Chapter 2

OCTAVIA.

Maeron’s offer kept spinning in my head. I stood there with my fists clenched, and my heart pounding in my chest.

“You’re insane,” I muttered, not caring if he’d be angry or not. “You want me to trap Dorian Lysander? The man who killed his own parents? The one whose name causes his fellow alphas to tremble? They call him the beast for a real reason, Maeron. And you think I’m just going to charm him into following me around like a lost pup?”

Of course, Maeron hadn’t blinked when I said all that. He just gave that slimy smile he always wore when he thought he had the upper hand. “You’re smarter than this, Octavia. Stronger. Deadlier. And let’s not forget, beautiful.”

“Don’t patronize me,” I shot back.

He’d only laughed and stepped closer, lowering his voice like he was telling me a secret. “You think this is impossible because you’re scared. But fear... fear is good. It reminds you of what you’re fighting for. Dory. Freedom. One mission. One trap. And you both walk away, Octavia. I assure you it will be worth it. Of you won't do it for yourself, do it for that girl.”

I glared at him. “Don’t call her ‘that girl.’ Her name’s Dory. And I’m not afraid. But I’m not stupid either. You don’t just trick a man like Dorian Lysander. He’ll see right through any lie I try to spin. How do you expect me to get close enough to even talk to him?”

Maeron just smiled again. “You’re forgetting something. You’re a woman. A beautiful one. That’s all the weapon you need. Flirt. Touch. Play the game. Make him think he’s winning. Men are easy. Stroke their ego a little, and they melt. You’ve done it before, remember?”

Then his hand moved.

He reached out, brushing his fingers along my collarbone, then over my shoulder and down my arm. My whole body tensed in discomfort.

His touch wasn’t violent. It was worse.

It was Possessive.

Like he believed he owned me.

His fingers reached my waist.

“You belong to me, Octavia,” he said softly. “Your body. Your loyalty. All of it. That means you don’t let that alpha touch you. You make him fall for you. And then you bring him to me. Never let him touch you.”

His hand rose again, heading for my face.

He barely grazed the side of my mouth before I snapped.

I sank my teeth into his hand and reached for the dagger strapped to my thigh. I drove it through his palm, then shoved him back.

Blood filled my mouth and I spat it onto the dirt.

“The fact that I can’t kill you doesn’t mean I won’t leave you limping,” I said, with my eyes burning in anger.

He doubled over, clutching his bleeding hand.

“You little—”

“Touch me again,” I hissed, “and I’ll take that hand off next time. I’m not your toy, Maeron. I’m not yours to touch!”

His face twisted with pain, and something worse. Amusement.

“Still wild. That’s why you’re so fun.”

“You’re sick,” I spat. “You could’ve forced me into your bed years ago. But you didn’t. Why? Waiting for something? Planning something worse?”

He laughed, quiet and dark. “You’re right. I could’ve. But where’s the fun in that? I like my toys fierce.”

I growled. “Dream on. I’ll never submit to you. I’d rather die.”

“No,” he said. “But you’ll do the mission. Because if you don’t… Dory will pay for it. And this time, I won’t be so kind. Do it, and you both go free. Fail, and I sell her off to the highest bidder.”

My stomach twisted and my fists shook in anger.

He always used Dory against me.

Because she was all I had left.

“I want it in writing,” I said. “Both our freedoms. Signed and sealed.”

He tilted his head and watched me for a moment. Then he nodded. “Fine. You've got yourself a deal, Octavia.”

I stared at him. “Why Dorian Lysander? Why now?”

He chuckled as he walked away. “That’s not your concern. Just go get ready. Say your goodbye if you must. You leave in thirty minutes.”

And then he left.

The chill that followed wasn’t from the air.

It came from inside me.

For the first time in years… I was afraid.

Not for Dory.

But for me.

I was being sent on a mission to lure a man that even the devil himself feared.

*******

Outside Dory’s cell, the air always felt strange. Like the walls remembered every scream and blood that was spilt in this place.

I adjusted the backpack on my shoulder and nodded at the guard. He unlocked the door, and I stepped inside.

Dory sat with her knees pulled to her chest and her back against the wall. When she saw me, she looked straight at my face. Her eyes fell on the dried blood at the edge of my lips.

She didn’t speak.

She just held out her hand.

I crossed the room and knelt in front of her. The moment her fingers touched mine, something inside me eased. Her thumb brushed the back of my hand slowly. She was asking without words,  "What happened this time?"

I smiled weakly. “Same old,” I whispered. “But that’s not why I’m here.”

She tilted her head.

“I’m leaving,” I said. “Maeron gave me a new assignment.”

Her eyes dropped to the bag and heler hand squeezed mine tighter.

“He says if I complete it… we go free. Both of us.”

She opened her mouth like she wanted to speak, but only breath came out. Then she shook her head and mouthed "No. Don’t trust him."

“I don’t,” I said. “But I didn’t have a choice.”

She watched me closely for a moment then she mouthed. "Who?"

“It’s Alpha Dorian Lysander,” I said.

Her whole body stiffened.

"The Beast?" she mouthed.

I nodded. “Yeah.”

She pulled her hand back and started signing again. " It’s a trap. He wants you dead."

“Maybe,” I whispered. “But I’m not meant to kill him. Just lure him in.”

She scoffed without sound. "And if you fail? What happens to us?" She sighed again.

I leaned in and rested my forehead against hers. “That’s why I have to do this. I can’t fail, Dory.”

She lifted her hand and tapped my collarbone twice. " Promise me."

My voice shook as I spoke. “I’ll come back for you. I promise.”

She nodded. But I saw it. The war in her eyes. It was like hope was fighting fear.

She pressed her forehead to mine again in a silent goodbye.

I stayed a moment longer.

Then I stood, nodded once, and walked out.

I was going back toward the chains I chose.

Because if I didn’t… she’d never be free of hers.

Maeron’s men would drop me off near Shadow Crescent’s borders. That was it.

Getting in?

That part was up to me.

Delivering Alpha Dorian Lysander?

That was the mission.

And failure?

Failure was not an option.