Chapter 2

Maya Pov 

When I entered, three men sat around the table. Alpha Ryker in the center, with two others flanking him. All three turned to look at me.

"Closer," Alpha Ryker said.

I took a step forward, my hands clasped in front of me to hide their shaking.

"Why do you smell strange?" he asked directly.

My eyes widened. Nobody had ever asked me that before. They either ignored it or mocked it.

"Answer Alpha Ryker," Uncle Marcus hissed.

"I... my wolf was bound." The words came out barely above a whisper.

"Bound," Alpha Ryker repeated, his eyes narrowing. "When?"

"When I was twelve. And again when I was seventeen."

"Twice." He leaned back in his chair, studying me. "That's unusual. Why would someone bind a wolf twice?"

"She killed my brother and his mate," Uncle Marcus said, his voice hard. "Her own parents. The first binding was supposed to be punishment, but she was dangerous even without her wolf. The second binding was necessary for pack safety."

I closed my eyes, waiting for the disgust, the anger, the judgment I always received.

"How old were you when you supposedly killed them?" Alpha Ryker's voice was calm, almost gentle.

"Seventeen."

"And you did this how?"

"Poison," Uncle Marcus answered for me. "She put Crimson Vine extract in their dinner."

"Crimson Vine?" One of the other men spoke up, his green eyes sharp. "That's not easy to obtain. Where would a seventeen-year-old get it?"

"She's always been cunning—" Uncle Marcus started.

"I asked her." Alpha Ryker's voice cut through like a blade.

Everyone looked at me. My mouth was dry. "I... I don't know where it came from. I made dinner like always. They ate it and... and they died. I didn't know there was poison in it."

"You expect us to believe you didn't know?" Sienna's voice came from the doorway. "You killed them in cold blood."

"That's enough," Alpha Ryker said, still watching me. "Maya, look at me."

I forced my eyes up to meet his.

"Did you poison your parents?"

"No." The word came out strangled. "I would never... they were everything to me."

Something flickered in his expression. "I believe you."

The room went silent. Uncle Marcus stood up. "With respect, Alpha Ryker, you weren't there. The evidence was clear."

"Was it?" Alpha Ryker stood too, towering over my uncle. "Because Crimson Vine extract requires extensive preparation and knowledge of poisonous plants. It's not something a teenager would have access to or knowledge of, unless someone gave it to them."

"Are you suggesting someone framed her?" Sienna laughed, but it sounded nervous.

"I'm suggesting," Alpha Ryker said slowly, "that I'd like to include Maya in our alliance contract."

The words hung in the air like a bomb about to explode.

"What?" Uncle Marcus's face went red. "She's a murderer. A servant. What possible use—"

"That's my concern, not yours." Alpha Ryker's eyes never left my uncle's face. "You want my pack's military support. I want her. Do we have a deal?"

I couldn't breathe. This couldn't be happening. People didn't want me. People wanted me gone, wanted me to disappear, wanted me dead.

Uncle Marcus's jaw clenched. "I need to discuss this with my Beta."

"Take your time." Alpha Ryker sat back down, completely relaxed. "But my offer expires when I leave this room."

Uncle Marcus grabbed Sienna's arm and pulled her into the hallway. Raised voices filtered through the door, though I couldn't make out words.

"Maya," Alpha Ryker said quietly. "Come here."

My legs moved on their own. I stopped a few feet from his chair.

"Do you want to leave this place?"

It was a trick question. It had to be. "I... I don't understand."

"Simple question. Would you like to leave Silvercrest Pack and come to my territory?"

Yes. Every cell in my body screamed yes. But freedom was a dream for people who deserved it. "Why would you want me?"

"Because I don't believe you killed anyone. And because something tells me your uncle is hiding things I need to know about." He glanced at the door where angry whispers continued. "So I'll ask one more time. Do you want to come with me?"

"Yes," I whispered. "Please."

He smiled—actually smiled—and it transformed his entire face. "Then pack your things."

"I don't have things."

His smile faded. "Nothing?"

I shook my head.

"Then we'll get you things." He stood as the door opened.

Uncle Marcus came back in, his face tight with barely controlled anger. "We have a deal. You can take her."

"Excellent." Alpha Ryker pulled a thick document from his bag. "Sign here."

Uncle Marcus barely glanced at the contract before scribbling his signature. He shoved it back across the table. "Take her and go."

"With pleasure." Alpha Ryker gestured to me. "Let's go, Maya."

I stood frozen. This was really happening. After five years of hell, someone was taking me away.

"Move!" Uncle Marcus snapped.

But Alpha Ryker stepped between us. "Don't speak to her like that. She's under my protection now."

Uncle Marcus's eyes widened as he finally seemed to realize what he'd signed. "Now wait just—"

"The contract is binding," one of the other men said, holding up the document. "Maya belongs to Shadowpeak Pack now. Any attempt to harm her or retrieve her will result in immediate forfeiture of your territory."

"What?" Sienna shrieked.

But Alpha Ryker was already guiding me toward the door with a gentle hand on my back. "Come on. We're leaving."

I walked in a daze through the house I'd been imprisoned in for five years. Past the kitchen where Sienna had burned my hands on the stove. Past the basement door where they'd locked me in darkness. Past all the places that held nightmares.

Outside, a black car waited. I'd never been in a car before. They didn't let me leave the house.

"It's okay," Alpha Ryker said softly, seeing my hesitation. "I promise you're safe."

I looked back at the house one last time. Uncle Marcus stood in the doorway, his face twisted with rage. Sienna beside him, her mouth open in shock.

And then I stepped into the car, and we drove away.

I was free.