Kamrynn’s POV
“I believe the better question,” Alpha Draven said, his voice smooth and slow, “is what do you want, Kamrynn?”
I swallowed hard, forcing myself to meet his piercing gray eyes. Every nerve in my body screamed at me to run, but I wasn’t about to back down now. Masking my fear as best I could, I took a shaky breath and answered.
“I want to end your game,” I said firmly, my voice only trembling slightly. “I want to expose you for the monster you really are.”
For a moment, silence filled the room, thick and oppressive. Then Alpha Draven threw his head back and laughed heartily. The sound echoed around the room, chilling me to my core.
“Monster?” he repeated, amusement lighting up his sharp features. “You find me that fascinating, little bird? Why so curious about my affairs?”
His question caught me off guard, and I stammered. “It’s not fascination,” I snapped. “I know you’re planning something, something sinister, and I won’t let it happen. No matter what.”
Draven’s laughter abruptly stopped. He stood up so suddenly that the chair scraped against the floor, the noise making me flinch. He began walking toward me, his measured steps making the tension in the room unbearable.
I clenched my fists, refusing to show him weakness.
When he finally reached me, I closed my eyes, bracing myself for a blow. But instead of striking me, he walked past me, his presence like a shadow looming over my shoulder.
A shiver ran down my spine as his warm breath brushed against my ear.
“Such determination,” he murmured, his tone mocking.
I opened my mouth to respond, but before I could say a word, I felt the cold snap of metal lock around my neck.
“What-”
Suddenly, a wave of exhaustion slammed into me, as if all the strength in my body had been stolen. My limbs went limp, and I sagged against the floor, unable to keep myself upright.
Panic bubbled in my chest as I reached desperately for Aryna.
“Aryna?” I whispered, my voice trembling.
Nothing. No warmth, no comfort, no reassuring presence of my wolf. My bond with her was gone-completely severed.
“No,” I gasped, my pulse racing. The emptiness was unbearable, and terror gripped me in a way I hadn’t felt in years.
“What did you do?!” I screamed, my voice raw with fear and fury. “Why can’t I feel her? Why can’t I feel my wolf?!”
Draven’s low chuckle sliced through my panic. A hand settled condescendingly on my head, patting it like I was a helpless child.
“Now, now,” he said in a tone dripping with mockery. “You don’t need to worry that pretty little head of yours anymore.”
I clenched my jaw, my fear momentarily giving way to rage. “Don’t give me that!” I snapped, though my voice was weaker than I wanted. “What have you done to me?!”
He stepped into my line of sight, crouching before me with that infuriatingly smug smile.
“Do you truly want to know?” he asked, his voice calm, almost conversational. “Very well. I suppose it’s only fair to enlighten you.”
He tapped the cold metal around my neck. “This,” he began, “is an ostracylle. A fascinating little invention, wouldn’t you agree?”
I sneered at him and his eyes only seemed to gleam in amusement. He’s enjoying this. “After I learned you survived the poison, I knew you were no ordinary wolf. You’ve become quite the threat, Kamrynn, and threats must be neutralized. But I realized something-you would be far more useful to me alive than dead. Hence, the ostracylle. Now, you’re entirely under my control.”
My chest tightened as I struggled to process his words. “What… does it do?” I managed to ask, though dread coiled in my stomach.
His grin widened as he answered, “It severs your connection to your wolf. Your essence, your bond-it’s locked away. For as long as you wear it, Kamrynn, you are nothing more than a fragile, powerless human.”
“No,” I breathed, shaking my head in disbelief. “That’s impossible. If such a dangerous thing existed, I would’ve heard of it. Everyone would know about it!”
Draven chuckled, and the sound sent a chill down my spine. His fingers brushed against my cheek, mockingly tender. “Oh, my little bird,” he murmured, his voice laced with condescension. “How ignorant you are.”
I stiffened, his words only fueling my anger and confusion.
“No one knows about the ostracylle,” he continued, his sharp eyes fixed on me like a predator’s. “Because I created it.”
I blinked, my mind struggling to catch up. “You… created it?”
“Yes,” he said, a hint of pride seeping into his tone. “My family has dabbled in dark magic for generations. While others clung to tradition and obsolete values, we sought true power. The ostracylle was born out of necessity. Out of survival.”
