Episode 5

"Put her in the trunk," Marcus orders his men. "It's time to go home."

Two mercenaries grab my arms, dragging me toward the back of the SUV.

"Stop fighting, princess," one of them says. "You're only making this harder on yourself."

"Please," I beg. "You don't understand. He's going to kill my father."

"Not our problem. We're getting paid to deliver you, nothing more."

That's when I hear it. A low growl that makes every hair on my body stand up. It's coming from the tree line.

The mercenaries freeze. "What was that?"

"Probably just a rogue wolf," Marcus says from the car. "Ignore it and get her loaded."

The growl comes again, closer this time. In the darkness between the trees, I can see two glowing eyes reflecting the headlights.

"That's not a rogue," one of the mercenaries whispers. "That's something else."

A massive black wolf steps into view. He's huge, bigger than any wolf I've ever seen.

"Shit," Marcus breathes. "Where did that come from?"

The wolf moves with deadly grace, circling us slowly. The mercenaries release me and reach for their weapons.

"Easy, boy," one of them says, pulling out a crossbow. "We don't want any trouble."

The wolf's lips pull back, revealing teeth. He growls again, and power radiates from him in waves. This isn't just any wolf. This is an alpha.

"Shoot it," Marcus orders. "Kill it before it attacks."

The first mercenary fires his crossbow. The bolt flies straight at the wolf's chest, but the massive creature moves like liquid shadow. The arrow whistles past him harmlessly.

"How the hell did he move that fast?"

Before anyone can answer, the wolf lunges. He moves so quickly I can barely follow him. In seconds, he's on top of the first mercenary, his jaws clamping down on the man's throat.

The man doesn't even have time to scream before his neck snaps.

"Run!" The second mercenary abandons his weapon and bolts for the trees. "Fifty thousand isn't worth dying over!"

The third mercenary tries to shift, but the wolf is already there. Another swift attack, another broken neck. Two men dead in less than thirty seconds.

Marcus scrambles out of the SUV, his face pale with terror. "I'm an alpha!" he shouts at the wolf. "I'm Alpha Marcus of the Redwood Pack! I'll kill you for this!"

The wolf turns toward him, blood still dripping from his muzzle. He looks at Marcus. This isn't just rage or hunger. This is calculated.

"You hear me, you mangy beast? I'm an alpha! You don't threaten me!"

The wolf takes a step closer, and Marcus stumbles backward. For the first time since I've known him, I see real fear in his eyes.

That's when the wolf begins to shift.

The transformation is beautiful and terrifying. Within moments, a man stands where the wolf had been.

He's completely naked, and despite everything that's happening, I can't help but stare. He's the most beautiful man I've ever seen. Tall and broad-shouldered, with a face that could have been carved by the gods themselves. His hair is midnight black, and his eyes are the same silver as his wolf's.

I've been sheltered all my life, kept in the castle for protection. Dad never let me attend inter-pack gatherings or political meetings. I've seen pictures of other alphas, but I've never met them in person. I have no idea who this man is.

But when Marcus falls to his knees in front of him, I'm stunned.

Marcus is an alpha. The only reason one alpha bows to another is if the other is of much higher status. Just like how Marcus often bowed to my father. This man isn't just any alpha. He's someone important. Someone powerful.

"Alpha Prince Ryan Ravenwing," Marcus says. "I didn't know you were in the area. If I had known, I would have requested permission to cross your territory."

My blood turns to ice. Ravenwing. That's Alpha Jeremy's last name. This is his son, the man who hates me without having ever met me.

Ryan looks down at Marcus with disgust. "You're trespassing on my land, killing my guards, and attempting to kidnap someone under my protection."

"Under your protection? But she's—"

"She's what, exactly?" Ryan's voice is deadly quiet.

Marcus swallows hard. "She's my fiancée. She ran away from our wedding this morning. I'm just trying to bring her home."

"Your fiancée?" Ryan's eyes shift to me, and I feel like he's looking straight through me. "Interesting."

He walks toward me. I want to back away, but I'm frozen in place. When he reaches me, he kneels down so we're at eye level.

"Princess Aria Stone," he says. "We finally meet."

I can't speak. Can't breathe. He's even more beautiful up close, but there's something dangerous in his eyes. Something that promises violence.

"I've heard so much about you," he continues. "The sheltered princess who's never left her castle. The spoiled alpha's daughter who thinks the world revolves around her."

"I'm not—"

"Quiet." The word is spoken softly, but it carries the weight of absolute authority. "I'm talking."

He stands and turns back to Marcus, who's still on his knees. "You say she's your fiancée?"

"Yes, Alpha Prince. We were meant to be married this morning, but she ran away. Her father is very ill, and he needs her to come home."

"How interesting. Because according to the contract signed thirty years ago, Princess Aria belongs to me. She was promised in marriage before she was even born."

That knocks air from my lungs. "W…what?"

Ryan's smile is all teeth, no warmth. "I'm glad you've delivered her to me, Marcus. This saves me the trouble of having to come collect her myself."

"But... but we're engaged. We've been planning this wedding for months."

"Plans change." Ryan's eyes glow. "The princess is mine now. You can go back to your little pack and tell everyone that the arrangement has been... modified."

"You can't do this! Her father will never agree to it!"

"Her father is dying, isn't he? And from what I hear, he's not really in charge of his pack anymore. His new wife is running things."

Marcus's face goes white. "How do you know about that?"

"I know everything that happens in my territory. Including the fact that you've been sleeping with your fiancée's stepmother."

I stare at Ryan in shock. How could he possibly know about that?

"So here's what's going to happen," Ryan continues. "You're going to get in your car and drive away. You're going to tell everyone that Princess Aria is dead, killed by rogues in the forest. And you're never going to look for her again."

"And if I refuse?"

Ryan's smiles. "Then I'll kill you right here, right now. And I'll still keep the princess."

Marcus looks at me, then at Ryan, then back at me. I can see him calculating, trying to figure out if he can win this fight.

"Choose quickly," Ryan says. "My patience is limited."

Marcus gets to his feet slowly. "This isn't over. Her father—"

"Her father signed a contract. A blood oath that cannot be broken. The princess belongs to the Shadowmoon pack, and she always has."

"What contract?" I finally find my voice. "What are you talking about?"

Ryan looks at me with something that might be pity. "The marriage contract your father signed when you were born. The one that promised you to me in exchange for protection during the territorial wars."

"That's impossible. Dad would never—"

"Your father was desperate. He was losing the war, his pack was dying, and his wife was pregnant with his heir. He needed an ally, and my father was the only one powerful enough to help him."

"You're lying."

"Am I? Ask him when you see him next. If he's still alive."

Marcus backs toward his car, his hands raised. "I'll tell Rebecca what happened. She'll come for her."

"Rebecca can try. But she'll find that declaring war on the Shadowmoon pack is a mistake she won't live to regret."

Marcus gets in his car and drives away, leaving me alone with the most dangerous man I've ever met.

Ryan turns to me. "Welcom

e to your new life, Princess. I hope you're ready for what comes next."