Bloodbound

Come What May

The hall was a blur of movement—guards pacing with stiff shoulders, Omegas scrubbing the floors until their knuckles bled, the clatter of silver trays and the stomp of heavy boots echoing off the stone walls. I kept my head down and my ears open, my heart hammering like a war drum.

Other packs were here. That alone changed the air—made it tighter, heavier. But one name sent a spear of ice down my spine:

Red Willow.

Somewhere in this cursed place, Alpha Marcus walked freely. I didn’t know if he was aware of the cages buried beneath these floors, the suffering sealed into these walls. But maybe he did. Maybe that was why he came.

Maybe that's why they all came.These men were friends of heaths father of my father.

Hope flickered in my chest, quickly smothered by fear.

I moved quickly, arms full with heavy trays stacked with roasted meats, wildroot stew, and braided bread. I had cooked most of it myself. Darius insisted on hospitality—not out of kindness, but to maintain the illusion of civility.

He didn’t know that illusion would be his undoing.

As I stepped into the grand dining hall, my eyes scanned the room.

Then stopped.

Alpha Marcus.

He sat tall and sharp-eyed at the long banquet table. Regal and composed, with power that clung to him like armor. He looked older, more weathered, but unmistakable.

My breath caught. My throat burned.

I nearly cried.

He hadn’t seen me yet. Good. I need this to go slowly for Heath's sake. If they felt threatened they would dispose of us immediately .

I approached the table and bowed, keeping my head low. At the head of the table sat Darius, surrounded by smug warriors and whispering sycophants. Alexa stood behind him, arms folded, her eyes scanning the room like a hawk looking for prey.

Then Darius spoke, his voice loud and sharp like shattered ice.

"We welcome you all tonight. Not only to witness the strength of our pack, but to consider future partnerships."

His arrogance dripped from every word.

Alexa followed with her own venom. "As you can see, we run a smooth, efficient pack. Our people are protected. They're grateful—unlike under the previous Alpha's weak reign."

I clenched my jaw so tight it hurt. She wanted me to react. She wanted an excuse to drag me into the open and break me.

She didn’t need a reason. She just enjoyed it more with an audience.

From across the table, Alpha Greg of the Half-Moon Pack raised his goblet. "We haven’t seen much yet. You’ll understand our caution. Our alliance with Crescent Hollow was a strong one. Many of us considered Alpha Craig a friend."

The mention of my old pack made my back stiffen. I reached for a jug of iced wine and moved to refill Alpha Marcus’s cup. My hands trembled.

As I poured, he looked up.

And I saw it.

Recognition.

Just a flicker—a tightening of his jaw, a soft widening of his eyes. But it was enough.

"Thank you," he said quietly, his voice gentler than I remembered. "Your hands are shaking."

"I’m just cold," I whispered.

His gaze lingered. I felt it like a touch against my skin.

Then he said my name.

"Chloe?"

My heart dropped.

I couldn’t ignore him. But I could warn him.

I turned slowly, keeping my expression blank. I offered the faintest smile.

"Yes, sir?"

I shook my head just once. Not yet. My eyes pleaded.

He understood. His brow furrowed. He nodded once.

Alexa’s stare burned through me.

She saw something. She always saw too much.

"Chloe," she snapped, her voice a whip. "Check on dessert."

The room stilled.

Darius laughed, a brittle sound. "Let’s not get sentimental, Alpha Greg. That pack is gone. What’s left has adapted."

My face stayed neutral. My soul screamed.

I turned and fled to the kitchen, hiding my panic under the pretense of checking sweets. My pulse thudded against my ribs. I reached inside the hem of my apron and touched the folded note—the one I had prepared for Marcus.

Ashley was already at the prep table, clearing plates, her hands moving fast. Her eyes flicked around the room.

"She’s still watching you," she whispered without looking up. "Wait until they leave."

I nodded and scrubbed the same spot on the counter over and over.

By the time dinner ended, Darius handing out cigars and pouring whiskey for the men. None of the Alphas brought their mates which said something.

These people were not to be trusted.

I waited outside so I could pass Marcus my note.

But it wasn’t Marcus who found me.

It was Alexa.

She grabbed my arm and yanked me behind a support beam. Her nails dug into my chin, tilting my face up until it hurt.

"Cute reunion," she sneered. "You just couldn’t help yourself, could you?"

I jerked away, heart pounding.

"Careful," she whispered, her smile twisted. "Unless you want your little friend Heath to lose his tongue tomorrow."

I froze.

Stomach bottomed out. Breath caught.

She smirked and walked away, victorious.

I slumped against the wall, shaking.

She knew.

And if I wasn’t careful, Heath would pay for my defiance.

Back in the dining hall, my letter was already burning a hole in my hand.

He had recognized me. He knew something was wrong. But I had to be sure.

I waited until the plates were being cleared. When I reached Marcus, I dropped a fork beside him. Kneeling to retrieve it, I slipped the folded letter into the top of his boot.

"My apologies, Alpha Marcus," I said, forcing a smile.

He didn’t move. Didn’t acknowledge it. Just nodded once.

He was smart. He’d wait.

When he reached his room, he would read:

Alpha Marcus, We are being held hostage. Some sold. Some murdered. Heath is a prisoner near death. Please send help. -C.C.

I prayed it would be enough.

The rest of the night

passed in a daze of clinking glasses and forced laughter. The hall eventually emptied.

Ashley and I met in the shadowed corridor. We just stood there, silent.

She really was beautiful. Long dark hair that brushed her face. Big brown eyes like a fawn. A small beauty mark on her cheek like a fading star.

We were the same age. Both orphans now. Her parents had died in the attack. Her sister had been sold.

"No matter what happens after this," Ashley whispered, "I’m proud of you."

I reached for her hand.

"Come what may."

She squeezed back.

"Come what may.