3

I awoke chained up against a cell wall with silver chains around my wrists, with only enough slack to lay on the ground to rest. Each move was agonizing as the silver sliced into my skin. Enyo was forced into the shadows of my mind as she fought against the effects of the toxic metal. My eyes adjusted to the dank room as the smell of rust and mold consumed my sinuses. I searched for Nox, but my cell was bricked in except for the large wooden door with a small window barred with silver. The cell was bare except for a stool just outside my reach. My burn-scarred right arm was on display, the darkness masking its severity. I started to look at my blood and dirt-caked skin for new scars. Bite marks and scratches peppered the visible parts of my body in various spots, but nothing life-threatening. The blood had stopped, but my healing process was slowed due to the silver. I looked down at my clothes as my nose wrinkled at the pungent smell, finally realizing that someone had clothed me in ratty, dirty rags.

"Who the fuck dressed me? This pack is full of perverts," I yelled as I rested my head against the sticky wall.

I waited some time before shouting obscenities to get a reaction but to no avail. So I thought for a moment to figure out my next words carefully.

"Your Alpha is a disgraceful coward—silvering wolves to capture them. So pathetic," I shouted with a smirk.

My door was flung open within a minute, and a guard rushed in.

"You will not disrespect him, you worthless mutt," he demanded as he closed in on me and slapped me hard.

Before he could step back, I twisted my legs around his torso and pulled him even closer. I used the slack in my chains to wrap the silver around his neck as I leaned closer to his ear. He wailed out in pain, my favorite song.

"You will not disrespect me. Now tell me, who touched me?" I demanded as I pulled the chains tighter.

He answered only in screams.

"There are about thirty seconds before help comes, but I'll snap your neck by then. Tell me my answer, and I'll think about releasing you," I enticed.

"A female warrior...she changed you," he struggled to state as his reddening neck began to blister.

I snapped his neck as soon as the answer left his lips, dropping his body to the floor.

"I really did think about it," I said with a smirk, preparing myself for his reinforcements.

Two more guards charged into my cell and looked at their fallen comrade at my feet.

"Would you believe that this was an accident?" I asked as I looked at his body.

They charged at me at once. I kicked the first one in the jaw as soon as he was close enough, knocking him back into the other.

"Yeah, I wouldn't believe it either," I said with a chuckle.

It took six more guards and three more body bags before they subdued me. Now my legs have matching silver accessories as my arms. I spit out blood into the corner as my door opened. The dirty blonde-haired man from before entered the room and took in the blood that decorated my cell.

"If I knew I was having guests, I would've straightened up more," I said with a smirk.

He rolled his eyes and sat on the stool in front of me. Smart move.

"Why were you trespassing pack lands, Rouge?" he demanded sternly.

"I didn't," I answered as I looked into his forest-green eyes.

"You and your friend will be killed for trespassing, mutt," he threatened.

"I should've killed you and your friend when I had the chance," I said darkly.

He growled low as his eyes started to glow.

"Why were you in Night Fang territory?" he asked again.

"I wasn't. The neutral grounds are supposed to be, in fact...neutral," I answered.

"The Night Fang Pack protects that land by the river and the surrounding area."

"Could I suggest maybe a sign to dictate that? How's one supposed to know some pack got greedy and took over neutral grounds? Your borders don't even stretch that far."

"Who sent you?"

"Excuse me?"

"You killed over eighty pack warriors, four guards, and injured over sixty warriors. So I ask again, who sent you?"

"Those deaths are on you. I only wish we would've gotten more."

"What the fuck did you just say?"

"I spared your...mate, I assume? And you repaid us with warriors. You sent them to their deaths. That is on your hands. Had I known this would be the consequence of my mercy, I would've snapped my jaws shut while you watched. You deserved to watch her bleed out between my teeth as her neck crumbled," I said with rage.

He rose to his feet instantly and punched me in the stomach with as much force as he could muster. Then, he grabbed me by my neck as his wolf showed in his eyes. He growled in my face as his canines started to extend. My eyes never faltered.

"Nolan," a deep voice called out.

The blonde growled once more in my face as he tightened his grip, veins popping out of his arms.

"Beta, don't make me repeat myself," the voice demanded.

"You are lucky, bitch," he grunted out.

I leaned closer to him.

"Next time, you won't be," I stressed.

He slammed my head back against the bricks before storming off. I coughed out as the back of my head began to feel warm. I looked towards the door as the unknown man ducked to enter the cell. The first thing I saw was his full auburn locks, shadowing his face. His muscular frame took up most of the small cell, leaving me claustrophobic. He wore all black with only peeks of caramel skin teasingly showing. Slowly, an intoxicating scent crept into the room, overpowering the aroma of old blood and filth. The smell of fresh leather, sandalwood, and vanilla tickled my senses, almost dizzying me.

"Shit," I whispered.