Braila’s Chains - Trapped Between Them.

Trigger (4)

We couldn't keep our hands to ourselves. It didn’t matter if it was the hallway, the shadows of the training field, or midnight. The moment we were alone, the storm started all over again.

We weren’t just having s*x. We were devouring each other. Every kiss was desperate. The heat between us went wild. Once our eyes locked, it was over.

Bang — he’d have me against the wall, my legs wrapped around him. His mouth on my skin, my fingers tangled in his hair, both of us gasping like we’d been starving.

He’d whisper the filthiest things into my ear, things no one had ever dared say to me. And I’d moan for him like I didn’t have a soul. I told myself it was just temporary, that eventually we’d burn out. That the heat would fade, the obsession would dissolve. But it didn’t. It got worse.

It was fun, so dangerously fun, I forgot myself. Who I was supposed to be. What I was running from. What I was hiding. I stopped following the rules I’d spent years protecting myself with. I didn’t care anymore. All I wanted was him.

His hands.

His voice.

Ezra’s scent clung to my body after he’d ruined me all night.

Sometimes I woke up with his arms wrapped around me, our bodies still warm from everything we’d done. I’d look at him. Ezra’s messy hair, slow breaths, those tasty lips, and wonder how long this could last.

The more I loved it, the more dangerous it became. And yet, I kept going back. Over. And over.

And over again.

Isn't this the time to stop before things go haywire?

The grocery bag was still swinging in my hand when I stepped out into the warm evening. I glanced up from the crinkled receipt, the soft plastic rustling against my wrist. Then I felt it. That chilling instinct crawled up my spine.

I wasn’t alone.

A group of three stepped out from behind a parked van across the street. Their walk was too casual. All in civilian clothes, jeans, hoodies, sneakers, but there was no mistaking the energy rolling off them.

Werewolves.

I took a step back, my fingers tightening around the bag. The scent hit me next. They are not purebloods. They are betas from a pack. Who are they? What do they want with me?

“Hey,” one of them said, smirking, cracking his knuckles. “Fancy running into you here,” and ran towards me.

In one sharp motion, I dropped the bag and swung my leg into the first one’s ribs. He staggered, coughing, but the second was faster. He grabbed my wrist. I twisted, elbowed him in the jaw, but then—

BAM!

Something hard slammed into my back. I flew into the side of a black SUV. The impact knocked the breath out of my lungs. The metallic thud echoed through the street. Before I could recover, a heavy hand closed around my throat.

I gasped, clawing at his wrist, kicking wildly. He leaned in close. His breath smelled of mint and blood. His yellow eyes gleamed with hatred.

“Who…who are y-you?!” I struggled.

“So much for being a pureblood. So, you can still talk?!” he mocked. “What is a pureblood doing with a half-breed?” he snarled.

My heart thudded.

I thrashed, summoning what little control I had left. My body wanted to shift. My wolf snarled beneath my skin.

“You’re tainting your bloodline,” the third one hissed, circling behind the SUV, just out of reach. “With that half-breed.”

The fingers around my throat tightened. Black dots danced in my vision. “You should’ve stayed hidden, princess.”

“Or dead.” The first one, who I had kicked earlier, smirked.

I coughed hard. My throat burned from the pressure. My nails scraped uselessly at the arm holding me against the SUV, but he didn’t budge.

“She can’t even pull a fight.” The first one let out a loud, mocking laugh, his amusement bouncing off the nearby buildings. He stepped closer, eyeing me as a dirty joke. “And she’s a Pureblood? I don’t believe it.”

I clenched my jaw, struggling to breathe.

One of them leaned forward, brushing my hair aside, like he was inspecting something valuable. “Where’s your aura, sweetheart? Don’t purebloods glow with power or something?”

My wolf growled beneath the surface, furious at the humiliation.

He grabbed my jaw roughly, forcing me to meet his eyes.

“Tell me, do you really think you’re good enough to walk beside Ezra? You’re nothing but another spoiled Alpha girl. All bark, no bite.” Then he spat, “We don't want a Pureblood with Ezra. Your kind always grabs what’s precious and brings darkness wherever you go.”

I clenched my fists, my breath shallow. The weight of his hand on my jaw made my skin burn.

“I don’t see Ezra choosing your ass,” I whispered, my voice steady despite the tremble in my bones.

He laughed. “Ezra doesn’t know what you are. If he did, he’d tear you apart himself. You think he's different, but he's one of us.”

I growled.

“You purebloods walk around acting as gods. We see right through you.”

I tasted blood in my mouth. My ribs ached. “You talk a lot for someone who attacks women in parking lots,” I muttered.

That earned me a blow to the stomach, a fist so hard it knocked the air out of me.

I gasped, falling to my knees. “Ezra will find you,” I said through gritted teeth.

The first one crouched beside me, smirking. “He won’t even remember you once we’re done with you.”

“Let her go, Mike.”

That voice. A command that made the surrounding wolves stiffen. That scent… no. My eyes widened. I knew it before I saw him. I turned slowly, my heart pounding in disbelief.

“I’m sure this will be enough to remind you to stay away from Ezra,” Mike sneered, shoving me back. “Right, Nymera?”

I blinked, stunned. My throat went tight. “Alpha Gifford…” I whispered.

He stepped forward with the same arrogant grace I remembered. His smile was warm, but there was venom behind it. “That’s right,” he said smoothly. “I’m your Alpha.”

Then, as if mocking my weakness, he bent down slightly in front of me, one knee touching the ground. The other wolves stepped aside as he approached, radiating power.

“I don’t want a Pureblood anywhere near my son,” he said, voice low and annoyed. “Your kind always takes what’s precious, and leaves ruin in its place.”

He reached out and tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear, his touch too soft to be sincere.

“Do you think you belong at Ezra’s side?” He scoffed, eyes narrowing. “You’re not welcome in my bloodline. You never were.”

Every word he spoke dripped with control, threat disguised as civility.

I nearly collapsed.