Chapter 0003

Luc

I raise an eyebrow at her. "Did you see the rocks down there?"

"Yes." She turns to Orion, who stands by another window. "That's what she claimed. The tide isn't normally this low and..."

"If our timing isn't perfect, we die regardless." I click my tongue in disapproval.

"I realize how insane her plan sounds." Her eyes widen as she stares at me. "But do we truly have alternatives? The entire castle is surrounded by Silver Streams Pack members. I don't know what Thalia might convince them to do, and I'd rather not find out. We all understand that walking out the front door means certain death."

"If we allow her to live..."

"She makes a valid point," Theodore interrupts. "Any exit that leads to land will leave us vastly outnumbered. You said so yourself, Luc." He moves to the window and cautiously opens it. The roar of crashing waves fills the chamber. I notice the faint spark of recognition in Amelia's eyes at the sound. It was familiar to her, something she'd heard constantly while sleeping in this room.

"If we survive this, we could return to Obsidian Howl." Theodore continues, "We'd have numbers on our side. Athena is there. We have the Lycans and Wolves. We could devise a better strategy than hiding in this castle, waiting to die."

"If we pursue that option, would Orion and I be welcomed?" Indy asks softly. "I understand we're not from your pack. I don't know what it takes to become part of it. I just..." Her voice trails off as she glances at Orion. "We want a home. And that's where Julian is."

That wasn't a question I could answer. The decision wasn't mine to make, and I couldn't promise that Alexander or Athena would permit her to stay simply because I vouched for her. Theodore also hesitates to respond after the whole Jasmine situation.

Jasmine. I hadn't thought about her in some time. She claimed to be from Silver Streams, though she didn't know Julian. How was that possible, given Julian's position within the pack?

"What's that expression?" Indy asks. "Do you believe we won't be permitted to stay?"

"We can address that later," Theodore tells her.

"Different line of thinking," I murmur when she continues staring at me.

"Just say it! Athena won't want us there, will she?"

I lock eyes with her golden ones. She had similar eyes to Jasmine, but that was their only common feature. Surely they couldn't be another set of secret siblings? "Jasmine." Indy frowns. "It's Indy!" she snaps, tapping her chest. "Are you deliberately trying to provoke me?"

"No," I scowl. "There was another young woman named Jasmine who claimed to be from Silver Streams." The only truth she ever told, confirmed only by Zachary's rejection.

"I don't know any Jasmine." Indy turns to Orion, who shakes his head. "Are you certain?"

I nod.

"But no one ever escapes unless they're permitted to leave. No one. You've witnessed it. Orion and I have attempted countless times. You must be mistaken."

"Jump, jump, jump," Amelia mutters to herself.

"She didn't know Julian, but she was definitely from Silver Streams," I confirm.

"Everyone here knows Julian." Indy releases a heavy sigh. "If only he remembered everyone." "Levi held her captive. He told her stories about an Alpha Julian." Theodore mutters.

Indy snorts. "Julian is about as Alpha as my little finger. Don't misunderstand—sometimes you can sense power around him, but that was never his ambition. You must be wrong about this Jasmine person."

"She jumped. She jumped. Big waves." Amelia sings to herself while fiddling with trinkets on a shelf.

"Amelia," Theodore captures her attention. "Did you know a Jasmine?"

She smiles and nods. "Trapped and escaped." She points toward the windows. "I said jump."

If Jasmine had been imprisoned like Amelia, it would explain her strange behavior. She should have told us—she might still be alive today. Being held captive by Thalia and Serkan would also clarify why she didn't know Julian. Perhaps that's why she was with Levi. He got lucky when she appeared nearby, but being his prisoner was preferable to being with the Witches.

“Tenth bride’s the charm.” Julian mocked as the limousine halted before Silver Creek’s packhouse.

“Shut your mouth!” Sebastian snapped.

“Both of you, silence. Now.” Alexander’s voice cut through the tension. “Before you utter something unforgivable.”

‘He never learns.’ Titan, his wolf, grumbled internally.

The driver opened the door. “A moment. I need to speak with my men.” The door shut, sealing them in heavy silence.

“She’s different. Don’t address her. Don’t even look at her. And Julian—keep your hands to yourself. Or you’ll lose them.”

Alexander felt unusually unsettled. Athena wasn’t like the others. He couldn’t pinpoint why. Perhaps it was her lack of the arrogance he was accustomed to. But something about her called to him. Titan approved, more than he ever had with anyone else. He had to claim her.

“I mean it.” Alexander glared at Julian’s smug expression. “Being my brother won’t save you.”

Julian mimed zipping his lips shut.

They exited the vehicle. The three of them stood before the decaying packhouse, staring up at its imposing facade. Until a month ago, Alexander knew nothing of this pack. His single visit taught him one thing: Alpha Dominic was a fool.

His knuckles rapped sharply on the heavy door. It creaked open an inch before he shoved his way inside, forcing Beta Marcus to stumble back.

He spotted her immediately. Huddled behind a corner. “Are you ready?” he called out.

“If you’d like to—” Marcus began.

“I wasn’t speaking to you. I was addressing Athena.”

Beta Marcus’s face was a mask of shock. His jaw hung slack, eyes wide. Clearly, he was unused to being commanded, even by his own Alpha.

Athena emerged from her hiding spot. She clutched a nearly empty bag. Her teeth worried her bottom lip before she gave a slight nod.

“Where is the rest? I said pack everything.”

“That’s all she owns.” Dominic snorted, appearing from the shadows.

“This is it?” Alexander’s gaze swept over him. “These are her possessions? She’s in her twenties. This is all?”

“What more could she possibly need?” His Beta sneered.

Kill him. Let me tear out his throat. He’ll regret crossing us.

