My head pounds as I wake. Heavy chains bite my wrists in a pitch-black cell. I'm far from New York. I thrash against my shackles.
"Don't struggle."
A low, unplaceable voice rolls out of the darkness like thunder before a storm. If only I knew how real that storm would soon become. A clash of kinds...with me at its center.
*One Day Earlier*
WHAM! I get slammed against a brick wall by three sweaty creeps.
"Where is it, you little bitch? I know you have it."
"I already told you. I didn't take your stash."
The lowlife snarls, lifting me higher up the wall.
"Maybe we'll do a strip search. Just to be safe." He grins mischievously.
I slam my knee into the man's gut, and he drops me. The other two lunge, but I serve them each a clean kick to the face.
"Agh! How did you—?!"
"Sorry, boys, I only teach self-defense on Tuesdays. But I'll take this as a down payment."
I wink and brandish their stolen stash: several vials of deadly wolfsbane.
"GET HER!"
The men give chase, and I take off down the block. I skid into a manhole only big enough for me. With a cocksure grin, I land deftly in an abandoned subway tunnel. But one of my pursuers shifts, lunging at me with lycan claws.
"DOWN"
My father's booming Alpha command shakes the tunnel. The wolf slams into the concrete against his will, yelping in pain.
"(Y/N). What did I tell you about doing jobs alone?"
"I had it handled, Dad."
"Handled? Don't make me laugh. You can't even shift yet."
I open my mouth to argue, but he cuts me off by holding out his hand. I give him the stolen stash.
"I just want to keep you in one piece, You're my—"
"Your only daughter. I know."
He smirks and ruffles my hair, forcing a smile to my lips.
"Go home. I'll come find you when I'm done with this."
On a heavy sigh, I walk away. But as soon as I round the corner, I pull something from my pocket: One remaining vial of woflsbane.
Sorry, Dad. But I need to save up and get out of your black-market operation. I can't stand being caged up like—
Suddenly, a heavy sack is shoved over my head, blinding and suffocating me. I claw at it, kicking and screaming, but it's no use. Something hard slams against the back of my skull...and I pass out. In the swirling haze of my unconsciousness, a woman's voice trickles in. Somehow, it feels familiar...
"...(Y/N)..."
When I finally open my eyes, I'm no longer in New York. I'm in a dark, damp prison cell, chained to the wall by thick iron manacles.
"No. This can't be happening."
I thrash against my bonds, trying to rip the very chains from the stone.
"Don't struggle."
I freeze at the stern command that rolls out of the darkness on a smooth, low Korean accent.
"Yeah, right. You think I'm going to cooperate? Make this easy for you?"
I tear at my chains again. But only for a fraction of a second. With lightning speed, a storm of a man lunges from the shadows, halting me with a fierce grip on my wrist.
"I told you. Don't struggle."
He pulls my arm closer, his sharp eyes as silver as the moonlight that illuminates his virile body.
*SILVER EYES*
"I don't take orders from you."
"No, you don't. But you do want to fight your way out of here."
It's only then that he slowly, almost softly, thumbs away a trickle of blood from my wrist.
"You'll have an easier time at that if your wrists aren't broken."
I turn and look up at him then. At the cryptic mark burned into his neck...at the steadiness of his metallic stare... A power pulses through him. It's like a churning sea, stronger and deeper than anything I've encountered before.
"Who are you?" I ask.
"That isn't important right now."
"Says the man who isn't chained to the wall."
"I didn't do this to you, (Y/N)."
"If you know my name, you sure as hell better tell me yours."
His eyes flash at my stubbornness, deep and penetrating. After a long moment, he answers.
"...It's San."
He rises, his body casting a towering shadow over mine as he looks toward the door.
"We don't have much time. If you value your life, you'll cooperate from here on. Be smart about what you demand."
"I will cooperate when I'm treated with dignity.
I rip at my chains once more, ignoring the stinging pain.
"STOP."
His words reverberate in my core as his eyes flare silver once again, giving me an Alpha's command.
"Please. If you just get these cuffs off me and look the other way, I'll slip out unseen. No harm, no foul."
I hold my shackled wrists out to San. The silver in his eyes dims, replaced by a look of shock.
"How are you...? You shouldn't be able to move. I have you an—"
"An Alpha's command that should paralyze me? Nice try, but those have never worked on me."
San looks me up and down, his mouth parted, as though he's never seen anything like me.
"There isn't a shifter alive who can simply ignore an Alpha's command."
"What? My father said it was common."
His expression grows dark at the mention of my father. He takes a step toward me.
"That man is—"
But before he can finish, distant footsteps echo above, growing closer and closer.
"Remember what I said, (Y/N). Cooperate. For your own good."
"Wait—"
With all the stealth of a nocturnal predator, San slips back into the shadows. Two guards burst in and drag me out of the dungeon. I'm forced up what feels like a thousand stairs before arriving at a cavernous great hall.
Is this...a castle?
Vines curl over ancient runic carvings, dripping down toward a large stone throne at the center. There, standing beside the throne, is a woman with an expression colder than any winter.
"Welcome, (Y/N). We've been expecting you."
