Chapter 2

Athena's Pov

My body felt like it wasn't mine. 

My mind screamed at me to run but my body was frozen, locked in place, by pure, undiluted horror.

Nuella's body lay before me, a shredded mess of torn flesh and blood. The metallic scent of blood was thick in the air, burning my nose as I inhaled, churning my stomach as I stared.

And then there were them.

The Alpha twins — Enzo and Ryan.

Their naked bodies smeared with Nuella's blood, their eyes glowing in the dark — red and feral like wolves who'd tasted their first kill and wanted more. 

The worst part?

They were smiling — a slow, satisfied smile that sent ice into my veins. 

They had killed her and they enjoyed it.

My stomach lurched. 

Run!

The whisper had come from my wolf,  the part of me that wanted to survive.

Run!

It was louder this time.

I didn't know I had it in me but I gave Enzo a heavy shove and ran so fast I almost tripped over my own feet. My heart pounded as I bolted into the trees, branches whipping against my skin, and my breath coming in sharp, panicked gasps.

Behind me, a deep, rumbling laugh filled the night.

“You decided to run, huh.” Ryan called out.

“Let her! She won't get far.” Enzo replied, loud enough for me to hear.

I pushed harder, my muscles screaming, my lungs burning. If I could just shift — I could just call out my wolf.

“Shift!” I yelled. Now, I was pleading. “Please, please, shift!”

But nothing happened. 

There was no response. 

My wolf, the only thing that could save me, had fallen silent.

“Shit! Can't you do a simple task?!” I bit a sob as I ran.

No. Not now. Not when my life depended on it.

I took a sharp left and that was when I heard it — low, guttural growls.

The Alpha twins!

It was them. I couldn't be mistaken. 

They had come for me.

They were chasing after me.

And they were fast.

The legs trembled beneath me as I ran, my heart thundering against my ribcage.

They moved but not like men. 

They didn't even move like wolves. 

They were predators and right now, I was their prey.

I glanced behind me.

Huge, dark forms shot through the trees, moving with terrifying speed. Their eyes glowed in the night, locked onto me with an intensity that made my chest tighten.

“Oh, you fragile little thing!” Ryan purred. Did you really think you could run from us?!” 

I bit my lip so hard I tasted blood.

I ran harder. My lungs burned. My vision blurred with tears.

I ran with my might but I wasn't fast enough.

Something slammed into me.

Hard.

I hit the ground with a choked gasp, the impact knocking the air out of my lungs.

Before I could even blink, a heavy body pressed down on me, pinning me beneath scorching heat and tight muscle.

I struggled, 

Kicked, 

Clawed and 

Screamed, desperate to break free.

“Shhh,” The deep voice murmured against my neck, his breath sending shivers down my spine. “It's okay, little Omega. You belong to us now.” 

Enzo.

“No,” I choked out. “Please —”

My protest fell on deaf ears because a sharp tooth sank into my left shoulder and I screamed. 

Fire exploded through me, scorching every nerve, and searing straight into my bones. It was a pain unlike anything I’ve ever felt — white-hot, all-consuming, and very unbearable.

Before I could properly register the pain, another bite came on my other shoulder. 

Ryan!

A second wave of agony crashed over me, so intense my vision began to blacken at the edges. 

My body trembled and my breath came in ragged, desperate gasps.

Instantly, the mating bond snapped into place.

Their emotions, desires flooded through me.

I could feel them.

The hunger. The possessiveness.

“Mine!” Enzo murmured.

“Ours.” 

My body betrayed me and I sobbed.  Warmth spread through me as I whimpered softly.  

My killers. 

They — They were marking me. 

Enzo groaned against my skin. “You smell so good.” 

Ryan's fingers dug into my hips. “So soft. We should take her now.” 

No!

No, no, no.

Panic surged through me, cutting through the unbearable heat they had ignited inside me. I had to get away.

With every ounce of strength left in me, I twisted my body, ignoring the pain, and shoved them. 

It was a weak, laughable attempt at escape but it was enough to be a distraction.

I kicked Ryan in the stomach and scrambled free.

Enzo cursed, grabbing for me but I had already moved. 

Without a second thought, I ran.

Again.

Pain shot through my body as I moved. Fresh wounds burnt but I didn't stop.

I couldn't stop.

Benaches tore at my skin, but I barely felt them. My mind had one thought.

The pack.

I had to make it back.

I burst through the trees, my legs barely holding me up. The packhouse was ahead, its lights glowing like a beacon in the darkness. 

Almost there.

I staggered, my body swaying from blood loss, but I didn't stop. I couldn't afford to.

Behind me, deep, furious growls filled the night.

I didn't have to turn around to know they were still there. 

Watching.

Waiting.

Enzo's voice slithered through the trees, dark and full of promise. “Run while you can, little mate.” 

Ryan's laughter followed. “We'll come for you soon.”

A shudder tracked down my spine.

I didn't doubt their words.

I had escaped them tonight.

But I wasn't free.

Not even close. 

But for now, I had my life intact.

I kept running home.

To the pack. 

My legs carried me as I stumbled forward. The packhouse was just a few steps away. 

The lights grew hazier with each step.

I had to make it.

I had to tell them.

Nuella was dead. 

I opened my mouth to call for help but no sound came out.

My vision blurred and my body swayed.

Then, everything went black.