Kane’s POV:
There was one thing every wolf in Darkmoon knew: I was the strongest creature around, and the night belonged to me.
Cold wind rushed past me as I moved through the forest. This was the only time I was able to quiet the noise inside my head. I was almost done with my run and hunt when I heard a howl.
My eyes narrowed as I slowed down completely and turned towards the direction I had heard the howl in.
Rage rushed through me at the fact that I had been interrupted and my wolf snarled. I charged directly towards them, launching myself through the forest at full speed, branches snapped beneath my foot as the distinctive copper smell of blood filled the air.
But there was something else, something strange and somehow familiar. My wolf stirred as I rushed into the clearing and spotted the two wolves circling the girl.
She stood in the center, a silver dagger in her arms, and her eyes defiant even though she was cornered.
“Don’t come closer,” the human warned when I was done handling her attackers, her voice shook, but she did not lower the weapon.
I stared into her eyes and froze, because that was when recognition hit.
Nadia.
The wolfless girl, the daughter of Alpha Victor.
My wolf surged within me as her scent reached me. She was wild, she was impossible, and by the moon goddess, she was mine.
My jaw tightened as I took a step forward. Behind me, I could feel my wolves surging towards us. Just like I did, they must have heard the howls and roars of the rogue wolves.
I slapped the dagger out of her hand before she could even react, then, I grabbed her wrist and pulled her closer to me.
“Why,” I asked, “Do you smell like you belong to me?”
She replied by trying to struggle out of my grip, “Let me go,” she hissed,
But I was not about to do that. I nodded at my wolves as they walked into the clearing. They all stared, shocked at the fact that I allowed Nadia to struggle against my grip.
But I couldn't care less about what they thought now, my mind was only focused on one thing, her.
Why does the mere sight of her make my heart beat faster?
With a frown on my face, I turned around and began to drag her toward the forest path without a single word.
Nadia’s struggles intensified. “You can’t just kidnap me,” she screamed,
I said nothing as I led her straight towards the dark moon fortress. It was a huge looming town that was carved straight into the mountain. Guards manned the gates, and they all stepped aside as they saw me, but all their eyes widened when they spotted the struggling human girl behind me.
They bowed immediately, “Alpha King,”
The gates were opened, and inside my territory, every wolf who spotted the sight of me and Nadia immediately stopped whatever they were doing.
Nadia, completely covered in mud, did not even realize the glares she was getting. Instead, she was focused on staring daggers at me. The pack parted as I led her straight towards my palace.
I could already hear rumors and confusion spreading through the pack. I pushed open the stone doors of my palace because my guards were too stunned to, dragged her directly to my wing and threw her straight into a room adjacent to mine.
Nadia stumbled, but caught herself right before she fell.
“Are you insane?” she screamed the moment she got her bearings,
I chuckled, turned around and closed the door behind us.
Then, I released my aura. The moment I did that, the pressure of an alpha king filled the room and her body jerked violently.
Most wolves I knew would have dropped straight to their knees, but Nadia didn’t. Her legs shook, but she stayed standing. My wolf snarled within me and for the first time in forever, I felt my wolf stir with desire.
Mark her, claim her, now.
I forced the urge down, and took a step forward.
“Stop pretending,” I hissed, “I know you already know who I am. And I know who you are.”
Nadia’s brows furrowed, and she took a step back, her eyes now filled with fear.
“You are not a human ignorant of our world,” I continued, “Isn’t that right, Nadia, daughter of Victor,”
Silence filled the room as Nadia froze completely.
The fear she felt was now replaced with an emotion I had not expected, anger.
“What do you want, Alpha Kane?” she asked through gritted teeth,
Direct and bold. I liked that.
“Your father once did me a favor,” I said,
I paused as I saw pain flicker through her expression.
“I heard rumors that the alpha of your pack had changed hands. I guess the rumors are true then,” I continued, “Tell me, Nadia. How did he die?”
“My uncle slaughtered my father,” she paused, tears fell down her eyes and I watched her clench her fists in anger, “He did it with the help of the Crimson Castle,”
I nodded, “Just as I suspected,” then, I stopped as a thought crossed my mind, “I can keep you protected and give you the chance to carry out the revenge you seek.”
Nadia stared at me with raised brows and a suspicious gaze, “For what price?” she asked,
I smiled, walked towards her, and grabbed her hands before she could pull them away. Then, I leaned down and stared directly into her eyes, “You become my mate,”
Silence stretched between us as she processed my words, then, she chuckled before nodding, “Fine,” she whispered,
My wolf surged with anticipation and I leaned closer towards her, but as my ears reached her lips, she bit me, hard.
“I’d rather die than become anyone’s caged bird,” she hissed,
The pain was fleeting and light, my skin was far too hard for her teeth to break through, but I was still stunned.
Rage bubbled within me and my control snapped. I reached for her, grabbed her and dragged her straight into my chest,
Her scent hit me again, stronger, and far more overwhelming.
I glared down at her, a furious rumble building in my chest as our eyes locked in a breathless standoff. But as I stared into her gaze, the fierce battle raging inside me suddenly went still.
And in that moment, I knew one thing with absolute certainty.
Nadia belonged to me, and I to her.
This time, I did not try to resist.
I sank my teeth straight into her collarbone, and her body jerked violently as I marked her and tasted her blood.