Chapter 4

Magnus POV

I hadn’t meant to mark her again.

It was instinct. A primal move that I should have controlled, but the moment Celest's neck became visible to me, I snapped.

Now, carrying her unconscious body to my car, I knew the consequences. My mark still shone visibly on her skin, her fragile human skin.

I mumbled a low growl in my throat as I slid into the backseat with her. Her body was entangled with mine, mixing my scent against hers—pleasurable.

“Drive,” I ordered.

The driver nodded without question. Nathan was sitting across from me. He had been silent since I dragged Celest away from that pitiful golf course, his eyes moving from me to her.

“She’s just a human,” he finally muttered, his eyes darting towards the window and Celest.

I said nothing.

“She reeks of it,” Nathan continued. “No heightened senses, no trace of supernatural blood. Just…ordinary.”

I looked down at Celest’s face. Her lips were slightly parted, her brows furrowed as if she was battling her unconscious. Everything about her. Her stubbornness, her refusal to bend even when I cornered her, was toonabnormal for a human.

And yet, my mark had taken to her.

No. This wasn’t normal.

“She’s hiding something,” I muttered, my fingers brushing the mark on her neck. Her body twitched slightly at the contact. Then, I could see the heat radiating from her skin where I had bitten her.

Nathan exhaled sharply. “You’re thinking too much into this. I had my men dig into her background. She’s got nothing. No family except for a sickly younger brother. She's just an overworked woman barely scraping by in the human world.”

I remained silent. Nathan was only looking out for me and I knew it but he was taking it too far.

If she was ordinary, then why did my wolf react so violently to her? Why did I feel this unshakable pull?

I had learned long ago to trust my instincts, and every part of me screamed that Celest was more than what she appeared.

That’s why I needed to break her.

The moment we arrived at my villa, I carried her inside, ignoring the questioning stares from my men. No one dared to speak, no one dared to ask.

I pushed open the door to one of the guest rooms and laid her onto the bed.

She barely moved.

Her breathing was shallow, and up close, I could see the dark shadows under her eyes.

I forced myself to step back. I couldn’t afford to care. Not when I still didn’t know if she was a threat.

Nathan entered the room, his face itched with worry and concern. “What’s the plan Boss?”

I didn’t take my eyes off Celest as i responded to him. “She stays locked in here until she talks.”

Nathan sighed. “And if she has nothing to tell?”

“She will.”

Because I wouldn’t give her a choice.

Celest stirred hours later. Her gaze snapped to me.

She shot up so fast that she swayed, pressing a hand to her forehead as if her head was spinning.

"Where am I?" she demanded to know.

"My villa," I answered smoothly, watching her every reaction.

Her hands clenched into fists. "You kidnapped me?"

I leaned against the desk, unbothered.

"I wouldn't call it kidnapping. More like… protective custody."

Her lips parted. "You have no right"

"Do you know what I am?" I cut her off, tilting my head slightly.

She hesitated. It was brief, but I caught it.

Interesting.

"A psychopath?" she muttered under her breath.

My lips twitched. "Close, but not quite."

She crossed her arms over her chest. "Let me go."

I ignored the demand. Instead, I pushed off the desk and stalked toward her. She withdrew as I reached out, trailing a single finger down the mark on her neck.

She flinched.

"Why does your body respond to me?" I asked softly.

Her throat bobbed as she swallowed. "I don't know."

I leaned in closer, taking in her scent. There was no lie in her words, but there was something else. Something missing.

"Tell me now, Celest." My voice was low, dangerous. "Were you sent by the hybrids?"

She showed confusion, her face plastered with ignorance. "What?"

"The traitors," I elaborated. "Did they send you?"

"I have no idea what you're talking about." Her voice, low and certain.

Was she really this clueless? Or was she just a good liar?

I narrowed my eyes, watching her closely. There wasn't a single flicker of hesitation, no nervousness tic or a single sign of deciet. Either she was telling the truth or she was an exceptional actress.

