The Pack Made Their Goddess Kneel

Challenging his son

Lira~

Two weeks have passed since that f****d up night with Rowan and I refuse to let my mind go anywhere near it.

Every time the memory tries to creep in I shove it down hard. The heat, the way he touched me, the filthy things he said – none of it matters now. What matters is that Moonridge wolves captured me and a bunch of my people during a raid right after the retreat.

They dragged us here like f*****g animals, hands tied behind our backs, and now we're lined up in their main hall like we're waiting for judgment day.

The hall is packed with Moonridge warriors watching from the sides. Guards push us forward one group at a time toward the raised platform where Rune sits.

Yeah, Rune, the son of Rowan. Everyone calls him Alpha Rune now even though his dad is still around somewhere.

He looks just like I remember from that clearing – tall, dark hair, those gold eyes that seem to strip you bare. But right now he's in charge, deciding who lives and who dies.

I stand in the middle of the prisoner line, heart pounding but trying to keep my face blank. Then I spot them. My mom and dad are three spots ahead, their wrists bound, clothes torn and dirty from the fight.

Mom looks terrified, eyes darting everywhere. Dad keeps his head high but I can see the fear in the way his shoulders are hunched.

Shit. How did they get caught too? I thought they made it out with the main group.

Rune stands up and starts examining each group. He circles them slow, leans in close, and sniffs deep like he's reading their souls.

If he catches even a whiff of hate or fear that feels too strong, he nods to the guards. "Eliminate them," he says every time, voice flat and cold.

The guards drag those people away screaming. Some beg. Some curse. It doesn't matter. The ones who stay quiet and submissive get spared for now, sent to the labor pens or whatever the f**k they do with prisoners here.

I watch group after group. A beta from my pack spits at Rune's feet and gets his throat cut right there on the spot. Another omega cries too hard and Rune orders her dragged off.

My stomach twists but I keep my mouth shut for now. I need to wait for the right moment.

Finally it's my parents' turn. The guards shove them forward alone. Rune steps down from the platform and walks around them in a slow circle.

He sniffs Mom first, then Dad, his nose close to their necks. Dad tenses up. Mom whimpers.

"I smell fear," Rune says. "And hate. This duo gets eliminated."

"No!" The word bursts out of me before I can stop it. I push through the prisoners beside me. "Don't you f*****g touch them!"

Everyone turns. My mom gasps when she sees me. "Lira?" Dad's eyes go wide. "Baby, no – stay back!"

The guards grab me hard and shove me down to my knees right in front of Rune. My tied hands scrape the stone floor. Pain shoots through my shoulders but I glare up at him anyway.

Rune stops circling my parents and stares down at me. His gold eyes narrow. The whole hall goes dead quiet because nobody talks back to him. Nobody. But right now I don't give a s**t about being scared like everyone else.

My wolf is clawing inside me, pissed off and protective.

"Why the f**k should I listen to you, prisoner?" Rune asks. His voice is low but it carries authority.

He steps closer until his boots are right in front of my face. "You're nothing but another captured omega. Speak again and I'll have your tongue cut out."

I lift my head higher even though the guard's hand is pressing my shoulder down. "Because they're my mom and dad, asshole. You want to kill them? Fine. But I'm telling you right now – I'll take whatever fate you give them. Put the rope around my neck instead. Whip me. Whatever sick s**t you have planned. Just let them go."

Rune laughs once, short and mean. "You think you're brave because you don't stink of fear like the rest of these cowards? Interesting."

He crouches down so we're eye level. His scent hits me – that same dark cedar from the clearing, but mixed with something sharper now. "Why the hell would an enemy omega offer herself up like that? You got a death wish or are you just stupid?"

I stare straight into his gold eyes without blinking. "I'm not stupid and I'm not scared of you, Rune. Yeah, I know who you are. Son of Rowan. The big tough Alpha who disappears when things get too real. But my parents didn't do s**t to deserve this. They fought fair. If your pack wants blood, take mine. I'll even beg pretty if that's what gets you hard."

The guards growl but Rune holds up a hand to shut them up. My parents are watching, Mom crying quietly, Dad looking like he wants to break free and kill every wolf in here.

"You talk a lot of s**t for someone on her knees," Rune says. He grabs my chin hard, forcing my head up higher. His fingers dig in. "I could smell your heat from miles away that night near the border, you know. The way you presented like a desperate little slut, begging for c**k. And now here you are offering to take their punishment? Maybe I should test how serious you are."

Heat rushes to my face but I don't look away. "That night was a mistake. My wolf went crazy and I followed the scent. But I'm not begging now. I'm telling you straight – hurt them and you'll have to go through me first. Or are you too much of a p***y to handle one mouthy omega?"

Rune's eyes flash brighter. The hall feels smaller, like every warrior is holding their breath. He leans in closer, breath hot against my ear. "Careful, Lira. I remember exactly how wet you got when my father described locking his knot inside you. If I decide to spare your parents, it'll cost you. You'll be mine to use however I want. Publicly. In front of my whole pack if I feel like it. You'll drop to your knees every day and show them how a Moonridge omega presenta for her Alpha. Still want to make that deal?"

My heart races but I keep my voice steady. "Do your worst, Rune. As long as my mom and dad walk free, I'll take it. Every f*****g bit. But don't think I'll make it easy for you. I'll fight you every step."

He stands up slowly, still gripping my chin. A savage smile tugs at his mouth. "Guards, take the parents to the holding cells for now. The girl stays with me."

Then he looks down at me one last time. "We'll finish this discussion in private, little omega. And trust me by the time I'm done with you, you'll be screaming my name instead of your parents'."

The guards haul me up and start dragging me toward a side door while my parents shout my name.

Rune watches my every step, eyes burning with something dark and hungry. I have no idea what the hell he's planning next, but whatever it is, I know it's going to change everything for me that I might not even be prepared for.