Chapter Two

Kia

"Kia? Are you still standing there?"

The front door creaked open, letting in a gust of mountain air. Pam stepped inside, her bright red coat a sharp contrast to the grey shadows of the manor. She was the only person in this pack who didn't look at me like I was a smudge on the floor.

"Pam?”

"Moon Goddess, you look like you’ve seen a Ghost King," she said, walking over to me. She gripped my shoulders, her eyes searching mine. 

"Did they do something? Was it Ryder?"

"They want me to... they have a plan for the bloodline," I whispered.

Pam stiffened. As the daughter of the pack’s lead healer, she knew the legends of the Volkov curse better than anyone. She also knew exactly how ruthless the triplets could be when they felt their control slipping.

"We’re getting out of here for an hour," Pam decided, her jaw set. 

"The Ascension Ceremony starts at sundown, and the Beta sent me to fetch you. Every member of the pack has to be present for the opening prayer, even the omegas."

"I don't think I can face them right now," I said.

"You don't have a choice, sweetie. If you’re not there, Anastasia will use it as an excuse to lock you away for a week."

We turned to leave, but the sound of footsteps stopped us. Kratavak was leaning against the archway of the dining room, his shirt unbuttoned halfway down his chest. He looked relaxed, but the predatory glint in his eyes said otherwise.

"Going somewhere, little mouse?" he asked.

He didn't wait for an answer. His gaze shifted to Pam, traveling slowly from her boots to her face. He let out a low, appreciative whistle.

"You’re looking healthy today, Pam. Maybe you should stay behind. I could use a distraction while my brothers are busy with the elders."

Pam didn't flinch. "I’m here on official business, Alpha Kratavak. The Beta expects Kia at the temple."

Kratavak laughed, stepping closer. He reached out and twirled a lock of Pam’s hair around his finger. "The Beta can wait. My brother is in a foul mood, and I’m bored. Why don't you tell me what the omegas are gossiping about these days?"

"They’re gossiping about how the Volkov Alphas can't keep their tempers under control," Pam snapped, pulling her hair away.

Kratavak’s smile didn't falter, but his eyes darkened. 

"Careful, Pam. You’re only protected by your father’s rank for so long."

He turned his attention back to me, his expression turning cold.

"Don't get any ideas about running off, Kia. We’re going to have a long talk after the ceremony. Ryder has already mapped out the timeline."

Before I could respond, the sound of a high-pitched laugh fell through. Moss walked into the foyer, flanked by two other girls from the elite academy. She was wearing a silk dress that cost more than a year of pack supplies, her arm looped firmly through Liam’s.

Liam looked bored, his eyes fixed on some point in the distance, but he didn't pull away from her.

"Oh, look," Moss said, her voice dripping with fake sympathy. "The little wolfless wonder is actually trying to leave the house. Is there a sale on cleaning supplies in town, Kia?"

Her friends giggled behind their hands. 

"Liam, darling, did you see this?" She pointed at a small tear in my sleeve. 

"How can you let your... whatever she is... walk around looking like a beggar? It’s embarrassing for the family."

Liam finally looked at me. His gaze was icy, devoid of the brotherly affection we had shared years ago. 

"She knows where the sewing kits are kept. If she chooses to look like a peasant, that is her business."

"Maybe she’s just practicing for her new role," Moss smirked, leaning into Liam’s side. 

"I heard the elders talking. It’s such a shame, really. But I suppose every pack needs someone to do the dirty work, right?"

She reached out and flicked a piece of lint off my shoulder, but her hand moved too fast. She "accidentally" knocked the ceramic pitcher Pam was carrying, sending the cold water soaking through my thin dress.

I gasped, the freezing liquid clinging to my skin.

"Oh! My bad," Moss said, not sounding sorry at all. "I guess you’ll have to go change now. You wouldn't want to show up to the ceremony looking like a drowned rat."

"That’s enough, Moss," Pam said, stepping in front of me.

"Is it?" Moss challenged, her eyes flashing. "Because I don't see any of the Alphas stopping me."

She was right. Liam just turned away, leading Moss toward the gardens without a single word in my defense. Kratavak watched the whole thing with a smirk before following them, leaving me shivering and humiliated in the middle of the hall.

