Ch. 1: Underground Race

Alice

“Nobody leaves the pack until the entire place is burnt to the ground!” The Beta from the pack who had invaded ours barks out.

My lips quiver in fear. I bite my nails continuously, trying to shove down the cry bubbling up in my throat. I’ll be caught if I breathe too much loud.

“Hey, check inside that little hole!” The same voice echoes from a few feet away before I hear him run the other way.

Dear goddess, I’ll be caught. If he looks inside the cave, there’s no way he won’t see me. What do I do? The question echoes in my head.

As the soldier’s footsteps grow louder, I creep out through the other side of the cave, only to find myself standing right in front of him. My heart hits my stomach hard. I feel my bladder let go of the urine I’d been holding, wetting my jeans.

“Got you!” He grins, gun raised.

His long gun is pointed straight at me. I’ll die here today. There’s no escaping it. I watch as he raises the weapon, his finger resting on the trigger. I shut my eyes so tight my hands cover my ears, anticipating the hit.

“Kpau!”

I hear the loud sound of it...seconds pass but no pain.

“Alice, run!”

My eyes snap open. Ryder. Ryder… why?

My brother’s best friend, the boy I had looked up to more than anyone else–my teenage sweetheart and the heir to our Alpha, Ryder Conner, is kneeling in front of me, between me and the soldier, blood gushing out from his ribs. My face drains, horror clouding my vision.

“Get… the hell… away, wh…why’re you stan…ding!” he manages to choke out. The soldier grabs him by the hair, yanking his head back.

“No, Ryder… I can’t let you die alone,” I screamed through tears.

“Leave, Alice!” he insisted.

I pivot instantly, the image burning itself deep in my head. Tears spill down my face as I run, crying Ryder's name, who just took a bullet for me. I can’t see the road ahead; the darkness is thick, swallowing everything. I have no idea where I’m running to, but I have to, because Ryder said so.

I suddenly hear a loud familiar ringing, pulling me out of the woods. My consciousness snaps back. My phone is ringing. My eyes fly open—as if I’ve run from the forest straight into my own room. Sweat beads down my forehead. A pounding ache hits my skull. I grip my head, massaging it, not realizing the phone had stopped ringing and started again.

I fumble around under the pillow, my fingers brushing the vibrating phone. The screen flashes—Benedict. What time is it? Why the hell is he calling me now?

It’s 8 p.m., and Benedict never calls unless my brother Gabe is in trouble again. I hit the green icon to answer.

“Alice, you have to come right now! Gabe’s being dragged by Alpha Jackal to race in his underground! He’s still got injuries from the last crash, he can’t do it, but Jackal offered him a huge amount!” Benedict’s words rush out, trembling. I can hear the fear in his voice. My heart slams hard against my ribs.

Before I can reply, I hear someone grab the phone from him and Gabe’s voice pleading in the background.

Shit. How did this boy get caught in Alpha Jackal’s gambling den?

I throw the covers off and scramble out of bed. In a rush, I slide into my leather pants, pull on a black tank top, grab my jacket and boots, then snatch my helmet and motorcycle keys off the nightstand.

I have to get him out of there.

Ten years ago, when I was thirteen, his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Wyatt had taken me in when I ran from my pack after Ryder saved me. They were rogues, living in the refugee camps. Those camps were always raided by power-hungry packs, dragging rogues into slavery. Everyone was fighting for survival… but they took me in, adopted me, and I bore their surname. We lived and ran together for years.

Then the news came: everyone from Sawmoon Pack was dead. The Alpha heir was shot and killed. The realization that I might be the only surviving member of my pack crushed me with guilt, especially knowing Ryder gave his life for mine. Five years later, my adoptive parents were killed in another rogue raid, leaving Gabe and me to fend for ourselves. He’s the only reason I’m still standing, the only thing keeping me from giving up in this horrific life.

