Chapter 7 Out

(Diane)

The day of my release dawns cold and bleak, but the chill outside is nothing compared to the ice in my veins. 

Five years—that’s how long I’ve been locked away for taking out my ex-fiancé’s left eye. 

Or, more accurately, my half-brother’s eye. The memory of that moment still burns in my mind. The shock on his face. The rush of rage that overtook me. The sickening clarity of realizing the man I once loved—over my fated mate, no less—was my sibling.

Every time I think back to that moment, it feels like my chest is being crushed. 

Was it worth it? Yes. But it cost me everything—my freedom, my family, and even my wolf.

The first day in prison, they poisoned me with wolfsbane—brutal, unrelenting doses that stripped away my connection to Nina. 

I screamed for hours, begged her to stay, but the bond broke. Losing her was worse than the bars, worse than the jeers and stares of the other inmates. It was like losing a limb, a part of my soul.

For the first few years, life was a nightmare. Without a wolf, I was defenseless. I became a target for the strong, the cruel, and the sadistic. The abuse was relentless, and I learned quickly that no one was coming to save me. 

But I endured. Over time, I adapted, became tougher, and learned to navigate the unspoken rules of prison life.

Still, the nights were the hardest—alone in the dark, haunted by memories and regrets. But through it all, I clung to one thing: the truth. I pieced together the lies, the betrayals, and the players involved. Now, I know exactly who to hold accountable.

When the heavy gates groan open, I step into the light for the first time in years. 

It’s blinding, almost too much to bear. But the sight that greets me is both unexpected and familiar—Gregor, my father’s Beta. He looks older, wearier, as though carrying the weight of five years of guilt on his shoulders.

“I’m here to take you to Alpha Victor,” he says, his tone impassive but laced with sympathy. “He’s been monitoring your release closely.”

So, Victor knew the exact moment I’d be free. 

Of course, he did. He’s always been two steps ahead, orchestrating everything like the sadistic puppeteer he is.

I climb into the car, my chest tightening with unease. I thought I’d have time—a few days, maybe even a few hours—to gather myself before facing him. But he’s not giving me that luxury.

The car doesn’t take us to the pack house. Instead, it pulls up in front of the club. 

That club. 

The place where my life began to unravel.

The moment I step inside, the smell hits me—alcohol, sweat, and cigars. My stomach churns, and my head spins as memories flood in. The flashing lights, the deafening music, the betrayal that changed everything. 

Victor’s betrayal.

My pulse quickens, and my hands clench into fists as I try to steady my breathing. He’s doing this on purpose. This isn’t just a meeting—it’s a calculated move to torment me.

And then I see him. Victor sits in the center of the room, lounging like he owns the world. His eyepatch glints under the dim light, a stark reminder of what I took from him. He looks up at me with that infuriating smirk, his presence radiating malice.

“Welcome back, sister,” he says, his tone dripping with mockery.

The word sister feels like venom, but he wields it with ease, knowing exactly how much it hurts.

“Come here,” he beckons, leaning back in his chair. “I’ve missed you. Maybe I’ll let you see our dear mother if you behave.”

My blood boils, but I force myself to stay calm. “You’re sick,” I hiss through clenched teeth. “You’re supposed to be my brother.”

He laughs—a low, mocking sound. “Come on, for old time’s sake, babe. I’m waiting.”

The room feels stifling, the air thick with something I can’t quite place. Then I notice the candles—strange, flickering flames that emit an odd, sweet scent. My vision blurs, and a heat rises within me, burning away my control.

Victor watches me, his grin widening as he leans forward. “Feeling a little off, darling? Don’t worry—it’s just a little something to help you… relax.”

Realization dawns, but it’s too late. He’s drugged me.

I stagger, my knees threatening to give way, but I refuse to fall. Not in front of him. Not again.

Victor’s voice cuts through the haze, taunting and cruel. “You should thank me. I’ve gone to great lengths to make your return… memorable.”

But as the fire inside me burns brighter, something stirs—something I haven’t felt in years.

I curse my recklessness, every fiber of my being screaming that I should have known better. Victor’s vileness knows no bounds, and now I’m paying the price. My limbs feel heavy, and the drug coursing through my system makes my thoughts sluggish. My knees buckle, and I collapse to the floor at his feet.

Victor looms over me, his smile sharp and predatory, his one remaining eye gleaming with malice. “What’s wrong, sister? Already on your knees for me?”

My stomach churns, but I force myself to play the part. I lift my gaze to his, masking my hatred with false desperation. “I’ll do anything… Just help me. I want you…..,” I say, my voice trembling with feigned sweetness.

Victor’s laughter is a dagger in my chest. “Look at you. Five years behind bars, and you’re still the same pathetic little slut.”

The word ignites a fire within me, burning through the haze. My hand moves on instinct, and before he can react, I drive the knife hidden in my belt deep into his thigh.

Victor howls in pain, the sound echoing through the room as blood pours from the wound. I glare up at him, my voice steady and defiant. “I would rather die than ever beg you again.”

His hands reach for me, but I’m faster. I dart out of his grasp and sprint toward the door, his furious roar following me. “You’ll pay for this!”

I burst into the corridor, my heart pounding like a drum. The exclusive werewolf nightclub is dimly lit, the bass of the music reverberating through the walls. The air is thick with the scent of alcohol and sweat, but I don’t have time to process it.

The drug’s effects are worsening. My vision blurs, and my legs feel like they’re moving through water. I lean against the wall for support, trying to steady myself.

I hear murmurs from nearby she-wolves, their voices laced with awe and fear. “He’s here. Lucian… ”

My heart skips a beat. Him. My mate.

He’s my last chance—my only chance. But doubt gnaws at me. After everything, will he even want to see me?

Every step toward the private room feels like a marathon, the drug sapping my strength with every passing moment. When I reach the door, I notice something odd—no guards. The absence feels like a trap, but I don’t have time to second-guess.

I push the door open, my breath hitching when I see him.

Lucian is seated on a leather couch, his presence commanding and unyielding. The years have only sharpened his features, his piercing eyes locking onto mine the moment I step inside.

His expression is cold, devoid of the warmth I once knew. 

“Is my number finally up?” he asks, his tone laced with bitter amusement. “My dear mate.”

The words sting, but I can’t deny the truth in them.