Chapter 4

My eyes opened and for a moment, all I could see was darkness and what appeared to be stone. The moment is gone because flashes of the last few hours come back to me and I remember the Mating Ball, Blake attacking me and running away only to get caught in a trap— oh no. I sit up in panic and look around in fear, realizing that I am in a dark, dimly lit dungeon. Despair clenches at my heart and my throat. Had I been captured again? Did Blake catch up to me? Did he do what he promised to do? Am I back in that hellish place again? No! I can't. My arms immediately wrap around me, hugging myself tight as I start to shake with panic. Through all this, I almost didn't notice my wolf continuously trying to comfort me. ‘Alysia, it's okay.' Molly reassures softly in my mind. ‘Don't panic. Just stay calm. We're not back there. Look. See? Your wound has been treated.' I look down at my feet, carefully covered in bandages and healing ointments. She's right. This couldn't possibly be Blood Moon Pack. ‘They would never heal us.' She pointed out. ‘That's something they would never do so we're not there. We're not taken by Blake or your father.' The tightness in my chest ceases just a little. ‘Thank you, Molly. I just never want to go back there.' ‘And we never will.' She comforted me, knowing everything that we've been through. Just then, the steel cell door creaks open, making me jump up and pressed against the corner, utterly terrified once more. I cowered away, preparing for the worst, but a torch light shines upon those that entered the cell and I do not recognize them— they weren't from my old pack and they smelled completely different. Relief washes over me instantly. I might not know where I am and what pack territory I stumbled into but at least it wasn't the Blood Moon Pack. At least it wasn't Blake and my father. "Rogue." The man in front states in a cold but not at all condescending tone— a tone I have long been accustomed to. "Come," Two hands grabbed me by the shoulder and guided me out of the cell. "Where are you taking me?" I found myself asking, watching us go through several other cells and dark corridors. The man leading turns back to glance at me for a moment. "To the interrogation room." Interrogation room… Wait. That means… that means! ‘They want to know where we came from.' Molly tells me quickly as we look around. Yet again, my insides twist. ‘They can't know we're from the Blood Moon Pack. If they find out, they'll return us to my father!' I bite my lower lip as we make it to the interrogation room where the man in front sits himself down in front, surrounded by other werewolves. The ones holding me sit me across from them, a mere table keeping us apart. The door closes behind me and the questions start coming. "Who are you?" "What's your name?" "Where did you come from?" "Why did you cross pack territory?" On and on it went, questions followed by more questions that wouldn't stop coming. "Tell me where you came from." "What is your name?" "Are you a member of another pack? Which pack is it?" "Are you a rogue?" "What business do you have here?" They kept their distance from me but I can tell they are losing patience as I keep my mouth shut with my head lowered in submission. I didn't dare say a word even when they pressed and pushed. If they find out the truth, if they find out who I am and where I came from, they'll present me to my tormentors and I will likely face even more punishment than I usually get. "Tell us who you are." The man leading the interrogation stood and hovered above me. It is obvious that he is of a higher rank than everyone else. I could feel his commanding presence choking at my throat. "You trespassed into our territory in the dead of night. Tell me why." I wish I could say something but no words came. All I knew was, I would die before they send me back there. I would rather die than endure that life once more. "This is your final chance. Tell me." The man demanded through gritted teeth. And as much as I was afraid of him and his pack, I was more afraid of where I came from… of my father… of Blake and my sister. So I kept my mouth shut and only lowered my head more. With a final defeated sigh, the man sitting across from me stands up and crosses his arms. "Alright. If you don't want to talk, you give me no choice but to call our Alpha and let him handle you." I feel my heart clench painfully in my chest at the mention of Alphas. I do not have good experiences with them. I am almost sure this won't be much different. "I warn you. He is not forgiving when it comes to trespassers. And he hates rogues the most." Something in his tone made me believe I was going to die soon. But he's right. To them I'm just a rogue and their Alpha has every right to kill me because of it. They leave me alone in the interrogation room with nothing but a small lightbulb lighting my surroundings. I keep my head down while playing with my hands that rested on my knees. The wait for the Alpha felt endless with every second stretched into an eternity. Waiting felt worse than it should knowing an Alpha is coming with a punishment or death no doubt in my future. On one hand I wish he never comes. But then I am almost ready to simply accept my fate and get it over with. At least that's what I tell myself before I start approaching footsteps. It is heavy, purposeful and even with just a few steps I could tell his power. My heartbeat quicker, my breathing grew shallow. ‘Nothing is going to happen.' Molly whispers, sounding different as if distracted by something. ‘I have a feeling that not all Alphas are the same. Some might be nice. Some might have a better future for us.' ‘I highly doubt that.' At this point, hoping and praying for something better than the truth is just foolish. The door opens and the Alpha steps into the room. I turned and froze. Standing at an imposing height, the Alpha is the embodiment of raw power and effortless dominance. Muscles ripple beneath his bronzed skin, every movement exuding an unshakable confidence that demands obedience. His face is a sculpted masterpiece— sharp, angular cheekbones, a strong, square jawline, that speaks of unspeakable danger. His piercing eyes, a striking shade of molten gold, hold an intensity that could see through anyone's soul. They glow faintly, even under the dark room, reflecting the beast within. Thick, dark brows frame them, often furrowed in contemplation or narrowed in warning. His full lips, perfectly shaped yet curved into cruel frowns. A faint shadow of stubble dusts his jaw, adding to the rugged, untamed appeal that sets him apart from mere men. His raven black hair, slightly tousled yet effortlessly perfect, falls just past his ears. But it wasn't just his beauty that made me stop and stare. No. It is because this handsome man, this powerful being is my mate. In an instant, all my fear and uncertainty vanished, replaced by hope and joy and wonder. My vision blurs with unshed tears, utterly happy. This… this was fate's greatest gift. After all that pain and suffering. My mate is finally here. Molly lets out a howl of joy— a sound she has never made before. This was it. From this moment on, our nightmare is finally over. Or so we think.