Chapter 5: The Alpha's Trap

Rheya stood at the upper terrace of the castle as she watched Nyra run in the dark and into the woods. She had just wondered how she passed by without the guards knowing.

She had seen her leave, and she wanted to go after her, but she refrained. The instant she beheld her, Rheya knew she wasn't from Blackfang or any neighboring pack, and she wasn't a human either. 

She knew Nyra was a rogue.

By the time Kael stirred awake the next morning, the light piercing through the tall windows in his room only worsened the throbbing ache in his temples. He groaned, reaching up as though his head cleaved into two. 

At that moment, he sensed something was wrong. 

The incident of last night came rushing back, and he remembered it all–her scent, her mouth, and then…

Nothing. 

He absolutely remembered nothing further!

When he rose in an attempt to head for the bathroom, a knock came on the door. 

“Enter,” he snapped.

Rheya stormed in, not bothering with pleasantries. “Who was the new girl?”

Kael blinked. “What?”

“Who was she? The one you brought here.” She repeated. 

Kael scoffed. The ache in his head was nothing compared to the rage bubbling inside. 

“Watch how you speak to me, Rheya.” He sneered under his breath. 

Rheya swallowed, she averted her gaze away and crossed her arms. “Do you even realize what you're doing? She isn't from the pack. She's a threat. All the women that have been throwing themselves at you are humans, but she is not.” 

Kael knew that already. He knew she wasn't a human, yet he was swayed by her scent.

“Hold on, I need to show–” the rest of his words were cut off when his gaze slid to the lampshade. “She took my wallet and drugged me!”

Rheya clenched her teeth. “I knew it,” her tone was venomous.

“No woman has ever done this to me.” He growled, anger clawing at his chest.

Alpha Kael was a man never to be messed with. He was ruthless, cold and could go any mile to get what he wanted.

Without waiting another second, he entered the bathroom, freshened up and strode out of his room, heading toward the western tower where Elder Naro was.

The old seer sat amidst incense and scrolls, his body frail, his skin pale. 

He looked up when Kael approached him. 

“Alpha Kael…”

“Something happened yesterday, Naro.” He cut him off.

Elder Naro hummed with a nod, as if knowing what it was about. “She is one of the forgotten bloodlines,” the seer whispered. “She’s untamed.”

“And she used it against me?”

“Your blood reacted. Don't bond with the wrong mate, I beg you, Alpha.” the old man pleaded. 

A thunderous growl escaped Kael's throat. He turned, storming out without another word.

Back at the gateside, Alaric was waiting with a prisoner in tow.

“Found her,” he muttered, pulling off the blindfold.

Madam Vexa's lips were sewn in a frown, defiant and furious. She didn't know how she ended up there.

After following orders from Kael, Alaric had actually abducted her when he couldn't find Nyra in the club.

He moved her into the dungeon, throwing her in. Then he walked away to meet Kael in his chamber. 

“She still won't speak,” he uttered. “But she'll surely bring the wolf out of hiding.”

Kael nodded once. “Hold her until she spills something.”

◇◇

That night, cloaked in darkness, Nyra crossed the border of the Blackfang territory. She moved swiftly to the pack castle, avoiding the guards. She arrived as soon as she heard Madam Vexa was missing. She knew only one who could have done it.

She slipped past the outer walls and found a rail of blood on the ground. Nyra followed it without having any idea it was a trap.

In the dungeon, Vexa was bound. Nyra skillfully passed the guards on the way to the dungeon as the blood directed her. 

“Madam Vexa!” she exclaimed when she saw how miserable the woman was. She crept towards her and sliced the rope. “Shh, I'm getting you out–”

But before she could, footsteps came from behind. She barely turned when rough hands seized her.

She kicked and screamed, but two guards held her directly, dragging her through the halls and heading for Alpha Kael's chamber. The cold tiled floor pressed onto her knees as she was thrown before the throne when they got in.

Alpha Kael sat, his expression unreadable.

Nyra's hair was disheveled, her arms held tight. She hadn't realized the slap she'd gotten from one of the guards on their way stung until she spat out blood on the floor.

“Thief,” Kael said finally, rising from his throne. 

She said nothing.

He walked down slowly, each of his steps echoed like a death bell

“You stole from me. You fled and violated pack borders.” 

Nyra stared at him weakly. “I owe you nothing.”

Kael crouched before her, lifting her chin with the top of his knuckle, but never touching. His eyes bored into hers.

“Who the hell are you?”

“Let me go.”

Kael straightened up without a word, and then he nodded. 

One of the guards slapped her hard. Her body jerked sideways, and a gasp left her lips. Blood pooled in her mouth again.

She was barely given the time to breathe when she was yanked back up.

Kael's gaze dropped lower to her, drinking in her broken defiance. Again, she was met by another slap.

Nyra whimpered. “Stop…” she cried out. “Please… I'll do anything. Just let the woman go.”

Kael raised a brow, fascinated.

“Anything?” 

She nodded weakly, barely holding herself up.

The guards released her and strode out after a dismissive look from Kael.

She collapsed, arms trembling.

Kael leaned forward, his voice a whisper of sin. 

“Then be mine.”

Her eyes widened.

“My slave. My pleasure. My toy.”

She recoiled.

Kael's smile was cold. “Or you could be hunted down by the pack. You're a rogue, remember? They'll tear you apart.”