Chapter 02

Ghosts of the Past

The sharp ping of my phone jolts me awake.

I blink, disoriented, my body protesting as I sit up. Shit. I must have dozed off waiting for Nova. According to the time, I was only out for a few minutes.

Another ping. A message.

I grab my phone, expecting some excuse about why she’s late. Instead, my stomach drops.

It’s a picture. But it was sent from her phone.

Nova—bound, unconscious—her head tilted at an unnatural angle. The background is dark, but I could still make out the background. I know exactly where she is. A place I swore I’d never return to.

My hands shake as another message comes through.

Come to the Hollow - Silas

A curse slips from my lips as I shoot to my feet, shoving my discarded jacket on with frantic movements. My wolf growls, rage simmering beneath my skin, but there’s no time to think.

I just run. Fuck fuck fuck. This can't be fucking happening

My heart pounds with every step, fueled by anger and fear.

Nova.

This is my fault. I got us tangled up with the Hollow in the first place. I barely managed to claw my way out after years of working for Silas. But now he’s dragged me back in. This time, he involved Nova. I'll make him regret it.

What the hell does he want from me this time anyways?

Surviving after escaping home had been brutal. I knew the ones after us were powerful, too influential to risk settling in a pack’s territory. Any pack would have either handed us over or turned into those monsters themselves to take our power.

The woods were an option, but staying there would’ve made us easy prey for rogues. With no other choice, we hid in human cities. It wasn’t easy, but we had advantages—our wolves let us run faster, heal quicker, and survive things normal kids wouldn’t.

For a while, we managed.

Until we met Silas Kane.

A ruthless rogue who ruled the human underworld, Silas ran drug cartels and employed other rogues, making him damn near invincible. The moment we crossed his path, our survival became a whole new game.

Resisting the urge to shift and run, I weave through the crowded downtown streets, heading straight for the one place I swore I’d never return to.

The Hollow.

This part of town never sleeps, the air thick with cigarette smoke and bad decisions. A couple of shady guys eye me as I pass, their hands twitching like they’re ready to offer me something I don’t want. I ignore them and push forward.

Then, finally, I see it.

The biggest and swankiest club in the area, glowing neon sign against the dark night, packed with people desperate to drink, dance, and forget their miserable lives.

They have no idea what kind of place they’re walking into.

The Hollow isn’t just a club—it’s Silas Kane’s empire. A front for his real business. Weapons, drugs, human trafficking, information—he sells it all. By the time I realized how deep his operations went, I had already been working for him for months.

I don’t waste time joining the ridiculous line outside. The bouncer at the door takes one look at me and steps aside, letting me in without a word. ignoring the groans of protest from the lone line, I enter.

The second I step inside, the bass-heavy music thrums through my bones, drowning out every rational thought. The air is thick with sweat, alcohol, and desperation. People are packed shoulder to shoulder, moving like they’ve lost their minds.

I shove through the crowd, heading straight for the back.

Another door, another guard—this one a wolf. He gives me a slow, knowing smile as he steps aside to let me through.

I don’t like this.

It feels too much like I’m being welcomed back.

Like I never actually left.

Silas had first caught me when I was just a street rat, trying to pickpocket one of his men. I would have gotten away with it too—if he hadn’t been there.

I’ll never forget that moment. The way he’d looked at me, amused. Interested.

"A little rogue thief," he had murmured, eyes gleaming with something unsettling. "How interesting."

And just like that, my fate had been sealed.

He used me. Trained me. Made me better. And though I never introduced Nova to him, he always knew I had a sister.

He knew she helped me on jobs.

And now, after all this time, he has her.

I clench my fists, forcing myself to breathe. I got out once; I can do it again and get her out too.

No matter what it takes.

Walking through the dimly lit corridor, I force myself to ignore everything around me. Each room I pass is a hive of activity—voices barking orders, the sound of people shuffling frantically, even a muffled scream from somewhere down the hall.

I don’t stop. I don’t look.

I know where she is.

Silas’s office.

My heart pounds as I push the heavy door open, stepping into the familiar space I swore I’d never see again.

