leaning forward. “Such a sweet beta.”

Jace pushed off the doorframe. “Eat,” he said, then left, locking the door behind him.

I stared at the tray, my appetite gone. Jace was loyal to Kael; that much was clear. But he wasn’t stupid; he’d be watching me, and so would the rest of the pack. I needed to find a weak spot, someone I could manipulate, or a way to slip past their defenses. And I needed to do it before Rowan woke up.

I ate the sandwich, more out of necessity than hunger, and tucked the apple under the pillow. It wasn’t much, but it could be useful, a distraction, maybe, or a makeshift weapon. My dagger was still my best bet, but I couldn’t rely on it alone.

The hours dragged on, the compound growing quiet as the pack settled for the day. I lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling. The mate bond reminded me of Kael. I could still feel his hands on my shoulders, his breath against my skin. My wolf wanted him, and part of me, the part I’d buried long ago, wanted him too. But I couldn’t afford to want anything. Not now.

I sank onto the bed, my fingers brushing the dagger. The mission was simple: kill Kael, get my mother’s location, and disappear. But nothing about this was simple anymore. Not with Rowan still alive, not with Kael’s pack asking questions, and not with the mate bond tying me to the one man I couldn’t afford to love.