Chapter 3

(Penelope)

Pain shot through my neck as Dominic’s fingers clamped down on my throat in a punishing grip.. “Take. It. Back.”

Blood roared in my ears, making them ring. I saw black specks at the edges of my vision. Still, I forced the word out: “No.”

His grip tightened until breathing became impossible. The wolf blazed in his eyes, turning them molten gold. “You dare defy me? After everything I’ve given you?”

. Dominic’s chest heaved against mine, rage pouring off him in waves.

“Let me go.” I met his furious gaze. “You’ll never see past my father’s sins.”

“Your father murdered—”

“It was an accident!” I yelled back despite his anger. Despite myself. “He proved it before they drove him to suicide!”

His fingers dug deeper. “More lies.”

“Like the lies you tell yourself?” I clawed at his grip. “That you’re keeping me out of duty? That this isn’t about punishing me for her death?”

“You know nothing about Isabella—”

“I know everything!” I could feel my eyes welling with tears now. “I know you loved her. I know losing her destroyed you. And I know you’ll never forgive me for a crime I didn’t commit.”

“Shut up.” He slammed me against the wall. “You don’t speak her name.”

“Why? Because it hurts?” I laughed bitterly. “Good. Let it hurt. Let it burn like you’ve burned me these past five years.”

He panted harsh and fast. “You’re mine. The bond—”

“Can be broken. I reject you, Dominic. I reject this bond.”

Terror flashed across his face. “Don’t—”

“I reject your claim,” I spat out the words. “I reject your mark. I reject everything you are to me.”

Magic exploded between us. The mate bond screamed in protest as it tore through its foundations. My every nerve ending felt like it was on fire, but I didn’t care. I had to endure it for freedom’s sake.

Dominic, on the other hand, staggered back, clutching his chest. “What have you done?”

My entire body felt as if it had been set on fire. Each heartbeat brought more pangs of pain as the bond shredded apart. My legs finally buckled, sending me crashing to my knees.

“Stop this.” He grabbed my shoulders, shaking me violently. “Take it back!”

“Too late.” I could feel my vision blacking out. “It’s done.”

The bond snapped like a steel cable under too much pressure. Empty coldness flooded the space where warmth once lived. My wolf howled in anguish, mourning what we’d lost.

Dominic staggered back, clutching his chest. “What have you done?”

“I rejected you,” I whispered, swaying on my feet. “Forever.”

He roared, a sound of pure animal pain. The windows rattled. Picture frames crashed to the floor.

The door burst open. Kelsey stood there, eyes wide.

“What’s happening?” She rushed to Dominic’s side. “I heard—”

“She broke it,” he gasped, blood trickling from his nose. “The bond. She broke it.”

“That’s impossible.” Kelsey rushed to his side. “No one can break a mate bond. It’s—”

“Well she did!” He shoved her away, stumbling to his feet. “I felt it snap.”

Kelsey grabbed his arm. “How? She’s nobody—just an orphan!”

“I don’t know.” His eyes tracked me. “But I’ll find out.”

He lurched forward. Kelsey jumped in front of him, hands on his chest.

“Let her go,” she said. “This is what we wanted, isn’t it? Her out of your life?”

“Move.”

“Dominic, look at me.” She clutched his shirt. “She just stabbed you in the back. Rejected you in front of everyone. Your reputation—”

“I don’t care about my reputation!” He grabbed her wrists, yanking them away. “Something’s wrong. No ordinary wolf could break that bond.”

“So what?” Kelsey’s eyes narrowed. “Let her run. You’re free now. We can finally—”

“How did she do it? HOW DID SHE DO IT?”

“BECAUSE SHE WAS RIGHT!” Kelsey bellowed. “She was right all along.”

“Right about what?” Dominic snarled.

“That you never loved her.” Kelsey crossed her arms. “That your hatred was stronger than the mate bond. Looks like she found a way out.”

Dominic lunged for me. “What did you do? HOW?”

He looked hysterical. Mad. I turned to leave, but before I could escape this place forever, I was surrounded.

“Guards!” Dominic’s voice cracked. Sweat beaded on his forehead. “Take her to her room. No one enters or leaves without my permission.”

Rough hands hauled me upright. I didn’t resist as they marched me through torch-lit halls. Fighting now would only waste energy I desperately needed.

The bedroom door locked behind me and there was nothing I could do to stop it. I pressed my ear against the wood, counting footsteps. Two guards posted outside. I could see their shadows stretching beneath the door.

I stumbled to the bed, making sure they heard the mattress springs creak. Then I waited, every muscle coiled tight. I could not relax.

One minute passed. Two. Three.

A pained groan tore from my throat. I thrashed against the sheets, letting sweat bead on my forehead.

“What’s all this noise?” The guard’s voice was harsh through the door. “Shut up there!”

I moaned louder, clutching my stomach. “Please…I need help…”

“Probably faking,” one guard muttered to the other. “Alpha said she’d try anything.”

“If she dies on our watch, it’s our heads,” the second guard argued. Keys rattled in the lock. The door groaned open.

“What’s your game?” The larger guard stepped in, hand on his weapon. “Alpha said you’d pull something like this.”

“I’m sick,” I whimpered, curling tighter. “The baby…”

“Baby?” The guard laughed cruelly. “That’s a new one. Alpha would’ve mentioned a pup.”

“Lying bitch,” the second guard spat. “Just trying to escape.”

He grabbed my arm, yanking me up. “No more games. Get back in bed before I give you something to really cry about.”

My fingers closed around the silver dagger hidden beneath my pillow. Dominic’s mother had given it to me months ago—just in case, she’d said.

“Please,” I whispered. “I’m not lying…”

“Sure, and I’m the Luna,” he sneered, leaning close to intimidate me. “Now be a good little—”

The blade slid between his ribs. He grunted in surprise, eyes wide as his legs gave out. The second guard spun at the sound, reaching for his weapon—

Too slow.

The dagger’s pommel cracked against his temple. He dropped like a stone.

There was pin-drop silence in the hallway. I held my breath, counting heartbeats. No alarms raised. No running footsteps.

The pack house slept around me as I crept through the corridors. Five years of marriage taught me every squeaky floorboard, every creaky door.

The cool wind hit my face as I slipped outside, making my red hair blow. The forest was barely fifty yards away, and in its depths I would find freedom.

My feet flew across damp grass. Almost there. Almost—

A dark shape hurtled from the trees. Massive paws slammed into my chest, driving me down. Yellowed fangs snapped inches from my throat.

A Rogue wolf.