CHAPTER FOURTEEN
1014 Words
14: Stolen
Elena’s world was reduced to cold stone, iron shackles, and the low murmur of ritualistic chants.
She didn’t remember much after Marcus’s ambush. There had been smoke, confusion, and the sound of Kieran roaring her name. Then, darkness.
Now, she was awake in the Graves Pack’s stronghold. A massive underground den, damp with the scent of wolves and earth. Torches flickered along the carved rock walls, their glow barely pushing back the gloom.
She pulled against the chains binding her wrists, but the silver embedded in them burned at her skin. She gritted her teeth. Marcus had planned this well.
A shadow fell over her.
"You’re awake."
Elena tensed. Marcus stood before her, arms crossed, a cruel smirk playing on his lips. His dark hair was tousled, his sharp blue eyes watching her with predatory amusement.
"You should be honored," he continued, stepping closer. "You’re the key to something far greater than a petty pack war."
Elena glared at him. "Go to hell."
Marcus chuckled, reaching out to trace the crescent-shaped mark on her collarbone—the mark that had appeared after her encounter with Kieran.
"You don’t even know what you are, do you?" he murmured.
Elena yanked away, but the chains kept her in place. "I’m not yours," she spat.
His smirk deepened. "You don’t get a choice."
Marcus turned, gesturing toward the altar in the center of the chamber. Ancient symbols had been carved into the stone, glowing faintly with an eerie red light. The scent of herbs, incense, and old blood filled the air.
"The Blood Moon is coming," he said, his voice reverent. "And with it, a power that hasn’t been seen in centuries."
Elena swallowed hard. "You think you can force me to be part of your twisted magic?"
Marcus tilted his head. "You misunderstand. The magic isn’t forcing you. It chose you."
Elena’s stomach twisted. "You’re insane."
"Maybe," he said. "But soon, you’ll understand."
A door creaked open.
A young woman entered, her head bowed. She carried a bowl of water and a cloth. Marcus waved a hand dismissively.
"Clean her up. She needs to look presentable for the ceremony."
The woman hesitated, glancing at Elena with something like pity before kneeling beside her.
Marcus leaned down, lowering his voice. "Try to run, try to resist, and I’ll make sure Kieran watches as I rip you apart. Understand?"
Elena didn’t answer.
Marcus grabbed her chin, forcing her to meet his eyes. His grip was bruising.
"Do you understand?" he growled.
Elena forced herself to smile. "Kieran will kill you before you even get the chance."
Marcus chuckled. "Let him try."
Then he was gone, his laughter echoing as he disappeared down the corridor.
The young woman remained, carefully dabbing at Elena’s face with the damp cloth.
"You should rest," she whispered.
Elena studied her. She had dark hair pulled back in a braid, and her green eyes darted nervously to the door.
"You don’t want to be here, do you?" Elena murmured.
The woman hesitated. Then, barely audible, she said, "No."
Elena’s pulse quickened.
"Then help me."
The woman tensed.
"If Marcus wins," Elena pressed, "your life won’t get any better. You know that, right?"
The woman swallowed hard, her hands trembling. "I can’t."
"You can."
The woman met her gaze. For a long moment, she was silent. Then—
She slipped a small dagger into Elena’s hands.
"Midnight," she whispered. "That’s when the guards change."
Hope flickered in Elena’s chest.
She nodded. "Thank you."
The woman hesitated once more, then hurried from the room.
Elena closed her fingers around the dagger. It wasn’t much.
But it was a start.
---
Meanwhile—Kieran
Kieran was losing control.
The bond—the invisible thread connecting him to Elena—was fraying. He could feel her pain, her fear. Every second she was gone made his wolf more restless, more volatile.
Lila had to physically hold him back when he tried to charge out alone.
"We need a plan!" she snapped. "Marcus will be expecting a direct attack. You’ll just get yourself killed."
Kieran snarled, golden eyes glowing. "I don’t care!"
Elias, his father, stepped forward. "You should care," he said evenly. "Because if you die, who will save her?"
Kieran’s breathing was ragged. His hands clenched into fists.
Elias nodded at the map spread out before them. "The Graves Pack’s den is underground. Entrances here and here. We send a diversion at the main gate, then infiltrate through the tunnels."
Kieran forced himself to focus.
Elena was waiting for him.
He couldn’t afford to fail.
---
Midnight—Escape
Elena had counted every breath, every second.
The guards changed exactly at midnight, just as the woman had said.
She took her chance.
Using the small dagger, she carefully worked at the lock on her chains. Her fingers were slick with sweat. If she failed—
Click.
The shackle popped open.
Her heart pounded. She quickly freed herself and slid off the altar.
The corridor was empty.
Go.
Elena darted down the hallway, keeping to the shadows. She could hear distant voices, but she moved swiftly, heart hammering.
Then—
"Going somewhere?"
Her blood ran cold.
Marcus stood at the end of the hall, arms crossed, smiling like a wolf.
Elena didn’t hesitate.
She ran.
He was faster.
Marcus lunged, grabbing her wrist and slamming her against the stone wall.
"You never learn," he mused, pinning her. "But that’s fine. I like a challenge."
Elena’s free hand found the dagger.
With everything she had, she drove it into his arm.
Marcus roared in pain.
She shoved him away, sprinting down the hall.
Behind her, the alarm was raised.
Her escape had failed.
And the Blood Moon was almost here.
---
Cliffhanger Ending: The Rescue Begins
At that exact moment—
The den exploded.
A blast of fire and smoke erupted from the main entrance, shaking the ground.
Marcus swore, yanking the dagger from his arm. "What the—"
Then—
A familiar howl.
Elena’s heart leaped.
Kieran.
Marcus turned, cursing.
The Blackwood Pack had arrived.
- Writer
