Chapter 3

Keva-

When I woke sometime later, I was chained to a wall in a dank basement that smelled of mold. It took a moment for my eyes to adjust to the dimly lit space. When I could see clearly, Ethan and Natalie stood a few feet away, with Natalie tucked under Ethan’s arm.

“Where am I?” I groaned as I pulled at the chains that bound my wrists above my head.

“It doesn’t matter where you are.” Natalie snorted. “You won’t survive much longer, so why do you care?”

“Why are you doing this?” My eyes went to Ethan.

Although he has shown his true colors, a part of me still hoped that there was a part of him that cared. Yet, as I looked into his dark brown eyes, all I saw was disgust. Pain exploded inside my chest as I looked at the man I had loved with all of my heart.

“When we first met, I admit I did want to be with you. Not out of love but because you were the most beautiful woman I have ever met. I never loved you. You were nothing more than a trophy I wanted to win or a vase I wanted to collect.” Ethan turned his head to look at Natalie. “That was until I met her.”

My eyes roamed over Natalie. At best, she was a little more than average when it came to beauty. She had an attractive body with curves in all the right places. She had long legs and large breasts, but they looked fake. If I had to guess, she likely had plastic surgery. Nothing about her seemed natural.

“So all this time, you were only pretending? I thought we were happy, and you told me you loved me.” I returned my attention to Ethan, who had returned his gaze upon me.

“I admit I was initially drawn to you, not just because of your appearance. You were there when I needed someone, but I never felt more than gratitude for you. I thought you would help me reach the top, but I realized you held me back when I met my true mate.”

“Then why become my mate or tell me you loved me?”

The pain in my chest from being hurt by Ethan slowly morphed into anger. The only reason I questioned him was so I could understand. I knew Natalie was misleading him, but I no longer cared about convincing him that Natalie was a fake.

“Because at first I was blind, and later I just wanted to keep you in line. If I didn’t keep pretending things were fine, you might have caused a scene and ruined things for me.”

My gaze fell on Natalie. “I am guessing you knew he had a mate?”

“I did.” Natalie shrugged as she crossed her arms and leaned against Ethan’s side. “So what?”

“If you were with her for a year, why didn’t you just end things then? I would have left quietly.” My gaze remained on Natalie as she smiled triumphantly at me.

“Because you were still of use. Although Natalie is the Alpha King's daughter, she was never trained because she is his precious daughter. You were helping me improve, and I admit you are skilled, but at most, I could only become Gamma with your help.”

I almost laughed at his words. Even if she were the true Princess, she would have been forced to train. My father believed that all his children should be taught as warriors. Not only to improve the strength within the pack but also to give us the skills to protect ourselves against threats.

“So you have chosen to make someone who can’t fight, your Luna?” My brows arched.

“I don’t care if she can’t fight. I will protect her.” Ethan squeezed Natalie against him while gazing at her with love.

“You are the biggest idiot I have ever seen.” I laughed.

“How dare you!” Natalie lunged forward and backhanded me across the face. “If you disrespect him again, I will end your life.”

My cheek burned from the slap, and blood filled my mouth, but I didn’t let it faze me. Spitting the blood out, I smiled at Natalie.

“You’re pathetic to cling to him. We both know that you can’t help him.” My attention shifted to Ethan. “Remember, when we met, you were weak and didn’t even know the basics. Even now, your skills are mediocre at best. Do you seriously believe that you or your warriors will be able to protect the pack against a threat?” My eyes shifted to Natalie. “Especially while you are trying to protect your beloved Luna?” I scoffed.

“My skills are only mediocre because your training methods are ineffective.” Ethan moved forward and grabbed me by the throat. “Even if you are our most skilled warrior, you are nothing.” His hand tightened around my neck.

“Remember those words the next time the pack is attacked.” I struggled to breathe under the pressure around my throat, but my voice remained steady and strong. “If not for me saving everyone during the last attack, none of you would have survived.”

I knew I shouldn’t be testing him right now, especially since I was not in any condition to fight against them or defend myself. However, I wanted him to slowly regret his choice.

During the time I tried to train Ethan, it had been difficult. Teaching him the basics took six months but shouldn’t have taken that long. After a year, he finally defeated most members of the pack, but their skills weren’t that impressive.

Most of the members have potential, but I was fairly sure that Ethan had reached his limit. I would be surprised if he could improve any further. If not for the fact that the other members lacked any real ability to fight, I doubt even I could teach Ethan enough to allow him to move through the ranks.

During the entire time I spent training Ethan alone, he constantly complained about being inferior. That was part of the reason I hid that I was helping him improve and build his reputation behind the scenes. I also held back a lot and haven’t revealed what I am truly capable of because I knew he would feel incompetent.