"Come on," Pam muttered, pulling me toward the stairs. "Let’s get you dry. We don't have much time."

I changed into a plain black dress. My skin was still prickling from the cold water, but the anger in my gut was starting to burn.

As we headed back down, we ran into Eric, the Lead Beta. He looked stressed, a stack of leather bound folders in his arms.

"Kia, thank the Goddess," Eric said, sounding out of breath. "I need you to take this to Ryder’s study. It’s the Ancient Lineage Scroll. He needs to verify the seals before the midnight ritual, and he won't let anyone else near his private desk right now."

"Why me?" I asked, looking at the scroll. 

"He’s in a terrible mood, Eric."

"Exactly. He’s already snapped at three of my messengers. You’re the only one who can get close to him when the madness is this high. Please. It has to be done before the moon reaches its peak."

I took the scroll, my heart sinking. Pam gave my hand a supportive squeeze. "I’ll wait for you by the car. Just be quick."

I walked toward the east wing, the part of the house that felt the most like a tomb. The air here was thick with the scent of old paper and the sharp, metallic tang of Alpha pheromones.

I didn't knock. I knew Ryder hated being interrupted by a knock when he was focused. I pushed the door open quietly.

The study was in shambles. Books were scattered across the floor, and a chair had been smashed against the fireplace.

Ryder was standing by the window, his back to me. His shirt was torn at the shoulder, and his breathing was ragged. Even from the doorway, I could feel the heat radiating off him. The curse wasn't just a headache anymore; it was a fever.

"I told everyone to stay out," he growled, his voice barely human.

"Eric sent the scroll," I said, my voice steady despite the trembling in my knees. "You need it for the seals."

He turned around slowly. His eyes were no longer grey or brown. They were a glowing, toxic yellow. The wolf was clawing at the surface, fighting for control.

"Leave it on the desk and get out," he spat.

I walked forward, placing the scroll on the mahogany surface. I tried to turn away, but he was suddenly there, blocking my path. He moved faster than any human could follow.

"Why are you still here?" he demanded. He was so close I could feel the heat of his skin. "Do you like seeing me like this? Does it make you feel powerful to see the great Alpha falling apart?"

"No, Ryder. It makes me sad," I said, looking up at him.

He let out a harsh, bitter laugh. "Sad? You should be terrified. You know what they want us to do. You know what I’m going to have to do to you to save myself."

"You don't have to do anything," I argued, my anger finally bubbling over. 

"You’re an Alpha. You’re supposed to be strong. Find another way instead of treating me like an object!"

He grabbed my waist, pulling me flush against him. The contact was like an electric shock. My skin burned where he touched me, and for a second, the darkness in his eyes seemed to flicker.

"There is no other way!" he roared, his face inches from mine. 

"I am drowning, Kia! Every second of every day, I feel like I’m being ripped in two. And you... you’re the only thing that stops the pain."

His grip tightened, his fingers digging into my hips. His gaze dropped to my lips, and for a heartbeat, the anger transformed into something far more dangerous. The air between us was charged with a suffocating tension.

"I hate you," he whispered, his voice dropping to a low, husky rumble. "I hate that I need you. I hate that I can't breathe when you’re not in the room."

He leaned in, his nose brushing against mine. My breath hitched. I should have pushed him away, but I was frozen, trapped in the magnetic pull of his gaze.

His lips were just a breath away from mine. I could feel the ragged edges of his control snapping.

"Ryder..." I breathed.

Suddenly, the door to the study slammed open.

"The elders are waiting, Ryder. We have to—"

Liam stopped mid-sentence, his eyes widening as he took in the scene. He looked at Ryder’s hands on my waist, then at our faces.

Ryder didn't let go immediately. He stared at Liam, his eyes glowing brighter, a low growl vibrating in his throat. It wasn't a growl of annoyance; it was a warning. A territorial claim.

"Get out, Liam," Ryder said, his voice sounding completely feral.

"The moon is rising," Liam said, his voice tight with a mixture of shock and suppressed rage. "If we don't start the ceremony now, the curse will take us all before morning. Let the girl go."

Ryder’s grip tightened one last time before he shoved me away. He turned back to the window, his chest heaving.

"Go, Kia," Liam said, his voice cold and sharp. "Before he forgets who you are.”