Sold to the Ruthless Alpha Who Hates Me

Blood shouldn’t smell this sweet. Nyx knew it the moment she stepped into the hut—the metallic scent thick in the air, twisted with something sickly that clung to her throat. This wasn’t the smell of wounds. It was the smell of something dying from the inside. “Orion.” Her voice broke as she rushed forward. He lay on the narrow bed, skin pale, lips faintly blue. Each breath came shallow, uneven, like it hurt to exist. Nyx dropped beside him, grabbing his hand. Cold. Too cold. “No.” Her grip tightened. “You’re not dying. Do you hear me? You don’t get to leave me.” Orion let out a weak breath, almost a laugh. “Still… stubborn…” “Don’t talk,” she snapped softly, blinking away the burn in her eyes. But his gaze sharpened slightly, searching her face. “You went,” he whispered. “Didn’t you?” Nyx froze. Silence answered for her. Orion’s fingers tightened weakly around hers. “Nyx… no. Tell me you didn’t.” Her jaw clenched. “I had no choice.” “You always have a choice!” His voice cracked, followed by a violent cough. Dark blood spilled from his lips. Nyx’s heart dropped. The poison was spreading faster. “There’s no cure,” Orion rasped. “There is.” The words came out steady, even if everything inside her was shaking. Orion stared at her. “What did you do?” Nyx hesitated. Just for a second. “I made a deal.” “With who?” She met his eyes. “With him.” Recognition hit instantly. “No…” Orion shook his head weakly. “Anyone but him.” But there was no one else. Only one name whispered across territories with fear. Argus. “He has the antidote,” Nyx said quietly. “And he agreed to give it.” “At what cost?” Nyx swallowed. “Me.” Orion went still. “No. Nyx—he hates us. He’ll destroy you.” “Then let him try.” Her voice was calm. Too calm. “You’re walking into hell.” Nyx gave a faint, bitter smile. “Then I’ll survive it.” Orion’s grip tightened weakly. “Don’t go. Please… I’d rather die than—” “You’re not dying.” Her voice softened, but didn’t break. “I didn’t make this deal to lose you anyway.” Tears slipped from Orion’s eyes. “You’re all I have.” Nyx leaned forward, pressing her forehead to his. “And you’re the reason I’m doing this.” Even if it destroyed her. A knock echoed through the room. Three sharp strikes. Nyx stiffened. They were here. Right on time. Of course they were. Orion grabbed her wrist weakly. “Don’t go,” he pleaded. Her chest tightened. But she gently pulled away. “I have to.” She stood, forcing herself steady. Every instinct screamed at her to run. But Nyx had never been the kind to run. The door creaked open. Cold air flooded the room. And with it— Power. Heavy. Suffocating. Her wolf stirred uneasily. Danger. Slowly, Nyx turned. And everything went still. He stood in the doorway like he owned the world. Tall. Broad. Unmoving. Silver-gray hair. Piercing green eyes. A presence that pressed down on everything around him without effort. This was not just a man. This was an Alpha. Argus. His gaze locked onto hers. Cold. Assessing. Like he already knew exactly what she was worth. Nyx lifted her chin. She would not bow. She would not break. Even if she had just sold herself to him. Argus stepped forward, slow and deliberate. “You kept me waiting,” he said, voice low and controlled. Nyx held his gaze. “I’m here now.” A pause. Something dark flickered in his eyes. “Good.” His gaze swept over her once. Sharp. Claiming. Then his voice dropped, final and absolute— “Then you already know…” A step closer. Close enough to feel the weight of him. “You belong to me.”