KADE’S POV
I was walking through the narrow corridors of the pack house when a piercing scream halted my steps. My heart jumped in my chest. The sound was desperate, filled with pain and terror.
"What the hell was that?" I whispered to myself.
I followed the direction of the voice down a dark hallway I hadn't explored before. The screaming got louder as I moved closer. My hands were shaking as I approached what looked like a dungeon. The tiny room was tucked away in the corner, almost hidden from view.
I stopped outside the heavy wooden door. Should I go in? What if I was walking into trouble? My mind raced with questions, but another scream from inside made my decision for me.
I reached for the door handle when a voice stopped me cold.
"Disobey the Alpha once again and you will be made to join your silly parents in death!"
The words hit me like a punch to the gut. A shiver ran down my spine and I quickly stepped back. My heart was pounding so hard I thought it might burst from my chest. I hid behind a molded fence just as the door opened.
A tall man stepped out, his face twisted with anger. In his hand was a cane filled with thorns, blood dripping from the tips. I held my breath as he walked past me, his heavy boots echoing in the hallway.
"That should teach her some respect," he muttered as he disappeared around the corner.
I waited until I couldn't hear his footsteps anymore. The hallway was quiet now, too quiet. I stepped out from my hiding spot and walked back to the door.
"Hello?" I called out softly. "Is someone in there?"
No answer.
I knocked gently on the door. "Are you okay?"
Still nothing.
I was torn. Part of me knew I shouldn't be here. I was in this pack for a reason, and it wasn't to make friends. Our packs had been enemies for years. That's exactly why I was here – for alliance, but I couldn't just walk away from someone who might be hurt.
"I'm coming in," I announced.
I pushed the door open slowly. The room was dark and smelled like blood and fear. As my eyes adjusted, I could make out a figure huddled in the corner.
It was a woman, half-dressed and trembling. When she saw me, she gasped and tried to cover herself with torn fabric.
"Please don't hurt me," she whispered, her voice barely audible.
"I'm not going to hurt you," I said quickly, raising my hands to show I meant no harm. "I heard screaming. Are you injured?"
She stared at me for a long moment, her eyes wide with fear and something else I couldn't identify. Then she tilted her head slightly.
"Wait," she said, her voice getting stronger. "You're the Fenrir Prince?”
I nodded, taking note of how different her scent was. I wanted to ask her why she was in a tiny room like this and why she was tortured like that when she beat me to it.
She studied my face carefully. "Do you know my father, Thomas?"
The name hit me like lightning. Thomas. Where had I heard that name before?
"Thomas?" I repeated.
"Thomas, the former Beta of this pack," she continued, watching my reaction closely.
The name sounded familiar, but I couldn't place it. I shook my head slowly. "I'm not sure. Should I know him?"
Before I could say anything else, she grabbed my hand. The moment our skin touched, an electrifying jolt shot through my entire body. It was like nothing I'd ever felt before. My wolf stirred inside me, recognizing something I didn't understand.
"What was that?" I breathed.
She felt it too. I could see it in her eyes, the way they widened with shock and recognition.
"You have to leave immediately," she said urgently, still holding my hand.
"What? Why?"
She glanced around the small room in fear, as if someone might be listening. Her grip on my hand tightened.
"Because they plan to kill you," she whispered. "Leave now."
"Kill me? Who wants to kill me?"
"Alpha Darius."
My blood ran cold. "How do you know this?"
"Because I heard him talking to his guards. They want to prevent the prophecy, they believe you are here to make the prophecy come to pass.”
I stared at her in confusion, unsure of whether to believe her or not. I was warmly welcomed, even though I haven't seen the Old Alpha yet. He was the one I came here for.
"It's a trap," she continued, reading my thoughts. "They're letting you think you're safe while they execute their plan. Tonight, they plan to kill you."
"Tonight?"
She nodded and I stared at her, trying to process everything she was telling me. This woman, who I'd never met before, was risking her own life to warn me.
"Why are you telling me this?" I asked. "Why help me?"
She looked down at our joined hands, still feeling the electric connection between us.
"Because," she said softly, "I think you might be the one."
"The one what?"
Before she could answer, we heard heavy footsteps in the hallway outside. She dropped my hand immediately and pushed me toward the door.
"Go," she whispered urgently. "Go now before it's too late."
"But what about you? What will they do to you?"
"Don't worry about me. Just go. Please."
The footsteps were getting closer. I could hear voices now, multiple people heading our way.
I looked at the woman one more time. "What's your name?"
"Ivy," she whispered. "Now go!"
I nodded and slipped out of the room just as the voices reached the end of the hallway. I pressed myself against the wall, trying to become invisible as three guards walked past, their weapons drawn.