Chapter 3

*Dust*

 The grip on my arm loosens, but I don’t dare move. I can feel the heat radiating from River Tempest, the Alpha of the Silverfang pack, as he stands before me, a force of nature that commands both awe and fear. His presence is electric, igniting something deep within me, a spark I didn’t know existed. I can’t understand it; I shouldn’t feel this way. I’m just Dust, the servant of a pack that barely acknowledges my existence. But here, standing before this warrior Alpha, I feel seen. 

 “Let her go,” he repeats, and his voice is a growl, low and menacing. The warriors holding me exchange uneasy glances, their bravado faltering under the weight of his authority. I can see the doubt flickering in their eyes, the realization that they are no longer in control.

 “You can’t seriously mean this dirty little creature is you mate, Alpha,” one of them retorts, attempting to inject mockery into his voice, but there’s an edge of fear lacing it. River’s gaze hardens, and I can see the muscles in his jaw twitch as he fights to maintain his temper.

 “I will do what is necessary to protect what is mine,” he says, his voice a low rumble that vibrates through me. My heart races at the implication of his words. My mind struggles to comprehend the weight of what he’s claiming. Me? His?

 The two warriors shift uncomfortably, their grip on me faltering as River steps closer. “You don’t want to test me,” he warns, and with a swift motion, he reaches out, his hand wrapping firmly around my wrist, pulling me away from their grasp. I stumble forward, almost colliding with his solid chest, but he catches me, his strong arms anchoring me to him. 

 I gasp, the shock of contact sending a jolt of electricity through my body. My senses go into overdrive… the smell of earth and musk enveloping me, the warmth radiating from him contrasting sharply with the cold dread that has clung to me since the battle began. 

 “Back to the battle,” he orders the the warriors. “Run little mate. I will get you to safety.” His voice is now a fierce whisper meant only for me, but I can’t move; I’m frozen in place, staring up into his stormy gray eyes. There’s something primal and possessive in his gaze, a fire that ignites a flicker of hope in my chest, and yet, beneath it all, I feel the weight of the chaos around us.

 “Alpha, we can’t just leave you,” one of the warriors protests, stepping forward as if to challenge River’s command. But River’s eyes flash, a warning that silences any further dissent. They know better than to cross him.

 “Do as I tell you and know this: if you touch her again, you will answer to me,” River growls, and the warriors back off, their bravado evaporating in the face of his intensity. The air thrums with tension, the battle around us raging on, but in this moment, it feels as if time has stopped, suspended in the charged atmosphere between us.

 I can’t comprehend what’s happening. The Alpha of the Silverfang pack stands before me, claiming me in a way I never thought possible. I am nothing but a servant, a wolfless girl who has lived in the shadows. And yet, here I am, caught in a whirlwind of fate.

 “Go!” he urges me again, more forcefully this time, and I feel the urgency in his voice. I finally shake off the daze, instinct kicking in as I realize that I must escape while I can. I glance back at the remnants of my pack, the chaos of the battle swirling around us, and for a fleeting moment, I hesitate. I should help them. I should fight alongside them. “I need you out of er, but I can’t carry you, and fight of enemies at the same time. Run and I will protect you.”

 River’s grip tightens just slightly, and I feel the power radiating from him, an unspoken promise that I can’t ignore. It ignites a primal instinct deep within me, a knowledge that my survival hinges on trusting this powerful stranger. I take a breath, my fear morphing into something fierce… a determination to live, to escape this nightmare.

 “Okay,” I whisper, and with one last glance back, I turn and run. 

 I sprint through the chaos, the sounds of battle ringing in my ears as I weave between bodies, some in human form human, most in wolf shape. My heart pounds as adrenaline surges through me, fueling my legs as I feel River’s commanding presence. I can feel his strength behind me, a shield against the violence that threatens to engulf me.

 “Stay close!” he shouts as he gets in front of me, his voice cutting through the tumult, and I obey, instinctively knowing that he is my only chance. The world around us is a blur, the scent of blood still heavy in the air, but I feel a flicker of hope igniting within me, a wild fire that refuses to be snuffed out.

 As we reach a doorway leading out of the pack house, River bursts through first, pulling me behind him. We tumble into the moonlit night, the cool air hitting my skin like a balm. I gasp, the shock of the open sky overwhelming me. The stars shimmer above, distant and beautiful, a stark contrast to the chaos we’ve escaped.

 But we can’t rest. The battle rages on behind us, and I can hear the growls and snarls echoing in the distance. “This way!” River commands, grasping my hand and leading me through the trees lining the edge of the clearing. The ground is uneven beneath my bare feet, roots and rocks threatening to trip me up, but I focus on his grip, the warmth of his hand anchoring me.

 We dash deeper into the woods, the sounds of the fight fading into the background. I don’t dare look back, not when I can still feel the adrenaline coursing through my veins, making me feel alive in a way I never thought possible. I’m running alongside an Alpha, a creature of power and ferocity, and for the first time in my life, I feel like I belong.

 We finally slow, River leading me to a small clearing bathed in moonlight. He stops abruptly, pulling me to a halt in front of him. Our eyes lock, and I can see the intensity boiling within him, a tempest that mirrors the storm in my own heart.

 “You’re safe now,” he says, but his voice holds a weight that sends shivers down my spine. There’s something primal in his gaze, a hunger that stirs the wildness within me. “I won’t let them touch you again.”

 I swallow hard, my heart racing not only from the fear of what we've just escaped but from the undeniable attraction that crackles between us. “But… why? I’m just Dust. I’m no one.”

 His expression shifts, a mix of frustration and something softer. “You’re not just Dust. You're mine. It doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks.” 

 “But that is my name… Dust.” I mumble. “They named me that because… Well that is how they saw me.”

 He slowly shakes his head, a promise that sends a thrill racing through me. I want to protest, to tell him that he’s wrong, but the truth is undeniable. With him, at this moment, I feel kinda powerful, wild, and more alive than ever before. 

 As the moonlight bathes us in its glow, I realize that I’m standing before an Alpha I was always told is a monster, a cruel man. What does this truly mean for me? could it change everything? and yet I not really scared. There is no way it can be worse than my life so far.

 Before I can voice my thoughts, a distant howl echoes through the trees, a reminder of the chaos still raging beyond this sanctuary. River’s expression shifts, a flicker of concern crossing his features. “I need to finish this,” he says, his eyes narrowing as he looks back toward the sounds of battle.

 I feel a pang of fear at the thought of him leaving me, of facing the chaos alone, but I understand. His duty as an Alpha calls him back, a responsibility that weighs heavily on him. “What do I do?” I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.

 “Stay here. Don’t move. You are safe here” He leans closer, his breath warm against my skin, and I can feel the magnetism between us intensifying. “I’ll return for you, I promise.”

 And with that, he turns, his powerful form disappearing into the shadows of the trees, leaving me breathless and alone. My place is here, hidden in the moonlit clearing, waiting for the man who claims I am his mate.