[Karmic Wolves 2] Finding Lenora

Den

Lorena’s POV.

My heart aches as I stand in the cramped cage, my fingers clutching the cold metal bars as though they could ground me. Why did Marley have to come for me now? The bitter pang of disappointment settles in my chest. I wasn’t ready to return to the den. I’m never ready to go back to that place—the darkness, the suffocating oppression, and him.

I peer down at the forest below, watching as its sprawling beauty becomes smaller and smaller with each passing second. My entire being longs to stay there, amidst the towering trees and vibrant life that pulses through the land. The air was so fresh down there, filled with the scent of pine and earth. I could still feel the whisper of the wind against my skin, the way it tangled in my hair like an invitation. My heart tugs painfully at the thought of leaving that freedom behind.

But it’s not just the forest that lingers in my mind. Who was that man? The thought alone sends a shiver down my spine. That man by the river… the way he looked at me, it felt like he could see through me, like his glowing honey eyes were stripping away every defense I had ever built. My body had reacted instinctively to him, my pulse quickening as my gaze had been drawn—helplessly—down his body, to the powerful lines of muscle, and… gods. The memory of him stirs a flush of heat in my cheeks, warmth blooming in places I can’t allow myself to think about. His raw masculinity had called to me, making me feel both vulnerable and alive in a way I hadn’t felt in… I don’t even know how long.

I sit down in the cage, my legs too weak to hold me upright. I bury my face in my hands, willing the heated thoughts away, but they persist, swirling in my mind like forbidden whispers. Stop it, Lorena, I scold myself, my chest tightening with guilt. You can’t think about him. Not now. Not ever. My cheeks burn hotter, and I squeeze my eyes shut, trying to rid myself of the desire building within me.

But no matter how hard I try, I can’t stop thinking about the what-ifs. What would I have done if Marley hadn’t shown up when she did? Would I have given in to that magnetic pull between us? Would I have reached out, taken what I so desperately wanted? My breath hitches at the thought, a warm ache settling low in my belly.

No. I shake my head sharply. Enough. I need to compose myself before we return to the den. If anyone saw me like this—flushed, breathless, thinking of him… I don’t even want to imagine the consequences.

But the familiar dread creeps in as the floating mountain comes into view. I can already see the massive black structure looming over everything, the so-called “den” that is my prison. My heart clenches painfully as the reality of my situation crashes down on me. I will never be free. Not while he holds me in his grasp.

As Marley lands the cage gently on the cliff’s edge, I step out, my legs shaky from the ride. The solid ground beneath my feet brings a small comfort, though we’re still so high above the earth. I glance down at the swirling mist below the mountain, the forest now a distant memory. It feels like a dream, one I’ve been cruelly ripped away from.

“Did you enjoy it, my lady?” Marley asks, her voice soft and cautious.

I look at her, my loyal maid, and offer a smile—a weak one, but it’s all I can manage. “Yes… it was more beautiful than I could have ever imagined.” My voice cracks with the weight of those words. The forest had felt like freedom. But now, that moment is gone, and I’m back in this hell.

Marley smiles back, relief in her eyes. She knows how much I needed that brief escape. Leaning in close, she whispers, “We’ll keep this between us, okay?”

I nod quickly. “Of course. No one will know.” We would both be punished if anyone ever found out she had taken me down to the forest, beyond the boundaries of the floating mountain. That brief taste of freedom was dangerous, but I needed it—desperately.

Marley’s pink eyes, flecked with crimson, meet mine, and I feel a rush of gratitude for her. Her hair, a soft cascade of pink waves with streaks of red, frames her delicate face. She’s the only true friend I have in this place, the only one who’s ever cared enough to risk her safety for me.

She leads me deeper into the cave, and with every step, my heart grows heavier. The air here is thick, oppressive, and I can already feel the weight of it pressing down on my chest. I want to scream, to turn and run back to the forest, to throw myself into the unknown. Even if it meant death, at least I’d be free. But I can’t. He holds too much power over me. He has what I treasure most, and as long as he does, I have no choice but to endure this nightmare.

The eerie blue glow of the den greets us as we pass through the archway. The ethereal light reflects off the rocky walls, casting an otherworldly hue over everything. The orb of energy at the center of the den pulses with a steady rhythm, a constant reminder of the power that traps us all here. The blue moss that clings to the stone walls seems to feed off the energy, glowing faintly in the darkness.

We pass by the peasants’ quarters, their frail forms huddled in their stone cells. My heart aches for them. They live like prisoners, barely surviving. I’m not allowed to speak to them, but I always try to smile, to offer some small gesture of kindness as I walk by. It’s not much, but it’s all I can give.

Finally, we reach the entrance to the castle. The guards step aside, and I follow Marley through the grand black-and-gold hallway. My pulse quickens with every step. The closer we get to my room, the more my heart pounds. I can’t wait to shut the door behind me, to lock myself away from the horrors of this place, if only for a little while.

But just as I reach for the handle of my door, I hear it—the sound of a throat clearing behind me. My blood runs cold.

“Leave, maid,” comes the low, commanding voice.

Marley’s hand slips from mine as she drops into a hurried curtsy. “Of course, my king,” she stammers before rushing off, her eyes wide with fear. And just like that, I’m alone. Alone with him.

His footsteps draw closer, and I feel the air around me grow thick, suffocating. I don’t dare turn around. My body trembles as his presence looms behind me, casting a dark shadow over everything. Rough hands grip my arms, pulling me back against his solid form. I want to scream, to push him away, but I’m frozen. Paralyzed with fear.

“I’ve missed you, my kitten,” he murmurs against my ear, his hot breath sending a shudder of revulsion down my spine. His hands are everywhere—groping, squeezing, claiming. He’s so close I can feel every inch of his powerful body pressing against mine, and the bile rises in my throat.

Before I can react, he spins me around and slams me against the door. Pain shoots through my back as the handle cuts deep into my skin, and I let out a small, involuntary cry. His hands grip my arms so tightly I can already feel the bruises forming. Tears sting my eyes, but I refuse to cry. Not for him.

A tear slips down my cheek anyway, and he leans in, licking it away like a beast savoring its prey. His teeth sink into the flesh of my cheek, sharp and cruel, and I wince as more tears fall.

“Stop looking at me like that, Lorena,” he growls, his red eyes blazing with anger and lust. “You are mine. My mate. And it’s about time you started acting like it.”

I stare into his eyes, filled with nothing but pure hatred. He’s handsome, yes—his long black hair, his chiseled jawline, his towering, muscular form. But his beauty is twisted by the cruelty that lies beneath the surface. His scent, smells like destruction—a wildfire that razes everything good in its path, leaving only ash and ruin.

I am repulsed by him. And yet, I am trapped.