Lahat ng Kabanata ng Mated to the Enemy: Imprisoned by Mate Bond: Kabanata 1 - Kabanata 5

Desiree "Fall back! FALL BACK!"My father's voice tears through the chaos, but it's too late. Blood paints the earth red beneath my boots, and the metallic stench of death clogs my throat. Bodies, so many bodies, litter the ground like broken dolls.This wasn't supposed to happen. The Midnight Pack promised peace talks. They lied."Desiree, run!" My father's command snaps me back to reality. Alpha Marcus Greyfort, the strongest wolf I've ever known, stumbles backward as three massive wolves circle him. His gray fur is matted with blood, his movements slower than they should be."No!" The word rips from my chest. "Dad!"I shift mid-sprint, my bones cracking and reforming in seconds. My wolf bursts free, silver fur gleaming even in this nightmare. I have to reach him. I have to..A black wolf, larger than any I've seen, slams into my father's side. The sickening crunch of bone echoes across the battlefield. Dad's wolf form crumples, and he doesn't get back up.Time stops. My heart stop

DesireeThree days. I've been here three days, and every second feels like drowning. The window in my new room, because apparently prisoners get upgrades, overlooks the forest. Freedom is right there, so close I can taste it. Pine trees swaying in the wind, the moon hanging fat and silver in the sky, calling to my wolf.Tonight, I'm answering.I wait until the fortress quiets, until the guard rotation changes. Then I move. The window opens silently, I've been oiling the hinges with butter from my dinner tray for two nights. My hands shake as I grip the ledge.Just jump. Shift. Run.I push off, and for one glorious moment, I'm flying. Wind rushes past my face, my wolf surges forward, ready to burst free and—Pain.White-hot, searing pain explodes in my chest. The mate bond yanks tight like a noose, and suddenly I can't breathe. Can't think. My body seizes mid-shift, bones cracking wrong, muscles tearing. I hit the ground hard, neither human nor wolf, trapped somewhere in between.No, n

The arena is packed. Every wolf in the Midnight Pack has gathered to witness this moment, the official presentation of Desiree Greyfort as my future Luna. The air vibrates with tension, anticipation, and barely concealed hostility.I stand on the raised platform, waiting. My wolf paces restlessly beneath my skin, uneasy with what I'm about to do. But there's no choice. The pack needs to see her. Needs to accept her.Or destroy her trying. The doors open.Desiree walks in, flanked by guards, and the arena erupts. Snarls. Growls. A wave of pure hatred that crashes over her like a physical force. But she doesn't flinch. Doesn't cower.She walks with her head high, gray eyes blazing defiance, even though I can see her hands trembling at her sides. Even though the bond tells me she's terrified. My mate is brave. Foolishly, dangerously brave.She climbs the platform steps, and the crowd's anger intensifies. Someone throws a stone. It hits her shoulder, and she stumbles but catches herself.