Chapter One

 A LOADED THREAT, AN EMPTY VIAL

MILA

I knocked on the door of the small room, my heart thudding in my chest for reasons I couldn't fathom.

“Come in.”

The door gave way under my hands, and I stepped into the room, lit only by a small lamp and nothing else.

My eyes traveled over the expanse of the cramped space - one chair, one table, and a bed that was so thin you could roll your way underneath it if you slept rough.

“You sent for me, Lieutenant.”

The pot-bellied man smiled from his place on the edge of the bed. The flash of teeth made my stomach churn, and for some reason, fear settled inside of me like sour bread.

“I did, boy. Or should I say girl?” His eyes twinkled with mischief, and just like that, my heart sank to the floor.

He knew. But… how?

My breathing stuttered as I forced a hard swallow down. “What… what are you talking about, Sir?”

He sneered. “For how long did you think you could keep this hidden? Forever isn't a word we soldiers are familiar with.”

My heart was pounding, and my hands had gone numb. I hadn't been wrong. He really had been the one stalking me when I visited the public restroom two days ago.

I jutted my chin. “I did what I had to.”

He chuckled low, then got up from his place on the bed, advancing slowly like I was prey. I stood my ground even though I wanted to be out of here.

“I see you're a smart girl,” he said, rancid breath hitting my face and making my stomach roll in displeasure. “No use in denying it anyway.”

Thick fingers touched my chin and lifted my head. “How did you think you were going to manage that? All those years rolling in the mud and bleeding just like the rest of us. Did you think bathing in the dark and hiding those curves would be possible forever?”

He made a tsking sound. “You skinny little thing. How have you kept your chest so perfectly flat? Did you bind your own breasts so hard they hurt at night?”

I swallowed again, each one of his words sending one more jolt straight through my heart.

My hands shook by my sides, and I lowered my head in shame. “I had to do it. I beg of you, please reconsider. I'll do whatever you want, but please don't expose me.”

His responding laughter told me I had said exactly what he wanted to hear, and I was going to hate saying that.

“What do you think you can do for me?” He asked.

“I can work for you. I can do a lot of things and…”

“Hmm.” He cut in. “Imagine what the Alpha would do if he found out there was a girl within his ranks. He'll strip you bare, parade you for amusement, and then… then he will have you hung from the trees till the last drop of your blood kisses the earth.”

I pleaded with him immediately. “Please don't. I beg of you, Sir. I can be useful to you.”

His lips stretched on a sinister smile. “Oh, you're right. You can be useful to me, but not as a boot scrubber. You know what I want, don't you? I want your pretty little mouth to make way for my cock, and I want your skinny body underneath mine whenever I call for it.”

Bile rose to my throat and I took a step back. “No. Anything but that.”

His smile grew bigger. “You see, I've been watching you. From the way you flinch when the others roughhouse, to the way you sneak away from shower stalls. This is the kind of priceless information the Alpha would love.”

He turned to walk away but I caught his hand. “No. Please, don't.”

The sound of his belt buckles coming undone rang in the room and he turned back to me, pushing me down to my knees.

“You want me to stay quiet? Then open your mouth and take me like a good little slut.”

Tears sprang to my eyes as he released his ugly length in front of my face. I willed the tears away and opened my mouth, letting him push his filth inside me.

The taste was salty, and bile rose even higher in my throat this time. My whole body trembled with disgust, and his moan of pleasure rose even higher the more he pushed.

“Good girl,” he moaned.

My fingers found a place on my thigh, squeezing the small vial in my pocket that was once neatly arranged on the healer's shelf. He seemed content to have me at his beck and call, but I wasn't his; and I wasn't - good.

As if on cue, his moan gave way to a choked sound and he jerked himself out of my mouth, staggering backward as blood seeped down his nose slowly.

“What have you done?” He accused.

I got off my knees, reached for his keg of alcohol and turned a healthy amount down my throat. “I told you, I do what I have to. You’re not the first man who tried to break me, you also wouldn't be the first to have failed.”

He lunged for me, but before he could reach me, his anger gave way to pain, blood spilling from his mouth as he clutched his throat.

I watched as he thrashed until his last breath was stolen, sagging against the wall lifeless.

My relief was instant, but there was no time to revel in it. I pulled myself together, turned and snuck out of the room silently.

********

The bells rang loudly, an indicator that it was time to fall in line for the parade. My heart rate had dulled since the event of last night, and I pulled my uniforms on and found my way over to the marching grounds.

“Get in line, soldiers!” Our commander, Beltran, ordered in an authoritative voice.

As per the norm, I took my place in the center of the fields, head held high and mouth shut.

I was known as Mute Mattias amongst the pack soldiers, and I lived up to that title as a means of avoiding attention.

Whispers of someone dying in the common street floated through the ranks, every soldier carrying the gossip along to the person next to them.

Alpha Garron walked onto the platform, his tall frame moving with authority. He faced us, jaws clenched tight.

“Soldiers of Silverclaw,” he started, voice raised to carry through the lines. “We have received a report that one of our own was found dead in a room on commons street.”

The whispers increased, but with one lift of his palm, the murmurs ceased.

“His throat was swollen, and while there were no physical wounds, we suspect that his death was far from ordinary. This could be poison.”

His eyes traveled over the expanse of the yard. “We have an obligation to protect the people of Silverclaw, and ourselves. So we must solve this. It must not go uncovered.”

My heart started a new dance in my chest the more he spoke. This wasn't just power talking, there was an assurance in his voice that said…

“We found a small vial containing traces of a healing substance that could be deadly if consumed in excess. We believe this is what the killer used.”

Everything seemed to blur, and echoes of fear hovered around my ears. I recognized that vial, and anyone who had shared dinner with me in these ranks would as well.

“These vials are only used by the soldiers of Silverclaw. Whoever can point in the direction of its owner would be heavily rewarded. The initials inscribed on it are MM.”

The whole world stopped instantly, and my eyes bulged. He had still been able to make that out. I was done for. This was the end.

Whispers traveled through the lines and soldiers familiar with the nickname started to shoot suspicious glances my way.

“Mute Mattias?” Someone whispered.

“What reason would he have to do that?” Another asked.

Just as the Alpha's eyes met mine, a deafening sound split the air, making the ground shake as smoke filled the air.

“We're under attack!” Someone yelled.