Nadia’s POV:
His words sent a shiver down my spine. Driven by pure defiance, I shoved Kane's chest as hard as I could.
Of course, it was like pushing a brick wall. He barely budged.
“Don’t touch me,” I snapped, glaring at him.
He tilted his head, his grip loosening just enough for me to slip away. The second I was free, I backed up until I hit the wall.
The sheer arrogance of his claim still burned in my chest.
“I’m not going to stop fighting you,” I spat. “If you’re expecting a submissive pet, you picked the wrong girl.”
Kane watched me with an infuriating calm.
“And another thing,” I continued, my anger boiling over. “Your psycho baggage almost got me killed!”
He raised an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at his lips.
“Psycho baggage?” he echoed.
“Yes!” I gestured wildly at the ruined doorway. “Your jealous ex just tried to rip my throat out!”
He stared at me for a beat, then let out a dark chuckle. “Her name is Lyra. And no, she’s not my ex.”
He leaned against the wall, clearly entertained by my meltdown.
That was the last straw. I grabbed a hardcover book from the nightstand and hurled it at his head.
He snatched it out of the air without breaking a sweat.
“Get out!” I screamed, chucking a ceramic cup at him.
He sidestepped it effortlessly. It shattered against the wall.
“Nadia.” He opened his arms, stepping forward.
“I said get out!” I launched a heavy clock at him. It sailed harmlessly past his shoulder.
He let out a tired sigh.
“You’re impossible.” He shook his head. Raking his gaze over me one last time, he turned and stepped through the busted doorframe.
“Good,” I hissed to his back.
He paused, kicking a splintered plank on the floor. “I’ll have someone fix the door,” he murmured. “Nadia, you aren't a prisoner. You’re free to roam the halls.” His tone was deadpan. “I said you can't leave the territory. Caging you would only make you weak—and that weakness would just get you killed.”
I frowned, caught off guard by his blunt logic.
“Get some sleep,” he commanded softly. “You’ll need it.”
And just like that, he vanished.
Hours crawled by. Sleep was a lost cause.
Something was horribly wrong with my body. At first, I chalked it up to a fever, but the burning heat wasn't normal.
A dull ache throbbed from the bite mark on my neck.
It started as a faint sting. Then, it grew. It clawed at my veins, spreading a crushing pressure across my chest.
“What the hell…” I rasped.
I pressed my palm to the wound. It wasn’t just pain. It was a tether. An invisible string dragging me forward. Every time I fought it, the agony spiked.
“Fine,” I grumbled, dragging myself out of bed. I stumbled toward the newly replaced door and yanked it open.
The corridor was pitch-black. The guards had dropped off dinner at sunset and left me alone. The invisible tether tugged harder with every step I took, pulling me out into the cool night.
A few patrol guards threw me confused glances, but nobody stopped me. I drifted deeper into the fortress until I reached a massive building. Strangely, the iron doors were unguarded.
The pull dragged me right toward the entrance.
Holding my breath, I pushed the heavy door open.
It was an indoor arena. And kneeling dead center on the floor was the last person I expected to see. Kane.
He was shirtless and hunched over. His hands clawed at the stone floor, his broad back trembling violently.
Shock rooted me to the spot, but instinct forced me forward to help. The raw agony on his face was terrifying. But then, I realized something crazy.
The closer I got to him, the more the burning pain in my chest faded.
His head snapped up. I shivered as those glowing eyes pinned me down.
“You shouldn’t be here,” he growled, his voice a raw rasp.
I flinched, realizing I had practically walked right into his arms. I pivoted to bolt, but froze when my eyes caught the mess on the floor.
Blood. Dark puddles stained the stone around his knees.
Fresh claw marks painted his shoulders and ribs.
“You’re bleeding,” I breathed, taking a cautious step forward. How had I missed that earlier?
“I’m fine,” Kane gritted out, throwing a hand up to stop me. “Stay back.”
He was clearly lying. I wasn't about to turn a blind eye. My conscience wouldn't let me abandon the guy who just saved my neck, even if he was an arrogant jerk.
“What the hell is wrong with you?” I demanded, closing the distance.
“The full moon is peaking,” he choked out.
“So what?” I asked, totally lost. Wolves embrace the lunar pull from birth. The moonlight was supposed to be a source of ultimate strength, not torture.
“I know you’re wondering why I claimed you as my mate. This is why.” Kane’s voice cracked with heavy strain. “I'm cursed. And without a mate, the moon tears me apart.”