POV: Rayna
The Alpha carried me in his arms like I weighed nothing, his steps steady and unbothered as he pushed into a large wooden lodge that smelled like cedar, warm bread, and pack energy. His home. His territory. Enemy grounds.
"Bring a towel and clean clothes for her," he ordered, voice sharp, commanding.
I sat on the couch pretending to be calm like I wasn't already planning three different escape routes.
A soft-faced girl h
"Here," she said gently. "You can change in that room over there."
"Thanks," I replied, quick and clipped.
Behind her sweetness, I could feel the weight of the Alpha's gaze tracking my every movement.
I stepped into the small guest room, locked the door, and changed quickly then slid my pocket knife from my boot and tucked it deep under my shirt sleeve.
They really thought a change of clothes would make me less dangerous. Cute.
When I stepped out again, I smoothed my hair back and forced a neutral expression.
"Thanks for the clothes," I said. "I'll take my leave now."
A few heads snapped toward me.
"You're not going anywhere," the Alpha said. "You don't even know how to control your shifts."
"And you're his mate. You can't just leave." The girl added softly.
Mate.
That word kept ringing in my skull like a curse I didn't ask for.
"I guess that leaves me with no choice," I murmured.
I pulled the knife.
And went for the door.
The Alpha was faster much faster. He caught my wrist mid-strike and twisted, but I used the momentum, flipping backward and kicking at his chest. He blocked, grabbed my ankle, and slammed me gently but firmly against the wall.
"Stop," he growled.
"Make me."
I slashed again. He dodged and swept my feet from under me. The impact rattled through my bones, and then-
Darkness swallowed me.
POV: Rowan
She woke before any of us expected jerking upright in the chair like a wild animal cornered. Even tied down, she radiated danger. Sharp eyes. Sharp breath. Sharp intent.
The ropes strained as she pulled, jaw tight, gaze locked on me like I was the monster in the room.
Maybe to her, I was.
"Who sent you?" I asked.
She didn't speak. Didn't blink. Just kept fighting the restraints as if sheer rage could melt them.
Something in my chest tightened.
She was beautiful in a lethal way.
And she hated me.
One of my warriors stepped closer. "Alpha, look at this."
He handed me the knife they'd taken off her.
A sleek, silver blade… marked by a single symbol etched into the steel.
The Sterling Mark.
My blood went cold.
"She's the Shadow Fang," Daven said, voice trembling slightly.
Murmurs rippled through the room.
The Shadow Fang an assassin whispered about in every territory.
A ghost.
A myth.
A weapon.
And now… my mate.
Rayna smirked, chin lifting with defiance.
"Took you all long enough."
My wolf snarled inside me not at her, but at the realization.
Magnus had sent my mate to kill me.
"She's here to kill you," Jax whispered.
"Yes," I said quietly. "She is."
Caden stepped forward, fists clenched. "She's a threat. We have to kill her."
"No." The word tore out of me before I could stop it.
"She's my mate. We are not killing her."
Asha moved beside me. "He's right. You heard him."
Caden scoffed. "So what? She tried to stab you, Rowan. Multiple times."
"So did most of you when you were learning to shift," I snapped. "She didn't even know what she was."
Rayna's eyes flickered hurt hidden fast, then covered with ice.
"What do we do then?" Mira asked.
Rayna finally spoke, her voice cold, steady.
"Mistwood will come for me if I don't return in 24 hours. Magnus doesn't like being disobeyed. So unless you want war, it's better to let me go."
My stomach twisted.
War was coming regardless.
Magnus wouldn't stop not when he believed he owned her.
"Well?" Bren asked. "What's the plan, Alpha?"
All eyes turned to me.
I stepped forward, crouching in front of Rayna.
Her scent hit me like wildfire stormy, fierce, familiar.
"Let her go," I said.
The room erupted.
"What?!"
"Alpha, you cannot-"
"She'll kill you the second you free her!"
I ignored them.
Instead, I leaned close, letting my voice drop so only she could hear.
"Cooperate," I whispered, "and I promise you won't get hurt."
Her eyes widened just slightly.
I cut the ropes myself.
We stood inches apart, mate-bond humming like electricity between us.
"You can't ignore the mate bond," I murmured near her ear.
She stiffened, refusing to show how it affected her.
"We're keeping her here," I announced.
"If Mistwood comes, we fight back."
"You're risking our lives because of her?" Daven barked.
"We're not risking anyone," I growled.
"She's been lied to, used, and weaponized. They didn't even tell her she was a wolf."
A shadow crossed her face.
Then, quietly, she spoke:
"Yes. Magnus lied to me. And I'll cooperate on one condition."
Caden bristled. "You have no right"
"Caden," I snapped. "Let her speak."
Rayna lifted her chin, eyes blazing.
"He's going to come for me. When he does, I want your help to kill him."
The room fell silent.
I didn't hesitate.
"Deal."
Caden rolled his eyes but said nothing more.
Rayna exhaled and leaned back slightly.
"Well," she said stiffly, "if I'm staying here, I think introductions are fair."
I gestured around the room.
"This is my sister, Asha."
Asha gave a warm smile.
"Mira."
A nod.
"Jax."
A small wave.
"Lyris."
The healer studied Rayna as if reading her soul.
"Bren."
A grunt.
"Daven."
A glare.
"And Caden," I finished.
He only crossed his arms.
Rayna looked around uncertain for the first time since she'd woken.
The killer sent to end my life.
The mate fate bound to me.
And the girl I was already willing to fight the world for.