Chapter 3 Untold story

'Your father is my sworn enemy. He's coming to kill you.'

Those words keep echoing in my head over and over again. I stare at Caden in shock, my heart pounding. My ears start to ring and I shake.

"This...is crazy. This isn't real."

"Moriah..."

I round on Caden, the ring in my ears almost deafening.

"No. you're telling me that my father is alive and he wants to kill me. But you're the one who abducted me, claimed me as your 'mate' and shifted into a fucking wolf."

I take a step towards him, pointing at his bare chest.

"How could I ever trust what you say, Caden?"

That's when I notice the scars. Huge slash marks across Caden's chest, as though monstrous claws have ripped him open.

Scowling, Caden shoves my finger away from his damaged flesh.

"This isn't a game, Moriah. What I'm telling you is real. You need to take me seriously."

I scoff. "I think that's easier said than done."

"You need more proof? Fine."

Caden pushes me against him as he guides me in front of a mirror.

"What are you..."

"If I were untrustworthy, would I show you your own power?"

His hand comes to rest lightly over my throat and collarbone. His eyes flash gold.

"Would I help you unlock it?"

"Wait –"

He tips my chin up, so my nose is flush against the throbbing pulse of his neck.

"Breathe in."

Unable to get loose, I inhale Caden's heady scent.

Pine... smoke... and something new– a hot, intoxicating musk fills me.

My vision blurs and a tingling shiver courses through my veins. For a fraction of a second, I hear myself growl.

"Good. Now, look at yourself. Look at what you are."

Finally, I meet my reflection in the mirror. What I see in my own eyes shocks me.

As though a chill of night air runs up my neck and behind my eyes, I feel a mysterious breeze.

Suddenly, my eyes glow a brilliant shade of violet. My breath catches.

"Oh my God, that's me?" I said in astonishment.

"Yeah. That's you. The real you."

Then, as quickly as it began, the colour in my eyes flickers and melts away. Caden's brow furrow in surprise.

"What? You should have shifted into a wolf. My scent should have triggered it."

He takes my face in his palms and searches my eyes.

"That's strange. The colour is completely gone."

He takes a short breath, his expression grim. His grip on me loosens as he steps away.

"You're an omega."

"What's an omega?"

"A shifter born without powers."

Caden moves to the other side of the room, scooping up the pieces of his ripped clothing.

"I suppose true mates don't need to possess equal power. But I have to admit, I'm surprised."

"No powers? That's kind of disappointing. I was hoping for some badass transformation. But I guess now that I'm normal you can let me go!"

Caden shreds his clothes into further strips, walking over to me.

"The tether between us is ten times stronger than anything I could feel with a regular mate. I can't just let that go. And your father won't let it go either."

I feel a sharp tug. Shocked, I look down and find Caden binding my wrists.

"What are you doing?"

"Sorry, can't take any chances, escape artist."

In one swift motion, Caden ties the strip of cloth to the base of the bed.

"Hey. You have no right to keep me here."

"It's for your own good. You'll see that soon enough."

I try to fight but Caden is unfazed. He finishes the last knot and steps back.

"Get some rest Moriah, you're safe here. After all this place is bordered by high walls. And I have guards stationed at every entrance. No one's getting in or out."

With a final smile, Caden leaves the room and I hear a heavy lock slide into place.

"Uuughh" I groan in frustration.

I bring my bound wrists to my teeth and try to work the knot loose. But it's no use.

My whole life I thought I was less than nothing. Just a foster brat. But now I'm the mate to an alpha? My father is a murderer?

If all of these are actually true then I can't sit around and wait to be claimed. Or killed.

Just then, I hear a sharp lurch of metal behind me.

I spun around, the air vent swings open, and to my surprise, a young boy emerges, glancing around the room.

"Oh!" he gasps as his eyes land on me and begins to close the metal grate. As he does, a sharp nail falls loose, rolling on the floor.

That could help me cut these bindings! But it's too far away to reach.

"Hold it, kid. One more inch and I tell your parents you were playing around in the vents."

"Wait, please! They can't find out I was exploring or that I was in here. I'm breaking two whole rules." He said looking apologetic.

His wide, glassy eyes melt my heart.

"You won't get into trouble. Your secret's safe with me. What's your name?"

"I'm Koda. And you're Moriah. My dad said you're bad because your dad is bad." He said, inching away from me.

"I am much nicer than my dad" I said, surprised by the rumors.

"You are? Then why did Alpha Caden tie you up?"

"We're just playing a game. And I actually need that nail on the floor to win."

Koda spots the nail and picks it up

"Yeah. Can you give it to me?"

He skips over and dropped the nail in my outstretched hand.

"Thank you so much Koda."

Koda beams and inches even closer to me, whispering in my ear.

"You're welcome."

Then, the little boy scurries away, climbing down the vent. I slice myself free.

I get up and move to the window: A young man leans against the wall below, a playful smirk on his face as he scrolls his phone.

Then, I move to the vent Koda used: it leads out back where a young woman with a cool, tough demeanor stands guard.

Finally, I press my ear to the door: Sure enough, I hear Beau grumbling to himself on the other side.

"Wow, the place is really guarded." But no matter what, it looks like I'll have to deal with one these guys... but which one?

As quietly as I can, I open the grate and crawl through the vent. It's surprisingly easy enough to fit through.

Soon, I'm on the other side of the grounds, I dust my clothes off.

"I don't believe we've been properly introduced, Moriah. I'm Juno."

The young woman I saw before stares down at me, her toned arms crossed over her chest.

"I don't want to have to force you back inside. So just turn around and–"

Without offering an explanation, I turn on my heel and sprint into the surrounding woods.

"Hey!"

I hear Juno call behind me. I don't get far though.

Soon, the young woman burst through the trees ahead of me, inhumanly fast.

"What the–"

"Trust me. You're not even remotely the toughest woman in this equation." Juno said with a smirk.

"Now, that's no fun. Where's your competitive spirit?" Juno bends into an agile, defensive position. "For your own sake, don't try to run away again."

If I run, there's a very good chance she'll catch me. I'm pretty sure I can take her if it's just one-on-one.I stand erect and look at her but damn she looks strong. I risk it all and take my heels.

"Wrong choice."

Juno sprints after me but I'm already through the trees.

"Don't run away from me! Not after what your father did to my brother!"