Chapter Two

Natalia

The world had become hollow since the attack.

Once teeming with howls and laughter, our land now echoed with silence and starvation. The Night Walkers had taken everything—food, weapons, our pride. We were no longer a pack, just shadows clinging to life on scraps and memory.

I wasn’t the Alpha’s daughter anymore. That title had died with my father. But the others still looked to me—hungry, frightened eyes begging for hope I no longer believed I had. Still, I pretended. For them.

That morning, I joined Marco and Amanda for the hunt. We didn’t speak. Words were useless now. Our steps were silent as ghosts, brushing through the brittle underbrush with senses straining for the faintest trace of prey.

Then—movement. A young buck grazed near the tree line, unaware. We fanned out like instinct demanded. When it bolted, Amanda was faster. She slammed into it like a lightning bolt, bringing it down. Marco delivered the killing bite. I felt only grim relief. Meat was meat. Survival was survival.

We dragged the buck home together, our jaws sticky with blood and victory. At camp, the others gathered—skeletal forms wrapped in hunger and gratitude. Watching them eat, I felt something stir. Not quite joy. But purpose. A reason to keep breathing.

I hadn't even reached my makeshift hut when James stepped into my path.

Once my father’s Beta, now self-declared authority. A man clinging to power like a vulture to carrion.

“You did well today,” he said, eyes too hungry for comfort. “I hope you saved some for yourself. Can’t have our future Alpha fainting from hunger.”

“I ate,” I muttered, trying to step past.

He shifted with me, blocking the way again. “No need to be cold, Natalia. I’m only looking out for you. You and I—we could rebuild the pack. Stronger. Smarter.”

I stiffened. “My only interest is protecting what's left of my people.”

His smile faltered, replaced by something darker. But he let me pass.

For days he haunted me—lingering touches, leering glances, veiled threats dressed as concern. I stayed near others, avoided being alone. But even predators grow bold when they think the prey is cornered.

He caught me on a quiet evening. I'd gone walking to clear my thoughts. Stupid mistake. He pinned me to a tree before I sensed his presence.

“Come on, Natalia,” he whispered, breath sour against my cheek. “You were bred to lead. But an Alpha needs a mate...and I’m the best choice you’ve got.”

I bared my teeth. “Touch me again and you’ll pull back a bloody stump.”

He laughed. Then I cursed him—every filthy, venom-laced word I knew. I saw the fury rise in his face, veins bulging.

“You’ll regret this,” he hissed. “I tried to be reasonable. But clearly, you need...correction.”

He vanished into the shadows, and dread coiled in my gut like a snake. James was dangerous. But not because he was strong. Because he was petty—and desperate.

Two mornings later, I was yanked from my bed by rough hands. My wrists and ankles were bound before I could shift. I fought, shouted, snapped—but the three wolves dragging me out never wavered.

James stood at the edge of camp, calm and smug. “I warned you,” he said, stepping forward. “You’re a threat to the order we need now. But don’t worry—I found someone very interested in taking you off my hands.”

“No.”

The word left me in a whisper.

He wouldn’t.

He couldn’t.

But he had.

He sold me to the Night Walkers.

The van door slammed shut before I could finish screaming.

---

The ride was endless. Every jolt reminded me of what I’d lost. Not just my pack—my purpose. I had been training to lead. Now I was shackled and traded like a bargaining chip to monsters.

When the doors opened, I was dragged into the Night Walker compound—a hellscape of snarling wolves and gloating jeers. They shoved me into a cold cell, slammed the iron door, and walked away laughing.

I curled into myself on the hard floor, heart pounding in my ears.

Not from fear—from rage.

James may have delivered me to my enemies, but this wasn’t the end.

They thought they’d broken me.

They were wrong.

Because I wasn’t done fighting.

And I hadn’t forgotten my oath.

One day, I would burn every last one of them to the ground.