RHYNA'S POV

We finally stopped to rest. My legs were trembling, my chest pounding against my ribcage, but I forced myself to sit upright. I was sure he noticed how exhausted I was. Every muscle in my body screamed for relief, but I refused to give him the satisfaction of seeing me weak.

"Thank you," I muttered quietly as he helped me sit while trying to play the part of the obedient prisoner, at least for a moment. Maybe if I appeared calm, he would lower his guard. I had to survive. I had to wait for my chance.

He sank down beside me, moving carefully. That's when I saw it,his side was covered in blood. Dark, thick, and glistening in the moonlight. My stomach twisted, and before I even thought, my hand reached out.

"Here... let me help," I said, voice soft but insistent.

He waved me away, sharp and commanding. "Never mind," he said.

"You're wounded. You're bleeding. Let me take a look. Just lay down," I insisted, my voice trembling slightly, but my instinct to heal outweighed my fear.

"Fuck off," he spat. "Leave me alone."

I froze, my hand hovering in the air. My heart hammered in my chest. I wasn't supposed to care about my captor. I wasn't supposed to help him. But the blood... it called to me. My healer instincts were stronger than my fear.

I sat there, perfectly still, but inside, chaos raged. My mind raced through possibilities: if I moved carefully, I might slip away, vanish into the shadows, and leave this nightmare behind. He was weakened, slower now from blood loss, but something in his aura made me hesitate. I was afraid.

Then, without warning, I bolted. My legs moved faster than I ever thought possible, carrying me away from him, away from captivity. I didn't know where I was going,anywhere was better than being held by him.

I ran blindly into the forest, the cold air biting my cheeks, the roots and rocks threatening to trip me. My lungs burned with every gasp. "Please, Moon Goddess, help me," I prayed, my voice barely audible over the pounding of my heart.

A sudden, powerful grip caught me mid-stride. His hands wrapped around me, pulling me back.

"No!" I screamed, fighting with every ounce of strength I had. I dug my long nails into his side, into the wound I had seen.

Warm blood spilled over my fingers.

My breath caught. My chest burned, sharp and sudden, like something had awakened inside me, a fire I couldn't control.

He froze.

Just for a second.

Then his grip tightened, then loosened, as if he was fighting himself.

My wolf stirred instinctively, tense and restless.

He didn't flinch. He held me tighter. My strength began to fade. My arms dropped to my sides.

"What the fuck is wrong with you?" he shouted, voice booming, dark and dangerous. "Didn't I tell you to stay still? Huh? Do you have any idea what you've done?"

His green eyes blazed, and I realized he wasn't just angry,he was disturbed. Terrified by something I didn't understand.

"I could wring your small neck, you know," he hissed, tight and controlled.

"Fuck you," I spat back. "Do whatever you want."

And even as I said it, I knew I wasn't giving up. I would keep trying, keep struggling, until I was free.

****

Hours passed,or maybe it was only minutes. Time had no meaning as he carried me through the forest. My arms ached, my muscles burned, but I refused to fall silent. I refused to be broken. I focused on the sounds around me,the rustle of leaves, the snapping of twigs, the distant calls of nocturnal creatures,as though mapping a path to escape.

Finally, we reached his territory as the first light of morning touched the horizon. My breath caught at the sight before me. A massive camp stretched out in the clearing, dozens of werewolves moving with precision, their eyes glowing faintly in the morning mist.

They rushed toward him as if drawn by some invisible force. Bowing, howling, rushing to show their loyalty.

I realized then: this was no ordinary Alpha. He was respected, feared, loved, and cherished.

And here I was,the enemy, alone and helpless.

He gave quiet commands, and the pack obeyed without question. "Keep her safe," he said. "In one of the rooms. Guard her at all times."

I swallowed hard. "Where am I?" I asked, my voice small, barely audible, quivering with a mixture of fear and awe.

No one answered me. One of the guards led me through the camp, and I couldn't stop staring. The air was filled with the scent of earth, smoke, and fur. I could hear faint murmurs and the shuffle of paws on dirt paths.

The room was too comfortable.

Soft bed, clean air, and no chains.

My stomach twisted.

Why would an enemy Alpha keep his prisoner like this?

This place didn't feel like a prison. It was clean, neat, and calm.

I sat down on the edge of the bed, my mind spinning. My hands still tingled from contact with his blood. The warmth hadn't faded.

My chest burned faintly, it burned with a strange rhythm that wasn't entirely my own. My mind raced through scenarios, wondering if this was a trap, a test, or some cruel game.

Something was wrong. Too many things were wrong.

But my body ached. My muscles were sore. My wolf whimpered for rest, and for a moment, the thought of sleep brought me so much relief.

My eyelids felt heavy, my mind dizzy, but fear kept me alert, aware of every creak in the floorboards, every shadow dancing on the walls.

