Chapter 1 1. The Cruel Alpha

Raven's back slammed against the wooden chair as Alpha Boris loomed over her, his fingers digging into her jaw with bruising force. The pack's kitchen smelled of roasted meat and fresh bread, but all she could taste was bile as he forced her head back.

"No! I don't want it!" she snarled, her voice hoarse from days of forced obedience.

"Stop fighting, damn it!" Boris barked, his golden eyes flashing with irritation. "You should be used to this by now."

Behind her, Nema twisted Raven's arms behind her back, her nails biting into her skin. "Just give up," she purred, her breath warm against Raven's ear. "You're never going to win."

It was the same thing every day. The same torment that had been forced upon her since she was young. Boris's father had taken her, slaughtered her guardians, and turned her into nothing more than a slave. And now, his son continued the cycle, keeping her weak with wolfsbane.

"Open your damn mouth."

"Go to hell, Boris," she spat.

The slap came hard and fast, the impact ringing in her ears. Stars burst behind her eyes as her head snapped to the side, but she barely had time to register the pain before Boris fisted a hand in her hair, yanking her head back.

"You think you have a choice?" His voice was dangerously low, filled with a sick pleasure as he forced the bitter wolfsbane past her lips.

Raven choked, coughing as the poison burned its way down her throat. Every muscle in her body stiffened as the familiar sensation of weakness spread through her limbs.

Nema laughed, tilting her head mockingly. "How does it taste, gutter trash?"

And then, something happened.

A jolt of energy surged through her, slamming into her chest like a force of nature. The world around her blurred, the pain, the poison, all fading into the background as her gaze locked onto Boris.

Mate.

The word whispered in her mind, soft yet deafening. Her heart pounded violently against her ribs. No. No, no, no!

Boris stiffened, his body rigid, his breathing uneven. He felt it too.

"What?" he whispered, his voice laced with disbelief.

Raven swallowed hard, nausea rolling through her. This couldn't be happening. He couldn't be her mate. The moon goddess couldn't be so cruel.

Boris's shock was short-lived. His face twisted into rage, his grip tightening painfully.

"Reject the mate bond!" he roared, his voice shaking the walls. "Reject it now, or I swear I'll have you gutted where you sit!"

The pain in her chest was suffocating, but not from his grip. It was the mate bond, pulling at her, urging her to submit. But she would never submit to him.

With steady breath, Raven lifted her chin, her voice unwavering despite the agony tearing through her.

"I, Raven, reject the mate bond." The words felt like glass in her throat, but she forced them out. "I would never want to be with someone as evil as you."

Boris's nostrils flared, his rage palpable. "I would never want to be with a freak." His lip curled in disgust. "You don't even smell like a real wolf."

He stepped closer, his energy radiating hostility.

"I forever reject you."

Agony ripped through her like claws tearing through her soul. A sharp, guttural cry escaped her lips as the bond snapped, leaving behind a gaping, searing wound in its place. Across from her, Boris groaned, his own body trembling from the pain.

And then, just as quickly as it came, it was over.

Boris staggered back, his breathing heavy. He turned on his heel and limped out of the room.

"No..." Nema's voice was barely a whisper, her face frozen in shock. "No, you couldn't have been the Alpha's mate." Her chest rose and fell rapidly, panic overtaking her features. "You're just a dirty slave!"

Raven wiped the blood from her lip and met Nema's wild eyes with steel. "I'm not dirty," she said, voice raw but firm. "I'm good enough to be anyone's mate. And the moon goddess obviously thought I was good enough for Boris."

Nema's scream of rage echoed through the kitchen as her claws extended.

The first strike sent Raven sprawling to the ground.

The second drew blood.

She curled in on herself, shielding her head as Nema's attacks rained down. Raven wanted to fight back. She was a strong wolf, but the wolfsbane kept her muscles sluggish.

"Nema, stop..."

Another strike. Another kick to the ribs. Her world blurred between pain and exhaustion, her breaths coming in short and ragged gasps.

Finally, Nema pulled back, her eyes burning with fury. "You are never to look at Alpha Boris again," she hissed. "If I catch you, I'll claw your eyes out."

With one final glare, she stormed out of the kitchen, her footsteps echoing through the empty halls.

