Chapter 4: The Blood Alpha

Aria's POV 

In front of me was a massive gate made of black iron. Wolves were carved into the metal.

Beyond it, I could see a compound. Dark buildings and high walls. Armed guards were patrolling.

It looked more like a prison than a pack house.

Two warriors appeared at the gate. Both massive, heavily armed, their eyes were glowing with wolf light.

"Turn around," one growled. "Now."

I stepped forward. "I need to see Alpha Kieran Steele."

"Not happening. Leave."

"I'm not leaving until I see him."

The second warrior grabbed my arm, yanking me back. "I said turn around!"

"Let go of me!" I tried to pull free.

He tightened his grip, his claws were extending. "You have three seconds to get in your car"

"What is happening there?"

The voice cut through everything like a blade.

Deep, cold and absolute.

Everyone froze.

Alpha Kieran Steele.

He was massive. Easily six and a half feet of pure muscle and violence. Black hair, longer on top, partially tied back. A brutal scar ran from his left eyebrow down across his jaw, twisting his face into something between beautiful and terrifying.

But it was his eyes that stopped my heart.

Black. Completely black. Like staring into a void.

And they were looking right at me.

He moved like death itself, smooth, purposeful, and  predatory. Every warrior around him immediately stepped back, and their heads bowed in submission.

He radiated power so thick that I could taste it.

This was the Blood Alpha.

"Who dares disturb the peace of this pack?" His voice was quiet but still dangerous.

I swallowed hard. "I do."

His eyes narrowed.

"Alpha Kieran!" I shouted before anyone could stop me. "I need to see you!"

The warriors gasped.

"How DARE you speak the Alpha's name before him!?!" The one holding me raised his hand to strike. "Are you insane?"

His palm came down.

"Stop."

One word from Kieran, and the warrior froze mid-swing.

Kieran walked toward me slowly. Each step was deliberate and calculating.

He stopped right in front of me, towering over me, his black eyes were boring into mine.

"Who are you?" he asked quietly.

"Aria Winters. I came from.."

"I don't care where you came from." His hand shot out, gripping my chin, forcing my head up. His fingers were like iron. "I asked who you are. Not your name. Who. Are. You."

My heart was racing. "Someone sent to save your life."

His eyes flashed. "Save me?"

"Yes. The curse..”

His grip tightened painfully. "Who told you about the curse?"

"The Moon Goddess."

Silence.

Then he laughed.

It was cold, cruel and humorless.

"The Moon Goddess." He released my chin and stepped back. "Let her in."

The warriors looked shocked. "Alpha..”

"I said let her in."

They released me immediately.

Kieran turned and walked back.

I grabbed my bag and followed, my legs were shaking.

The compound was worse inside. Dark stone buildings. High fences topped with silver spikes. Wolves everywhere, all watching me with hostile eyes.

No one spoke. No one smiled.

This wasn't a pack. It was an army.

Kieran led me across the courtyard toward the main building. He moved fast, and I had to jog to keep up.

"Alpha, wait.."

He spun around so fast I almost crashed into him.

Then his hand connected with my face.

SLAP.

My head whipped to the side, pain was exploding across my cheek.

"That's for trespassing."

SLAP.

The other side. Harder.

"That's for speaking my name without permission."

SLAP.

I stumbled, my vision started blurring, my mouth was filling with blood.

"And that's for thinking the Moon Goddess would waste her time on someone like you."

I could barely see through the tears. My face was on fire.

"Lock her up," Kieran ordered, his voice was flat.

"Alpha, please.." I tried to speak, but my jaw was throbbing, my words slurred.

"I don't want to hear it." He turned away. "Put her in the cells. If she's still alive in the morning, maybe I'll listen."

"No, wait.." I reached for him.

Two guards grabbed my arms.

"Take her."

They dragged me away.

I tried to fight, tried to talk, but the slaps had rattled my brain. Everything was spinning.

"Please..the curse. you're dying…"

No one listened.

They hauled me across the compound and down stone stairs into darkness.

Underground.

The cells.

They threw me into one cold, damp, metal bars.

The door slammed shut with a clang that echoed forever.

Then footsteps started fading.

There was silence.

I lay on the stone floor, my face was throbbing and blood was dripping from my split lip.

This was not how this was supposed to go.

"Moon Goddess," I whispered into the darkness. "A little help here would be great."

No answer.

Of course not.

I was on my own.

Just like always.

I touched my swollen face and winced.

Kieran Steele was worse than I'd imagined.

Cold, brutal and violent.

And I had three months to save him.

"This is going to be fun," I muttered sarcastically.

Then I passed out.