Chapter 2

The Alpha’s silver eyes locked onto Nova in the darkness of the ruined subway car. Rainwater dripped steadily from his massive black coat, pooling beneath his paws as the Hollowfangs whimpered around her. The infected creatures that moments ago had been trying to tear her apart now looked terrified. One slowly backed away, its twisted limbs trembling violently.

The Alpha moved before Nova could even process it.

A blur of black fur shot through the overturned train car. Metal shook beneath the force of his weight. The Hollowfang barely had time to shriek before his jaws clamped around its throat with a sickening crunch. Blood sprayed across the ceiling and walls as the creature went limp instantly.

Nova stumbled backward, gripping her crowbar so tightly her knuckles hurt.

The remaining Hollowfangs scattered into chaos.

One lunged toward her in panic, but the Alpha intercepted it midair. His claws ripped straight through the creature’s chest, tearing flesh and bone apart like paper. The Hollowfang crashed onto the flooded floor in pieces while the others fled deeper into the tunnel.

The Alpha lowered his massive head and chased after them.

The sounds that followed turned Nova’s stomach.

Snarling.

Screaming.

Bones cracking somewhere in the darkness.

Then silence.

Complete silence.

Nova stood frozen in the center of the ruined subway car, her chest heaving as rain hammered outside the tunnel. Water dripped from her curls into her eyes, but she barely noticed. Her heart slammed violently against her ribs while adrenaline burned through her veins.

Run.

The thought screamed through her head immediately.

Run now.

But her legs refused to move.

Because some instinct deep inside her warned that if this creature wanted her dead, she would already be dead.

The sound of movement echoed through the tunnel again.

The Alpha emerged from the darkness, blood coating his jaws and dripping onto the metal floor. Fresh claw marks stretched across one shoulder, though she watched the wounds healing right in front of her eyes. His silver gaze found hers instantly.

Nova’s stomach twisted.

She tightened her grip on the knife strapped to her thigh and pulled it free with shaking hands.

“Stay back,” she warned, though her voice came out weaker than she wanted.

The wolf ignored her completely.

He stepped closer through the floodwater, massive paws splashing softly as he approached. Up close, he was enormous. Bigger than any wolf she had ever seen during the early years of the outbreak. Old scars cut beneath his black fur across his chest and throat, proof of countless fights survived.

Nova kept backing away until her shoulders hit the cold metal wall of the subway car.

The Alpha stopped only a few feet from her.

Then slowly lowered his head toward her neck.

Nova froze.

Every muscle in her body locked tight as the wolf inhaled deeply.

The reaction was instant.

The Alpha went completely still.

A deep rumble vibrated from his chest, low enough that she could feel it through the floor beneath her boots.

His silver eyes widened slightly, almost like shock.

“No way,” a rough male voice muttered quietly.

Nova’s breath caught in her throat.

The wolf suddenly staggered backward its massive body tensing up Every muscle in his body locked up.

The rumble in his chest deepened.

Then his entire body convulsed A roar exploded through the subway tunnel The sound slammed into Nova like a physical force that She flinched.

The Alpha threw his head back as Bones began to crack violently beneath black fur The noise echoing through the ruined train car.

Nova's stomach twisted as she watched the sight before her.

His front legs buckled beneath him.

The giant wolf crashed into the floodwater with enough force to send water splashing across the walls as fur began to retract and the their in his place was a human or a man to be exact.

The man standing before her was tall enough that his head nearly brushed the tilted ceiling of the subway car. Rainwater rolled down heavily scarred skin while black tattoos curled across his throat and arms like smoke burned into flesh. Dark hair hung wet around a sharp brutal face. then nova realized he was completely naked.

Heat immediately flooded her cheeks.

"Oh, you've got to be kidding me."

Of all the things happening tonight...

His silver eyes locked on to her with recognition.

“You,” he said hoarsely, almost like he couldn’t believe she was real.

Nova raised the knife higher despite the violent shaking in her hands.

“Don’t come any closer.” She breathed out before

Her exhausted mind betrayed her as she glanced down.

The Alpha was enormous even in human form.

Nova blushed when she caught herself staring.

