Captured by Destiny

Selene couldn't breathe. The massive black wolf's paw pressed her white fur into the dirt, his blue eyes boring into hers like shards of ice. Her heart hammered wildly as the other wolves circled them, waiting for their Alpha's command.

With a quick shake of his head, the Alpha wolf stepped back. Instantly, two of his pack members moved in, flanking Selene with teeth bared.

The Alpha let out a short bark that clearly meant "follow me." Then he turned and began walking deeper into the forest, not bothering to check if she obeyed.

Selene's mind raced. She could try to run, but with her injured leg and three wolves guarding her, she wouldn't get far. Besides, the strange pull in her chest urged her to follow the Alpha wolf, even as her brain screamed danger.

With no real choice, Selene limped after the midnight-black wolf, the others keeping close to ensure she couldn't escape.

They traveled in tense silence through unfamiliar territory. The forest here was different—older, with taller trees and thicker undergrowth. The scents were richer too, filled with the marks of a strong, healthy pack.

After what felt like hours but was probably only minutes, they emerged into a clearing. Selene froze at the sight before her.

A massive stone house stood proudly on a hill, with smaller cabins scattered around it. Pack members in both human and wolf form moved about, carrying out evening chores. Some stopped to stare as the Alpha's group approached.

The whispers started immediately.

"Who's the white wolf?"

"Is that a rogue?"

"What's she doing here?"

The Alpha ignored them all, heading straight for the stone house. At the bottom of the steps, he shifted.

Selene had to look away as the giant wolf transformed into a man. When she dared peek again, he stood tall and powerful, quickly pulling on pants that had been left by the door.

Even in human form, he radiated authority. His hair was as black as his wolf's fur, and those piercing blue eyes were just as cold. A scar ran from his left eyebrow down to his cheekbone, giving his handsome face a dangerous edge.

"Shift," he commanded, his deep voice sending shivers down her spine.

Selene hesitated. She hadn't shifted back and forth in years, and she was suddenly very aware that she would have no clothes when she changed to human form.

The Alpha seemed to read her thoughts. He snapped his fingers, and a young woman hurried forward with a blanket.

With no other options, Selene focused on her human form. The change was painful after so long, her bones cracking and reshaping until she knelt on the ground, naked and vulnerable. She quickly wrapped the offered blanket around herself, wincing at the bite wound on her thigh that was now a deep gash.

"Name," the Alpha demanded, crossing muscular arms over his chest.

"Selene," she answered, forcing herself to meet his gaze. "Selene Blackthorn."

Something flickered in those blue eyes—recognition, perhaps?

"Blackthorn," he repeated. "From the Eastern territories."

It wasn't a question, but Selene nodded anyway. "Yes. But I haven't been part of that pack for ten years. I'm a rogue."

The Alpha's jaw tightened. "I know who you are." His voice held an edge that made her shiver. "You're the girl who killed her sister."

The words hit Selene like a physical blow. She stumbled back a step, the old pain fresh again. "I didn't kill her," she whispered. "It was an accident."

The Alpha's expression didn't change. "I am Dante Thornridge, Alpha of the Thornridge Pack. You have trespassed on my territory."

"I didn't mean to," Selene said quickly. "I felt this strange pull and—"

"Silence." Dante cut her off with a sharp gesture. "You will be examined by our healer for that wound, then held until I decide what to do with you."

He turned to a tall, sandy-haired man who had just joined them in human form—one of the wolves who had attacked her. "Jace, take her to Lyra, then put her in the guest cabin. Post guards."

"Yes, Alpha," Jace replied, but his eyes lingered curiously on Selene.

Dante started up the steps to the main house, clearly considering the matter handled.

"Wait!" Selene called, surprised at her own boldness. "Don't you feel it too?"

Dante froze mid-step but didn't turn around.

"The pull," she continued, heart racing. "The mate bond. I know you feel it."

A tense silence fell over the clearing. Pack members who had been pretending not to listen now openly stared.

Dante's shoulders stiffened. Slowly, he turned back to face her, his expression carved from stone.

"There is no bond," he said, each word like ice. "Whatever you think you feel, it's a mistake."

Selene's chest tightened. She'd heard stories of rejected mates—wolves who refused to accept the bond fate had chosen. But to deny it entirely?

