MARKED BY THE ROGUE MOON

CHAPTER FOUR

The holding cells were underground.It had cold stone, iron bars with the smell of damp earth and old blood. Cassian led me down a narrow staircase, two guards flanking us, and I counted every step. Twenty-three before we hit the bottom.Twenty-three steps between me and freedom."In here," Cassian said, stopping in front of a cell at the end of the corridor.I didn't move.He sighed. "Don't make me force you.""You're really going to lock me up? After your Alpha felt the mate bond?" The words tasted bitter. "Some Gamma you are."His amber eyes met mine, and I saw something flicker there, maybe conflict or sympathy."Alpha's orders," he said quietly. "I follow them. Always.""Even when they're wrong?""Especially then." He opened the cell door. "Because he's kept this pack alive when others would've failed. So yeah, I trust his judgment. Even about you."I wanted to argue. To fight. But the exhaustion was catching up to me especially with the wound in my side, the days of running, the mate bond pulling at something deep inside me.I walked into the cell.The door clanged shut behind me, the sound echoing off the stone walls.Cassian lingered, studying me through the bars. "For what it's worth, I hope you're telling the truth.""Why would you care?""Because if you're lying, he'll have to kill you." His expression was grim. "And I don't think that'll go well for anyone."He left before I could respond.I sank onto the narrow bench against the wall, pressing a hand to my wounded side. The bleeding had slowed, but the pain was getting worse. The scar on my ribs pulsed in rhythm with my heartbeat.*What happens after that depends on what he offers me.*Zane's words replayed in my mind. He was negotiating with Marcus. Deciding my fate like I was a piece of property to be traded.Maybe I was.I closed my eyes and tried not to think about what Marcus would do if he got his hands on me.---Footsteps echoed down the corridor maybe an hour later.I looked up, expecting Cassian or another guard.Instead, a man stepped into view.He was tall, broad-shouldered like Zane, but his features were softer. Warmer. Dark hair, sharp green eyes, and a smile that didn't quite reach them."Well," he said, stopping in front of my cell. "You're not what I expected."I stood slowly. "Who are you?""Kael. Zane's Beta." He tilted his head, studying me like I was something curious. Interesting. "Also his brother, though he forgets that most of the time."Brother. That explained the resemblance."Come to gloat?" I asked."Gloat? No. I came to see the rogue who's caused such a stir." His smile widened. "It's not every day we get someone from a Shadowridge bounty notice walking into our territory."My stomach tightened. "How do you know about that?""Your name's been on every bounty board in the region for two years. Seraphina Vale. Accused thief. Wanted dead or alive." He shrugged. "I'd be a terrible Beta if I didn't keep track of threats to this pack."So he knew who I was from the bounty. That made sense."If you're here to interrogate me, save your breath," I said. "I already told Zane everything.""Did you?" Kael leaned against the bars, his expression thoughtful. "Word travels fast in this pack. Especially when the Alpha brings a rogue into his office and locks the door.""You were listening?""I have eyes and ears everywhere. Including outside my brother's office." He said it casually, like it was the most natural thing in the world. Like he had every right to spy on his own Alpha.My skin prickled. "So you heard everything.""Enough." His green eyes gleamed. "Enough to know you claim you don't have the Moonshard. That your father supposedly hid something in you before he died.""I'm not lying.""I know." His answer surprised me. "I actually believe you."I blinked. "You do?""I think your father really did hide it in you. And I think it's been there this whole time, just waiting to wake up." He gestured toward my ribs. "That scar. It's more than just a mark, isn't it?"The scar burned hotter, and I pressed a hand against it instinctively.Kael's gaze tracked the movement. "Does it hurt?""That's none of your business.""Everything that happens in this pack is my business. I'm Beta. Second in command." He straightened. "Which means when Zane makes stupid decisions, I'm the one who has to clean up the mess.""What are you talking about?""Marcus is at the border right now demanding you be handed over. Thirty wolves with him, all armed, all ready to drag you back to Shadowridge." Kael's expression turned serious. "And my brother is standing there trying to figure out how to refuse without starting a war.""He should just give me to them," I said flatly. "Easier for everyone.""Probably. But he won't." Kael stepped closer to the bars. "You know why?"I didn't answer."Because you're his mate." He said it like it was obvious. "I could smell it on him the second he walked into the pack house. Every wolf here can. The bond; it changes your scent. Makes it... connected."My breath caught. So it wasn't just us who knew. The whole pack could tell."And no matter how much he hates it," Kael continued, "no matter how much it goes against everything he believes... he can't let you go. The bond won't let him.""Then he's a fool.""Maybe. Or maybe you're exactly what this pack needs." He smiled again, and this time it looked almost genuine. "Guess we'll find out."He turned to leave."Wait," I called out. "Why are you telling me this?"Kael paused, glancing back. "Because I want you to understand something, Seraphina. My brother is a good Alpha. Strong. Fair. But he's also stubborn as hell and carries more guilt than any wolf should.""What does that have to do with me?""Everything." His green eyes locked on mine. "Because if you hurt him...if you're playing some game, if you're using the bond to manipulate him...I'll kill you myself. Mate bond or not."The threat hung in the air between us.Then he left, his footsteps fading up the stairs.I sat back down, my mind racing.Kael had been listening. Spying on his own Alpha. That should've set off alarms in my head.But right now, all I could think about was what he'd said.The whole pack knew about the bond.Which meant they all knew Zane's mate was a rogue. A criminal.I was a target before I even had a chance.---Another hour passed before the footsteps returned.This time, it was Zane.He appeared at my cell alone, blood on his knuckles, his shirt torn at the shoulder. His eyes were molten silver, his wolf still close to the surface."What happened?" I asked before I could stop myself."Marcus happened." He unlocked the cell door and pulled it open. "Get up.""Why?""Because we're leaving. Now."I stood slowly. "Leaving? What about...""Marcus and his wolves are dead."The words hit me like a fist to the chest."You... you killed them?""No. I killed Marcus." Zane's expression was cold. Hard. "The others ran when they saw what I did to him.""Why?" The question came out as a whisper. "Why would you do that?"He stepped into the cell, closing the distance between us until we were inches apart. His hand came up, fingers tilting my chin so I had to meet his gaze."Because he thought he could take what's mine," Zane said quietly. Dangerously. "And I don't share."The bond flared hot between us, and I felt it...the claim. The possession.He'd just started a war for me.