Chapter 3
1156 Words
Maya’s grip was iron as she dragged Stella down the corridor. Each step sent pain flaring through Stella’s ribs, but she bit her lip and refused to cry out. She wouldn’t give them that satisfaction.
They were taking her to the main hall — to Alpha Kieran. To whatever nightmare Cassidy and Ryker had devised.
No.
Stella wrenched free and ran. Her bare feet slapped the floor; the world tilted and blurred. She didn’t make it far before her knees buckled. The carpet burned her palms as she fell.
“You really thought that would work?” Maya snarled, seizing her by the neck. “Pathetic.”
Two enforcers appeared — Craig and another built like a wall.
“Please,” Stella rasped. “Just let me go. I won’t come back, I swear—”
Maya’s fist slammed into her side. Something cracked. Pain exploded, sharp and bright. Stella screamed before she could stop herself.
“Pick her up.”
Craig threw her over his shoulder, carrying her like a sack of grain. Every step drove the broken rib deeper into agony.
They dumped her in a small room in the omega quarters. The lock clicked.
She crawled to the door, pounding weakly. “Please… I’ll do anything.” Blood smeared her lips. Silence answered.
Time lost meaning. She held her ribs, trembling. The mate's bond with Ryker pulsed faintly in her chest — a cruel echo of what had once been.
The door opened. Dr. Vance, the healer, entered with a vial. “Drink this,” he said, not meeting her eyes.
“Please… let me talk to Cassidy or Ryker—”
“Drink.”
He forced the bitter liquid down her throat and left. The pain dulled, but not enough.
“This isn’t fair,” she whispered to the ceiling. “What did I do to deserve this?”
Kira, her wolf, gave no answer.
The door opened again. Ryker stood there, disgust written in every line of his face.
“How could the moon goddess tie me to you?” His voice was cold. “You’re nothing.”
Something inside Stella snapped. “You’re the coward,” she hissed. “Too weak to stand up to your girlfriend.”
He moved faster than thought, his hand closing around her throat. “I’m your Beta. Show respect.”
She clawed for air.
“Ryker!” Cassidy’s voice sliced through the room. “Enough. She’s leaving tomorrow anyway.”
He shoved Stella aside. She hit the wall, coughing.
Then came the words that shattered her world.
“I, Beta Ryker Stone of Silver Ridge Pack, reject you, Stella Thorne, as my mate.”
Pain tore through her. Not physical — deeper. Her heart twisted, her wolf screamed, the bond ripped apart like fabric burning. She crumpled, gasping, while Ryker and Cassidy watched with satisfaction.
When she woke, dawn stained the walls gold. The bond was gone. Kira’s presence had shrunk to a faint flicker.
The door burst open. Maya strode in, grinning. “Look who survived the night.” She dragged Stella to a cold shower. The icy water shocked her body into motion.
“Scrub,” Maya ordered. “Alpha Kieran will be here soon.”
When Stella stumbled out, shaking, Maya tossed her a faded blue dress — too big, too thin.
“That was Cassidy’s,” Maya said, smirking. “Perfect for your wedding day.”
Wedding day. The words felt unreal.
Maya leaned close. “Kieran’s last two mates didn’t last six months. One wasted away. The other threw herself off a cliff. The curse eats at you until you can’t take it anymore.” Her breath was sweet with malice. “How long do you think you’ll last?”
Stella’s stomach twisted.
When they reached the main hall, the place was chaos — omegas setting flowers, arranging tables, like preparing for a celebration instead of a sacrifice.
Cassidy stood at the center, radiant and cruel. “Put her there,” she ordered.
Maya shoved Stella into a corner.
Across the room, Ryker laughed with the warriors, as if last night hadn’t happened. He didn’t even look at her.
She refused to cry. Not here. Not for him.
The main doors opened.
Alpha Drake entered first, cold and composed. Then came Ryker. And behind them — Kieran.
The cursed Alpha.
He filled the doorway, tall and broad-shouldered, black hair falling in waves past his collar. A scar cut through one dark brow, and tattoos wound across his arms — wolves, moons, ancient sigils. His eyes were darker than night, sharp and unreadable.
He didn’t look cursed. He looked dangerous.
His gaze swept the room — and stopped on her.
The air shifted. For a moment, everything slowed. Her mark flared hot against her skin. Recognition — not reasoned, but primal — coiled through her.
Kieran’s expression flickered. Surprise? Something else?
He strode forward, his presence swallowing the space between them. Up close, he smelled of cedar smoke and cold air. His gaze traced the bruises, the too-big dress, the hollow beneath her eyes. His jaw tightened.
“This is who you’re offering?” His voice was low, lethal. “She looks half-dead.”
“She’s fine,” Cassidy said lightly. “Just had a rough week.”
Kieran turned his gaze on her. “I wasn’t speaking to you.”
The temperature in the room dropped.
Drake cleared his throat. “Alpha Kieran, she’s in good health. Our healer confirmed it.”
“Has he.” Kieran’s eyes returned to Stella. “And she’s agreed to this arrangement?”
Silence.
Stella’s mouth opened, then closed. What could she say? That they were selling her like property?
“She’s agreed,” Ryker said quickly.
Kieran moved like lightning, grabbing Ryker by the shirt and dragging him forward. “I didn’t ask you,” he said softly. “I asked her.”
Every gaze turned to Stella. Her heart pounded. This was her chance to say no — to fight. But she saw Cassidy’s smirk, felt the ghost of Ryker’s hand at her throat.
At least with Kieran, she’d be away from here.
“Yes,” she whispered. “I agreed.”
A lie. But it was all she had left.
Kieran’s eyes searched hers, as if weighing something unseen. Then he released Ryker and stepped back.
“Fine,” he said. “We leave in an hour. She’ll need proper care.”
Drake nodded. “We’ll have everything prepared—”
“No,” Kieran cut in. “My people will handle it. I don’t want anything from your pack touching her.”
The insult landed like a slap.
Kieran turned to Stella. “Gather your things. You won’t be coming back.”
Then he walked away, his presence trailing like storm wind.
Stella stood frozen, heart racing, unsure whether she’d just been saved… or sold to something even darker.
- Writer
