Chapter 02

This was her fate. There was no turning back.

Zayne led the way with big, forceful strides. Luka walked just behind him, his gaze occasionally returning to Xara with a knowing look, as if he was playing a mental game with her. Rowan followed silently in the background, his presence uncomfortable, barely discernible yet impossible to ignore. The three of them moved like predators, with motions too quiet for men their size, leaving Xara feeling like prey caught in their trap.

The dense undergrowth made it difficult for Xara to keep up. Her legs, already twitching from nervousness, pained with every step. She had never ventured this far into the wilderness before, and the strange terrain had her stumbling over roots and rocks. Her scarf offered little protection from the harsh cold, and her small shoes were unsuitable for the uneven terrain.

Nonetheless, she moved forward, driven by a combination of fear and curiosity. What awaited her on the Savage Blood Pack territory? The things she'd heard painted a grim picture of a world full of violence, darkness, and death. The pack was feared by everyone, including the other wolves. But there was something else, unspoken, that hung in the air like a threat.

Will she share the same fate as the other brides? Would she vanish, surrendering to the triplet Alphas' ravenous appetites?

The thought made her stomach turn, and she stumbled over a gnarly root. She gasped as she fell, her hands catching themselves on the uneven woods floor, dirt and leaves raking across her skin. Before she could comprehend the shock, a huge hand grabbed her arm and gently drew her up.

It was Zayne. His eyes met hers, their intense amber glow almost violent. His expression, so similar to hers, was unusually stern. "You need to keep up," he said, his voice loud and forceful, leaving little room for debate.

"I'm sorry," she whispered gently, the heat of humiliation rising on her cheeks.

"Sorry, I won't help you survive here," he snarled, quickly releasing her arm. Xara winced, her arm hurting as his fingers dug into her skin, but she nodded quietly.

"Don't scare her too much, Zayne," Luka said from behind, his voice light and teasing. "We haven't even gotten her home yet." His smirk was full of venom, sending another wave of unease through Xara. Luka had a bright demeanor, but underlying that amusing veneer was something terrifying, something that could change at any moment.

"I don't scare," Xara said under her breath, more to herself than anybody else.

Rowan, who had been following silently, suddenly stood beside her, his eyes blazing in the darkness. "You will," he said gently, but the words had a chilling effect. He did not glance at her after finishing his speech, instead returning to his shadowy position behind her.

Xara gulped hard, her heart racing in her ears as she struggled to suppress the panic that was rising within her. Every step led her further away from her past life, the Moonstone Pack, and Nyra. What was there to miss, really? Her past existence had been characterized by harshness and loneliness. At the very least, she felt a strange sense of purpose, even though it worried her.

They went for what felt like hours through the dense jungle. The silence between the triplets was disconcerting, interrupted only by the occasional crack of a wood or the rustle of leaves. As the sun set, the darkness thickened, putting the woods in an eerie twilight. Xara's mind raced with questions. What would happen if they reached the Savage Blood territory? Will they treat her like a prisoner, property, or worse?

Just when she felt she couldn't bear it any longer, the trees thinned and the faint glow of faraway fires flashed in the night. Her breath caught in her throat as the Savage Blood Pack's dominion became clear.

The village was unlike anything she had ever seen.

Massive stone structures soared above the earth, their black shadows emphasized by the low light from candles. The structures formed a circle pattern, with a central bonfire blazing high into the night sky. Wolves took on various forms, some walking upright and others prowling on four legs, their fiery eyes surveying her arrival with curiosity and distrust. There was a raw, primordial vitality here, which made the Moonstone Pack's settlement look faded and dreary in comparison.

The air was heavy with the scent of smoke and something else—something darker and more ancient. It stirred something deep within Xara, which she had never felt before. The Savage Blood Pack was alive in a way she couldn't describe, as if the ground itself pulsed with power.

Luka's voice broke the silence and captured her attention. "Welcome to your new home, little Omega," he said with a sadistic smirk. "I hope you're ready."

Xara's belly constricted as her mind raced with a thousand thoughts. Was this her real home now? Could she survive with these beasts and men?

Zayne did not await a response. He continued on, guiding them past the tall structures and toward the largest structure at the far end of the hamlet. It was a massive stone hall carved into the side of a mountain, with heavy doors etched with intricate symbols that glittered dimly in the firelight. Xara's eyes widened as they approached. This was their home. Her new prison.

Without saying anything, Zayne pushed open the doors and entered, followed by Luka and Rowan. Xara stopped on the threshold, her heart thumping in her chest. She took a deep breath, willed her legs to move, and crossed the threshold into the dark hall.

The interior of the hall was equally stunning as the exterior. The ceilings were incredibly high, with wooden beams crisscrossing overhead. Flickering torches studded the walls, sending long shadows across the stone floors. The air was cool, almost cold, and she inhaled the smells of smoke and pine.

Zayne moved forward without looking back, his enormous shoulders tensed with purpose. Luka walked beside her, his gaze drifting nonchalantly down the corridor as if he owned the place—which he did. Rowan trailed closely behind, his presence tangible rather than visible, a constant reminder of the danger that lurked around every corner of this strange world.

They led her further down the corridor, past massive tables and heavy benches, to a door at the far end. Zayne pushed it open, revealing a smaller, more private chamber—despite its size, the place was as frightening. A large bed dominated the center of the room, its dark oak frame decorated with the same lighting runes as the door. The bed was draped in deep crimson furs, which were rich and inviting yet also terrifying in their grandeur.

Xara's throat tightened. This is where it would occur. Where they would claim her. The thought caused her heart to rush and her stomach to churn with horror.

Luka's voice was close to her ear, low and teasing. "Nervous?"

She flinched and backed away from him, her heart racing. "What happens now?" she asked, barely above a whisper.

Zayne turned to face her, his countenance unreadable. His amber eyes sparkled slightly in the faint light, and for a moment, Xara felt as if he could see right through her, beyond her fear and into the depths of her soul. "Now," he said softly, "we can begin."

Rowan moved forward, infusing the space with a quiet intensity. "You belong to us, Xara," he added, his voice calm but forceful. "You are ours now."

Xara gulped hard, her gaze shifting between the three of them. Zayne exudes cold authority. Luka issued a lighthearted threat. Rowan demonstrates silent authority. They were so different, yet so similar—a force she couldn't hope to defeat.

The weight of their words hovered over her like a shroud. She was now theirs, bound by destiny and circumstance. But when reality struck in, a small spark ignited within her. A spark of defiance. She may belong to them, but she will not fall that easily. She would not be another forgotten bride, a lost soul destroyed by their might.

"I may be yours," Xara murmured, her voice strong despite the dread coursing through her veins. "But I won't be broken."

Luka's grin deepened, and Zayne's expression seemed to change slightly, with a spark of something—approval, perhaps?—in his eyes. Rowan remained silent, but his gaze lingered on her, as if he was hoping for something more.

Zayne approached, his big frame casting a large shadow across her. "We'll see," he said, his voice low and threatening. "We'll see just how strong you really are."

With that, the door slammed behind them, sealing Xara's fate in the shadows of the Savage Blood Pack's fortress.