Chapter Three - The Monster's Fire

Marina's Pov 

There was one tent, one small fire, and a man sitting beside it.

He was massive, bigger than any wolf I'd ever seen. He had to be six and a half feet tall, all muscle and power. Dark hair, sharp features, and even sitting down he looked like he could kill someone without trying.

He turned his head as I approached. His eyes locked on mine.

They were gray and cold. 

The pull slammed into me so hard I had to stop walking.

This was him. My second chance mate.

He stood up slowly. Power rolled off him in waves that would have made me run if I'd had any sense left.

"Well," he said. His voice was deep and rough. "This is interesting."

I didn't say anything. I just stood there, covered in dirt and soap stains, bleeding hands, tangled silver hair, staring at this dangerous stranger who was apparently my mate.

He tilted his head, studying me. Then he smiled. It wasn't a nice smile.

"You smell like Shadowmoon Pack," he said. "And blood. And rage." His smile widened. "Mostly rage."

"Good," I said. My voice came out steady. "I plan to use it."

He let out a dark laugh, a sound that should have scared me.

"Do you know who I am, little wolf?"

"No."

"I'm Lycan King. Alpha of the Northern Territories." He took a step closer. "I've killed more wolves than you've probably met. I've destroyed packs that crossed me. People call me a monster."

"Are you?" I asked.

"Yes."

I should have run. I should have been terrified.

Instead, I took a step forward.

"My mate rejected me today," I said. "The pack I grew up in treated me like a slave. They beat me. Starved me. Called me worthless. For years, I took it because I thought things would get better." I met his gray eyes. "I'm done waiting for better. I'm going to make them pay for what they did to me. Every single one of them."

His expression didn't change. "That's quite a threat for a wolfless girl."

"I know."

"You have no power. No pack. No resources."

"I know that too."

"Then how exactly do you plan to get your revenge?"

I looked at this massive, dangerous man. This Lycan King who everyone feared.

"I was hoping you'd help me with that," I said.

There was silence for a moment. He stared at me for a long moment. Then he threw his head back and let out a loud, genuine laugh. 

"You have nerve," he said finally. "Walking into a monster's camp and asking for help with revenge."

"You're my mate," I said. "Second chance or not, the bond is there. I can feel it."

"So can I." He moved close enough that I had to tilt my head back to look at him. "But that doesn't mean I'll help you."

"Then reject me," I said. "Like he did. If you're going to do it, do it now. I'm not going to beg."

He reached out and caught my chin in his hand. His grip was firm but not painful. He studied my face like he was looking for something.

"You smell like revenge, little mate," he said quietly. "And I've always had a weakness for revenge."

My heart started pounding.

"I'll make you a deal," he said. "You want revenge on your pack? I'll help you get it. I'll give you the power, the resources, everything you need to make them suffer."

"What do you want in return?"

His smile turned sharp. Dangerous. "You. Completely. You accept this bond, you become my Luna, you stand at my side—and I will burn down anyone who hurt you."

I should have thought about it or even asked questions. I should have been smart but I was done with all that bullshit. I'd had enough. 

"Deal," I said.

His hand moved from my chin to the back of my neck. He pulled me closer.

"Then welcome to your second chance, little mate," he said. "Let's see how much damage we can do together."

I smiled. It felt natural this time. Real.

For the first time in six years, I wasn't afraid.

I was dangerous.