"You're lying," she said softly. "I can feel your wolf reaching for mine, even now."

Something dangerous flashed in Dante's eyes. In three long strides, he was standing before her, so close she could feel the heat radiating from his body.

"Listen carefully, Selene Blackthorn," he said, his voice low enough that only she could hear. "I lost my mate five years ago. I will never take another. Whatever trick of fate this is, I refuse it. You mean nothing to me."

The words stung worse than the wound on her leg. Selene blinked back tears, refusing to show weakness.

Dante stepped back, addressing the crowd that had gathered. "This rogue will be our guest until her wound heals. Then she will leave. That is all."

With that, he disappeared into the house, the heavy door closing behind him with finality.

Jace cleared his throat. "This way," he said, gesturing toward a smaller building. "Lyra's waiting."

Selene followed him on shaky legs, feeling the stares of the pack members burning into her back.

The healer's cabin smelled of herbs and healing salves. A petite woman with warm brown eyes greeted them at the door.

"So you're the one causing all the commotion," she said, helping Selene to a chair. "I'm Lyra."

"Selene," she replied, wincing as Lyra examined her leg.

"This needs cleaning," Lyra said. "Jace, fetch me hot water."

Once Jace left, Lyra leaned closer. "So," she whispered, "you're Dante's mate."

Selene's eyes widened. "He denies it."

Lyra nodded sadly. "He would. After Claire died, he swore he'd never bond again." She began mixing herbs in a small bowl. "But fate doesn't make mistakes, dear."

"Claire was his mate?" Selene asked.

"Yes, though not his fated mate. They chose each other." Lyra applied the mixture to Selene's wound, making her hiss in pain. "When hunters killed her, something in Dante broke. He's been cold as winter ever since."

Selene processed this information as Lyra bandaged her leg. So Dante had loved before, and lost. No wonder he rejected their bond.

After her wound was treated, Jace escorted her to a small cabin at the edge of the clearing. It was simple but comfortable, with a bed, table, and chair.

"Someone will bring you food," he said, pausing at the door. "And clothes."

"Am I a prisoner?" Selene asked.

Jace's expression softened slightly. "Let's call you a guest with limited freedoms."

After he left, Selene sank onto the bed, exhaustion washing over her. What a birthday this had turned out to be. In one night, she'd found her fated mate only to be rejected by him, and now she was essentially a captive in a strange pack.

She touched her chest where the pull had been strongest. Though Dante denied it, the bond was there, humming between them like a taut string.

A soft knock interrupted her thoughts. The door opened to reveal a young woman with food and a bundle of clothes.

"Alpha wants to see you tomorrow morning," she said, placing the items on the table. "Rest well."

Alone again, Selene changed into the borrowed clothes and picked at the food, her appetite gone. Through the window, she could see two wolves patrolling outside her cabin.

As night deepened, she lay on the bed staring at the ceiling. Somewhere in that big stone house, Dante Thornridge was likely doing the same—fighting the pull of a bond he refused to accept.

Selene closed her eyes, but sleep wouldn't come. Her wolf, usually so quiet, paced restlessly in her mind, whining for its mate.

Just before dawn, she was startled awake by shouting outside. She hadn't realized she'd fallen asleep.

Jumping from the bed, she rushed to the window. Pack members were running toward the main house, some shifting into wolf form as they moved.

The door to her cabin burst open. Jace stood there, his expression grim.

"What's happening?" Selene asked.

"Rogues attacked our northern border," he said. "Three pack members are badly hurt."

Selene's blood ran cold. "What does that have to do with me?"

Jace's eyes narrowed. "One of them mentioned your name before he lost consciousness. Said they came for the white wolf."

Before Selene could respond, the cabin door crashed open again. Dante stood there, rage blazing in his eyes.

"You," he growled, advancing on her. "You led them here."

Selene backed away, her hands raised. "No! I swear, I don't know anything about an attack!"

"Liar," Dante snarled, grabbing her arm. "You'll tell me everything you know, or I'll make you wish you'd never set foot in my territory."

As his fingers tightened on her arm, the mate bond flared between them, so strong it left them both gasping. For a moment, something other than anger flashed in Dante's eyes—something that looked almost like fear.

And Selene realized that denying their bond might be harder than either of them had thought.