s of the Obsidian Hollow dungeon. She had barely regained consciousness, her body sore from the chase, her mind foggy wi

the heavy door creaked open. Alpha Rael Thorncrest stood before her, his presence suffoc

d, voice smooth but ed

posture straight despite the weak

he studied her. "You trespassed into my territory.

d. "I didn't mean

finished for h

th, but lying to an alpha was worse. "From my uncle

but something flickered in his

ead, he took another step forward, close enough

murmured. "You can stay as my pris

pounded. "Prove

shadow over her. "I'm preparing for war. I need people who are u

d fight-her father had ensured she knew how to wield a blade. B

ght," she

row arched

her chin. "Bette

irked. "We'll see." He unlocked the cell do

ing. Her body protested, but

er to follow. "Your

hes lined the arena, casting long shadows across the worn earth. W

sword. "If you want to ea

ng man stepped forward, his grin cruel. "You sure

eadable. "Then it sh

me, the rush of air from his strike brushing her cheek. She pi

ed from him.

rried his next strike, then struck his knee. He stumbled. S

, Rael chuckl

ack, heart racin

urned into he

Chains of

her skin. She had fought three warriors back-to-back, each ha

I expected," he admitted

"I just beat thr

l combat." His voice was calm, but the c

ut hearing it from him grat

ay under my watch. You'll train with my warriors, and

ened. "And i

redatory. "Then you'l

essed down on her. Either

ad expected to be treated like an outsider, but instead, R

standing across from he

ing for his side. He blocked effortlessly, spinn

rm against her ea

pounded.

ghtly before he releas

omething crackled between them-som

t was

was dan