Chapter 2

Zara

With my hands pinned to my back, I dragged my legs to let them carry as far as I could go, but I was a fool to think they would let me off so easily.

Someone was behind me with light steps, almost like they were gliding over the air. Freaking werewolf speed. 

Everything happened in a blur, and the huge man stood before me, making me stop in tracks. I tried to maneuver him, but then a crushing weight slammed across my head. Everywhere spun so fast, I stumbled backwards until my back collided with the floor. 

“Fuck Pete, don’t hit her!” Was the last thing I heard before darkness seeped into my brain.

The first thing I felt was cold. But it wasn’t the chilly night air outside. It was the chill of polished tiles underneath my body as I laid on my side on the floor. I couldn’t move my arms.

My head throbbed at the same time as my pulse. What’s happening? I slowly blinked my eyes open and the blurry image of thick, jet black boots came into focus. I realized my hands were tightly cuffed behind my back.

Memories of tonight started flooding back into my brain, and fear gripped me by the throat. I was no longer in our house, but a bigger room, covered in gold and expensive glass.

Was this…

“Alpha Ryan, she’s awake.”

I managed to crane my neck up to see the huge man who’d knocked me out earlier. Then my eyes glided to the man beside him, and my breathing stopped.

The only thing I could hear was the pumping of my heart in my ears as I stared up at him.

I didn’t know what I expected when they dragged me off to meet their Alpha, a crazed beast who fed on blood from mystical virgin creatures like my kind. Whose generation was known for drinking us dry and defiling us, turning us to pitiable humans with a quick countdown to die.

Whatever I expected, it was not this image in front of me. Alpha Ryan did not look like the rugged, beastly man I’d spent all my life fearing. He looked like a masterpiece of a man, almost seven foot, with razor sharp features, and jet back hair that was slicked back with precision.

He could be easily differentiated from the ordinary beauty of mortal men. His eyes were an icy shade of grey, almost silver, and thick lashes framed them perfectly. He had knife-blade cheekbones and perfectly arched brows. His nose was so straight and pointed, I wondered if there was even any mistake or imperfection with him.

His body was another canon event. Muscles strained against the all black leather fit he had on. He wasn’t so huge, but he didn’t need to be. He was intimidating enough like this. He looked like a man that didn’t need to speak to be reverenced or feared, like the type that would take lives without batting an eye.

Our gazes collided, and locked. His was laced with curiosity and something else I couldn’t pinpoint. Mine… mine was filled with confusion, coupled with a strange burning in my chest.

“What’s your name?” His deep, velvety voice cut through my thoughts. I snapped back to my senses. I hated this man, no matter how beautiful he looked.

Tilting my head to the side, I asked, “Is there any need to know the name of the girl who’s going to be dead anytime soon, anyways?”

A few gasps sounded around me. Alpha Ryan's eyes widened a little. He wasn’t used to the talkback. Good. I wasn’t even used to talking back like this either.

I panicked when he started to crouch down to my height, my heart lodging in my throat. His icy orbs really pierced through me now. Alpha Ryan looked enchanted by me, but I knew better.

“What’s your name, little lamb? Lose the attitude, and tell me.”

I shook my head no, even if my hands were trembling. I didn’t even know why I was refusing to tell him, I guess I just needed to have control over something.

“No?” But his eyes are trained on the vein on my neck, his grey orbs almost completely dark with desire. My pulse thrummed harder as he looked.

“No.” I agreed. “Maybe you’d have to kill me. I disobeyed your orders.”

Everywhere fell silent. I knew he couldn’t kill me. He needed me. He’d been searching for me for years. I wasn’t going to make this easy for him. I was not the lamb he called me. Not anymore…

He finally looked up at me, and smiled. Actually smiled, knocking the air out of my lungs. Then he stood up, rubbing the bridge of his nose.

“Very well, then. You’re right. I don’t need a name. You’re simply mine.” The crass declaration caused a shiver to run down my spine. 

He kept his eyes on me while speaking to the men beside him. “Take her to my wing. Put her in one of the empty rooms. I’ll see her tomorrow.”

They started to untie me, more carefully than they’d handled me on my way here. Bunch of hypocrites.

When I was fully loosened, I moaned in relief, rubbing my pale palms together. Blood had seized at my wrist. I felt his eyes on me. Somehow, I did. I didn’t give him the pleasure of staring back.

“Come on.” A guard pulled me up and another stood on the other side of me. They had just started pulling me away when I heard a female voice,

“Is she here?”

My eyes slanted to the door, where a tall, skinny woman stood. She regarded me with a look of indifference in her amber eyes, stepping into the room eventually.

She stopped beside Alpha Ryan and planted a kiss on his cheek. Bile rose in my throat. Who was she? He didn’t crack a reaction, still watching me. 

“Yes. She’s the one.” He answered her.

“Sweet. What’s her name?” She queried, giving me a once over. When her eyes reached back up to my face, they were clouded with anarchy.

“She wouldn’t tell.” He shrugged. She scoffed, looking at him like he was crazy.

“What do you mean she wouldn’t tell?” Her attention was back on me, and I tried to fight the fear that had started to rattle me.

“It’s okay, Mira. I don’t need her name.”

“Maybe, but she doesn’t have the right not to tell you. She’s nothing but a slave here!” Before he could stop her, she marched towards me and dragged me off the guards. Her grip was strong as she crushed my arms, and I struggled to claw her hands off.

“Stop!”

“What’s your name, slut? You think you can play hard to get here? You want to keep secrets?” She snapped. 

“Mira.” 

“Listen to me, you whoring little bastard. You’re nothing but a slave here. Nothing but a shiny blood bag for my mate. You don’t have a say here, not as long as I’m alive. No one refuses the Alpha. If he asks you something, I need you to give him a fucking answer. Now what’s that name?” She yells against my face. I bite the inside of my cheek, determined to stand up to her. 

She looked like she was going to harm me, but nothing could be worse than the beatings I received at home. The marks and bruises across my skin would scare her away.

“You won’t tell?! You won’t...”

“Luna Mira!” Alpha Ryan's voice boomed across the room, and once again, silence cloaked the air. She jerked at the sound of his voice, like something had left her, then she dropped her hands and stepped back.

Her head was bowed as she whispered, “I’m sorry, love.”

But his face was masked with fury as he watched her. “I don’t need you to fight my battles. Since when do you need to voice out for me?”

“You… you let her keep her name from you.” She finally raised her head, directing a glare at me. “She looks like a cheap seductress, love. Take a look at that skimpy dress and the way she bats her lashes at you. She even talks back at you already. I just…”

She bursted out crying. Just like that. Tears cascaded down her face like a practiced mantra. My mouth was slightly open in surprise, but I noticed that everyone else stayed calm, unperturbed. Like this was a usual occurrence.

Alpha Ryan slung his arm across her shoulder, jaw clenched, with his eyes on his guards.

“Take her away.”

I was dragged off the scene to the place where I’d probably die. But I was determined not to go down without a fight. How else would I get my revenge?