Chapter 5

The Alpha’s decree hung in the clearing like a noose.

Emilia could hardly breathe. Her chest heaved, the bond burning hot and painful, stretched taut between her and Damien like a chain being pulled apart.

“You will wed Selene Stormfang,” Marcus thundered, his silver aura crushing the air, pressing Emilia flat to the ground. His gaze cut to her, sharp as knives. “And you—maid—you will forget this bond, or you will be broken beneath it.”

Emilia’s wolf whimpered, belly-up, trembling under the command. Her body shook as if struck by lightning, pain spearing her chest.

“Stop it!” Damien roared, his golden aura blazing against his father’s, but Marcus’s dominance was heavier, colder, drowning out the fire. Damien’s knees buckled as the weight bore down, his wolf snarling and snapping inside him, desperate to fight back.

Selene stood off to the side, storm-grey eyes alight with cruel satisfaction. She smirked as she watched Emilia writhe under Marcus’s aura, then slid her gaze to Damien, savouring the fury carved into his face.

“This union will happen,” Marcus said, his voice absolute. “It is decided.”

“No.” Damien’s growl tore through the clearing, golden fire blazing hotter, his teeth bared, claws splitting his fingertips. “I won’t.”

Marcus’s silver eyes narrowed, his lips curling in a cold smile. “You will.”

With that, he turned and vanished into the trees, his aura fading but leaving the crushing echo behind.

Silence fell, heavy and raw.

Selene’s smirk widened. “Well. That was fun.”

Damien’s golden eyes snapped to her. “Leave.”

She laughed softly, circling him like a predator. “You think you can fight him? You think the pack will choose you over Marcus? Over me?” Her gaze slid to Emilia, sharp and mocking. “Enjoy your little tryst while it lasts, maid. When the wedding comes, you’ll be nothing but a memory.”

Emilia’s cheeks burned with fury, but fear clamped around her throat.

Selene leaned in close to Damien, her lips nearly brushing his ear. “And when you finally break… I’ll be the one to put you back together.”

Damien snarled, golden light flaring. “Out. Now.”

Selene’s laugh rang through the trees as she melted back into the shadows.

And then they were alone.

Emilia staggered upright, her chest burning, tears stinging her eyes. “Damien… is it true?”

His jaw clenched, his golden eyes dark with shame and rage. “Yes. He promised me to her. But I won’t—”

“You can’t fight him!” she choked, her voice breaking. “You felt what he did to me. To us. He’ll kill you.”

Damien caught her face between his hands, his grip fierce, his gaze blazing. “Listen to me. I don’t care what he says. I don’t care about Selene. You’re mine. Do you hear me? Mine.”

Her breath hitched, her heart hammering. The bond roared, hot and furious, dragging them closer, closer until his lips crashed onto hers.

The kiss was wild, savage, desperate. His mouth claimed hers like a man drowning, his hands fisting in her hair, pulling her closer, closer still.

Emilia gasped against him, her nails clawing down his chest, the taste of him burning her tongue. The bond flared white-hot, searing through her veins until she thought she might shatter from it.

Damien growled into her mouth, pressing her back against the tree, his body hard against hers. His hands slid down, gripping her thighs, hauling her up until her legs wrapped tight around his waist.

She moaned into the kiss, her body arching, heat pooling low in her belly. His wolf snarled, hungry and relentless, demanding, claiming.

“Mine,” he growled against her throat, his teeth grazing her skin. “Say it again.”

“Yours,” she gasped, trembling. “Always yours.”

The bond pulsed, sealing her words in fire.

Damien’s lips trailed hot down her throat, his hands gripping her tighter, his body grinding against hers until her vision blurred. Every nerve burned, every breath ragged. She was consumed, devoured, lost in him.

Her moans filled the night, mingling with his growls, their bond blazing brighter, hotter, until it felt like the world itself would catch fire.

When he finally pulled back, his golden eyes burned molten, wild, untamed.

“If he wants to break me,” Damien rasped, his forehead pressed to hers, “he’ll have to kill me first. Because I will never give you up.”

Emilia’s chest heaved, her body trembling, her lips swollen from his kiss. Tears burned her eyes, but not from fear. From the fierce, wild love blazing inside her.

Before she could answer, a distant horn split the night. A hunting call.

Emilia stiffened. “What is that?”

Damien’s eyes narrowed, fury sparking. “It means he’s not finished.”

The bond throbbed hot and dangerous, warning them both.

The hunt had begun again.