Chapter 1

I should have died tonight. 

The thought pounded through my mind as branches whipped my face with each strike of my paws against the forest floor. 

The night was alive with sounds of howling, snarls as the scent of blood burned my nose.

Run.

Hide.

My father's words rang in my ear, loud and clear. He had forced her to flee to protect the alpha's lineage while he, my mother and brother stayed to fight.

Faster.

Faster.

I echoed in my head. My wolf lyra complied and pushed herself harder, my heart beating so fast in my chest that I could hear the sound in my ears.

I kept running for what seemed like forever, I had long since stopped hearing the sounds of fighting, howls of pain and bodies slamming into each other.

I got to the lake that separated the shifters' borders from the human world. The reflection of the moon could be seen clearly , the night casting an illusion of glass on the lake. Not even a single cloud could be seen in the sky, just an eerie black with the bright moon.

I stood there for a minute thinking as my heart was torn on what choice to make. If I crossed now I would fulfill my parents wishes and preserve my father's line but a nagging feeling wouldn't let me. I couldn't just let my parents die trying to protect the pack while I fled like a coward especially not in the hands of the silvercrest pack.

Slowly I took some steps back contemplating my decisions, Lyra sensing my indecisiveness took matters into her own hands and burst into a Sprint towards Cresthaven. My pack. Towards my parents. 

I have always obeyed my father's wishes but tonight I just couldn't bring myself to abandon my family.

With each step, my heart raced, fueled by a mix of fear and determination. The moonlight illuminated my path as I pushed myself harder, the weight of my choices pressing down on me ,but the thought of my family kept moving me forward. As I approached the familiar trees lining the outskirts of Cresthaven I shifted to my human form and sneaked in using the back pathway.

The coast was clear, I entered the pack house through a hidden door and crept in slowly hidden by the shadows and dimly lit corridors.

There was no sound in the pack house, just the occasional grunt and yell from outside.

As I moved deeper and deeper into the house I heard the sounds of sobbing coming from within the house. I moved towards the direction of the sound, it led me into one of the communal rooms. 

The door was left ajar and as I got closer, the sight before me made me freeze as colour drained from my face. On the floor lay the body of my dad, his body contorted in an unnatural position, his eyes glassy. Blood pooled underneath him. His head lay on my mother's lap as she knelt on the ground.

Above her stood a man, his hands raised in the air as his claws extended. It all seemed to happen in slow motion. As he went in for the kill, my mother locked eyes with me a single tear dropped from her eyes as she gave me a sad smile.

“No”. I yelled as I ran to save her but it was too late. Her body dropped before I could get to her.

 Blinded by rage, As I got to the man I toppled him to the floor going in for the kill but he quickly got the upper hand and pinned me to the ground. As I thrashed on the ground trying to land a blow, he snarled and I looked into his eyes.

The world stopped, it was just the two of us. His scent, his eyes, his entire presence hit me at the same time. The hairs on my body stood on end. This feeling, no it couldn't be. I choked back a sob shaking my head no it couldn't be.

“Mate.” He whispered, his breath fanning against my face, his face just inches away from mine. He pinned my hands above my head, his grip tight and unyielding.

“Don’t you dare say that,” I screamed in his face, spittle flying as I thrashed beneath him, desperate to break free. His hold loosened for a split second and I took advantage of it. I shoved him off me using all of my strength. 

He rolled to the side with calculated ease, rising to his feet at the same time I did.

The rush of emotions hit me all at once; anger, grief, confusion. I staggered, pressing a hand against the wall for support, chest heaving. Hatred and anger burned through my blood as I looked at him.

And yet, my wolf betrayed me.

Lyra reached for him shamelessly, calling out to his presence as if she couldn’t tell friend from foe. No. I shook my head internally, forcing the thought down. He cannot be our mate. 

Never.

Lyra whimpered in response.“Hunter Bane, I re—”.He crossed the room in a blur. His body slammed into mine, pinning me back against the wall as his hand clamped over my mouth.

“If you dare complete that sentence,” he growled into my ear, voice low and dangerous, “I’ll make you regret it.”I bit down hard on his palm, not holding back. He hissed and withdrew his hand.

“What else could you possibly do to me?” I yelled. “You killed my parents right in front of me and now you expect me to accept you as my mate?”

If looks could kill, he’d already be six feet under.

“You. Are. Crazy,” I said, jabbing a finger into his chest. He caught my wrists again, holding them easily, a slow smile spreading across his face

.“I. am. crazy,” he said calmly. “Your parents made me that way. I only returned the favor.” 

“My parents made you this way?” I let out a mocking laugh. “Your pack is filled with ruthless killers, my parents' only mistake was letting you live”.

 He grabbed my jaw forcing me to look into his eyes, my breath hitched , his eyes were dark, almost black.

“The rest of your pack is alive for now, on one condition”.He said coldly as he released my wrists and let go of my jaw.

The rest of my pack was alive. 

Adrian. 

A single tear slipped down my cheek. I had been so sure he had suffered the same fate as our parents. Just hearing he was safe brought me so much relief. Hope blooming in my heart.

“What’s your condition?” I asked, watching him carefully, distrust lacing every word.

“You leave with me willingly,” he said with ease. “Your pack walks free. Your brother, Adrian, becomes the new Alpha. The blood feud ends.” 

“And if I don’t?” I asked.

 His expression didn’t change.

“Then your entire pack burns,” he said. “And I take you regardless.”   

 I opened my mouth to refuse, to spit in his face—but a scream tore through the night. 

Adrian's scream. I'd know my brother's voice anywhere.

Hunter's smile widened, slow and predatory. "Decide quickly, little wolf. My beta has orders to execute one pack member every minute you make me wait."

My legs buckled.

"Thirty seconds," Hunter whispered against my ear, his hand sliding possessively around my waist to hold me upright. "What's it going to be?"