Only Broken

No way Out

I stare at their massive physiques, their muscles taut with tension. I immediately swallow hard.

They exchange looks before turning back to me, their expressions dark with discontent.

Not liking the way they’re looking at me, I instinctively take a step back, but they advance.

"Who are you, and how did you get onto our territory undetected?" The one on the left, with sandy brown hair, glares at me with sharp intensity.

I swallow again, my throat dry.

Then—

A low, guttural sound rumbles from his chest.

I freeze.

That… that sound. It wasn’t human. It sounded like—

A growl.

Did he just growl at me?

Panic surges through me, and I spin on my heels, bolting down the corridor. I don’t care where I’m going—anywhere is better than here.

I reach the end of the hallway and find a stairway leading downward. Without thinking, I take the steps two at a time, my pulse hammering as I reach the ground floor. Heavy footsteps thunder behind me, growing louder.

I veer down the first open passage I see, turning blindly, desperate to find an exit. But the deeper I go, the more lost I become.

Taking another sharp turn, I spot two maids walking toward me. A flicker of relief sparks in my chest, but it’s gone as quickly as it came. If I’m somewhere I shouldn’t be, then everyone here could be against me.

Fear grips me anew.

I pivot, pushing through the nearest door, running even from them.

For a moment, I think I’ve lost my pursuers. I burst into an open courtyard with a large stone fountain at its center.

The area is vast, with numerous doors and corridors branching off in every direction.

"There she is!"

I whip around to see them closing in, their anger etched onto their faces.

My admiration for the fountain disappears as I take off running again—only to slam into something solid.

Or rather, someone.

The impact sends me stumbling backward, but strong hands catch me by the waist, steadying me before I can fall flat on my ass.

Dazed, I look up—and instantly freeze.

A pair of striking ocean-blue eyes lock onto mine and for a moment, I forget how to breathe.

The guy in front of me, looking like he’s in his late teens, stares at me with concern. Then with confusion, and then… something else I can’t decipher.

My stupid brain, instead of processing the very real danger behind me, takes a moment to admire how ridiculously good-looking he is. Blonde hair, perfect features—he looks unreal.

Footsteps approach, but I barely register them.

Then, as if snapping out of a trance, I suddenly realize—his hands are still on my waist. And worse… he’s shirtless.

I jolt back, putting some much-needed distance between us.

The guy watches me curiously, but my attention snaps to my pursuers, who are now right behind me.

"Don’t let her escape, Liam—she’s an intruder!"

The guy I bumped into, Liam, looks between them and me, his brows furrowing in confusion.

"Wait… hold on. What exactly is going on here?" His voice is calm, but firm.

"She’s an intruder! Can’t you smell her?" Sandy-haired guy practically spits the words, venom dripping from his tone.

Then, right before my eyes— His irises shift color.

Long, filthy claws extend from where his fingernails were and I gasp, stumbling backward. My heart slams against my ribs.

"Whoa, Jeff. Calm down." Liam steps in front of me, shielding me from Jeff’s advancing figure.

I should be running, but my body won’t move. I then look at the others who aren’t fazed—like this is normal for them.

"Are you seriously protecting the intruder, Liam? This won’t look good considering your future title."

"This has nothing to do with my future title." Liam counters, his voice laced with authority. "And I think we both know this isn’t how we deal with intruders."

The weight of his words seems to hold them back—briefly. But then—

Another growl.

Deep and dangerous.

I step back, breath quickening.

"Who the f**k cares? She’ll be executed anyway!" Jeff snarls, taking a step forward.

Fear surges through me, and without a second thought—I run.

I sprint as fast as my legs will carry me, but when I glance back, Jeff and his companion are still chasing me.

Not looking where I'm going I slam into something hard again.

Liam.

He stands in front of me, blocking my path entirely again.

"I’m sorry," he murmurs, sympathy in his gaze. "But you can’t leave either."

Panic immediately tightens around my chest.

"Get over here!"

A rough hand snatches a fistful of my hair, yanking me backward.

Pain explodes through my scalp, and I scream.

Without thinking, I stomp down—hard—on Jeff's foot. He curses, instantly letting go.

"What the hell, man?" Liam shoves him back, stepping between us once more.

I don’t understand why, but it looks like—Liam is trying to protect me.

"Get out of my way." Jeff growls, baring his teeth.

And that’s when I see them.

Fangs.

I slap a hand over my mouth to stifle my gasp.

This isn’t real. This can’t be real.

"Get a hold of yourself, Jeff," Liam warns. "The Alpha won’t be happy about this."

I try to back away again— But my back meets a wall.

Jeff’s fury boils over. His eyes glow an unnatural shade and his claws fully extended with his lips curled in an animalistic snarl.

Oh gosh, they’re not human!

A violent shiver races down my spine as my breath shortens and my vision tilts.

I’m going to pass out.

Suddenly someone grabs my hand sending a sudden jolt of electricity right through me, making me flinch.

"Don’t run," Liam whispers, barely turning his head toward me whilst still holding my hand. "You’ll only make it worse."

Then—the sound of bones snapping fills the air.

I watch, horror-stricken, as fur begins to spread across their skin. Their hands—change, becoming paws.

A strangled noise escapes my throat as my mind spirals into the impossible truth

I’m surrounded by monsters.

And before I can process anything else darkness swallows me whole.