I lay down carefully, eyes darting to the door. I will rest, just a little, to gather strength. And when I woke up... I would decide my next move.

Because whatever he thought of me... he was wrong.

And I wasn't finished yet.

RHYNA'S POV

I woke up in the evening.

At first, I didn't know where I was. The room was quiet and a bit dark. The soft light from outside filtered through the window, painting strange shadows on the walls.

I sat up abruptly.

I was alone.

"No... no," I whispered, my heart beginning to race. I looked around wildly.

No sign of anyone.

"Hello?" I called out, my voice trembling.

"Hello! Can anyone hear me?"

Nothing.

Fear crawled into my chest, tight and suffocating. I didn't even know where I was.

Strange land with an enemy Alpha.

Strange thoughts flooded my mind.

What if I was brought here to be sacrificed?

What if this was all a trick?

What if they planned to humiliate me publicly? Or flog me to death.

"No," I muttered, shaking my head. "I won't accept that."

I jumped off the bed and rushed to the door, banging on it with my fists.

"Someone open this door!" I screamed.

"Let me out!"

I screamed louder. And louder.

I had been told I was guarded. So where was everyone?

Then the door finally opened.

Two small women entered, both smiling gently. They looked harmless. Kind, even.

"You're welcome, dear," one of them said warmly.

"There is no need to panic," the other added. "You'll be safe here."

Safe?

I scoffed inwardly.

I had been taken without my consent.

Dragged through the forest. Treated like a discarded tool. And they dared to speak of safety?

"Where is your Alpha?" I snapped. "I want to see him. Now."

The women exchanged glances, as if I had said something foolish and unthinkable.

"You do not command Alpha Conan," she said softly. "He is kind,but you do not want to anger him."

Kind and warm?

I almost laughed.

"Then why was I taken captive?" I demanded.

"You are not a prisoner," the woman said gently. "If you were, you would not be here. You would be locked away."

"Then why can't I leave?" I shot back.

She smiled again, calm and patient. "Be patient, dear. Everything will make sense with time. Freshen up. Eat what we've prepared."

And with that, they left.

I stood there, shaking with anger.

No.

I would not settle.

I would not wait quietly.

If I wasn't a prisoner, then the Alpha would explain himself.

*****

He didn't come until hours later.

Hours of pacing, Of anger building in my chest. Hours of imagining every terrible plague that could come upon him.

Did he plan to abandon me here?

Was I just a problem he didn't want to face?

The door finally opened.

He stepped inside.

"Yes," he said calmly, as if this were an ordinary meeting and I was one of his subjects. "I heard you've been looking for me."

My anger exploded,who the fuck does he think he is to capture me and leave me like this without an explanation?

I lunged at him, my hands aiming for his wounded side. But before I could even touch him, he overpowered me effortlessly. His hands wrapped tightly around my wrists, pinning me against the wall.

I gasped, my body stiffening in shock.

I could feel him,his heat, the steady beat of his heart, his scent wrapping around me like smoke and fire.

Warmth spread through my body.

No. Focus, Rhyna.

"Let me go," I snapped, struggling weakly.

"No one commands me," he said coldly.

"You're holding me too tight," I gasped. "I,I can't..."

"You can't do what,hmmm?" he asked quietly, his voice low, almost a whisper

I couldn't finish the sentence.

My mind felt foggy. My thoughts scattered. Why did he feel so close? Why did my body react this way?

"You asked for me," he continued. "Now I'm here."

And then I looked up.

I shouldn't have.

The moment our eyes met, something snapped.

His lips crushed against mine.

Not gentle. Not soft.

Claiming, Dominant, Overwhelming.

My breath left me in a gasp. My body reacted before my mind could catch up.

I felt warm in all the right places.

Heat flooded my veins, sharp and confusing, and for a terrifying second, I forgot how to push him away.

His tongue caressed my lips,warm, tantalizing, teasing.

I let out a soft sigh and pressed myself against him

Then reality slammed back, what the hell Rhyna.

I shoved against his chest, breathless, shaking.

"What are you doing?" I whispered, fear and anger tangled together as I wiped my lips with my hand

He pulled back, just slightly, his eyes dark, with his lips slightly curved. It was like he found this amusing.

My wolf whimpered. Something stirred inside me, different from how I've ever felt . What is happening? I barely recognized myself anymore. And then he leaned close, whispering, "You feel it too, don't you?"

My blood froze. What had I done?

"That," he said slowly, "is what will keep happening when you become my Luna.

My heart pounded wildly.

I didn't seem to hear well.

My wolf howled in terror.

Luna?

Before I could speak, pain sliced through my chest,it was sharp, burning right where my heart should be.

His eyes widened.

"It's already started," he murmured.

And that was when I knew,I was no longer just his captive.

I knew something worse than the kiss had begun.