"Really? I wish I could say I'm flattered."
The woman's lip curls in a sneer as she looks me up and down.
"You were right. She does have quite the mouth on her."
"Well, Roslyn, she was raised by me."
My father's familiar voice cuts through the room, nearly cracking me in half.
"...Dad?"
He emerges then, ambling toward me with an expression I've never seen: a wide, sharp-toothed grin.
"Welcome to Seoul, (Y/N). You always did want to see the world."
"I trust the price for her is satisfactory?" Rosyln asks with a smirk.
The word "price" makes my blood run cold. I turn to my father.
"You did this? You're...you're selling me?"
"Of course. After all, you were never really mine. You were just stolen good, like everything else I traffic."
His words hit me with more force than any blow. My stomach twists into knots.
"No...I'll kill you for this." I growl.
"Empty words from a little piece of cargo, now ripe enough to sell to the highest bidder."
Hyunjin traces a finger over my bruised wrists, his gold grin growing wider.
"I'm sure the Alpha King will have lots of fun with you now that you're of age, (Y/N)."
"The...what?"
Suddenly, the heavy doors swing open behind me. Everyone freezes as a formidable presence sweeps through the throne room.
"Has my little package arrived?"
What did he just call me?
The hulking stranger saunters slowly toward me, taking his time, his unreadable smile not reaching his black eyes.
I've heard whispers in the underground. Of an Alpha who rules over all others. Who reigns over every pack in the world...
His power sweeps over me. It is churning and potent...identical to San's. Then, one by one, everyone in the room bows low. The only two left standing are him...and me.
"So, you must be (Y/N). Tell me, is this how you greet your king and Alpha? Or have you simply forgotten how to move?"
The room rumbles with laughter. I return his threatening glare.
"I see no king and Alpha here."
"Is that so? Well, I could demonstrate my power in a tactile way..."
He stalks closer, a cool smile playing over his cocky words.
"Or you can be a good girl...and get on your knees. Bow to me."
This man bought me. He thinks he can do whatever he wants to me.
With precision and speed, I drop to the floor and sweep my leg out, smashing into the man's stance. His knees buckle, and he hits the floor. Everyone in the room gasps.
"What the hell do you think you're—"
"You were so gracious to teach me how to bow, My Lord. I appreciate this thorough demonstration."
With a blood-curdling growl, the king leaps to his feet. He stands over me, his incredible power radiating like a furnace.
"Seems you have quite the fire in you. That's good. I'll enjoy snuffing it out."
"Go to hell, you fucking—"
He grabs my chin and squeezes hard.
"It's clear you still have some manners to learn before I mate you."
He pulls me closer and kisses my bruising cheek.
"But don't worry, love. I'm an excellent teacher."
"Let her go, Yeosang."
Everyone in the room turns and whispers as the man from the dungeon storms into the room, his expression lethal.
"And why should I do that, brother?"
San and Yeosang. They're—they're brothers?
"Have you already grown fond of what doesn't belong to you?"
"I will die before I belong to you." I grit my teeth.
"That will be arranged if you don't hold your tongue."
Yeosang's words are hot and dangerous against the shell of my ear. His hand travels down to my throat.
"I won't say it again. Let her go." San growls.
"And I won't ask again. Why?"
All the air in the room seems to thin as San glares daggers at Yeosang. He stalks closer.
"Because it taints our late father's throne. Because it is no way to treat your future queen... Because it's pathetic."
"Pathetic?"
Yeosang throws me to the ground, his eyes flashing ruby red. He hurls himself at San—
"Enough," Roslyn commands.
Yeosang freezes, a mere inch from striking San. But San doesn't flinch. They stare each other down for what feels like forever. Finally, Yeosang drops his fist with a theatrical sigh.
"Yes. Enough. Wouldn't want to waste energy on the likes of you when I have so much planned for my new bride."
"Your plans can burn in hell with you." I spit.
"What was that?"
Yeosang turns to me slowly, venom dripping from his every word.
"You heard me."
"Mmm. I'm going to enjoy breaking you in." Yeosang grins.
San bares his teeth in a silent snarl at Yeosang's sinister promise.
"Don't worry, Your Highness. She's all bark and no bite. Just like her real father."
Hyunjin's words thrum against my very bones. I shake with fury as he slowly circles me.
"And her mother... Oh, her mother..."
Suddenly, I feel something wet and sharp in my pocket.
The vial of wolfsbane. It must have broken when I fell.
Hyunjin bends down, taking me by the hair and yanking me up to face him.
"I can still remember the smell of her mother. The way she fought me..."
I grit my teeth as the man who raised me takes a long, torturous whiff of my neck.
"You look so much like her, little girl."
I spot a door over Hyunjin's shoulder. A way out. I reach into my pocket and grip the broken vial.
"You have no right to talk about my parents, Hyunjin. And you never will again."
I pull the broken vial from my pocket and stab it into Hyunjin's neck. Everyone panics as I shove the poisoned glass deeper and deeper into his jugular. Everyone except for San and Yeosang. Stock still amidst the chaos, the brothers meet my eyes. San gleams with admiration...while Yeosang roils with Rage. Hyunjin gurgles, clawing at me feebly. I whisper into his ear.