“You don’t need to worry about that.” Ethan chuckled as he released my neck. “I have already met with the Alpha of the Crimson Fang pack. Because he saw my value, he relocated his pack, and now they neighbor our territory. After they settle, the Alpha will help train my warriors personally. With his help, we will become stronger.”

My mind became focused on the pack he mentioned. I knew about the Crimson Fang pack. Aside from the Royal pack, Battlecrest Guardians, they were the strongest. I haven’t heard about them relocating, nor did I know of any dealings with them.

Tilting my head, I studied the two standing in front of me. I doubted that they had the connections or the ability to have Crimson Fang relocate. Although I have helped this pack gain resources, I couldn’t even bring in the second largest and strongest pack.

So, why would they agree to help Ethan? This pack has made waves in the world and has grown in the past two years, but I doubt that Crimson Fang would lend their help or even relocate for Ethan alone.

“Since the Alpha of Crimson Fang is my brother's best friend, of course, they will help.” Natalie smiled sweetly at Ethan as she wrapped her arms around him.

Now I understand and remember. Crimson Fang’s Alpha was Daxton Cruz. He was Silas’s best friend and had taken over as Alpha when I was fourteen. Silas and Daxton were six years older than me, but I always considered Daxton, my annoying older brother. Even if he annoyed me when I was growing up, it would make sense if my brother asked Daxton to connect with this pack.

“Do you think he will help you after he learns about what happened tonight?”

I tried not to have an attitude as I spoke. Now that I knew there was someone nearby who could help me, I needed to keep Ethan calm. From the glare Ethan shot me, I didn’t think it would be that easy.  

 “I am tired of listening to your nonsense.” Ethan growled.

“Then release me.”

I knew it was a long shot, but as long as Ethan was willing to release me, I would have no problem leaving without making them pay. Granted, I would take back everything I gave them and make sure they understood that without me, they had nothing. I considered sticking around to watch them crumble, but at this point, I just wanted to leave.

“If you think you are going to get out of here, you are mistaken.” Ethan chuckled. “I won’t give you the opportunity to make a fool of me and destroy everything I built.”

“Also, after you hit your Alpha, you forfeited your life.” Natalie sneered.

Looking between them, I realized that I was in real trouble. I couldn’t access my phone, and even if Daxton was in the area, I couldn’t contact him. Also, despite being in the pack for two years, I didn’t have any friends.

My focus had been on helping Ethan, and I did my best to keep to myself so no one would suspect anything until Ethan could stand proudly in front of everyone. After what happened at the party, it was clear that no one would oppose their Alpha.  

“You can’t do this to me! You will regret this, and you will all suffer if you don’t release me!” I yelled as I fought against the chains.

“You are the one who will regret this. If you hadn’t made a scene, none of this would be happening. You brought this upon yourself.” Ethan tucked Natalie under his arm as they turned and started walking away.

“Please let me go. I will leave quietly. Just consider it returning the favor of me helping you in the past.” I pleaded.

When Ethan and Natalie stopped, I thought he might have a change of heart and let me go. I held my breath and waited patiently, but Ethan didn’t say a word. His head turned, but instead of looking over his shoulder at me, he looked at one of the warriors in the room.

“Take care of her.” Ethan spoke and then walked away, ignoring my endless pleas.

After Ethan and Natalie were gone, I was surrounded by four warriors. They had masks on, so I couldn’t see who they were. I tried to reason with them, but they didn’t respond. As they slowly approached, I continued to try to escape the chains, but my efforts were futile.

To my surprise, however, one of them reached over my head and released the chains around my wrists. I thought they were letting me go, so I stepped forward to move past them. My foot barely touched the ground before I was suddenly hit in the gut and fell to the ground.

One after another, all four men attacked. The attacks were relentless. One of the men used a knife on me. He didn’t stab me with it or use it to end my life. Instead, he slashed the blade against my skin multiple times. Blood poured out of my wounds, making me lightheaded and too weak to do much besides curl up on the floor and try to protect myself.

I thought they were going to kill me, but just before I was at my end, they stopped and left me in the cell to bleed out. As I lay on the ground, I couldn’t stop my tears. Now more than ever, I regret leaving home.

“If I get out of this. I will make them pay.” I spoke with enough conviction that it gave me a little strength, but my body became limp, and my eyes closed.

I don’t know how long I was out, but I awoke from a sudden commotion sometime later. My eyes opened slightly, but my vision was blurry, and I was too weak to move. A prominent figure moved into the room, but I couldn’t see who entered.

I murmured something incoherently, but I wasn’t sure what I said. I tried to keep my eyes open, but my eyelids felt heavy, and I started to fade. I felt someone lift me off the ground, cradling me against their chest as if I were precious, but I didn’t know who it was.

“Forgive me for being late, but I will get you out of here.” A familiar male voice spoke, but it took me a moment to register who it was.