Chapter 4 A Ruthless Offer

Selene's wrists ached from the iron cuffs biting into her skin. The dim torchlight flickered against the cold stone walls of the Obsidian Hollow dungeon. She had barely regained consciousness, her body sore from the chase, her mind foggy with exhaustion. The last thing she remembered was collapsing in the forest, her legs giving out beneath her. And now this.

Footsteps echoed through the corridor, slow and deliberate. She forced herself upright as the heavy door creaked open. Alpha Rael Thorncrest stood before her, his presence suffocating. Dark eyes gleamed under the torchlight, unreadable yet full of something dangerous.

"You're awake," he said, voice smooth but edged with steel. "Good."

Selene swallowed hard, keeping her posture straight despite the weakness in her limbs. "Why am I here?"

Rael stepped closer, tilting his head slightly as he studied her. "You trespassed into my territory. That alone is enough reason to have you executed."

Her pulse quickened. "I didn't mean to trespass. I was"

"Running." He finished for her. "From what?"

She hesitated. Telling him the truth could mean death, but lying to an alpha was worse. "From my uncle. He-he murdered my parents. He wants me dead too."

Rael's expression didn't shift, but something flickered in his gaze. "Then you're a liability."

Selene braced herself, expecting the worst. Instead, he took another step forward, close enough that she could feel the heat radiating from him.

"But I'm offering you a choice," he murmured. "You can stay as my prisoner, or you can prove your worth."

Selene's heart pounded. "Prove my worth how?"

Rael leaned against the iron bars, his towering frame casting a shadow over her. "I'm preparing for war. I need people who are useful. Tell me, princess, do you have any skills beyond running?"

Her stomach clenched at the mocking lilt in his voice. She could fight-her father had ensured she knew how to wield a blade. But offering that information freely felt like a dangerous gamble.

"I can fight," she admitted.

One dark brow arched. "Can you?"

"Yes." She lifted her chin. "Better than you think."

Rael studied her for a long moment, then smirked. "We'll see." He unlocked the cell door, his movements fluid, confident. "Get up."

Selene hesitated before standing. Her body protested, but she refused to show weakness.

Rael gestured for her to follow. "Your trial begins now."

The training ground was a stark contrast to the damp dungeon. Torches lined the arena, casting long shadows across the worn earth. Warriors circled around, their eyes filled with curiosity and doubt.

Rael tossed her a wooden sword. "If you want to earn your place, prove it."

Selene caught it, rolling her shoulders. A towering man stepped forward, his grin cruel. "You sure about this, Alpha? She looks like she'll break."

Rael's smirk was unreadable. "Then it should be easy for you."

The warrior lunged without warning. Selene barely dodged in time, the rush of air from his strike brushing her cheek. She pivoted, bringing her blade up in a quick arc, catching his side.

A growl erupted from him. "Lucky shot."

She didn't give him time to recover. Moving swiftly, she parried his next strike, then struck his knee. He stumbled. Selene seized the opening, pressing her blade to his throat.

Silence. Then, Rael chuckled. "Not bad."

Selene stepped back, heart racing. "Did I pass?"

Rael's gaze burned into hers. "Not yet."

Scene 4: Chains of Obligation

Selene wiped sweat from her brow, the night air cool against her skin. She had fought three warriors back-to-back, each harder than the last. Now, Rael stood before her, arms crossed.

"You lasted longer than I expected," he admitted. "But you're still weak."

Selene scowled. "I just beat three of your men."

"And yet, you'd be dead if this were real combat." His voice was calm, but the challenge was clear. "You need training."

Selene knew he was right, but hearing it from him grated her pride. "So what now?"

Rael stepped closer, his voice lowering. "Now, you stay under my watch. You'll train with my warriors, and in return, you'll fight for me when the time comes."

Selene stiffened. "And if I refuse?"

His smirk was dark, predatory. "Then you'll remain a prisoner."

The weight of his words pressed down on her. Either way, she was bound to him.

Days passed in a blur of training and exhaustion. Selene had expected to be treated like an outsider, but instead, Rael took a personal interest in her progress. Too personal.

"Again," he commanded, standing across from her in the training ring.

She clenched her jaw and attacked, her blade aiming for his side. He blocked effortlessly, spinning her around and trapping her against his chest.

His breath was warm against her ear. "You hesitate."

Her pulse pounded. "I don't."

His grip tightened slightly before he released her. "Then prove it."

Selene turned, meeting his gaze. Something crackled between them-something neither of them acknowledged.

But it was there.

And it was dangerous.