Chapter 2 Enternal

Jacob's POV

"Young man!"

I had completely zoned out, lost in my own mind as usual-doing things I could never try in real life.

How could it be possible? Why would the Goddess bind me to her-a tyrant, a criminal?

She kept her eyes everywhere but on me. Sweat beaded on my forehead as fear washed over me like ice, along with the endless thoughts of what she might do to me.

My hands were bound, my mouth gagged as I was dragged away. I was thrown into a prison-no words, no accusations-just discarded.

Two weeks passed.

Still nothing.

No word from her. No message from my pack.

I sat with my back against the dark, blood-stained wall, my eyes fixed on the full moon above the narrow opening in the cell.

I still hadn't been able to shift after that incident two years ago.

Just before sleep claimed me, I heard footsteps-slow and steady-the rustle of keys. Finally, I had been remembered.

I stepped back as the cell door opened.

I froze.

It was her, dressed in a flowing red gown.

"So," she said casually, "what have you been up to?"

As if she hadn't left me to rot in a cell for over two weeks.

"Listen, madam. You can't hold me here for nothing. You either kill me, or you let me go."

A smile curved her lips, like I had just told a joke.

How was it possible that I was mated to this she-demon?

"You are my mate, so killing you isn't an option. But I'm still deciding what to do with you."

"Meaning?" I asked.

"You will remain here until I figure out what I want from you."

And just like that, she vanished-without sparing me a second glance.

My back slid down the wall.

From that moment on, my life felt like it had plunged into the depths of the sea, never to see the sun again.

From one master to another. Passed around like a commodity sold to the highest bidder.

And now I was bound-by soul-to one of the world's cruelest rulers.

Weeks turned into months.

No visits. No voices. No mercy.

I guessed she had decided my fate.

To let a nobody rot beneath her feet.

Another full moon stared down at me.

Still nothing.

It was as if my wolf had vanished, never to return.

What use was it anyway? I was weak with or without it. Or as the others would say-a lowly, abandoned maggot. One without cause or purpose.

I carved the sixth mark into the wall.

A guard entered, his eyes cutting straight through me before he said casually, "It seems the Goddess has finally smiled on you."

Chains snapped around my wrists, and I was dragged out.

The sun hit my face like knives.

I kept asking where he was taking me, but he said nothing.

"We're here."

We stood before massive doors guarded by two giants. Before I could even think of moving, the doors swung open.

She stood there.

Hair cascading down her shoulders, eyes bluer than the sea, her skin glowing beneath the sunlight.

I hated to admit it.

She was beautiful-despite her brutality, despite her evil.

"Well," she said softly, "it seems I've finally found a use for you, my dearest mate."

My stomach twisted.

I stood alone as she sat on the edge of her bed, watching me like prey waiting to be claimed.

Her eyes burned with purpose and control-the very things I lacked.

"From now on," she said, "you will stay in my room. No arguments. Our wedding will take place in three full moons."

Shock didn't even begin to describe what I felt.

I was beyond it.

I was furious.

"If you think you can marry me without my consent, you're more foolish than I thought."

"If you try anything stupid-rejecting the bond, killing yourself, or running-it won't end well for you."

"You can't marry me without my consent. It doesn't work that way."

"I, Jacob Adams, reject-"

Pain exploded through my leg.

An arrow pierced my knee.

I screamed.

"My darling," she said calmly, stepping closer, "it seems you take me for a fool. I don't like repeating myself."

She crouched in front of me, her eyes dark and unyielding.

"You and I are bound by soul, in this life and the next. Don't bother trying to escape it."

Blood pooled beneath my knee as she drew a knife.

She cut her palm, forced my mouth open, and poured her blood down my throat-then bit into my skin and took mine in return.

The bond deepened.

Twisted.

Sealed into something far beyond what the Goddess had intended.

"From now on," she whispered, "you will share my bed. No questions. No resistance. I suggest you grow very comfortable with your new life."

She slipped beneath the sheets as if she hadn't just shattered my existence.

"Stare all you want," she added. "It won't change your fate."

"Which is me."

I lay down beside her, half my face smeared with blood, the other half burning with pain and hatred.

Bond or not-

She would pay for what she had done to me.

"Alpha! Alpha! Help-we need help!"

The shouting came from outside.

I looked up.

She was gone.

I rushed out.

The sight before me rooted me to the ground.

I had never seen anything like it.

What exactly had I been dragged into?