"There's a lot I'd like to say to you. But let's leave it at...die slowly. And with every pang of agony remember: You won't spend a dime of the money you made off me."
I shove him, and he staggers back, the deadly poison coursing through his purpling veins.
"You...little...bitch!"
"Seize her!"
Coming to his senses, Yeosang orders a dozen guards to capture me. But I have one more trick up my sleeve. I smash the remaining fragment of the vial into the ground, releasing the toxins into the air. Everyone recoils as I hold my breath and sprint for the nearest exit. I burst through the door and find myself in a dense kitchen filled with servants. They stare at me in shock. I grab the blade on the counter and slice through a sack of flour just as several guards spill into the kitchen. A plume of white dust blinds them. I bolt into the hall. Hundreds of footsteps echo around me, as though coming from every direction. I back up, uncertain of what to do or where to go. Suddenly, a strong hand claps over my mouth. I try to swing my knife, but my wrist is caught in an iron grip. a grip I recognize.
"Don't."
San?
He pulls me against his body, tucking me into a dark corner as dozens of guards sprint past.
"Are you hurt?"
His voice is husky against my ear, bursts of hot breath fanning over my neck.
"I'm fine. This is nothing."
"I'd hardly call it that."
His fingers rake over my shoulders, as though pulling the truth of how I feel to the surface.
"Why is this happening? I'm no one. Why would your brother want me of all people to be his—"
"Because. You're not 'no one,' (Y/N). You're—"
San's words are cut off by the harsh click of a cocked gun. Right at the back of his head.
"Turn around. Slowly."
More guns click and swords ring as they're pulled from their sheaths.
"Trust me."
San whispers only loud enough for me to hear. Then, he digs his fingers into my arms, turning me harshly to face the guards.
"Honestly, I expected more from you all. Letting this weak little twig get so close to assassinating your king."
He grabs me by my hair, tugging it back with just enough force to sell his act.
"I'll take her to my brother myself. Since I can't trust any of you with the job."
Most of the men hesitate, lowering their weapons. But the closest guard glares daggers at San, shoving the gun in his face.
"You expect us to trust you, Saekki?"
San flinches at the word as though it cuts him. Remembering all of the tricks I've learned on the streets, I whimper and reach for the guard.
"Please. Please, help me. This man is a monster!"
My wide, glassy eyes bore into the guard's. He swims in my gaze...and his weapon begins to tremble.
"Please, sir! Don't let him take me! PLEASE!"
I lunge for the guard, and he staggers back. San pulls me back into his arms.
"Shut up. These men can't save you now."
The guard lowers his weapon then, turning to his men.
"It seems this matter has been...handled. Back to your stations."
The army of guards retreats into the distance. As soon as they're gone, San releases me.
"That was quite the performance."
"I could say the same for—"
But I can't finish my sentence. A terrible pain rockets from my hand, up my arm, burning me from the inside.
"What's wrong?"
San looks at my hand, spotting a small cut on my palm.
"That glass vial. It must have cut you and—"
The blinding pain takes hold, washing away anything else. The room goes white...and then there is nothing.
"...(Y/N)..."
The woman's voice falls over me again like a gentle rain. I want to go to her.
"(Y/N)."
My name rolls off of San's tongue with his low, Korean brogue, pulling me back. When I wake, I find myself lying on a plush mattress in an opulent bedroom. And San hovers over me, the weight of his powerful body just inches from pressing down upon me.
"Wh-what are you doing?" I ask.
"I brought you back here. Gave you an antidote."
My body throbs with the aftermath of the poison. San's eyes grow stern.
"You almost died. What were you thinking using something as dangerous as that vial as a weapon?"
"Why do you care? I'm just cargo, remember? Just something for your sick brother to buy."
I expect my words to cut him. To get him to back off. But San doesn't move.
"You're not cargo, (Y/N). Not to him and not to me. What you are is a daughter of True Mates. The first True Mates to surface in hundreds of years."
"I'm...what?"
San's words leave me numb. He moves closer to me, pressing me deeper into the mattress.
"When two shifters' souls bond, they become True Mates. They feel each other's pain, know each other's thoughts..."
"That sounds impossible."
"It's not impossible. But it is rare. So rare that many thought it was just a myth. Until your parents came to be. Morgan and Bang Chan of the Far West."
I shake my head, shock and confusion replacing the pain I once felt. San closes the gap between us then, wrapping his hand around the back of my neck.
"Listen. You are the child of True Mates, (Y/N). God only knows what power lies dormant within you. My brother bought you to use that power. To inject it into his bloodline, no matter the cost."
I stare at San, my mind racing.
"And what about you? What do you want with me?"
San opens his mouth to respond, but the door slams open.
"And here I thought you'd grown out of stealing my toys, brother."
San stiffens above me as Yeosang stalks into the room, a bloody grin plastered on his face.
"Yeosang. This isn't—" San goes to speak, but is cut off by Yeosang.
"Tell me, (Y/N). When the Alpha King's mate is found in bed with another man... What do you think her punishment should be?"