One by one, the other wolves followed.

Raven laid there, her body bruised, her heart aching from the fresh rejection. Her plan had been to test her escape route tonight.

She moved quickly through the dark, her heart racing. A few months ago, she had discovered secret tunnels while cleaning. One of them led outside the pack's borders, past Boris' territory.

She reached the tunnel entrance, hidden beneath the old storage shed. With one last look behind her, she slipped inside. The air was damp, the walls cold as she crouched and moved forward. If anyone caught her now, she was as good as dead.

"Next week, when the summer solstice comes, I'll do the moon ceremony to reject Alpha Boris as my alpha. Then I'll leave for good."

Without it, his Alpha command would still control her, pulling her back no matter how far she ran.

After what felt like forever, she reached the other side and pushed open the rusted hatch.

Fresh air hit her face and she was at least free for now.

The tunnel had led her right outside a dive bar that sat on neutral ground. It was one of the only places where different wolves could drink without pack laws getting in the way.

Taking a deep breath, she pulled her hood up and stepped inside.

She looked to her side and saw a man sitting at the bar, broad shoulders relaxed, his strong arms resting on the counter. His dark hair fell just past his shoulders, framing sharp features. Even sitting down, he radiated power. He was an Alpha.

Raven quickly looked away, searching for an open seat. The only one available was right next to him.

She had no choice, so she walked over and sat down.

"That's quite a bruise on your cheek," the man said, his deep voice cutting through the noise.

She stiffened. "It looks worse than it is."

"I don't think so." His sharp gaze studied her. "I know how hard someone has to hit to leave a mark like that."

His words made her uneasy. It felt like he could see right through her.

"You're an Alpha," she murmured.

He didn't deny it, just shrugged. "You're the only wolf I've ever heard say that like it's a bad thing."

"In my experience, Alphas care more about physical strength than anything else."

His eyes narrowed slightly, like he was both amused and annoyed.

"You may have a point," he said. "But I wouldn't say that out loud in most places."

Before she could respond, the bartender walked over. His expression soured the moment he saw her.

"If you're a slave, you can leave now," he said bluntly. "I don't want an Alpha coming here looking for you."

Raven clenched her fists. "I'm not a slave," she said. "I'm just here to rest."

The Alpha beside her didn't say anything, but his presence alone was intimidating enough to make the bartender back off.

Raven exhaled slowly. Then, her stomach dropped.

The scent of wolves filled the air. Not just wolves, but familiar wolves.

She turned toward the entrance, and her heart stopped.

Three men had just walked in. And they were wolves from her pack.

"Oh no. If they see me, I'm dead."

She ducked, panic rising in her throat. Boris would lose his mind if he found out she had snuck out.

"I need to get out of here," she whispered. "Will you stand up so I can sneak out the back?"

The Alpha followed her gaze to the men at the door. Then he looked back at her.

Without a word, he stood. His massive frame blocked her from view entirely. Then, he reached into his pocket, pulled out some cash, and tossed it on the bar.

"I'll do you one better," he said.

When they got outside, she had barely taken a breath of relief when, suddenly, he moved.

Before she could react, he spun her around and shoved her back against the rough brick wall of the alley.

"Who are you?" His voice was low and commanding. "Why were you running from those wolves? Are you a spy?"

"What? No!" she gasped. "I swear, I'm not a spy."

She tried to step away, but he was faster. He planted both arms on the wall behind her, caging her in. Her pulse raced. If he was a threat, she had nowhere to go.

"I... I know those wolves," she admitted, choosing her words carefully. "I'm not in a good situation at home, and I'm planning my escape."

Then the door to the bar swung open. An older couple stepped out.

Before Raven could react, the Alpha moved fast, pressing closer, his body shielding hers. "Don't move," he murmured, his breath warm against her temple.

His scent, sandalwood and pine wrapped around her. Her fingers clenched into fists as she forced herself to stay still.

The couple passed without a glance.

As the Alpha pulled back, his sharp eyes dropped to her collarbone. His brows furrowed.

He reached out, brushing her hair aside, revealing a fresh cut. His jaw tightened.

"Come with me," he said.

She hesitated.

"We need to talk. In private."