“What is the holdup?” A shrill voice echoed through the hall.

Alexander turned. A woman clung to a garish statue of herself at the foot of the stairs. Blonde waves framed her face. Her green eyes assessed him coldly as she swayed toward Dominic.

He’d seen Athena’s reaction yesterday when he asked about Dominic’s mate. Fear had radiated from her. She was terrified of this woman. He intended to discover why.

“Take her, Alpha Alexander. I’m sure she’ll be as useful a slave to you as she was here.” Her voice grated on his nerves. “Look at the stupid girl. She’s about to faint.” The blonde laughed cruelly.

“You will not speak of her that way again.” Alexander’s glare was icy. “She is not your toy. She is not your slave. Alpha Dominic, control your mate. My tolerance for disobedience is limited.”

“Disobedience!” the woman shrieked just as Athena collapsed to the floor. “How dare you! The only disobedient one here is that rat in the corner!”

Who does she think she’s calling a rat?

“Familiarize yourself with our agreement.” Alexander’s tone was sharp. “It seems your mate has been kept in the dark.”

He gestured to Sebastian, who produced a thick contract from a folder.

“All that for your help?” Dominic’s mate gasped.

“I don’t deal in half-measures.” Alexander took the contract and thrust it against Dominic’s chest. “Shall we proceed to the office?”

Dominic led the way, his mate clinging to his arm, Beta Marcus trailing. His men followed. Alexander stayed behind with his new mate.

“You may join us. You are part of this arrangement. Or wait in my car. Your choice.”

“Are those my only options?” she whispered, eyes downcast.

“For now. I suggest you join. I’d enjoy watching that woman’s frustration.”

Her blue eyes remained lowered, fingers tight around her bag. This close, her poor health was evident. Her heartbeat was faint, a struggling rhythm.

“Your decision?”

“I…” Her gaze flickered between the door and the office. “The office.”

“Wise choice.” He offered his hand. She ignored it, pushing herself up unsteadily.

He followed a step behind, noting the hostile glares from Dominic and the others as she entered the office.

“Sit.” He whispered, his hand brushing her lower back. She flinched, freezing in place.

Her eyes darted nervously. She shook her head.

“Sit.” He commanded, louder.

“She doesn’t have that privilege here!” the blonde snapped, amused.

“Sitting is not a privilege.” He growled, wondering what other cruelties they’d inflicted. He saw no bruises. A small relief.

It better stay that way.

The blonde recoiled, stunned into silence. “And I suggest,” Alexander locked eyes with Dominic, “you instruct your mate to remain quiet. Or I will silence her.”

“Alpha Alexander, you are in my home.”

“And you require my assistance, correct?”

The trio seethed. No one enjoys being commanded in their own domain, yet they subjected Athena to exactly that. He pointed to the empty chair between Sebastian and Julian. She finally sat.

“Let’s conclude this.” Dominic snapped. “The sooner she’s gone, the better.”

“Read the contract.”

“I agreed you could take her. That’s the deal.”

“Idiot.” Sebastian murmured. He knew better than to sign blindly.

They signed without reading, shoving the contract back. “Done.” Dominic muttered.

“Excellent. Remove her from my sight.” Dominic’s mate screeched.

Alexander would have preferred to simply take her and leave. But the contract ensured they could never reclaim her. Even if they begged.

He stood, offering his hand to Athena. “Come. We’re leaving this wretched place.”

Her warm fingers slipped into his. She rose, clutching her bag to her chest. She didn’t look back. Not once. It confirmed everything. Her hatred for them matched theirs for her.

She paused at the open door, her hand slipping from his. Her blue eyes widened at the sight of the limousine.

“Come.” He instructed.

Sebastian and Julian watched her curiously from behind.

Is she alright? Sebastian linked.

“Athena?” Alexander stepped in front of her. She was unresponsive, staring through him. “It’s time.”

“Okay.” Her lips barely moved.

She took a slow, deliberate step. Her hands gripped the doorframe, knuckles white. Her heartbeat accelerated. Her lips parted slightly. Her hand fell. Her eyes rolled back.

“I have you.” He caught her just before she hit the ground. Her body went rigid as he lifted her. She was shockingly light, weighing little more than a child.

Julian and Sebastian entered the car first. Julian raised a brow, a smirk playing on his lips as Alexander slid in with Athena on his lap.

“Not a word, Julian.”

He held her close, listening to her shallow breathing and slowing heart. He combed his fingers through her dark hair until she began to stir.

She jolted upright, pulling away, making herself small.

He didn’t force her. He focused on his Beta and brother, discussing pack matters, while stealing glances to ensure she was okay.

“Come.” The limousine stopped. He exited without waiting for the driver, offering his hand.

“I’m fine.” She finally spoke, avoiding his gaze. She shuffled toward the open door.

She stared up at his home, a small gasp escaping her. It was triple the size of Silver Creek. He hoped she could be happy here. That he could give her a better life.

“A tour.” He suggested, noting her tight grip on the bag.

She followed silently. He wasn’t sure if she heard a word he said.

“The omegas rotate. Teaches the young responsibility.” He showed her the dining hall with its long table.

They moved to the kitchen. He pointed to a board on the wall. “Add anything you need here. It will be ordered.”

Her brow furrowed. Still, she said nothing.

He picked up a pen. Perhaps he intimidated her. “Tell me what you need. You can’t live here with just that bag.”

Her stunning blue eyes scanned the room.

“Well?”

“I need nothing.” She whispered.

He sighed, scribbling a list. Underwear. Jeans. Workout clothes. Dresses. Shoes. Everything for the coming days.

He held the pen between his teeth, placing his hands on her waist. His thumbs met above her navel, his fingers touching her spine. She was far too thin. How had she survived?