Chapter 5
It started with whispers.
Low, mocking voices trailing after me whenever I passed the packhouse, cruel laughter spilling from the warriors gathered in small groups.
“She’s desperate now.”
“Thought she had more dignity than this.”
“Bet she wouldn’t mind a real Alpha.”
I ignored them.
I had learned to ignore them.
But tonight was different.
Tonight, they didn’t just whisper.
They acted.
The shed I had barely settled into the cramped space when I heard footsteps outside.
Not one pair.
Two.
The wooden door creaked open, and the dim glow of the moon outlined their silhouettes. Warriors.
Damon and Tyrell.
I knew them well. They were some of the strongest fighters in the pack, men I had once considered protectors.
Now they were looking at me like I was nothing more than prey.
Damon grinned, stepping inside. “Figured we’d check on you, sweetheart.”
Tyrell followed, shutting the door behind him.
I didn’t move.
I forced my breathing to stay even, forced my hands to remain still even as my instincts screamed at me to run.
“I heard you were feeling lonely,” Tyrell added, his eyes gleaming. “Offering yourself to Cedar. That’s bold, little wolf.”
I clenched my fists. “You heard wrong.”
Damon clicked his tongue. “That’s not what Cedar said.”
Cedar.
Of course.
He had already stripped me of my dignity—now he wanted to strip me of my safety, too.
I swallowed the rising fury in my throat, my voice cold. “Get out.”
Damon only laughed. “Come on now, don’t be shy. If you’d spread your legs for him, surely you’d do the same for us.”
Tyrell leaned against the wall, his smirk widening. “Or do you think you’re still too good for us?”
Rage.
It surged through me so suddenly, so violently, that for a moment, it nearly blinded me.
But I didn’t move.
Not yet. I waited.
Because these bastards had made one fatal mistake.
They had forgotten what I was.
Damon stepped closer, reaching out. “Come on, sweetheart. We’ll be gentle.”
That was the last thing he said before my fist smashed into his jaw.
Crack.
He hit the floor so hard the wooden boards trembled beneath him.
Tyrell barely had time to react before my foot slammed into his gut, sending him flying backward. He crashed against the wall, gasping for air.
I rolled my shoulders, the sharp sting of long-suppressed power rippling through my body.
The warriors had forgotten.
They had forgotten that I was the daughter of an Alpha.
That I was trained to kill.
And now, they would pay for it.
Damon groaned, clutching his face as blood dripped between his fingers. “You bitch—”
I grabbed him by the collar and slammed his head against the wall.
“Say that again,” I hissed, my breath hot against his ear.
He whimpered. Actually whimpered.
Tyrell tried to lunge at me from behind, but I twisted at the last second, my elbow driving into his ribs. He staggered, eyes wide with disbelief.
Good. Let them be shocked. Let them choke on it.
I wasn’t weak.
I wasn’t helpless.
And I sure as hell wasn’t theirs.
Damon tried to scramble away, but I grabbed his wrist, twisting until I heard the sickening pop of his shoulder dislocating.
His scream tore through the night.
Tyrell turned, panting, his eyes darting toward the door.
He was going to run.
I couldn’t let that happen.
Before he could take another step, I lunged, tackling him to the ground. My knee pressed into his chest, my hand gripping his throat.
I leaned down, my voice soft but sharp as a blade.
“If you ever step foot near me again, I will tear your throat out with my teeth.”
Tyrell’s face was turning red. He nodded frantically, his eyes wild with panic.
I released him, watching as he stumbled to his feet, gasping for breath.
Damon was already halfway out the door, his injured arm hanging limply at his side.
They didn’t look back. They ran.
Alone Again.
I stood there for a long time, breathing heavily, my body still thrumming with adrenaline.
The shed was a mess.
The floorboards were scuffed, the door was barely hanging onto its hinges, and Damon’s blood still stained the wood.
I exhaled, slowly lowering myself to the ground.
My hands were trembling.
I clenched them into fists, forcing the shaking to stop. I forced myself to calm down.
Yet, I couldn’t afford to let my guard down. Because I sensed it—those two bastards weren’t the end.
Truth is: the one who wanted me destroyed wouldn’t rest until I was done.