The Alpha's Christmas Captive

Chapter 2

Riley's head pounded like a war drum.

She opened her eyes to stone. Cold, gray stone walls. A narrow window showing nothing but white sky and falling snow. The bed beneath her was hard—not the silk sheets she'd known her entire life.

She shot upright. Too fast. The room spun.

Her party dress—that ridiculous, short, sparkly thing—was still on. But her shoes were gone. Her jewelry. Her phone.

Her freedom.

Riley's chest tightened. She lunged for the door. Locked. She yanked on it hard enough to rattle the frame. Nothing.

"No, no, no—" She slammed her palms against the wood. "Let me out!"

Silence answered.

Riley spun, searching for another way out. The window was too narrow. Too high. She was in a tower. An actual stone tower like something from a nightmare.

Fear clawed up her throat, but she shoved it down. She was the Alpha King's daughter. She didn't break. She didn't—

The lock clicked.

Riley backed away from the door, heart hammering. She grabbed the only thing she could find—a candlestick from the bedside table. Heavy. She could use it.

The door swung open.

A man filled the doorway.

No. Not a man. An Alpha.

Riley's breath stopped.

He was massive. Six-foot-four at least, with shoulders that barely fit through the frame. Dark hair fell past his collar, wild and untamed. His face was all sharp angles and hard lines—a jaw that could cut glass, lips set in a grim line. A scar ran from his left eyebrow to his cheekbone.

But his eyes.

Silver. Like the wolf from the forest.

"You." Riley's voice came out strangled.

He stepped inside. The room suddenly felt too small. He radiated power—raw, primal, dangerous. His presence sucked all the air out of the space.

Riley lifted the candlestick higher. "Stay back."

His gaze flicked to her weapon. One corner of his mouth twitched. "You planning to fight me, princess?"

That voice. Deep. Rough. It scraped down her spine.

"I'm planning to bash your skull in if you come closer." Riley's hands shook, but she kept the candlestick steady. "Where am I? Who are you?"

He moved. Not toward her—but along the wall, circling. Predatory. Riley turned with him, keeping the distance between them.

"You're in my fortress." He said it casually. Like he hadn't just admitted to k********g her. "In the mountains. Far from your palace."

"My father will kill you for this."

"Your father." He laughed. The sound was bitter. "Blake Cameron. The great Alpha King." His silver eyes locked on hers. "Do you know what your father's been doing while you lived in your pretty palace, princess?"

"Don't call me that."

"What? Princess?" He stopped moving. "That's what you are, isn't it? Spoiled. Sheltered. Useless."

Rage exploded through Riley's fear. She threw the candlestick.

He caught it. One-handed. Without even flinching.

Riley's stomach dropped.

He tossed it aside. It clattered across the stone floor. "That was stupid."

"So is k********g me." Riley lifted her chin. "Do you have any idea what you've done? My father commands the largest pack in the territory. My fiancé's family controls the southern regions. They'll hunt you down. They'll—"

"Your fiancé." His expression darkened. Something dangerous flashed in those silver eyes. "Ethan Stone. Tell me, princess—do you love him?"

The question hit her like a slap. "That's none of your business."

"It is now." He moved closer. One step. Two. Riley backed up until she hit the wall. He kept coming until he was right there, towering over her. Close enough that she could feel the heat radiating off his body. Smell pine and smoke and something wild.

Her wolf surged forward, desperate and hungry.

No. No, this was wrong.

"You're going to stay here until Christmas," he said. His voice was low. Controlled. But underneath, she heard something feral. "Your father will surrender territory and resources. Or you won't make it to your wedding."

Riley's nails dug into her palms. "You're using me as a hostage."

"I'm using you as leverage." His gaze dropped to her mouth, then dragged back up. "There's a difference."

"There's no difference. You're a monster."

"Maybe." He leaned in. His breath ghosted across her cheek. "But I'm the monster who's going to teach you the truth about your perfect family. About the blood on your father's hands. About the wolves who've starved while you played dress-up in your palace."

Riley's breath came faster. He was too close. Too big. Too everything. Her whole body was aware of him—the strength in his frame, the danger in his eyes, the way his presence made her feel small and electrified all at once.

"Get away from me," she whispered.

"I will." But he didn't move. His hand came up slowly, giving her time to flinch away. She didn't. Couldn't. His fingers brushed her jaw. Calloused. Rough. "But first, you need to understand something."

Riley's heart slammed against her ribs. "What?"

"You belong to me now." His thumb traced her lower lip. The touch sent fire through her veins. "For the next seven days, you're mine. You eat when I say. Sleep when I say. Go where I say." His eyes burned into hers. "You obey me, princess. Or things get worse."

She should push him away. Spit in his face. Fight.

Instead, her body betrayed her. Heat pooled low in her belly. Her lips parted under his touch.

His pupils dilated. His jaw clenched.

For one terrible, electric moment, Riley thought he was going to kiss her.

Then he stepped back. Fast. Like she'd burned him.

"There are clothes in the chest." His voice was rough. Strained. "Change. Someone will bring you food."

He turned toward the door.

"Wait." The word escaped before Riley could stop it. "You didn't tell me your name."

He paused. Looked back over his shoulder. Those silver eyes raked over her one more time—slow, possessive, hungry.

"Grayson Hunt." The name sent ice down her spine. "The Rogue Alpha King."

Riley's blood turned cold. She knew that name. Everyone knew that name.

The exiled Alpha. Her father's greatest enemy. The wolf who'd sworn to destroy the Royal Winter Pack.

"No." Riley shook her head. "No, you can't—"

"I already did." Grayson's smile was sharp. Dangerous. "Sleep well, princess. Tomorrow, your real education begins."

He walked out. The lock clicked into place.

Riley stood frozen, her mind racing. Grayson Hunt. The Rogue Alpha King had kidn*pped her. This wasn't just about ransom. This was about revenge. About war.

She was in the hands of the most dangerous wolf alive.

And the worst part—the part that made her stomach twist with shame and confusion—was the way her body still burned from his touch. The way her wolf paced inside her, whining for him to come back.

The way she'd wanted him to kiss her.

Riley slid down the wall, her legs giving out.

She was so screwed.