Kaya woke to the scent of damp stone, pine smoke, and something darker — blood and dominance. Her head throbbed where she'd been struck. Silver cuffs bound her wrists to a metal chair in what looked like an underground holding cell. Torchlight flickered on rough-hewn walls. Pack den.
The door creaked open.
Thorne stepped in alone, carrying a folded blanket and a metal tray with water and bread. He'd changed into a black t-shirt that stretched across his chest and dark cargo pants. He looked... tired. Older than she'd first thought, maybe thirty-five, with faint lines around his eyes.
He set the tray down and crouched in front of her, golden eyes searching her face.
"You're dehydrated," he said. "Drink."
Kaya turned her head away. "Uncuff me and I'll think about it."
A muscle ticked in his jaw. "You killed a pack member. You're lucky you're still breathing."
"Lucky?" She laughed bitterly. "He attacked me. I was defending myself."
"You were on our land without permission. That's punishable by death for rogues." His voice was flat, but something stormy moved behind his eyes. "But you're my mate. That changes things."
The word hung heavy between them.
Kaya's stomach twisted. "I reject you."
Pain lanced through her chest — sharp, physical, like someone had driven a knife between her ribs. Thorne flinched at the same moment, a low growl rumbling from his throat.
"You can't," he said through clenched teeth. "Not properly. Not until the bond is complete or severed by death."
"Then kill me and be done with it."
His eyes flashed dangerously. "Don't tempt me."
Silence stretched. Rain drummed overhead, muffled by layers of earth and stone.
Finally, he reached for the cuffs. Kaya tensed, ready to fight, but he only unlocked one wrist — enough to let her reach the water. Then he re-cuffed it.
"Drink," he ordered again, softer this time.
She did, because her throat felt like sandpaper. The water was cold and clean. She hated that it tasted good.
"Why suppress your wolf?" he asked suddenly. "I can feel her — strong, wild. But you've buried her deep. Why?"
Kaya set the cup down hard. "Because packs are poison. Because the last one I belonged to tried to kill me when I was sixteen. Because freedom is worth more than any bond."
Something dark flickered across his face — recognition, maybe. Or guilt.
He stood abruptly. "You'll stay here until the full moon council. They'll decide your fate."
"And you?" she challenged. "What do you want, Alpha?"
He paused at the door, back to her. "I want the curse breaking," he said quietly. "And the Moon Goddess seems to think you're the key."
The door slammed shut behind him.
Kaya stared at the empty space he'd left, her free hand pressed to her chest where the bond pulsed like a second heartbeat.
She was in deep, deep trouble.