Chapter 4

Nara Pov

As he approached me, a jolt of electricity surged through my veins. My body tensed, and for the first time, my wolf stirred.

My heart pounded against my chest, and I swallowed hard, realizing that the more I stared at him, the stronger my wolf’s pull became. His aura was intimidating, but his beauty was unlike anything I had ever seen.

His dark hair fell in soft curls around a sharply defined jaw and a face carved from stone. His eyes—emerald green—glowed under the torchlight. Tattoos covered his strong hands, each line and symbol drawing my gaze like a spell.

He wore a dark, half-unbuttoned shirt and fitted slacks, the fabric straining over his muscles. He was a beast… but a beautiful one.

“An omega,” he said, his voice deep and sultry. The sound echoed through the hall, pulling everyone’s attention to me. But I couldn’t look away. His eyes held mine like a spell I couldn’t break.

“And a fearless one at that.”

He sneered, and a nearby man stepped forward to strike me—but his hand froze midair. My eyes, clenched in fear, opened in shock to see Alpha Rhegan gripping the man’s wrist, twisting it until the soldier groaned in pain.

“Tell me how you found our hideout, Nara,” Rhegan said coolly.

My breath hitched. He knew my name.

“Did you know we were coming?” he pressed, his tone sharp, the air thickening with his rising anger.

“I—I—” I stammered, tension coiling through me. My wolf stirred again, restless and alert. The closer he came, the more intoxicating his scent became.

What was happening to me?

“Speak!” he barked.

“I was running away! I didn’t know… I didn’t realize…” I started, then froze as my mind replayed the last thing I’d heard before blacking out.

My eyes widened in horror. “You attacked us!” I blurted.

But as Rhegan moved closer, something else overwhelmed me—something primal. I didn’t want to back away anymore. I wanted him nearer.

“And you ruined everything,” he spat. “Moon-Water scum.”

His words hit like blades, but his nearness set my skin on fire. His dominance rippled through the air, and despite my fear, my body trembled with something that felt dangerously like desire.

He growled low in my ear, and my knees went weak. His hand clamped around my face, forcing me to meet his eyes.

Suddenly, my wolf surged to the surface, wild and certain.

“Mate!” she howled inside me.

The room went dead silent. My eyes widened in disbelief as Rhegan’s expression twisted in disgust—the same look Xander had given me hours ago.

“This changes nothing,” he hissed.

He gripped my chin tighter, his voice loud and cold. “You’re going to pay for what you’ve done, Nara.”

“Sire, what should we do with the rest?” one of his men asked.

A smirk curved Rhegan’s lips. “Release them. But leave this one. I’ve found the best way she can pay.”

My heart pounded. Surely he wouldn’t hurt me. Not his mate.

The other women were lined up and escorted out. I watched them go, tears welling in my eyes as the last one disappeared through the door, leaving me alone with him.

“How did my fairytale turn into this nightmare?” I whispered.

“I have nothing to give you,” I said, voice trembling. “I’m a lowly omega—the lowest in the pack. I didn’t know! Please…”

His gaze only grew darker.

“Please, I’m begging you!”

He didn’t soften. He stepped closer instead, his eyes glowing like molten emeralds.

“You and your kind deserve no mercy,” he said coldly. “You wolves have been a thorn in the flesh of every lycan. Today, that ends. You found our hideout and cost me two of my brothers. I know your name—and I know exactly what you are. And when I’m done with you, you’ll curse the day you became my mate.”

His words froze the air in my lungs.

“Take her away!” he commanded.

Hands gripped my arms and dragged me backward, my heart hammering as I stared at him in disbelief.

In one cruel day, I had gone from bride-to-be to a branded murderer…

In a land where wolves were the enemy.

I was doomed.