Alpha Jackal Rodah is a ruthless bastard. His pack, BloodRain, is exactly as the name implies...built on blood and oppression. If a man like that has my brother, nothing good can come of it.

The thoughts hammer through my head as my engine roars to life. I tear down the road, the wind biting my skin. Rain pours so hard it feels like a thousand needles stabbing into me. Every drop stings, but I keep going, twisting the throttle harder.

In ten minutes, I’m at the entrance to Jackal’s underground. Two pack soldiers step forward, demanding a pass.

"Hey give it now, or no entry"

I twist the bike’s handle, the engine growling before I shoot forward, tossing a few bills their way. They curse behind me, but I don’t care.

The place reeks of oppression. You can smell the wickedness in the air, the stench of fear and sweat and blood. Slave trades are done here too, every sort of filthy, unimaginable thing under the control of one heartless monster who thinks no one can touch him.

I pull off my helmet and walk in. The roar of bikes fills the space, mixed with people shouting bets, glasses clinking, and music pounding through the walls. The atmosphere is suffocating.

I pass a narrow doorway and pause when I spot two couples going at it, bodies pressed against the wall. The man should be home with his family. What’s he doing with a girl barely out of her teens? But then I catch the rogue stench, she smells like me. She probably has no choice. Well, you have to do whatever you can to survive in this hell hole.

I force my gaze away and keep walking. My eyes scan the far end of the arena. I see men who enjoy betting on lives the way others bet on coins, surrounded by women, three of them clinging to one Alpha like they’re competing for scraps of his attention.

As I move through the crowd, someone smacks my ass. I swing and punch him square in the nose. His head snaps back, blood spurts out, and the crowd laughs. I don’t stop to look twice. I push past them until I’m standing a few feet away from where Gabe is.

“You have to pay the Beta as much so he can get the job done before he leaves this den” someone whisper behind the curtain beside me.

“The Alpha from Throwbow, Right?” Another whisper back.

Tiny claws suddenly brush on my skin, making me flinch. Something screams like a cat. Before I can turn to leave, strong hand pulls my jacket. I am dragged inside a room, face to face with Alpha Jackal.

He glances up, smirking like he already knows I don’t belong here. His guards push me closer, but he lifts a hand, waving them off lazily. “Well, what do we have here?” he drawls, eyes dragging over me. “A rogue girl with balls.”

“You dare to eavesdrop?” He growls, cold run down my spine.

I take a breath to mask the shiver in my voice. “No, I didn't mean to…I’m here for my brother, Gabe Wyatt,” I say, steadying my voice though my pulse is racing.

Jackal leans back in his chair, amused. “Ah, the boy I acquired today" acquired, like he's a property..."They say he’s the best rider in the entire territory. Only lost to only one unknown person. If he’s that good, why the hell would I let him go because some rogue bitch asked?” He chuckles, looking around at the other Alphas who join in, laughing like hyenas.

“Well, you heard what you shouldn't, right now you're in a bigger mess than your brother.”

“I swear, I didn't hear anything,” I say, the words spilling before I can think. “Whatever amount you offered my brother, I’ll—”

Jackal cuts me off with a flick of his wrist. “You’ll what? You think you can bargain with me?” His eyes glint dangerously. “You’re pretty, though. Extremely beautiful for a rogue. You’d fetch a good price.”

My stomach twists, but I hold his gaze. “I’m not for sale.”

He chuckles darkly, his expression turning predatory. “No? But I can't just let you go. Then maybe I’ll make you one of my girls. You’ll eat better, live better. Serve me well enough, maybe I’ll let your brother live.” He looks around again, voice booming. “What do you all think?”

The other Alphas laugh, one of them whistling low. “She’s worth it,” one says. “Look at her, she is such a rare find.”

My heart hammers. I feel the guards coming closer to me from behind. Jackal’s smirk widens as he rises slowly to his feet, stepping close enough that I can smell the whiskey on his breath.

“Add her to the girls that will be sold off tonight,” he orders.