The hidden knife was cold against Mira's thigh as the guard dragged her into the throne room.
They hadn't even looked her in the eye when they dressed her in the silk wedding dress. To them, she was a jinx who caused her parents' death.
Rumors said Alpha Varek killed his brides after taking them, and Mira was about to become his third bride.
"We, the Nightshade Pack, offer one of our own as a peace offering," the guard said, trembling. "Please, spare us in exchange."
At the other end of the massive, dimly lit hall sat Alpha Varek on his throne, calm and unreadable. Ancient werewolf artifacts lined the walls.
"This time we brought someone who doesn't fight back," the guard continued, growing more desperate. "She's trained to endure. To serve. She won't speak unless asked to."
"She doesn't eat much either," another added, stepping forward with a nervous laugh. "She won't cost you anything to keep. Here, let us show you how compliant she is."
The guard roughly grabbed her by the hair, pulling her to her feet.
The blow came fast. Blood filled her mouth. Her vision blurred, but she swallowed the sob and kept staring at the guard as if he meant nothing.
"She looks like a keeper," Varek said, rising. The room fell silent. He didn't even glance at Mira as he approached her pack members.
"But she has been touched," he murmured, almost to himself. He stopped inches from the man who had hit her. "And I have a problem with anyone touching my things before I do."
"We... we can get you another one."
"Please..." they both dropped to their knees, eyes filled with tears.
"Guards. Take them."
The men from her pack panicked. One tried to run. He did not make it far.
"Thirty lashes each," Varek added. His voice stayed calm. "Double for him."
Their pleas filled the hall as they were dragged away.
"And you." He tilted his head toward her.
"How about we find out if you're as easy to handle as they said?"
Mira's chest tightened as he stood over her. She crawled back, hands scraping the floor, until the stone wall hit her spine, leaving her nowhere to go.
Guided by instinct, she reached beneath her dress and grasped the small hidden knife. The metal was cold and steady in her trembling hand.
She stepped forward and slashed his arm. He didn't flinch but smiled, his brown eyes turning red.
"You're stronger than I expected." His voice dropped into a low, gravelly snarl.
"Don't come near me," Mira whimpered, raising the knife again.
He grabbed her wrist in a crushing grip. He twisted until the knife fell to the floor, then grabbed her throat, squeezing until she could hardly breathe.
"Let go of me."
She scratched his arms, drawing thin red lines, but his grip remained unyielding.
"So fragile," he murmured.
Heat rushed through her veins as her amber eyes turned into piercing silver. Varek's face showed uncertainty for the first time.
A shockwave burst from her and slammed him against the wall.
As quickly as the energy appeared, it vanished, taking her consciousness with it as the world went black.
"Where on earth did she learn that?" His brows drew together, disbelief tightening his voice.
Varek let out a slow, controlled breath.
"Guards!" he barked.
The doors flew open, and they rushed in. Their eyes were wide, faces pale. Even from outside, they had seen what she did.
"Pick her up," he ordered.
The guards rushed forward, careful, as if she might explode again.
One of them hesitated. "My Alpha... which prison should we prepare?"
"Give her one of the upper chambers," he said. "Make sure it's clean and guarded."
They stared, confused.
"A... guest room?" one asked carefully.
"Yes. I plan on keeping her."
He resumed walking.
"If she wakes, I want to know," he added before leaving the room.
The guards bowed quickly.
"Yes, Alpha."
Soft light spilled onto her face, forcing her eyes open. It came from a tall window draped in sheer ivory curtains.
"Where am I?" she whispered, her voice cracking. Her gaze darted around the room.
She pushed herself upright, placing a hand on her aching head.
Her memories returned slowly.
The execution.
The choking grip.
His red eyes.
"I didn't die."
The realization settled heavily in her stomach.
Alpha Varek kept her alive, and that frightened her more than death.
She got up from the bed and opened the door slowly.
A guard stood several feet away, his back turned down the corridor.
She began pacing the room, thinking of an escape.
She couldn't walk out without being dragged back.
She searched for a hidden passage, knocking along the walls. Nothing.
Another idea formed.
She staggered toward the bed and knocked over a chair. She dragged her nails across her throat to redden the skin, then screamed.
The door burst open as the guard rushed in. "What happened?"
She collapsed against the bed frame, clutching her chest.
"I can't breathe," she gasped. "Something's wrong. I'm burning."
He hesitated. She screamed louder.
Fear flickered in his eyes. He remembered the power she released earlier.
He stepped closer.
The moment he knelt, she moved.
Her hand closed around the heavy metal candleholder near the bed. She swung it at his head.
He dropped instantly.
Her fingers trembled as she gripped the candleholder. She had never struck a man before.
She held her breath and reached out, pressing her fingers under his nose. A faint puff of warm air touched her skin.
He was alive.
Relief hit her chest, sharp and quick. She stepped over him and slipped into the corridor.
She ran as fast as her legs could carry her.