The tribe did not sleep.
Torches burned across the camp, lighting the massive wooden huts and the warriors standing guard around the central fire.
Lena stood in the middle of the village.
Her wrists were still tied.
Dozens of eyes watched her.
Some curious.
Some hostile.
And some… hungry.
A group of tribal women whispered among themselves while staring at her strange clothes and pale skin.
"She looks weak."
"How will she survive here?"
But Lena barely heard them.
Her eyes were fixed on one person.
The Chief.
He sat on a large wooden throne made from bones and carved stone.
His massive body looked even more intimidating under the firelight.
Scars crossed his chest and arms like marks of countless battles.
And his dark eyes never left her.
Finally, he stood.
The entire tribe instantly went silent.
Even the children stopped moving.
The Chief walked toward her slowly.
Each step made Lena's stomach tighten.
He stopped directly in front of her.
Up close, he looked even larger.
His shadow covered her completely.
For a moment, he simply stared at her.
Then his rough hand grabbed the rope around her wrists and snapped it apart like it was nothing.
The crowd gasped.
Free.
But Lena did not move.
The Chief tilted his head slightly as he studied her.
"You are not afraid."
His voice was deep and calm.
Lena crossed her arms.
"Should I be?"
The warriors around them murmured.
No one spoke to the Chief like that.
But instead of getting angry…
The Chief smiled.
A slow, dangerous smile.
"You have spirit."
His hand suddenly moved to her waist.
He pulled her closer to him without warning.
Lena's breath caught.
His body was like solid stone.
Warm.
Dangerous.
His voice lowered near her ear.
"You will need that spirit to survive here."
Lena tried to step back, but his grip tightened.
The Chief turned to the tribe and spoke loudly.
"From tonight…"
His arm wrapped possessively around her.
"This woman belongs to the Chief."
The tribe erupted into loud cheers.
Warriors shouted.
Drums began beating near the fire.
But Lena's heart sank.
Because the way the Chief held her…
It was clear.
She was no longer just a prisoner.
She had become something else entirely.
And in this savage world…
Belonging to the Chief might be more dangerous than being his enemy.
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