Shackles and shadows

Pain pulsed through Raven’s limbs as she bolted down the dimly lit corridor. Her breath came in ragged gasps, and though she was fast, the wound on her side slowed her down. Still, she pushed forward, the cold stone beneath her bare feet an urgent reminder that this was her one shot.

Freedom was just ahead.

She darted past a torch flickering against the cavern walls, her pulse hammering in her ears. Somewhere behind her, the sound of boots scraping against the floor sent a surge of panic through her. She was following the smell of freedom.They were coming.

Move.

Her fingers grazed the edges of a wooden door at the tunnel’s end, but just as she shoved forward—

A hand shot out, iron-strong, yanking her backward.

She gasped, twisting violently, but her captor didn’t falter. Luca.

His grip was like a vice as he spun her around and slammed her back against the cold stone wall.

“I let you live, and this is how you repay me?” His voice was sharp, but beneath it was something else. Frustration? Amusement?

Raven clenched her teeth and tried to shove him off, but Luca barely budged. His golden eyes burned in the dim torchlight as they locked onto hers.

“You were never going to let me go,” she spat, breathless.

His lips quirked. “No. But I wanted to see if you’d try.”

Before she could react, something cold snapped around her wrists— silver shackles.

A violent shock tore through her, searing against her skin. A choked cry left her lips as she slumped forward, her strength instantly drained. Silver. The one thing that burned her kind like fire.

“Much better,” Luca muttered as he caught her weight, then effortlessly hauled her over his shoulder.

Raven gritted her teeth, fury clawing at her. She pounded weakly against his back, but the silver had done its work. Her limbs were sluggish, her mind fogging.

“You’re going to regret this,” she growled.

Luca’s only response was a chuckle as he carried her deeper into the stronghold.

The cold seeped into Raven’s skin as Luca carried her effortlessly, his grip firm but not cruel. She wanted to fight— to rip herself from his hold and disappear into the night— but the silver was already sapping her strength.

The corridors twisted and stretched endlessly before her vision blurred. Dim torches lined the walls, their glow casting long, flickering shadows that danced with every step he took. She forced herself to stay alert, to memorize the turns, the heavy wooden doors, anything that could help her escape later.

Because there would be a later.

Luca moved with a confidence that irritated her, his pace steady and unhurried, as if he knew she was no longer a threat.

Damn him.

Her fingers twitched, and she tried to move her legs, but it was useless. The chains felt like fire against her skin, sending sharp waves of pain up her arms. Her wolf— whatever part of her was still connected to the beast inside— felt distant.

He finally stopped in front of a thick iron door, pushing it open with one hand. A rush of stale, cool air hit Raven’s face as he stepped inside.

The room was nothing like the dark cells she had imagined. Instead of damp stone and chains, a small but sturdy bed sat against the far wall, and a wooden chair rested beside it. A fireplace crackled weakly in the corner, offering the only warmth in the otherwise empty space.

Luca dropped her unceremoniously onto the mattress. She hit it hard, the impact rattling through her bones, but she refused to make a sound.

“You’re lucky,” he mused, stepping back. “Most prisoners don’t get a bed.”

Raven shot him a glare, yanking at the silver shackles still biting into her wrists. “Take these off.”

Luca folded his arms, regarding her with an expression she couldn’t quite place. “Not a chance.”

She bared her teeth, the pain dulling under the wave of frustration boiling inside her. “You think these will keep me contained forever?”

He tilted his head. “No. But they’ll keep you from doing anything reckless.”

Her jaw clenched. He wasn’t wrong.

For a moment, silence stretched between them. The fire crackled softly, the only sound in the room. Luca didn’t look away, and neither did she.

Finally, he sighed. “You don’t even know what you’re running from, do you?”

Raven narrowed her eyes. “I know enough.”

Luca smirked. “Do you? Because from where I’m standing, it looks like you’re running blind.”

She stiffened. “I’m running because I have to.”

His gaze darkened, something flickering behind those golden eyes. “You think running will save you?”

Raven swallowed hard. She didn’t answer,cause she knew this.

Because deep down, she wasn’t sure anymore.

Luca watched her for a moment longer before turning toward the door. “Get some rest. You’ll need it.”

She scoffed. “For what? Another game of cat and mouse?”

He chuckled but didn’t respond. Instead, he stepped outside, locking the door behind him.

She felt so frustrated and let out a deep sigh.

The moment he was gone, Raven let out a slow, measured breath, her hands still trembling from the lingering effects of the silver. She curled her fingers into fists, rage simmering beneath the surface.

She wasn’t done yet.

Not by a long shot.

But just as she began to strategize her next move, a whisper of sound reached her ears.

Her gaze flickered toward the fireplace, watching the flames dance, lost in thought. But then—

A sound.

Low voices murmuring beyond the door.

Raven sat up, every nerve in her body on edge.

The voices grew sharper, more urgent. Then—

A crash. She knew this was going to happen.

A snarl ripped through the hallway.

Then came the scream.

Not one of pain.

One of warning.

Something was coming.