And there she is.

Nova.

Slumped in a chair, her hands bound behind her back. Her head hangs low, strands of dark hair falling into her face.

Rage. Cold, unrelenting rage floods my veins. But mostly fear.

I rush to her side, hands fumbling to undo the bindings. "Nova, Nova, wake up." My voice shakes as I press a hand to her cheek, tilting her face up.

She stirs slightly, her lashes fluttering.

"Come on, baby girl, wake up."

Her eyes crack open, unfocused for a moment before they land on me. Recognition flickers, and she lets out a groggy, "Raine?"

Relief slams into me like a truck. "Yeah, it’s me. I’ve got you."

I don’t get a chance to say more.

A slow, deliberate clap echoes through the room.

My body locks up.

I know that sound.

I know its him.

"Well, well," comes the lazy drawl. "Look who finally came home."

Silas Kane.

"Not like I had any choice in the matter," I bite out, keeping my voice steady even as rage boils beneath my skin.

I don’t bother turning around. I already know who’s behind me.

"What do you want, Kane?" I spit his name like venom, my hands still working to free Nova from her bindings. My sister—my baby sister—was kidnapped because of him. I would never forgive that.

A dark chuckle slithers through the room. "Come now, little one, is that any way to greet an old friend?"

I stiffen. That name.

I always hated it.

He said it like I was insignificant, like I was nothing more than a pawn in his twisted game.

I turn, finally facing him.

Silas Kane leans against his desk, arms crossed, watching me with that smug, knowing smirk that makes me want to rip his throat out. He hasn’t changed much—same sharp suit, same cold, calculating gaze, same air of untouchable power that makes most people bow to him.

But I’m not most people.

"I was never your friend," I say flatly.

His smirk widens. "No, you were something much more interesting."

“Alright, cut the crap.” My voice is sharp, laced with barely restrained fury. “Why am I here, and why bring her into this?”

Silas leans back against his desk, arms crossed over his chest, the picture of ease. “Well, I needed a way to get your attention fast. And what better way than through your dear little sister?”

My hands clench into fists. “You could’ve just fucking called.”

He chuckles. “Would you have answered?”

I grit my teeth. He’s right. I would’ve ignored it, just like I’ve ignored every attempt he’s made to pull me back in.

“You made your point,” I snap. “Now let her go.”

Silas tilts his head, mock-thoughtful. “Not just yet.” His gaze flicks to Nova, still unconscious in the chair. “See, I need a favor, and I think you’re the perfect girl for the job.”

I scoff. “A favor?”

“A job, really.” He straightens, stepping toward me. “Quick and easy. In and out. Do this one last thing for me, and I’ll let you and your sister go, forever.”

I narrow my eyes. “What’s the catch?” Silas wasn't someone who let people go just like that.

Silas tilts his head, amused. “Always so suspicious.” He pushes off the desk, stepping closer. “It’s a simple job, little one. No complications.”

I don’t believe that for a second.

Nothing with Silas Kane is ever simple.

“And if I say no?” I ask, bracing myself.

His smirk sharpens into something cruel. “Well,” he drawls, turning his gaze to Nova, still moving her head and moaning grogily in the chair. “If you refuse, I’ll have to rely on your sweet little sister here… to comfort myself.”

My stomach turns.

A cold sweat breaks out over my skin.

I knew what he was. I knew.

It was the reason I fought so damn hard to get out. The reason I ran the second his attention started shifting to me. I got away before he could act on those dark, disgusting desires. But now… now he’s looking at Nova the way he once looked at me.

Rage crashes over me, so intense I can taste blood.

“You touch her, and I will rip your fucking throat out.”

He chuckles, completely unfazed. “Then take the job.”

I clench my fists, my wolf howling in fury. I don’t want to do this. I don’t want to get sucked back in.

But I don’t have a choice.

My eyes flick to Nova’s face—peaceful in unconsciousness, completely unaware of the danger she’s in.

I inhale sharply.

“Fine.” The word tastes like poison. “One last job.”

Silas grins, all satisfaction. “That’s my girl.”