Chapter 5 Marked as His

Ruelle's POV

The pack's eyes burned into me like hot coals.

I could feel their hatred. Their suspicion. Their fear.

And for some reason-I loved it.

Konan's grip on my arm tightened as he dragged me forward, his fingers digging into my flesh hard enough to leave a bruise.

Not that I cared. After days of silver burns and wolfsbane poisoning, a little pain was nothing.

But the humiliation? That stung worse.

"Pack." Konan's voice cut through the murmurs like a blade "Meet your newest member."

Silence.

Then-

"Her?" A tall, scarred face warrior stepped forward, his lip curling in disgust. "That's the Shadow Wolf."

My spine stiffened at the name. Shadow Wolf.

A title I never wanted, but I had embraced. A curse I never asked for.

Konan's smirk was slow, deliberate. "Yes, Darius. Her."

Darius's eyes darkened. "She's a threat. A rogue. You expect us to just accept her?"

"I expect you to obey," Konan said, his voice dropping into a growl.

The air thickened with tension. The pack shifted, restless, but no one dared speak against him.

Then-

"What if she's a spy?" A female voice rung out this time. A woman with silver-streaked hair stepped forward, her arms crossed behind her back, in fear, but I think it was fear of Konan. "The Blood Moon Pack would kill to get their claws in our territory."

Konan's fingers flexed against my arm. "She's not a spy."

"How can you be sure?" the woman pressed.

Konan's gaze slid to me, his golden eyes gleaming with something dark. "Because she won't have a choice."

Before I could react, his free hand gripped the back of my neck, forcing me to my knees. The pack gasped.

"Konan-" I snarled, struggling.

"Quiet." His voice was a whip. Then, he said to the pack, "she will be bound to us. Permanently."

My blood turned to ice.

No.

I knew what that meant.

There were only two ways a wolf could be bound to a pack against their will:

A blood oath or a forced mate bond.

And I refuse to do any.

"You can't do this," I hissed, twisting in his grip.

Konan leaned down, his breath hot against my ear. "Watch me."

Just then, a sharp pain exploded in my neck as his teeth sank into my skin.

The pack erupted into chaos. But I didn't hear them.

Because at that moment, something inside me snapped.

Vixin woke up. And she was pissed.

Even with the wolfsbane and silver in my bloodstream, Vixin wanted to fight back so badly.

Her fury coursed through my veins like liquid fire. I felt her rage and her determination to break free from Konan's grip.

My body began to shift, my muscles tensing, my claws extending.

Konan's grip on my neck tightened, but I didn't care.

I was no longer in control. Vixin was.

With a swift motion, I threw my head back, connecting with Konan's face. He grunted, his grip loosening, and I took advantage of the momentary distraction. I twisted and turned, breaking free from his hold.

My eyes locked onto Konan's, and I saw the surprise, the anger, and the anticipation.

"You'll pay for that," he growled, his eyes flashing with fury.

But I didn't care. Vixin's power coursed through me, and I was ready to take on the entire pack.

I bared my teeth, a snarl building in my throat. The pack took a step back, their eyes wide with fear.

Konan's face twisted in a snarl, and he lunged at me, but I was ready.

I dodged his attack, my movements swift and deadly. The pack erupted into chaos, their voices raised loud with snarls and growls.

In the midst of the chaos, I saw a glimmer of hope. Maybe, just maybe, I could break free from this pack and find a way to escape.

But for now, I had to focus on survival.

Vixin's power coursed through me, guiding my movements. I fought with every ounce of strength I had, determined to take down Konan and his pack.

The battle was intense, the outcome far from certain.

But one thing was clear: I would not go down without a fight.

The battle raged in a whirlwind of claws, fangs, and fury.

Vixen's power surged through me, sharper than silver, hotter than wolfsbane.

For the first time in days, I felt alive.

Konan lunged again, his movements a blur of lethal grace. I dodged, pivoting on my heel, and raked my claws across his ribs. Blood bloomed beneath his torn shirt, the scent coppery and thick in the air.

Then, a snarl ripped from his throat. "Enough!"

The command rolled through the clearing like thunder, laced with the weight of an Alpha's authority. My muscles locked against my will.

Vixin howled in outrage.

NO, NO, NO-

Konan's Alpha power was like a chain around my limbs, forcing me still. My breath came in ragged gasps as I fought against it, but the wolfsbane still lingering in my veins weakened my resistance.

Konan wiped the blood from his ribs, his golden eyes burning. "You fought well, little wolf." His lips curled. "But not well enough."

Before I could react, he struck a brutal, precise blow to my temple.

The world spun.

Darkness swallowed me whole.

************************

When I woke up, my wrists were bound above my head, shackled to the wall of a dimly lit chamber. The scent of damp stone and old blood filled my nose.

Konan stood before me, arms crossed, his expression unreadable.

"You lost," he said simply.

I yanked against the chains. "Let me go."

"No."

His tone was final.

I bared my teeth. "Then kill me."

Konan's gaze darkened. "Death would be a mercy." He stepped closer, his fingers brushing the mark on my neck-his mark. "And I'm not feeling merciful."

The door creaked open.

Darius entered, holding a rusted blade and a bowl of dark liquid. My pulse spiked.

Blood magic.

Konan took the blade, his voice a whisper. "You're mine now, Ruelle. In every way that matters."

The knife suddenly bit into my palm.

I screamed and everything turned dark.