Chapter 1: I Don't Want To Die

DORA

My heart pounded painfully as I opened the door of the basement.

I raised my nose in the air to detect any familiar scent. 

When I heard none, I limped as fast as I could to the kitchen, sending a silent prayer to the Goddess that I’d find a decent leftover.

If I don’t, I’d have to dig through the trashcan again. 

Honestly, I’d eat anything at this point - anything to give my wolf the strength she needs to stay alive. 

I have been starving for days in a dungeon cell my family threw me in and had just awoken from a severe beating that rendered me unconscious. 

At this point, If I don’t eat something, I will die.

And I don’t want to die. 

The moment I opened the fridge and found a turkey sandwich sitting there, I almost cried with relief. 

It’s been months since I’d eaten something this decent. 

Springing into action, I grabbed the meal and a bottle of water.

After a quick gulp, I unwrapped the sandwich, ready to take a bite. 

Just then I heard the slam of a door upstairs and footsteps coming to the stairs. 

Shit! What do I do?

Can I still make a run for it?

I realized I’d never make it.

Even if I hid my scent, it would be everywhere.

The steps got closer, and my heart dropped as my brother’s pinewood scent filled my nostrils.

Oh Gods no.

He wasn’t supposed to be home.

With a quick look around, I rushed to the trashcan, and with pain in my heart, I hid the food there.

I had just done that and turned away when my brother walked in.

His steps slowed as he assessed me with hard eyes.

My body instantly began to tremble.

“What are you doing here?” He asked in a commanding tone.

And my body shivered again.

“I–I,” I stuttered. “I came to see if t-there were any chores for me to do.”

His eyes narrowed. “Liar! You were here to steal food!”

‘No!” I shook my head in fear.

But he was already crossing the kitchen towards me.

Before I could say another word, he grabbed my hair, making me wince in pain.

“You fucking liar!” He growled and slammed my head on the kitchen countertop.

I heard a crack in my nose before I was flung to the floor.

“I’ll teach you a lesson!”

Wiping the blood off my nose, I scrambled back from my enraged brother.

“Please! No!” I cried in agony as he grabbed my hair again and dragged me out of the kitchen.

My aching ribs burned like fire and tears blurred my vision as I gripped his arm, sobbing and begging. “Please, Scott! Let me go! Please! I’m sorry!”

But he didn’t listen.

He never does.

He dragged me into the spacious living room, rolled me onto my belly and ripped my dress so that my back was exposed.

“Please Scott, I’m sorry!’ I cried faintly.

I was barely able to breathe through the blood clogging my nostrils.

When I heard the unbuckling of his belt, I turned around in horror, and earned a stomp on the back of my thigh.

I screamed in pain.

My sound echoing off the walls of the living room.

“Turn around again and the next one will be your spine!” He yelled.

“Please, I'm sorry!” I whimpered.

And the next thing I felt was a hot, lashing on my back.

Another scream roared out of my lungs as he whipped me over and over again.

“SCOTT!” A powerful voice boomed causing my brother to stop.

I looked up and saw the stern face of a man, glaring at my brother.

It was my father.

“Now is not the time.” He gritted out through his teeth.

“Why, Dad?” Scott queried him.

“Because we have a very important guest coming in now!”

“Guest? Who?” My brother asked.

But just as the words left his mouth, the door opened and in came a group of people.

From the way they walked in, I could tell that they were powerful just by the change in the atmosphere.

But my attention was snagged on the man at their forefront.

He was a big man with large muscled thighs and arms and yet he walked with the grace of a gazelle.

Dressed in black slacks and a dark purple shirt, I could see the tattoos peeking out of his collar, around his neck.

I raised my neck further just to see his face.

And when our eyes met, time stopped.

Or was that my heart?

The big man slowed down in his pace with his eyes on me as if he could sense something too.

There was something about the way he looked at me, that made every inch of my skin come alive with warmth.

Who was this man?

Why does he make goosebumps break out on my skin?

I had no idea.

I had stopped breathing until I inhaled.

All all I could smell was something earthy and musky with a hint of fresh rain on forest soil.

It was raw and primal, evoking an irresistible pull deep within me.

Then in a blink, it was all gone, leaving me breathless, and confused.

He looked away, but then his eyes were back on me again like he couldn’t help himself.

I stared into his eyes.

I found them as dark as the darkness that comforted me in the dungeon.

The more I stared, the more I felt seen in ways I had never experienced before.

My eyes strayed to the curve of his bow lips down to his strong jawline.

I wondered how such a man could be so heartbreakingly handsome without being a favorite of the gods.

The man stopped a few feet from me.

He shoved his hands in his pockets before sending a glare at my father. “So this is how you treat your pack, huh?”

He asked in a deep, leveled voice. “...and you dare ask for a peace treaty with me?”