CHAPTER 2: THE ROGUE KING’S PRISONER
1085 Words
Selene awoke to the pungent smell of smoke and damp ground. Her head hammered, like someone had driven a spike through her skull. The frigid air irritated her skin, and any movement caused discomfort.
Memories crashed into her like a tidal wave.
The Moon Festival. The mating link. Kade Valkyr.
Her eyes snapped open.
She was no longer in the clearing.
Instead, she reclined on a makeshift bed of animal pelts inside a dimly lighted wood cabin. A single torch burned on the stone wall, creating shadows that moved like ghosts. The room was small and sparse, with only a wooden table, chair, and closed iron door.
She'd been taken.
Her stomach twisted as she sat upright. She felt no chains, yet the mate link was a more powerful restriction than any metal. The pull to Kade pulsed in her chest like a caged heartbeat, warning her that escape would not be easy.
But she had to try.
Selene swung her legs over the edge of the bed, disregarding the tightness in her muscles. She walked barefoot over the wooden floor, testing the iron door. Locked. She bit her lip and looked around the room. No windows. There are no weapons. Think, Selene.
Her father's words lingered in her mind: "Survival isn't about strength. It's about knowing when to strike.
She'd wait. Watch. And when the time came, she'd run.
The sound of footfall outside made her heart quicken. Heavy. Unhurried.
A key turned in the lock.
Selene tensed when the door creaked open.
Kade stood at the doorway.
The flickering light created shadows across his strong jawline, highlighting his golden eyes that burned like fire. After removing his ceremonial black cloak, he wore a fitting dark shirt that hardly concealed his impressive physique.
Even after all, the mate link caused her pulse to betray her.
She clinched her fists. He's not my partner. He is my captor .
"Awake already?" As he entered, Kade mused. His voice was deep and filled with amusement .
Selene said nothing. Kade smirked. "I expected you to be screaming by now. Most she-wolves do when they wake up in enemy territory.
" Selene met his gaze with quiet defiance. "I won't give you the satisfaction."
His smirk widened as he leaned against the wall, crossing his arms. "Brave little Luna. But bravery won't save you here."
Selene swallowed hard. "Where are we?"
Kade tilted his head. "You don't recognize it?"
She frowned, glancing around again. The stone walls, the thick scent of pine and damp earth.A realization clawed at her mind
The rogue lands
A cursed, desolated territory on the edge of the kingdom. No pack claimed it. No kingdom ruled it. Only rogues lived there— those exiled for their crimes .
Selene's chest tightened as Kade warned her not to expect her father to save her. "Don't bother," he said.
"He wont come for you."
Selene glared at him. “ He will come for me “
"That's what I'm counting on." Kad chuckled darkly.
Her blood ran cold.
This wasn't just a k********g, but a war declaration.
She took a slow step back. "Why do this? The Moon Goddess made us mates, but that doesn't mean I will ever accept you.
" His golden eyes darkened. "I don't need a mate," Kade said, his voice cutting as a sword. "And I don't believe in fate."
"Then let me go," she demanded.
His smirk returned. "No."
A frustrated snarl sprang in her throat.
"You're not a prisoner," he explained, tilting his head. "Not yet." However, attempting to flee may result in unpleasant consequences.
Her jaw clinched.
Kade pushed off the wall. "You must be hungry." He motioned toward the door. "Come."
Selene did not move.
Kade moaned and stepped closer. "Don't make me carry you."
She forced herself to stand her ground. "I'm not going anywhere with you."
Something sparked in his eyes—amusement, intrigue, and possibly even respect. However, it suddenly disappeared.
"Suit yourself."
Before she could respond, Kade grasped her wrist.
When he touched her, electricity raced through her veins. The mate bond ignited, while her wolf whined in her consciousness.
Selene strained against his grip, but Kade refused to let go. He pushed her through the door and led her down a torch-lit corridor.
Her heart raced as they stepped into an open courtyard.
Her breath caught.
Dozens of wolves gathered in clusters, some sharpening weapons and others tending to wounded. These weren't simply rogues. They were fighters. Fighters. Survivors
As she went by, their gazes followed. Some were curious , some were hostile.
Selene felt vulnerable. Captured.
She needed to flee. Right now.
As he guided her toward a wooden hall, Kade's hold on her relaxed a little. She only needed that.
Selene jerked her hand free and twisted.
Then she ran.
She ran toward the forest, her feet hammering the ground. She continued despite the frigid air burning her lungs. All she needed to do was reach the trees.
The air was ripped by a snarl.
A huge black wolf struck her from the side before she could react, throwing her flying.
As she hit the floor, pain erupted in her ribs.
She struggled to lift herself up, gasping, but she felt a great weight pressing down on her.
Kade.
With golden eyes that gleamed in the darkness, his enormous wolf form towered over her. He flashed his teeth in threat.
Selene looked up at him, her body trembling.
There was tension in the air between them. Instead of attacking, his wolf was offering her an option. Try to fight, or submit.
Selene tightened her jaw. "I refuse to become your prisoner."
Kade's wolf growled softly. Then, in an instant, he transformed back into a human, towering over her with flaming eyes and out of breath.
His voice was deadly gentle as he whispered, "You are mine, Selene." "The bond prevents you from getting away from me."
She shuddered but kept her eyes on him. "I never accept you."
Kade looked at her for a while. Then he grinned, much to her surprise. "Good," he responded, taking a step back. "I hope this isn't too difficult."
Selene took a deep breath. Instead of the fury and punishment she had anticipated, she saw something more menacing in his eyes.
Laughter.
Interest.
Like he liked the chase.
Her stomach churned. The Moon Goddess had bound her to what sort of monster?
And more significantly...
How was she going to get away from him?
- Writer
