Chapter 2 2

The sound of iron gates creaking open jolted Selene from the fog of exhaustion. Her limbs ached, each movement a reminder of the fight in the woods and the relentless march that followed. Alaric had barely spoken during their journey, his presence as imposing as the shadows of the towering trees. Now, she stood at the threshold of his fortress, a cold, unyielding place that loomed over the Ebonridge territory like a sentinel.

The guards flanking the gates watched her with thinly veiled suspicion, their hands resting on the hilts of their swords. She straightened her back despite the soreness, refusing to appear weak in front of them-or Alaric.

The alpha strode ahead, his steps confident and unhurried. "Keep up, Selene," he called over his shoulder, not bothering to glance back.

She bit back a retort, unwilling to give him the satisfaction of seeing her frustration. The interior of the fortress was no less intimidating than its exterior. Stone walls stretched high above, adorned with banners bearing the Ebonridge crest-a crescent moon partially obscured by jagged mountains. The air was heavy with the scent of pine and smoke, mingling with the faint metallic tang of blood.

A grand staircase spiraled upward in the center of the hall, its steps worn smooth by years of use. Alaric ascended without hesitation, his hand brushing the rail as though it were second nature. Selene followed, her senses attuned to the murmurs of those they passed. Warriors and attendants paused to stare, their whispers carrying a mixture of curiosity and distrust.

"Is that her?"

"She's from the Duskwind Pack, isn't she?"

"Why would he bring her here?"

Selene forced herself to keep walking, her chin held high. She wouldn't let their words rattle her. The Duskwind name was a ghost that had haunted her for years, but she wouldn't allow it to define her now.

At the top of the stairs, Alaric pushed open a heavy door, revealing a chamber that was both austere and commanding. A massive table dominated the room, its surface etched with a map of the region. Shelves lined the walls, filled with tomes and scrolls that spoke of strategy and history. A fire crackled in the hearth, casting flickering light across the space.

"Sit," Alaric ordered, gesturing to a chair near the table.

Selene hesitated but complied, sinking into the seat. Her muscles protested the movement, but she refused to show any sign of discomfort.

He stood across from her, his arms crossed. The firelight played off the sharp angles of his face, making his expression unreadable. "Do you know why you're here?"

"I told you in the forest-I don't know anything about your brother," she replied, her voice steady.

"And I told you that's the wrong answer." His eyes narrowed, the weight of his gaze pressing down on her. "Lying won't help you, Selene. I know you're connected to the curse. I just don't know how yet."

She clenched her fists, her nails biting into her palms. "You're wrong. I don't know anything about your curse, or your brother, or why you think I'm involved."

"You're the last of the Duskwind Pack," he said, his voice sharp. "Do you really expect me to believe you've lived this long without knowing the truth about what happened to your family?"

His words hit like a physical blow. Memories she'd buried long ago threatened to resurface-the night her pack was destroyed, the screams that tore through the air, the blood that stained the snow. She swallowed hard, forcing the images back into the recesses of her mind.

"That has nothing to do with your pack," she said, her tone colder now.

Alaric leaned forward, his hands braced on the table. "Everything is connected, Selene. Your family, my brother, the curse-it all ties back to the night your pack fell."

Her breath caught, but she refused to let him see her uncertainty. "You seem to have all the answers, Alpha. Why don't you enlighten me?"

A flicker of irritation crossed his face, but it vanished as quickly as it came. "I was hoping you'd tell me. But if you won't cooperate, I have other ways of getting the truth."

The threat hung in the air, unspoken but clear. Selene's stomach twisted, but she met his gaze with defiance. "Do your worst. It won't change what I don't know."

For a moment, neither of them spoke. The fire crackled in the silence, its heat barely reaching the chill that had settled between them.

Finally, Alaric straightened, his expression unreadable. "You'll remain here until I get what I need. I suggest you use the time to reconsider your position."

He turned and walked toward the door, his cloak sweeping behind him. Before he left, he paused, glancing back over his shoulder. "Don't try to run. The guards won't hesitate to put you down if you do."

The door closed with a heavy thud, leaving Selene alone in the dimly lit room. She exhaled slowly, her shoulders slumping.

Her mind raced, replaying his words. The curse, the fall of her pack, his brother-none of it made sense. She had spent years running, avoiding the truth of her past, but it seemed that past had finally caught up with her.

Her fingers brushed against the pendant around her neck, the only keepsake she had from her mother. The smooth surface of the crescent moon-shaped charm offered little comfort now.

A knock at the door interrupted her thoughts. A young woman entered, carrying a tray of food and a pitcher of water. She set them on the table without meeting Selene's gaze.

"Eat," the woman said quietly before retreating just as quickly as she had appeared.

Selene eyed the food warily. Hunger gnawed at her, but she couldn't shake the feeling that accepting anything from Alaric would be a concession of some kind.

Her stomach growled in protest, and she sighed. "You win this round, Alpha," she muttered, reaching for a piece of bread.

The room grew darker as the fire burned low. Selene's thoughts refused to quiet, circling back to the questions she couldn't answer. What did Alaric want from her? And why did she feel a strange pull toward him, despite everything?

Sleep came fitfully, haunted by dreams of shadows and blood.

When morning light filtered through the narrow window, Selene rose, her resolve hardened. If Alaric wanted answers, she would find them-but not for his sake. She would uncover the truth for herself, to understand the curse that seemed to bind their fates together.

Her captor wouldn't break her. If anything, she would use this opportunity to reclaim the pieces of herself she had long buried.