"So you've been watching me all day," Raven said, trying to keep her voice steady as she faced Hunter Draven.
Hunter's cold blue eyes never left her face. "I watch everything that happens in my territory."
A shiver ran down Raven's spine. This was the feared Alpha of the Bloodfang Pack—the wolf whose name mothers used to scare disobedient pups. Standing this close to him, she could feel his power like a physical force pushing against her skin.
"I wasn't lying," she said. "I just want to get to the human town. I'll never come back."
Hunter circled her slowly. "An Omega wolf, alone, fleeing from the Mooncrest Pack? And you expect me to believe there's nothing more to your story?"
Before Raven could answer, crashing sounds came from the forest. Three wolves burst into the clearing—the patrol that had caught her earlier. Scar-face was in the lead.
"Alpha!" he called, then stopped short when he saw Raven. "You found her."
Hunter didn't turn. "I did. Your failure to keep hold of her will be discussed later."
Scar-face's face paled. "Yes, Alpha."
"Take her to the compound," Hunter ordered. "Lock her in the holding cell. No one speaks to her until I return."
Raven's heart dropped. A holding cell? "Wait! I told you—"
Hunter's hand shot out, gripping her chin. His touch sent an unexpected jolt through her body. "You've told me nothing of value, little raven. But you will."
He released her and stepped back. "Take her."
The wolves grabbed Raven's arms, their grips painfully tight. As they dragged her away, she looked back to see Hunter watching her with those icy eyes, his expression unreadable.
The journey to the Bloodfang compound was a blur of fear and confusion. They marched her through the forest for what felt like hours, until finally the trees opened up to reveal a surprising sight.
Instead of the primitive camp Raven had imagined, the Bloodfang Pack lived in a sprawling collection of modern cabins surrounding a large central building. High wooden walls circled the entire compound, topped with what looked like security cameras.
"Not what you expected?" Scar-face sneered, noticing her surprise.
Raven said nothing. Her mind was racing, looking for escape routes, weaknesses in their security. There seemed to be none.
They led her to a small building apart from the others. Inside was a single room with thick metal bars dividing it in half—a jail cell.
"Home sweet home," one of the guards laughed, shoving her inside.
The door clanged shut behind her, the lock clicking with terrible finality.
"Alpha Draven will deal with you when he returns," Scar-face said. "I wouldn't get comfortable."
When they left, Raven slumped onto the narrow cot that was the cell's only furniture. Panic bubbled up inside her, threatening to overwhelm her.
"Calm down," she whispered to herself. "Think."
The cell was solid—no loose bars, no windows other than a tiny one too small to fit through. The door was heavy steel. Even with werewolf strength, she couldn't break out.
Hours passed. Night fell. Raven's stomach growled, but no one brought food. Instead, whispers and curious glances came from pack members who walked by to peek at the prisoner.
"That's her?"
"An Omega from Mooncrest."
"I heard she killed someone."
The last whisper made Raven's blood run cold. Did they know? Had news of Alpha Marcus's murder spread so quickly?
Near midnight, the compound grew quiet. Most of the lights went out. Raven lay on the cot, staring at the ceiling, when a soft sound caught her attention.
A young girl, maybe twelve years old, stood outside the cell, holding a small bundle.
"Hello?" Raven whispered, sitting up.
"I brought you food," the girl said quietly, sliding a wrapped sandwich and a bottle of water through the bars. "I heard them say they forgot to feed you."
Raven took the offering gratefully. "Thank you. What's your name?"
"Lily." The girl looked nervously over her shoulder. "I'm not supposed to be here."
"Why did you come, then?"
Lily's eyes—bright green and curious—studied Raven. "They say you're dangerous. But you don't look dangerous."
Raven smiled sadly. "Sometimes looks can be deceiving."
"Did you really kill your Alpha?"
The sandwich turned to ash in Raven's mouth. So they did know. "No," she said firmly. "I didn't. But no one believes me."
Lily tilted her head. "I might believe you. My brother says people are quick to blame Omegas for everything."
"Your brother sounds smart."
"He is." Lily glanced behind her again. "I have to go. Alpha Draven will be back soon."
As if summoned by his name, the compound door banged open. Lily's eyes widened in fear.
"Go," Raven urged. "Thank you for the food."
The girl disappeared just as heavy footsteps approached. Hunter Draven appeared, his tall frame filling the doorway. He'd changed clothes and looked freshly showered, but his eyes were still cold and calculating.
"Comfortable?" he asked, his deep voice sending another involuntary shiver through Raven.
"Delightful," she replied, forcing confidence into her voice. "Though the room service is lacking."
Something that might have been amusement flickered across his face before disappearing. "You'll be fed regularly, starting tomorrow. Tonight, you talk."
Hunter pulled up a chair, sitting directly in front of the cell. "Let's start with why the Mooncrest Pack wants you dead."
Raven frowned. "How do you know they want me dead?"
"News travels. Alpha Marcus was murdered three days ago. The prime suspect? His favorite young pack member, Raven Silversong, found covered in his blood. The reward for your capture is quite substantial."
Fear tightened around Raven's chest. "Are you going to turn me in?"
Hunter leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "That depends on what you tell me next. Did you kill him?"
"No!" The word burst from her with such force that Hunter raised an eyebrow.
"Then who did?"
"I don't know." Raven moved closer to the bars, desperate to make him understand. "I found him dying. I tried to save him. Someone else stabbed him and ran—I only caught a glimpse of them leaving."
Hunter's eyes narrowed. "And yet they blamed you. Why?"
Raven hesitated. How much should she reveal? "Politics," she finally said. "Lady Seraphina never liked me. She saw an opportunity to get rid of me."
"Lady Seraphina," Hunter repeated, his expression darkening. "Kieran Moonshadow's mother."
Something in his tone made Raven look at him more closely. "You know them?"
"I know of them." Hunter stood abruptly. "Get some sleep. We'll continue this tomorrow."
"Wait!" Raven called. "What are you going to do with me?"
Hunter paused at the door, his face half in shadow. "That's still being decided, little raven."
"I'm not little," she snapped, frustration overriding fear. "And I'm not lying. I didn't kill anyone."
For a long moment, Hunter stared at her, his expression unreadable. Then he said something that made Raven's blood freeze in her veins:
"Maybe you didn't. But what if I told you I know exactly who did?"
The door closed behind him, leaving Raven alone with his words echoing in her mind and a new, terrible hope blooming in her heart.