The Alpha barely seemed to hear her Just then more noise echoed through the tunnel.

Growls.

Footsteps splashing through floodwater Nova’s head snapped toward the darkness beyond the overturned train car.

More glowing eyes appeared Her stomach dropped instantly.

She peeked around the giant Alpha and immediately wished she hadn’t.

More wolves emerged from the shadows one by one.

Nothing like the Hollowfangs.

These wolves were healthy. Powerful. Their fur gleamed beneath the dim tunnel lights while scars marked their massive bodies like proof of countless battles survived. Some were gray, others dark brown or white, but every single pair of eyes locked onto her the moment they stepped into the subway car.

Nova’s grip tightened around the knife.

There had to be at least seven of them.

Maybe more hiding in the dark.

One of the wolves, a massive gray beast with a torn ear, suddenly stopped short after spotting Nova beside the Alpha. His golden eyes widened before snapping toward the silver-eyed Alpha standing in front of her.

“Well,” a deep voice muttered as the gray wolf shifted into a man in one smooth motion, “that explains why you vanished.”

Nova nearly choked.

Another wolf transformed.

Then another.

Bones cracked violently through the tunnel as men emerged from the massive beasts surrounding the subway car.

Some carried weapons strapped across their backs. Others were covered in blood from recent fights. One looked barely older than twenty, though the scar cutting across his throat said otherwise.

Every single one of them stared at her like she’d just walked out of a ghost story.

The gray-eyed man looked between Nova and the Alpha before slowly grinning.

“Well now,” he drawled, taking a deep inhale. “What do we have here?”

Nova stiffened instantly when his gaze dragged over her.

“She doesn’t smell infected,” he continued. “And she definitely doesn’t smell like one of us.” His grin widened slightly, revealing sharpened canines. “Though she sure smells mouthwatering.”

Nova whimpered softly before she could stop herself and took a slow step backward.

The reaction was immediate.

The silver-eyed Alpha turned sharply toward the gray-eyed wolf, and the temperature in the tunnel seemed to plummet.

“Enough.”

The single word cracked through the subway car Every wolf instantly dropped to their knees Heads lowered Necks exposed.

Nova’s eyes widened in shock as even the gray-eyed wolf immediately looked away.

The Alpha stepped slightly in front of her without seeming to realize he’d done it.

He turned toward the group, his expression hardening once more.

“Let’s head back.”

The command was immediate.

Every wolf rose at once, moving quickly through the ruined subway car without questioning him. Some shifted back into their wolf forms while others grabbed weapons and scanned the dark tunnels around them.

Nova’s pulse hammered in her chest.

The second their attention shifted away from her, she slowly edged backward through the floodwater, careful not to make a sound. Her injured leg screamed in protest, but adrenaline drowned most of it out.

She just needed enough distanceThat was it while The wolves were distracted.

Nova spun sharply and bolted toward the far end of the subway car She barely made three steps before A solid hand suddenly wrapped around her waist.

Nova gasped as her feet left the ground entirely “What the hell?!” she shouted thrashing instantly.

The Alpha lifted her effortlessly and threw her over his shoulder like she weighed nothing Nova slammed her fists against his back. “Put me down!”

The giant Alpha didn’t even stumble “I am not going with you!” she snapped.

“You are,” he said calmly continuing toward the tunnel exit Nova growled in frustration and tried kicking but one massive hand locked firmly against the back of her thighs holding her in place.

Around them several wolves exchanged amused looks One of them snorted. “She’s got spirit.”

Nova pointed furiously at him from upside down. “I will stab every single one of you!” A younger wolf actually looked impressed. “I kinda like her.”

The Alpha shot him a cold glance.

The younger wolf immediately looked away. “Right. Never mind.”

Nova kept struggling as the group moved through the tunnel, rainwater splashing beneath their boots and paws. Above them, thunder rattled the city ruins overhead.

“You’re insane,” she hissed at the Alpha. “All of you are insane.”

The Alpha finally spoke again“If I leave you here alone,” he said, “you’ll be dead before sunrise.”

Nova clenched her jaw.

“And I can’t have that” he muttered.