"You're lying," I decided.

"I'm not!" she snapped, anger in her eyes. "I don't even know what a hybrid is!"

She was good, too perfect for the role she was playing.

I reached out, grasping her chin between my fingers, forcing her to meet my gaze. My grip wasn't rough, but strong enough to keep her still. Her pulse fluttered beneath my touch, but she did not look away.

"If you are lying" I murmured, my thumb brushing lightly along her jaw. "You won't get far" Her lips parted slightly, but she quickly clamped them shut, holding her ground.

I studied her for a long moment. Then, I released her and walked toward the door.

"You can stay here until you're ready to be honest," I said over my shoulder.

She rushed toward me, desperation flashing across her face, but I slammed the door shut before she could get close.

Her fists pounded against the wood. "You bastard!"

I smiled faintly.

Let’s see how long she lasted.

The next morning, Nathan found me in my study. The look on his face could tell it was something that needed my attention urgently.

"She collapsed," he said hurriedly.

I looked up sharply. "What?"

"Celest. The human girl you’re playing mind games with? She fainted. Again."

I kept a blank face, but I knew how I felt inwardly.

"Let's take her to the hospital," I ordered.

When I entered her room, I found her curled on the floor, unconscious.

Damn it.

I scooped her into my arms. She was lighter than she should have been, too light.

I carried her out of the villa, but with Nathan following right behind.

The drive to the hospital was too long for my liking.

When we arrived, the doctors rushed her inside.

I paced outside her room until one finally approached me.

"She’s severely malnourished," the doctor informed me. "Her body is overworked, and she hasn’t been eating properly. If she keeps this up, her organs will start shutting down."

My fingers curled into fists.

Malnourished?

I had been thinking about whether or not she was a traitor, while she had been starving?

The doctor gave me a pointed look. "She needs rest, food, and less stress. And if you care about her well-being, I suggest you stop whatever it is you’re doing to her."

"Excuse me?" I had barely spoken before the doctor said "Intense sexual activities should be avoided as well, for now all she needs is love and attention"

Love and attention? It was not on my agenda or so I told myself.

But as I glanced at her delicate form, the bruises standing stark against her pale skin, a flicker of doubt gnawed at me. Had I been too harsh? Had I pushed her beyond her limits, blinded by my need for answers?

What if i was wrong? What if she had nothing to do with the traitor?

The thought unsettled me more than I cared to admit.

"Boss, we need to talk." Nathan’s voice broke through my thoughts. He leaned against the doorway, arms crossed.

I cast one last glance at Celest before stepping out into the hallway. "What is it?"

Nathan gestured for me to follow, and I did. We walked in silence down the hospital corridor, heading to where two of my men were already waiting.

Viktor, looked tense. "The prisoner confessed."

I exhaled slowly. "Go on."

Viktor exchanged a look with Nathan before continuing. "He admitted to taking bribes from the hybrid faction."

My fingers twitched at my sides.

"The bribes were meant to secure passage through our borders," Viktor continued. "He thought he could get away with it, but…."

"But something isn’t adding up," Nathan interrupted, pulling a small, wrapped bundle from his coat and unwrapping it carefully. Inside was a worn leather totem with a symbol I recognized too well.

The Red Moon Pack.

I took the totem from Nathan, running my thumb over the grooves. "Where did he get this?"

Viktor hesitated. "It was hidden in his boot. We nearly missed it."

I exhaled sharply. "Did he say anything about it?"

Nathan shook his head. "Not a word. He swore up and down that he was only in it for the money, but this… it’s not just about bribery anymore."

I turned the totem over in my hands. The Red Moon Pack weren't the type to align with weaker factions. They wouldn’t risk their pack’s reputation on a losing battle. So either the hybrids had something valuable to offer him… or this was bigger than I thought.

Viktor shifted uncomfortably. "What do you want us to do?"

I glanced at him, then at Nathan. "Nothing. For now.”