MARKED BY THE ROGUE MOON

CHAPTER TWO

His eyes flashed silver, and for a heartbeat, I thought he'd actually do it.Then he moved.His hand shot out, fingers closing around my throat, not squeezing, just holding me in place. A warning. His face was inches from mine, and the fury rolling off him made my wolf whimper."You don't get to tell me what to do, rogue." His voice was lethal. Quiet. "Not on my land. Not ever."I bared my teeth despite the hand at my throat. "Then stop stalling and finish it.""You think I won't?" He leaned closer, and I could feel his breath against my skin. "I've killed dozens of rogues. What makes you think you're different?"*Because you feel it too,* I wanted to say. *Because the bond is ripping you apart just like it's ripping me apart.*But I kept my mouth shut.His grip tightened slightly, his gaze searching my face like he was looking for something; a reason, maybe. An excuse not to snap my neck right here.Whatever he saw, it made him angrier."You're coming with me." He released my throat and grabbed my arm instead, his fingers like iron. "Move.""Where?""The pack house. I have questions, and you're going to answer every single one." He started dragging me through the forest. "And if I don't like what I hear, I'll finish what I should've done the second you crossed my border."I dug my heels in. "I'm not going anywhere with you."He stopped, turned, and the look he gave me could've frozen blood."You crossed into Crescent Moon territory. By law, you're mine to do with as I please." His tone was flat. Final. "I can execute you here, or I can drag you back and get answers first. Your choice.""Some choice.""It's more than most rogues get."He wasn't wrong. And fighting him now would be suicide since I was wounded, exhausted, and he was an Alpha in his prime on his own land.I stopped resisting.Zane's jaw tightened like my compliance somehow made things worse. He turned and kept walking, his grip on my arm never loosening.The forest grew denser as we moved deeper into his territory. I could feel the pack bonds all around us; threads of connection between him and his wolves, thick and strong. It made my chest ache. I hadn't felt that kind of belonging in two years."What pack are you from?" he asked suddenly.I hesitated. Telling him would confirm I wasn't just some random rogue."Does it matter?""Everything matters when it comes to rogues on my land." His tone was ice. "Answer the question.""Shadowridge."He went completely still."Shadowridge," he repeated slowly. Then he turned to look at me, and something dangerous flickered in his silver eyes. "You're from the pack that's been sending hunting parties across half the territory for the past two years."My stomach dropped. "You know about that?""Every Alpha knows. Shadowridge has a standing bounty on a rogue thief." His gaze raked over me. "A female rogue who supposedly stole something valuable enough to warrant execution.""I didn't steal anything.""That's what they all say.""I'm not lying." Frustration bled into my voice. "I was framed. Accused of taking something I've never even seen.""What were you accused of stealing?""I don't know what it's called. Some kind of artifact." I looked away. "They dragged me before the council two years ago, said I was a traitor, and when I couldn't prove my innocence—"I stopped. The memory was too raw."They what?" Zane's voice was quieter now. Still cold, but less sharp."They tried to execute me," I finished. "I ran. Been running ever since."He was silent for a long moment, and I couldn't tell if he believed me or if he was deciding how to kill me."If you didn't take it, why are they still hunting you?""Because they think I'm hiding it. That I'll eventually lead them to it." I laughed bitterly. "They're convinced I know where it is.""And do you?""No."He studied me as we walked, and I hated that I couldn't read him. His expression was stone."You're a terrible liar," he finally said."I'm not...""Your heartbeat spikes when you talk about it. Your scent changes." He stopped walking and turned to face me fully. "You're hiding something."My breath caught. "I'm not.""Then explain the scar."Ice flooded my veins. "What scar?"His gaze dropped to my ribs, to the exact spot where the old wound sat hidden beneath my shirt. "The one that started glowing the second the bond snapped into place."Damn it. He'd noticed."It's nothing," I said quickly. "Just an old injury...""Injuries don't glow." He stepped closer, and the bond pulled tight between us. "And they don't burn hot enough that I can feel the heat from here."I backed up a step. "Don't.""Show me.""No.""That wasn't a request." His voice dropped into Alpha command, and my body betrayed me, knees buckling slightly, wolf pressing against my control.I fought it. Hard."You don't get to command me," I snarled. "I'm not part of your pack."Something flickered in his eyes like surprise, maybe, that I'd resisted. Then it was gone, replaced by cold calculation."Fine. We'll do this the hard way."Before I could move, he closed the distance and grabbed the hem of my shirt.I caught his wrist. "Touch me and I'll rip your hand off.""Try it."We stood frozen, inches apart, both of us breathing hard. The bond thrummed between us, screaming at us to close the distance, to *touch*, to claim.Zane's jaw clenched, and I saw the war playing out behind his eyes—instinct versus control, duty versus desire.He let go of my shirt.Stepped back."You're going to tell me what you're hiding," he said, his voice rough. "One way or another. Because whatever it is, it's dangerous enough that an entire pack wants you dead for it.""And then what? You'll kill me too?"His expression was unreadable. "Maybe. Or maybe I'll find a use for you."The way he said it cold and detached sent a chill down my spine."I'm not a weapon.""Everyone's a weapon if you know how to use them." He turned and started walking again. "Now move. Before I change my mind about keeping you alive."I followed, because what choice did I have?But as we walked, the scar on my ribs began to burn again.And this time, I felt something else; a pulse. A rhythm.Like something inside me was waking up.And it recognized him.