Nadia’s POV:
Before I could even process the bite, Kane’s hand tightened around my waist, yanking me flush against his chest.
His gaze burned as he leaned down and did something that chilled me to the bone.
He kissed me.
When he finally pulled back, shock exploded through my body.
It was unlike anything I had ever felt.
Fire spread from my lips, racing through my veins like molten metal.
I had never been kissed. The sheer force of it made my knees buckle until darkness blurred my vision.
A broken gasp left my throat as the room tilted. But somehow, the panic twisted into an emotion I thought I'd never feel again. Security.
I felt safe.
My body trembled, yet a strange calm settled in my chest. Kane’s grip steadied me before I hit the floor. His gaze—darker now with primal lust—shifted from my face to the fresh wound on my neck. A flicker of conflict crossed his features.
Then, as if restraining himself, he pulled away. We broke apart, breathing heavily in the charged silence. Heat crept up my neck. For a heartbeat, his gaze lingered on my lips before his jaw clenched tight.
"You will remain here," he ordered, his expression turning to stone. Left without his support, my legs gave out. I staggered backward, catching myself against the wall to stay upright.
"Lucky me," I whispered, trying to steady my racing pulse.
I knew his reputation. Now that I was in his territory, walking away without a plan was impossible.
Kane straightened his coat, ignoring my sarcasm. “From this moment on, you are my mate.”
I flinched at the word, glancing at the heavy bars on the windows.
“Right,” I muttered under my breath. “A mate under house arrest.”
He didn’t deny it.
“At least here, no one can hurt you,” he pointed out, a harsh reminder of my reality. Before I could argue, he turned toward the door.
He pulled the oak door open, revealing several warriors standing guard in the hallway.
Kane addressed them, his tone heavy with authority. “She is an important guest.”
His gaze swept over the men. “I don’t want to hear any rumors reaching the other packs. Understood?”
The guards bowed instantly.
A wave of whispers broke out as every pair of eyes darted from their Alpha to me, zeroing in on my neck.
“Goddess…” “He marked her!” “Why would he claim a human?” “That's impossible…”
The gossip rippled through the crowd, but Kane made no move to silence them.
If anything, his posture relaxed, wearing the scandal like a badge of honor. I drowned out the noise, watching him walk away. He didn't spare me another glance.
The second he vanished, the room grew cold.
The next few minutes were a blur. For the first time in days, I was completely alone.
I locked the door and crawled onto the mattress. As the silence settled in, my iron grip on my emotions slipped. The dam broke, and I burst into tears.
I wept silently, haunted by the final image of my father—mauled and torn to pieces by his own brother. I had shoved the memory down, but now that the adrenaline was gone, the grief swallowed me whole.
I was so lost in the pain that I didn't hear the footsteps.
The door burst off its hinges as a woman stormed inside. She was a terrifying sight.
Silver hair cascaded down her back, and her eyes burned with rage.
I had no clue who she was, but her glare screamed trouble.
She looked me up and down, taking in my dirty clothes and bare feet. Disgust curled her lip.
“So,” she sneered. “This is the human he chose? This trash?”
Before I could retort, she lunged. I barely registered the movement before she slammed me against the wall. The impact nearly cracked my spine.
Her hand wrapped around my throat, lifting my feet off the floor.
Pinned effortlessly, I watched in horror as her fingernails elongated, sharpening into deadly claws. The tips pierced my skin, and warm blood trickled down my neck.
Lyra smiled at the sight of my blood.
“You're wolfless,” she hissed, genuine surprise flashing across her face before twisting into contempt.
“That makes you worse than a human. You're nothing. Why would he choose you?”
Her grip tightened until black spots danced in my vision.
“With just a little push,” she whispered, “I could snap your neck.”
My lungs burned for air.
Still, I refused to beg. Even as agony tore through me and tears pricked my eyes, I glared back.
My earlier tears were born of grief; these were dragged out by sheer pain.
Lyra’s gaze narrowed.
“Still defiant?” she mocked. “Pathetic.”
Then, I felt him. I didn't know how, but I sensed his presence.
Before I could blink, a loud crash echoed through the room. The crushing grip on my throat vanished.
I slumped, looking up just in time to see my attacker fly across the chamber like she’d been hit by a freight train.
She slammed into the doorframe with enough force to shatter the stone.
Hitting the floor, I gasped greedily for air.
Heavy footsteps approached.
Kane.
But instead of his usual indifference, his eyes blazed with a fury far darker than mere anger.
He gave me a curt nod, satisfied I was alive, then turned his attention to the intruder.
Striding over, he grabbed the back of her neck.
With one brutal yank, he lifted her like a ragdoll and smashed her through the ruined doorway.
More debris cracked under the impact.
Lyra shrieked as blood trickled from her ears.
Cut off by her scream, Kane unleashed his crushing aura.
She dropped to her knees, shaking with absolute terror.
For the first time in my life, a werewolf looked pathetic.
When Kane spoke, his voice was pure ice.
“From this moment on, anyone who touches my mate…” His eyes flared with lethal intent as he stepped closer. “…dies.”
Lyra turned sickly pale.
Scrambling backward on her hands, she hauled herself up, shot me a venomous glare, and bolted.
The sudden silence felt unreal.
Kane turned and crossed the room. Before I could blink, he scooped me off the floor.
My head spun. Something foreign stirred in my chest.
No one had ever stepped up to protect me like that.
My heart fluttered for an entirely different reason, and panic set in. I shoved against his chest.
“I don’t need—” I tried to pull away, but his arm tightened around me.
He yanked me flush against his body.
“Nadia.” My name rolled off his tongue with a fierce possessiveness that made me shudder.
His tone left no room for argument.
“You better get used to my protection.”
My pulse raced.
His grip tightened.
“Because in this life,” he murmured, holding my gaze, “escaping isn't an option.”