Chapter 5

Lana’s POV

Warren’s words continued to echo in my head as I glared at him.

As far as my pack is concerned, you belong to me now.

He’d made his claim on me and I knew I dare not speak back. He was the Alpha of this pack and it wouldn’t take him much to tear me apart if he wanted to.

Still, I couldn’t take this. I’d never felt as helpless as I did, just standing there before him.

I stood frozen, my mind reeling. I couldn’t believe the position I was in. Warren was watching me with that same unreadable expression. His piercing eyes were holding me in place as if he could trap my thoughts with just a look.

“So?” he drawled, his voice low and dangerous. “Are we clear on the terms?”

I swallowed hard, every instinct screaming at me to fight back. I wanted to claw my way out of this trap, but what other options did I have? 

He was right. I’d come too far to give up now, not when I was so close to getting my revenge on Callen. I clenched my fists, trying to suppress the tremble in my hands.

“Fine,” I said, forcing the words out of my mouth. 

“I accept your terms. But how are your pack members supposed to believe that someone like me could be their Luna? I’m an outsider, and an omega.”

Warren’s expression softened into a smirk, as though he found my protest amusing. “They’ll do what they’re told. You’re with me now, and that’s all they need to understand. Your status? Irrelevant. My word is law here, Lana. Once I mark you as mine, no one will question it.”

His tone left no room for argument, and yet I felt my stomach twist with unease. “Mark me? What are you—”

Before I could finish, he stepped forward. I barely had time to react as his hand shot up to hold the back of my neck. 

His grip was firm and possessive as his fingers pressed into my skin. I felt a chill run through me. My whole body tensed as my blood seemed to run cold with dread.

“You’re not going to just say you’re mine,” he murmured, his voice low and dark. “You’re going to be marked as mine.”

The words had barely registered before his head lowered, and I felt his breath against my neck. I jerked back instinctively, but his grip tightened, pulling me closer. Trapping me. My brain went crazy with panic

“Stop,” I choked out, struggling against him. “Don’t—”

But it was too late. 

His teeth sank into the skin at the base of my neck, and a searing pain shot through me. I gasped, my whole body arching as the fire of his mark burned into me. 

I clawed at his shoulders, trying to push him off, but he didn’t let go. The pain was sharp and hot as he branded me as his.

And the worst part was that he didn’t care about my protests or the severe pain it was causing me.

Finally, he pulled back, leaving me breathless and shaking. His gaze was hard as he looked down at me. He was completely unaffected by the pain he’d just caused me.

“There,” he said, his voice cool. “Now there’s no mistaking where your loyalty lies. You belong to me.”

Anger boiled beneath my skin, swirling with the pain and humiliation he’d just caused me. He didn’t even seem to notice. Or maybe he just didn’t care.

His gaze flickered to the door, and he called for someone outside.

“Come in.”

A young woman entered, bowing her head as she waited for his orders.

“Take her to the guest quarters,” Warren said, his tone casual, as though he hadn’t just branded me like property. 

“Make sure she has everything she needs.”

“Yes, Alpha,” she replied obediently.

Warren gave me one last, unreadable look before he turned and left, leaving me to stand there. Blood was rushing in my ears and my throat burned with anger.

The woman turned to me, a wary expression on her face. “Please, come with me.”

I followed her in silence, feeling anger hammer into my chest with each step. I’d known Warren Black was ruthless, but I hadn’t realized just how far he would go to get what he wanted. 

I’d let my desperation cloud my judgment, and now I was paying the price.

As we walked through the hallways of his grand pack house, I felt eyes on me. The other wolves could probably sense Warren’s mark on me, but their stares only fueled the hatred burning inside of me.

Warren.

Finally, we reached a quiet, secluded room near the back of the house. It was luxurious by any standard, far better than anything I’d had back in Dark Silver. 

But that only made the anger twist harder inside me. I didn’t want his gifts or his luxury; I wanted my freedom. I wanted my revenge, and now I wanted vengeance against Warren, too.

The woman lingered in the doorway, looking at me with a certain expression on her face. Pity

“If you need anything, just call for me,” she said softly before leaving, closing the door behind her.

I stood there, trying to control my breathing. My hand flew to the place where he’d marked me. 

The skin was sore and bruised, but the pain only made me more determined. I’d accepted his terms because I needed him to take down Callen. 

But I would never forgive Warren for marking me without my consent, for forcing me into this twisted arrangement.

In that moment, I made a vow to myself. I would take my revenge on Callen. But when the time came, I would also find a way to make Warren pay. Somehow, I would make him regret ever trying to control me and for doing this to me.

“When I’m done with my revenge,” I swore to myself. “Warren would be the next to suffer.”