Chapter 2

The Alpha’s Prisoner

Lena knew she was in trouble as soon as they got to the Shadowmoor packhouse.

The building loomed before her—massive, built from dark stone and timber, its walls whispering of old power. A long set of stairs led to the grand entrance, where two guards stood watch. Their sharp eyes locked onto her the moment she arrived, their expressions unreadable.

Elliot tightened his grip on her arm as they ascended the steps. “Behave, little criminal.”

Lena gave him a mean look but said nothing. Her mind was racing, trying to piece together an escape. This wasn’t just any pack—Shadowmoor was one of the strongest in the region. Damian Thorn was not only a ruthless Alpha but also an unforgiving leader. And now, he was her mate.

No. She refused to accept it.

The heavy doors swung open, revealing a grand hall lined with warriors and pack members. They all turned to watch her, whispering among themselves. Some looked curious. Others are careful. A few seemed outright hostile.

A woman with red hair stepped forward, her green eyes looking at Lena. “Who is this?”

“Criminal,” Elliot answered. “Caught trespassing.”

The woman, who was obviously important, looked at them both and then quickly turned her attention to Damian. “And you brought her here?”

Damian ignored her and walked away, his presence sucking the air from the room. “Take her to the dungeons.”

Lena tensed up. Dungeons?

“Oh, come on,” she laughed. “Isn’t that a bit dramatic?”

Damian didn’t even glance at her as he gave a quick nod to two guards. They stepped forward, grabbing her arms. She got ready to fight, but Damian’s voice stopped her.

“Don’t.” Damian shouted.

One word. A command. Her wolf whimpered inside her, instinctively reacting to his authority. She hated it. Hated the way her body responded without permission.

She clenched her teeth and let herself be led deeper into the packhouse down a stone hallway. The air got cooler and damper, smelling like dirt and rocks. They went down a staircase with flickering shadows on the walls from the flames. The air got heavier as they went deeper.

They finally got to a row of cells with iron bars around them. She was pushed inside after one of the guards opened the door for her. Lena managed to catch herself before she fell, despite tripping.

In the corner of the tiny cell were only a bucket and a cot. The walls were thick with stone, and there was only one small gap she could not get through.

The door slammed shut behind her.

She turned, gripping the bars. “You can’t just lock me up like some criminal!”

Damian stood on the other side, his golden eyes unreadable. “You trespassed.”

“By accident!” she yelled. “And let’s not forget the whole mate situation.”

His eyes seemed to be looking at something, but he did not say anything.

Lena huffed. “So, what now? Will you keep me here until I accept my fate?”

Damian’s expression darkened. “I don’t want a mate.”

A sudden, sharp pain pierced her chest, but she chose to ignore it. “Good. Then let me go.”

“No,” Damian said.

She stared at him. “You just said—”

“I don’t want a mate,” he interrupted, stepping closer. “But that doesn’t mean I can let you run free.”

Her hands tightened around the bars. “You don’t own me.”

His voice dropped to a dangerous whisper. “You’re in my territory. That means I decide what happens to you.”

She exhaled sharply. “And what happens, Alpha?”

There was a long pause between them. Finally, Damian spoke, his voice colder than before. "You will stay here until I decide what to do with you."

Then he turned around and left, leaving Lena fuming as she held on to the iron bars.

She wasn’t staying here. Not for him. Not for anyone.

She had to escape.

She had been sitting on the cot for hours, staring at the dim flashlight outside her cell. She wanted to sleep badly, but she just couldn't. The Shadowmoor Pack was too well-organized and watched for any of her plans to work. She needed a chance—one failure, one break.

Her ears pricked at footsteps approaching. The scent hit her first—Elliot.

He leaned against the bars, smirking. “You’re still here. Didn’t figure you for the patient type.”

Lena crossed her arms. “Come to gloat?”

“Nah, just curious.” His eyes gleamed. “Most criminals would be begging for mercy by now. But not you.”

She leaned forward, voice low. “That’s because I’m not most criminals.”

Elliot’s smirk widened. “Oh, I definitely like you.”

Lena rolled her eyes. “If you’re not here to let me out, then leave.”

He clicked his tongue. “So hostile. But no, I’m not here to let you out.” He paused, then added, “Yet.”

Her eyes narrowed. "What do you mean by that?"

Elliot glanced down the hall, ensuring they were alone. “Let’s just say... Damian’s not the only one with a say around here.”

Lena studied him carefully. He was hiding something.

Before she could press further, heavy footsteps echoed down the corridor. Damian.

Elliot straightened. “And on that note, I shall leave you two lovebirds to yourselves.” He winked before wandering off.

Damian stopped in front of the cell, his expression unreadable. “You should be asleep.”

Lena snorted. “Hard to sleep when I’m locked up like some prisoner.”

His gaze darkened. “That’s exactly what you are.”

She stood, walking to the bars. "So why don’t you just send me far away from your sight?"

Damian’s jaw clenched. “Is that what you want?”

Lena took a deep breath. No. She wanted freedom. She wanted out of this pack, away from him. But she couldn’t let him see her fear.

She lifted her chin. "Yes, if it means leaving this place."

Damian looked at her for a very long time and then shook his head. "Liar."

Lena squeezed the bars with her fingers. "What do you need from me?"

"Tell me why you were on my land."

She hesitated. The truth wasn’t something she was ready to share. “Like I said, I was passing through.”

Damian didn’t believe her. She could see it in his eyes.

He exhaled sharply. “Rest. We’ll talk in the morning.”

Lena watched as he turned and disappeared down the hall.

She sat back on the cot, her heart beat very fast. If she does not discover a way out quickly, she may not have another chance.

She was in even more difficulty than she had imagined because he seemed to see right through her.