Chapter 1

“Come on, little brother,” Markus laughed behind him, breathing hot and cruelly. Don’t tell me you’re already tired.

Eyrix bit back a cry as the chain around his wrists jerked. Silver bit into his flesh. The metal burned, poisoning his blood, keeping his wolf trapped in that half-formed state that hurt more than any blade. He tasted iron and rot as his face smashed into the dirt.

I… I’m not your brother anymore. Eyrix rasped.

Aeron laughs—lower, darker. You were never our brother. You were Father’s mistake.

The Ironclaw Alphas emerged from the trees like demons from a nightmare. Three of them—Aeron, Markus, and Darius. All tall, broad, and gleaming with power, their wolves just under their skin. Their eyes glowed amber in the moonlight as they circled him.

They had been doing this for days. Eyrix had lost track of time after the first time they’d broken his ribs.

“Let him run again,” Markus said lazily, wiping blood from his knuckles. It’s boring if he doesn’t try.

Aeron yanked the chain, hauling Eyrix up onto his knees. Eyrix’s legs trembled violently beneath him.

“Run,” Aeron whispered with a grin that was all teeth. Run, Omega.

Eyrix’s chest heaved. The word Omega cut deeper than any claw. He had been born Ironclaw, a family meant to birth only Alphas. He was born an Omega and the family that had raised him treats him like a pack of starving dogs. They had never forgiven him for not being what they wanted.

The chain fell away.

For half a heartbeat, Eyrix stayed frozen. Then survival tore through him like lightning.

He ran.

He didn’t know where he was going. Trees blurred past him, branches whipping his face. His lungs burned with every breath. His wolf screamed inside him, begging to be let free, but the silver still poisoned his blood, keeping him trapped in that twisted, half-shifted state.

Behind him, his alpha brothers howled.

The sound was pure terror.

Eyrix stumbled, nearly falling. His vision tunneled, darkness creeping in from the edges. He could hear them gaining on him—heavy footsteps, snapping branches, the wet sound of paws hitting mud.

I can smell your fear, Darius called. It’s delicious.

Eyrix’s foot caught on a root. He went down hard, air exploding out of his lungs. He tried to push himself up, but his arms gave out.

The scent of the forest shifted—something sharper. The trees around him changed.

Eyrix’s dazed mind barely registered it.

He had crossed into the Blackfang pack.

Shit, Markus growled behind him. We crossed the line.

Who cares huh? Aeron snapped. He's just an Omega.

Eyrix dragged himself forward another few feet before his body finally gave up. He collapsed against a fallen log, blood soaking into the moss beneath him. His vision blurred until the moon above fractured into white shards.

So this was how it ended. Not with honor. Not with a fight. But broken and hunted like an animal.

The sound of a motorcycle cut through the night. It was loud. Out of place in the ancient forest.

Headlights flared, slicing through the darkness like twin blades.

The Ironclaws froze.

Eyrix lifted his head weakly.

A black motorcycle rolled into view between the trees, its engine a low, predatory purr. The rider was massive, his silhouette broad and dangerous as he killed the engine and swung a leg over the bike.

Ryder Blackfang, The Alpha of Blackfang pack. He stepped forward, boots crunching on leaves. He didn’t look at the Ironclaws at first.

He looked at Eyrix.

Slowly, Ryder crouched in front of him. The man’s eyes were an unnerving, icy gray, reflecting the moonlight. His scent hit Eyrix like a wall—steel, and something darkly intoxicating beneath it.

Well, Ryder murmured, voice low and rough. What do we have here?

Eyrix tried to speak. Only a broken sound came out.

Ryder reached out, fingers brushing Eyrix’s blood-matted hair back from his face. You’re beautiful, Ryder said quietly. Did you know that?

Aeron stepped forward. He’s ours.

Ryder didn’t even look at him.

He crossed into my pack, Ryder replied calmly. Which makes him mine.

Markus snarled. You think we’re afraid of you, Blackfang?

Ryder finally stood, towering over them. The air seemed to tighten around him, like the forest itself was holding its breath.

You should be, he said.

Eyrix felt it then—a crushing wave of Alpha pressure that made his wolf whimper.

The Ironclaws stiffened, their bravado cracking.

Darius swallowed. We were just… having fun.

Ryder’s lip curled in something that was not quite a smile. You bled him on my land.

So what? Aeron snapped.

Ryder turned slowly, and when he spoke, his voice was edged with something lethal. He is a breathing, bleeding creature in my territory. And I do not tolerate trash littering my woods. Especially not something this pretty.

Eyrix felt Ryder’s gaze drop to him again.

Ryder knelt once more, sliding an arm under Eyrix’s shoulders. The sudden closeness made Eyrix’s heart stutter.

Don’t touch him, Markus growled.

Ryder looked up, eyes like ice. Or what?

The Ironclaws hesitated.

Ryder smiled then, sharp and dangerous. “Run.”

They didn’t need to be told twice. They vanished into the trees, their fear leaving a sour trail behind them.

Silence fell.

Ryder lifted Eyrix fully into his arms, cradling him like he weighed nothing. Eyrix’s body shuddered from pain and exhaustion.

Easy, Ryder murmured. I’ve got you.

Don’t… Eyrix whispered weakly. Don’t pretend you’re kind.

Ryder chuckled softly. Oh, I’m not.

Eyrix’s eyes fluttered. Then… Why?

Ryder’s grip tightened just a little. Because you wandered into my territory half-dead, smelling like an unclaimed Omega. And that makes you valuable.

Valuable… or disposable? Eyrix asked.

Ryder leaned down, his breath warm against Eyrix’s ear. That depends on how well you behave.

Eyrix let out a shaky laugh that turned into a cough. Blood stained his lips. You’re no better than them.

Ryder paused. I never said I was. He carried Eyrix toward the motorcycle, laying him carefully against the seat.

Tell me your name, Ryder said.

Eyrix, he whispered. Eyrix Ironclaw.

Ryder’s brow lifted slightly. Ironclaw? Interesting.

Not anymore, Eyrix murmured. They threw me away.

Ryder’s gaze darkened. Their loss. He started the motorcycle, the engine roaring back to life. Eyrix swayed, barely staying conscious.

Where are you taking me? Eyrix asked.

Ryder glanced back at him. Home.

Blackfang… will kill me, Eyrix whispered.

Ryder’s smile was slow and unsettling. No. They won’t.

Why?

Because I won’t let them.

The bike lurched forward, speeding through the forest. Eyrix clutched Ryder’s jacket weakly as the wind tore at them.

Why protect me? Eyrix asked one last time.

Ryder didn’t answer right away. When he did, his voice was a dark promise.

Because you’re going to belong to me now, and that was more terrifying than death.