2.Into the Talons

The car passed through the gates of the Talons’ massive estate, which looked more like a castle. One of the strongest packs of the seven, with warriors posted around the fortress.

Selene stepped out first, her head held high as if she already wore the crown. I followed quietly, clutching my bags, my cheek still burning from her claws.

Now I understood why it mattered so much to my father that the throne came here.

A tall, well built man approached us.

“Selene,” he called. “You’re back early.”

“Damien,” she replied in a performative tone.

Damien’s gaze shifted to me, and his brow furrowed. His eyes moved over my tattered clothes.

“Who is this? And why is she here?”

“This is Manora,” Selene said, waving a hand dismissively. “My sister.”

Damien froze. “Sister? You never mentioned you had a sister.”

“She stays out of sight,” Selene said with a sharp smile. “She’s here to be Kaven’s new caretaker.”

Her words stung. Part of me wanted to speak, but another part already knew I was not allowed to.

Damien’s expression darkened. He stepped closer, his shadow falling over me.

“We already have a caretaker for him, Selene. The pack’s doctor is barely surviving the Alpha’s episodes as it is. Why would you bring a civilian into that room? It’s a death sentence.”

Selene stepped closer to Damien, her voice sharp.

“I understand your concern, Damien, but this is my decision. As the Luna of this pack, you will do as I say.”

His jaw tightened. He clearly wanted to argue, but he did not.

“Kaven isn’t getting any better with everything you’ve been doing for him,” Selene continued, pacing in front of him. “And time is running out. The Alpha King is a living corpse. And my  sister here, is capable of this. She’s spent years learning tricks from our family druid. She knows things others don’t”

It was a lie. I had never spoken more than ten words to Gerald. But I knew why she was saying it. She could not tell the Beta that I was nothing more than a walking blood bag.

Damien looked at me again, his eyes searching.

“She’s wolfless,” Damien said. “He’ll kill her before she even gets the door open.”

“Then that will be her failure, won’t it?” Selene snapped. She turned to me, her eyes cold and demanding. “Go. Damien will show you to his fortress . Don’t make me regret bringing you here, Manora.”

She walked out, leaving me alone with Damien.

I lifted my eyes to him slowly.

He studied me for a moment, then sighed.

“This way,” he said.

I followed close behind, my heart heaving. We went through a door and down several hallways until we reached a room.

“You don’t look good. Change here,” he said, his voice softer this time.

He stared a little too long, and my hand moved on its own, touching my necklace as I felt uncomfortable under his gaze.

Once the door closed behind me, I let out a long sigh and sat on the edge of the bed. I could not believe this was really happening.

I stood in front of the mirror, my hands brushing the scratch on my cheek. Tears ran down my face. Why could my blood heal everyone else but never me? Why was I still weak while others grew strong from the same thing I carried?

I heard a soft knock on the door and Damien’s quiet voice calling my name. I quickly dug through my bag and changed into a black loose dress.

When I opened the door, he was standing there.

“I’m ready,” I said.

Damien walked me through the west of the territory , deeper into the woods. The estate grew smaller behind us.

Before we even reached anywhere, he stopped and turned to me. “Why did you agree to this?” he asked, his voice low but firm. “Why let your sister treat you like that?”

I shook my head. “I don’t have a choice,” I said. “If I go in, it’s a death sentence. If I don’t, my father will kill me.”

His gaze did not feel curious. It felt measuring. “You could leave,” he said finally. “I can help you run away.”

His words caught me off guard. Why would he want to help me? He did not even know me.

“To be tortured somewhere else?” I asked, my voice cracking. “I am wolfless. Running away will not keep me safe.”

I took a slow breath.

“Who knows, I might survive him, just like my sister said. I have knowledge about this. I will help him, and when he gets better, I will leave.”

He glanced around, lowering his voice. “Kaven’s den is on the other side of the estate. It’s far from the main house.”

I frowned. “I thought I was just going straight to him.”

He shook his head. “No. That would be reckless. I have a small cabin not far from there. You can stay there during the day and move in with him at night when it is safer.”

I blinked. “My sister won’t know?”

“Not if you don’t let her,” he said firmly. “You can stay as long as you want. He is usually weaker under the moon. That is when you will be able to do what you need.”

I swallowed hard. I hesitated at first. I was not going to trust him easily, but the way his eyes  showed a little care made me give in.

I followed him closely until we reached the cabin. He opened the door and gestured for me to enter.

Inside, it looked much better than I expected. I sat on the couch, trying to steady myself, while he stood there watching me.

“So… your sister,” he said casually, his voice low, “she does not strike me as the forgiving type.”

I stiffened and glanced away. “Forgiving isn’t really her style,” I admitted. “She… she’s everything I am not. Strong, favored… everyone loves her. And me? I am just… this.” My hands gestured helplessly at myself.

He nodded slowly, his eyes sharp. “I get it. But you have something she does not. Something powerful. Do you know what I mean?”

My eyes widened in surprise. How did he know? That was supposed to be a secret. Unless… Selene had told him.

I frowned. “What do you mean?”

His smile was small and calm, but there was something chilling in it. “The reason your father sent you. Your blood. Your sister… she cannot keep a secret.”

I swallowed, unable to answer.

He walked into the kitchen, opened the fridge, and came back with a glass of water. I reached for it and took a long sip, trying to steady myself.

His gaze darkened as he sat close beside me, eyes lingering on the scratches on my cheeks.

“She is desperate to become queen,” he said softly, almost casually, “so she will do whatever it takes to make sure Kaven gets better.”

He lifted his hand, cupping my cheek. I tried to pull away, but he held it firmly.

“But that’s not what I want,” he said low, almost dangerous. “You see, I have my own plans.”

His eyes dropped to my mouth, then he released my cheek and smirked.

My fingers felt cold.

“The Alpha mustn’t come out of his den alive.”

I tried to speak, but nothing came out. Why does he want Kaven dead? If he does… what happens to me?

I stepped back, my heart hammering. “Are you going to kill me?”

His smirk widened. He shook his head. Slowly, he moved closer until I was pressed against the wall.

“You won’t be here when that happens,”he said.” I’m so sorry, Manora.”

Before I could respond, his hand covered my mouth. With the other, he pressed a white cloth over my nose. I struggled against him, panic rising, my mind racing. I can’t… I can’t die here. Not like this. Not now.