TEMPTING THE DARK MAN

“Now Blake Xanzius and his wife, Erica Shane, are hereby exiled to the Zanzu Desert without any pack member’s support. Anyone caught helping them will be thrown into the dungeon!”

  Bruno, Alpha of the Scarred Red Pack, proclaimed, preparing to leave the gathering with his Beta — until my voice stopped him halfway.

  “No! No… no!”

  "My parents are being framed! They did nothing! Alpha, please have mercy!”

 I rushed forward in front of the crowd, screaming at the top of my voice, hot tears streaming down my face.

 “I, Bruno, Alpha of the Scarred Red Pack, do not punish without valid evidence,” he snapped. “This is the letter that links your father to the rogues. What more proof do you need, Hazel? I am only being merciful to you because of the bond you once shared with my daughter. Another word from you and you will join your traitor parents!”. With that, he turned and left the podium.

 My father’s face was barely recognizable from the painful torture he had endured. I ran to him and wrapped my arms around him, sobbing uncontrollably. He couldn’t return the hug — chains bound his hands.

  “Hush… don’t cry, Hazel. It’s going to be okay,” he whispered, forcing a weak smile.

  “Mother… I will find a way to save you. I promise,” I said, clutching her hand.

  She tried to speak, but the pack guards dragged them away. I was pulled aside as they were hauled off in chains, disappearing from my sight.

  My father had been accused of forming an army with the rogues. The council presented a forged letter claiming his involvement. Every charge branded him a traitor. He had no chance to defend himself — the trial was rushed, unjust. He had been more than the pack’s Beta; he was Alpha Bruno’s closest friend. They had grown up together in the Scarred Red Pack. After Bruno’s father died, my father helped him take the throne.

  Yet Bruno believed the lies of enemies who coveted his position.

  I couldn’t stand by while my parents were treated like animals. I was their only child. When they were escorted toward the desert by a few soldiers, I followed them silently, hiding in the bushes, keeping my distance.

  I planned to stop them halfway. I carried a knife, knowing I was outnumbered, knowing I hadn’t even awakened my wolf yet — but I would try anything to save them.

  My hands trembled around the knife. I counted: one… two… three — and failed. I tried again and leaped out from hiding.

  At first I meant to fight, but the moment I saw their numbers, the plan changed. I pressed the blade to my own neck.

  “If you don’t stop and release them now, I’ll kill myself.” My parents froze.

  “Hazel, don’t do this,” my father pleaded, locking eyes with me.

  My mother sobbed uncontrollably, begging me to stop.

 The soldiers were stunned. They exchanged uncertain glances.

  “Choose now,” I warned. “Unless you want a murder case to answer for.”

  The blade grazed my skin. Blood seeped down my neck.

  “Hazel… please…” my mother cried.

 The distraction was enough. One of the soldiers lunged forward, knocking the knife from my hand and slapping me hard across the face.

 “You will return to the packhouse for judgment,” he snarled, gripping my arm.

  “Continue the journey,” he ordered the others. “I’ll handle her.”

  They dragged my parents away. I had lost everything.My plan had failed. And now I would be punished too.

 The Alpha’s sentence was swift. I was stripped of my honor…and enslaved. Treated not as the Beta’s daughter —but as nothing more than a servant.