Chapter 2: The Shadow of the Trees

The full moon mocked me from above my cell, laughing at my failed escape attempts over the past days. Suddenly, ice-cold water slammed into my back and head, shocking me awake.

“Wake up and smile, wolf. Looks like the goddess is giving you one more chance,” the soldier sneered, dumping another bucket over me. My nose burned from the foul stench rising from the liquid.

“What the hell did you throw on me?” I demanded. The wolf bared his teeth and kicked the bars, growling.

“That’s far more than a slave like you deserves.” He turned and left, making way for two she-wolves—clearly slaves themselves. “Clean her up. No tricks.” They trembled at the threat, but I stayed still.

This was the perfect chance to run, but when the she-wolves approached—tiny, broken things—I couldn’t do it. If I fought now, they’d die for it. I let them wash me, dress me in clean rags, brush and braid my hair while they poured more of that stinking water over my skin.

“Look at that. Now I understand why the alpha kept you alive,” the soldier leered, yanking my chains. “Let’s see how long that fire lasts.”

We walked corridors and doors I’d never seen inside the fortress. Soon, we stood before massive dark-wood doors carved with a howling wolf beneath a full moon.

Panic seized me. I thrashed, chains rattling, feet sliding on polished stone. My heart pounded; my lungs burned as if no air reached them. The soldier yanked harder, but I fought.

The doors swung open—and I froze.

Wearing only a robe, the alpha appeared, holding a golden goblet in one hand and a thin rope in the other. He looked nothing like the powerful alpha he pretended to be; only alliances kept him in power—a figurehead.

“Now you’re worth looking at, silver wolf. Reminds me of the day I slaughtered your entire clan.” I snarled, baring teeth. Rage boiled from Shade, trapped by those cursed chains.

I was thrown inside, face slamming into the floor. As I tried to rise, the weight crushed my leg. I turned—the door was closing, my last hope trapped outside.

“Now let me taste that wild beauty,” the alpha purred, reaching for me.

When his fingers nearly touched me, I jerked my leg, unbalancing him, then lunged—sinking my teeth into his hand and tearing off two fingers.

“Fucking bitch!” he roared. His fist smashed into my face, hurling me across the room into the wall. Air exploded from my lungs; vision blurred.

When it cleared, he was wrapping his bleeding hand in a sheet.

“You whore! I swear you won’t leave this room alive. When I’m done with your body, I’ll enjoy torturing you. The goddess alone will hear your screams.”

“My alpha!” someone shouted, bursting through the door.

“Get out!” he bellowed—but it was too late.

I sprang, shoving the intruder aside and bolting down the corridors. I retraced my path, bursting into the forest. But I wasn’t safe yet.

My legs burned, muscles screaming. My wounded feet bled on rocks and thorns, but I couldn’t stop. Cold air seared my throat; my lungs pushed beyond their limit.

“Don’t stop,” I gasped. “We can’t stop yet.” Shade roared inside me, frantic.

My foot caught on a root; I crashed forward, arms outstretched. I tried to stand, but my trembling body had nothing left. Icy wind sliced my skin; the star-filled sky above the trees seemed to invite me to rest.

Until howls rose—not far away.

I forced myself to my knees, head tilted back, eyes burning with unshed tears.

“Goddess, give me strength,” I begged the void.

I staggered upright, but years of slavery had left me too weak. “Shade, help me,” I whispered. My wolf clawed inside, desperate to break free, but the silver chains still held her back. “It’s okay. We’ll make it.”

I ran again, branches and bushes tearing my skin, the wind growing colder, carrying the scent of wolves. I looked around—I was surrounded.

One by one, they emerged from the trees. Powerful warriors led by a wolf with piercing eyes. These weren’t the tyrant’s men.

The largest stepped forward, shifting from wolf to man. Brown eyes gleamed in the dark, studying me.

No way I could fight him. He’d kill me in seconds. My only choice was to run—but the moment I turned, he was on me. His hand clamped my throat, slamming me onto the damp forest floor. My claws raked his skin, but he didn’t even flinch, only stared down like I was helpless prey.

“Thought you could escape, filthy wolf,” he spat in my face. Then he hauled me up and threw me to the others—now all in human form. “Take her.”

They dragged me brutally through the night. No one spoke. Soon, we reached a camp; I was tossed forward near a fire.

“What do we have here?” A deep, power-laden voice rang out. My body locked; the weight of that presence forced my head down.

“A slave. We found her running through the forest, Supreme.”

Shade whimpered inside me as I fought to keep my eyes on the ground. My hair was yanked; my face forced up. Ice-blue eyes studied me coldly.

“Interesting. Let’s see if she’s worthy of living in my court.”