I shook my head, trying to make sense of it. “But why? Why would you need something like this? Your Pack is strong. You’ve always been feared.”
Draven’s smile faded, replaced by something colder and more menacing. “Feared?” he repeated, his voice tinged with bitterness. “Oh no, little bird. You misunderstand. There was a time when Amethyst was weak. Vulnerable. We were surrounded by rocky highlands and treacherous hills. Agriculture? Impossible. Fishing? A joke. Hunting? A luxury we could rarely afford.”
His words hit me like a blow. I had never considered the disadvantages of their land before.
“We were isolated,” he continued, pacing slowly around the room. “Dependent on trade for almost everything. And because of that, we became the playthings of stronger Packs.”
His bitterness was palpable, and for a fleeting moment, I felt a pang of sympathy.
“I remember when we traded our finest gemstones-raw amethysts, the pride of our Pack-for a shipment of grain,” he said, his tone dripping with venom. “When the shipment arrived, it was half of what was promised. Our people starved while the trading Pack laughed at our desperation.”
The image he painted made my stomach churn.
“And the raids,” he added, his voice sharpening. “Do you know what it’s like to wake up to your people screaming? To see your warriors slaughtered in their sleep while invaders torch your homes?”
My throat tightened, and I found myself unable to speak.
“We begged for alliances,” he continued, his pacing growing more deliberate. “For mercy. But none came. Everyone knew we couldn’t retaliate. We were nothing but a Pack of beggars to them.”
He stopped abruptly, turning to face me. His gaze bore into mine, and I couldn’t look away.
“That’s when I decided enough was enough,” he said, his voice low and resolute. “If no one would protect us, I would. And so, I turned to the only power that didn’t come with strings attached-dark magic.”
I shivered at the weight of his words, but I couldn’t bring myself to interrupt him.
“It took years,” he said, his tone softening as if recalling a distant memory. “Years of research, of failure, of sacrifice. But when the ostracylle was finally complete, everything changed.”
He stepped closer, his presence looming over me. “The next Pack that tried to cheat us? Their Alpha ended up on his knees, begging for mercy. His wolf? Silenced. And when another Pack dared to raid us? Their warriors fell under my control. Their leader’s head became a warning to anyone who thought to challenge us.”
I swallowed hard, the brutality of it all settling in my chest like a heavy stone.
“With the ostracylle, we became untouchable,” he continued, his voice filled with triumph. “Amethyst no longer needed to beg. We took what we deserved. And now, no one dares cross us.”
His words echoed in the silence that followed, and I struggled to find my voice.
“If the ostracylle has solved all your problems,” I finally said, my voice trembling, “if your Pack is safe and thriving… why target Blue Bell? Why not leave us in peace?”
Draven’s laughter filled the room, sharp and mocking. “Peace?” he said, his tone dripping with amusement.
“Isn’t it?” I asked, my frustration bubbling over. “You’re drunk on power, and it’s controlling you. You’ve become nothing but a tyrant, trying to conquer a Pack that only wants to maintain peace!”
He laughed louder, and my cheeks burned with anger.
“Oh, Kamrynn,” he said, shaking his head. “You really are a silly bird.”
“What’s so funny?” I demanded, my fists clenching despite the weakness in my body.
“You’re wrong again,” he said simply, his voice almost pitying. “I have no interest in conquering Blue Bell. I have enough to deal with ruling Amethyst. What would I want with your little Pack?”
My mind raced, but I couldn’t make sense of his words. “Then what do you want?”
His smile widened, cold and calculated. “Think, little bird. Think.”
But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t piece it together.
Draven sighed, as if disappointed. “Such a shame. I had higher expectations for you.”
Before I could respond, he scooped me up in his arms with ease.
“Put me down!” I demanded, but my voice lacked the strength to back it up.
He ignored me, carrying me back to his chair. He sat down, pulling me onto his lap as if I were nothing more than a doll.
Every nerve in my body screamed in protest, but I dared not flinch. I was acutely aware that he held all the power here.
“Let me tell you a story,” he said, his voice smooth and almost hypnotic. “If, by the end of it, you can guess correctly, you’ll be rewarded. But if you fail…”
His smile turned cruel, sending a shiver down my spine.
“You’ll be punished.”