Something I couldn't control.

And whatever it was... it was tied to him

RHYNA'S POV

Nothing made sense anymore.

Everything felt wrong, confused, and unreal, like my life had been ripped apart and thrown back together wrong. One moment, I had been kneeling in blood-soaked soil, pressing my hands against torn flesh, whispering prayers to the Moon Goddess as soldiers screamed around me.

The next...

I was standing in a room that did not belong to me, facing an Alpha who claimed I was his Luna.

A Luna.

To him.

My chest tightened painfully as the word echoed in my head. His Luna, mate and bound.

"No," I said, shaking my head slowly. "You're insane."

My voice sounded strange to my own ears, tight and sharp with disbelief.

"I don't care who you think you are," I continued, my hands clenching at my sides. "You will never have me. You will never use me."

The word used burned on my tongue. I had seen it happen before,omegas taken, broken, treated like nothing more than tools for power or pleasure. I would rather die than become that.

He didn't move nor did he raise his voice.

He simply stood there, tall and unbothered, watching me rave like a lunatic. His face was calm, cold, and unreadable, as if my anger meant nothing.

"Use you?" he finally said. His voice was low, almost bored. "Do I look like someone who uses people?"

"That's your fucking business," I retorted sharply.

He didn't even acknowledge the insult.

"You're my Luna," he said instead, his tone firm, final. "We're bound."

The word slammed into me like a physical blow.

"No!" I shouted, my control finally snapping. "I don't want to hear that again. Fuck you and whatever twisted thoughts are in your head."

I rushed at him without thinking, rage driving my body faster than fear ever could. If I could hurt him,even once, maybe this nightmare would crack. I desperately wanted to hurt him.

He caught me easily, too easily.

His hands closed around my arms, firm but controlled, stopping me before I could even reach his chest. This time, I forced myself not to go limp, not to let panic steal my strength, not to give myself away.

I would not break.

"Don't you feel it?" he murmured, leaning closer. "Tell me you don't sense the pull. Tell me your wolf isn't reacting."

My heart was racing violently now, slamming against my ribs like it wanted to escape. Heat burned through my veins, confusing and unwelcome.

Inside me, my wolf stirred, restless, torn, pulling in two directions at once.

I hated it. I hated that some part of me responded to him, no matter how small.

"That doesn't mean anything," I said through clenched teeth. "It doesn't mean you're my mate."

"It does," he replied calmly. "And you know it."

I shook my head hard. "No. I refuse to believe that."

His grip loosened slightly, but his eyes sharpened.

"I warned you not to touch me," he said coldly. "But you didn't listen. You had to be reckless. You came in contact with my blood."

My breath hitched.

The memory flashed back,my nails digging into his wound, warm blood spilling over my fingers, that sudden burning sensation that had nearly knocked me to my knees.

"That," he continued, his voice low and controlled, "is what sealed it."

My chest tightened painfully.

"No," I whispered.

Then louder. "No. No, no, no."

I laughed, sharp and broken, panic bleeding into my anger. "Go to hell. You must be joking."

I shoved at his chest, even though I knew it wouldn't move him.

"Fuck you," I screamed. "Fuck you. Fuck you!"

That was when he snapped.

"You think I want this?" he roared, his voice shaking the room. "You think I chose you?"

The air seemed to vibrate with his anger.

"Do you have any idea who I am?" he continued. "I'm Conan. Alpha of the Shadowbound Claw Pack."

His eyes burned into mine, glowing faintly with power.

"And I've been tied to the lowest of a pack?" he scoffed. "My enemies pack." "An omega for that matter?"

The word sliced straight through me.

"You're not even my type," he went on mercilessly. "There is nothing about you that would ever make me interested."

Each word struck deeper than the last.

I felt it then,bthe sharp, aching wound in my chest. Not just from his rejection, but from the truth behind it. To him, my rank erased my worth.

I had heard it all my life.

Weak. Last. Unimportant.

Still, I straightened my spine.

I would not bow.

"I don't care," I said, forcing strength into my voice. "I've survived worse than your insults."

He stared at me, expression unreadable.

"I am not your Luna," I continued, meeting his gaze head-on. "And I never will be."

Silence filled the room.

"You captured me as a prisoner," I went on, my voice steady now. "Not as your Luna. So if you're going to keep me here, then keep me as a prisoner."

His jaw tightened.

"If that's what you want," he said coldly, "then that's what you'll get."

He turned away without another word.

The door slammed shut behind him, the sound echoing through the room like a final verdict.

I stood there, my hands trembling, my chest aching, my wolf pacing restlessly inside me.

Bound to an Alpha whom I despised with passion.

Trapped in a fate I never chose.

But even as panic ran through my body, something else burned brighter.

Defiance.

This war was no longer just between packs.

It was between him and me, and I would not lose.