Chapter 3
917words
A howl cuts through the night—a challenge.
Kieran signals a halt. I scent the air, picking up the stench that turns my stomach. Marcus.
"They're close," I whisper.
Four wolves wait in a clearing. Marcus stands in their center, his cold smile familiar and sickening. Beside him, Thea kneels, hands bound, a bruise on her cheek.
My wolf surges forward in rage.
Kieran's hand catches my arm. "Easy."
Marcus steps forward. "There she is. My wayward mate." His eyes rake over me. "Did you really think you could hide, Selene?"
"I'm not yours," I say clearly.
"The mating bite on your shoulder says otherwise." He turns to Kieran. "This doesn't concern you, Ravenhollow."
"You're in my territory. Everything here concerns me."
"I'll leave once I have what I came for." Marcus nods toward me. "Her. And her traitor sister."
"That's not happening." Kieran steps forward. "Release her. Leave. Don't return."
Marcus laughs. "Or what? Your little pack against mine?" He gestures to the trees. "I brought twelve of my best fighters."
"Enough." Kieran doesn't flinch. "Last chance."
Marcus's smile vanishes. "Selene, come here now, or I'll make your sister pay."
He yanks Thea's head back, exposing her throat. She doesn't make a sound, but her eyes find mine.
*Don't,* she mouths.
"You won't touch her again,” I say.
"Wrong answer." Marcus nods to a wolf who draws a silver blade.
Before he can move, a low growl rumbles through the clearing.
A massive black wolf emerges from the trees, followed by another, then another. Seven in total.
Marcus pales. "What is this?"
"You asked how many wolves I have," Kieran says calmly. "I never said they were all here."
The black wolves surround Marcus's pack. One positions itself beside Thea.
"You see, Marcus, we don't just have a pack." Kieran's eyes gleam. "We have an alliance."
Marcus's confidence wavers. "This changes nothing. Selene is mine by pack law."
"No," I step forward. "I rejected you. I left your pack. There is no bond."
"The mating bite—"
"Was forced," I cut him off. "No true bond forms without consent."
Marcus lunges forward, rage contorting his face.
Kieran intercepts him mid-leap. They roll, snarling, human forms giving way to partial shifts—claws extending, teeth sharpening.
I rush to Thea, cutting her bonds. "Are you okay?"
She nods. "I knew you'd come."
Kieran and Marcus circle each other, both bleeding. Marcus feints left, then strikes right, his claws raking across Kieran's chest.
Kieran barely flinches. He moves with controlled power, each strike precise.
Marcus lunges again, overextending. Kieran sidesteps, grabs his arm, and twists. The crack of breaking bone echoes through the clearing.
Marcus howls but doesn't yield. He swings with his good arm, catching Kieran across the face.
Blood drips from Kieran's jaw as he straightens, eyes glowing gold. "Enough,” he growls, voice deepening with power.
The command ripples through the clearing. Alpha voice.
Marcus tries to resist, but his knees buckle slightly. "She's mine,” he snarls.
"No. She's under my protection now. Challenge that again, and you won't leave these woods alive.”
Marcus looks at his surrounded wolves, his broken arm. "This isn't over,” he spits, backing away.
"For tonight, it is. Take your wolves and go.”
They retreat slowly, Marcus's hateful gaze never leaving my face. "You'll regret this, Selene.”
Then they're gone.
Thea sags against me as Kieran approaches. "Are you both alright?”
"I'm fine,” I say, though my hands tremble. "He'll be back.”
"I know.” Kieran's gaze shifts to the trees. "But not tonight.”
The black wolves approach, shifting to human form.
"Thank you for coming,” Kieran says to the alliance wolves, then gestures for them to withdraw.
"You'll stay at the main house tonight,” he tells us. "It's safer.”
As Thea packs, Kieran pulls me aside. "The mating bite. It's why you ran.”
"One of many reasons.”
His eyes darken. "Did you consent?”
"No.”
Something dangerous flashes across his face. "A forced bond can be broken.”
Hope flutters in my chest. "How?”
"There are ways. But they're not easy.”
I say nothing. My fingers unconsciously trace the mark on my neck as I nod slowly.
As we drive toward the main house, I watch the forest slip past. For the first time in years, my wolf feels almost hopeful.
But Marcus won't give up. A wounded alpha is the most dangerous kind.
"Why?" I ask suddenly. "Why risk yourself for us?"
Kieran keeps his eyes on the road. "Your sister works for me."
"That's it?"
He glances at me, then back to the road. "Would you prefer I had an ulterior motive?"
Heat rushes to my cheeks. "No, I just—"
From the backseat, Thea's voice cuts in. "Kieran always protects everyone. Those who deserve it,” she says with quiet respect.
"His leadership has earned the loyalty of everyone in his pack, including me.”
Kieran acknowledges her words with a slight nod, his focus remaining on the road ahead.
"Not every alpha is like Marcus." His voice softens slightly. "Some of us actually protect what's ours."
The word 'ours' hangs between us. I should bristle at the possessiveness, but instead, something warm unfurls in my chest.
"Thank you," I say quietly. "For coming for us."
Kieran nods once, his profile strong in the dim light. "You'd have done the same for her."
I look down at my hands, knowing he's right. "Yes."
