Chapter 1: Take What Was Stolen

Seraphina

I was scared because the chains dragging me along were pulling me down. My pack was under attack, which I welcomed because it might be my way out. I tried not to look around at the chaos, not wanting to see the murders or assaults happening nearby. All I could do was breathe and think about what might happen next.

I am Seraphina Grace. The Alpha's favorite “girl," as everyone said.

If an outside attack was what it took to free me from him, so be it.

My Alpha is Xandriel. He had no mate, and even though I was more of a slave to him, he had me doing most of the tasks meant for the Luna.

But I wasn't a Luna.

I just tried to be myself.

I didn't like Xandriel or how he treated me and other women. He was rude, cruel, and beastly.

This raid didn’t surprise me. Xandriel had so many enemies that it was a wonder our camp hadn't been attacked sooner. The chains holding me clanked and jangled, making me more scared.

But I was strong and determined to escape.

"Xandriel's gone, but we have the Luna." 

"What a coward," I thought.

The man holding my chains swung me out and steadied my body in front of him. Then he forced me to my knees. "He will come back for her Luna. I’m sure of that. That will please the alpha." 

I looked up at the man before me. He was young but clearly experienced in battle. He might have been the beta.

"He's not coming back." I said, despite the risk. These men didn't like women talking back, but after dealing with Xandriel, I didn’t care. "I'm not a Luna. I'm not his mate. But, Indeed, a woman was the only thing that could make a man weak or soft, but not Xandriel, because he doesn’t care about me.”

"Well, that changes things, doesn't it, Hayes?" the beta said to the man behind me. Now that they knew I wasn't important, I knew what was coming.

"She’s just deceiving us. Every witness says she's the most important girl for their Alpha." Hayes tightened his grip on my hair. I stayed still, not fighting back yet. If I could escape Xandriel and this bastards, the torture would end.

"We'll let Alpha Alexander decide, won't we?" Hayes lifted me from my knees and pushed me forward through the woods and mud. My pack was broken, weakened by our leader. This is what we deserved. I hoped the innocent women and children could hide until the raid was over.

The heavy chains were cutting off my blood flow, making my palms burn. I didn’t know where we were headed, but I hoped we’d get there soon before my hands were useless.

Hayes stayed silent as we walked. When I stumbled, he grumbled. My legs were weak from exhaustion. Despite my strength, they forgot I was still human. Looking around, I realized I knew this land better than they did. Weird… If I could just get away, I'd be gone for good.

We arrived at a camp, likely where this pack had been watching us and planning their attack. They got what they wanted. Maybe they'd been here a long time watching every inch of our pack’s move.

Hayes pushed me into a dimly lit tent. It was big enough for us to stand up straight, but as soon as I got close to the Alpha, Hayes forced me to my knees. I lowered my head.

I couldn’t get a good look at the Alpha because I had to bow, showing my head and neck, my most vulnerable parts. Even though I was his captive, I wanted to show respect and give myself a chance to escape later.

"Alpha, we got the Luna." The tent was so quiet I could only hear my own tense breathing. I was dirty, hurt, and maybe cut. I didn’t look good, so maybe this Alpha would skip the formalities and go straight to killing me.

More silence followed.

I couldn’t understand why no one was talking. When Hayes let go of the chains, I felt the pressure release. The chains' loose ends fell to the ground, creating a cloud of dust.

I wanted to look up to see if I was still alive, but I knew I was. There was no sound. He wasn't questioning me or trying to scare me. He was just quiet.

I kept my eyes on the ground. I could see his shadow on the floor. It was big and strong. He is indeed the Alpha.

"Leave us, Hayes." The Alpha’s voice was soft, which surprised me. I expected anger or hate. His voice gave me goosebumps. It was...nice?

"Alpha Xandriel, you were his Luna." It was both a statement and a question. Was he asking me? Or was he stating it as a fact?

"I’m not, sir." I tried to move my fingers, probably purple by now. I was so nervous about meeting a new Alpha, fearing he would be even crueler than the one I knew. "I'm just one of his servants—"

"When you talk, look at me," he said quietly. I bit my lip, nervous. I looked up to meet his eyes. He was the most beautiful man I’d ever seen. The chills came back stronger, and my knees shook. He got up and knelt in front of me. When his hand touched my cheek, I leaned into him. It felt right and good. Then I realized he was the enemy.

"My mate," Alexander whispered. I pulled away. Mate?! I wouldn’t mate with an Alpha who attacked weaker packs for fun. I moved backward, fell, and hit the ground. I couldn’t stop the fall with my hands but he catched me. "I finally found you," he added.

"Are you insane? I am not your mate," I whispered back, "I belong to Xandriel…"

I couldn't believe I had said those things. I was desperate to get out of this situation. “I didn't want a new partner if it meant being stuck with someone like Xandriel again.”

"You were never Xandriel’s partner. You're mine and mine alone," Alexander roared. I finally saw the beast I'd been waiting for. He lunged at me but didn’t touch me. Instead, he slammed his fists into the ground beside me and growled, "I am Alpha Alexander Gomez! And you, you are mine…"

Alphas really do have all kinds of craziness. It looks like this jerk is messing with me. He wants to claim me, and I just met him today.

"Please take off the chains, they hurt," I pleaded. He quickly took out a key and unlocked the heavy metal chains. I tried to stand, faked a jab with my left hand, and swung with my right, but he caught my fist effortlessly, his eyes burning with anger. He twisted my arm behind my back, forcing my body against his.

"If you try that again, you’ll be in big trouble, sweety,” he said, staring at my eyes. 

I immediately looked away and stammered, "S-sorry..."

"You're afraid of me," he whispered. I swallowed hard.

"Xandriel can get you anything you want. Money? Land? I can arrange it if you let me go. He trusts me and you can trust me too," I spoke slowly, his breath on my neck making it hard to think.

"You are the only thing I want." I struggled but couldn’t break free from his grip.

"There's no way you would raid a camp just for me—"

"But I did," he said, his voice scaring me. He let go, and I cleared my throat before turning to face him. Alexander's eyes burned into me. His eyes were like longing for something. I wanted him inside me because of it, but I hated myself for that. 

What am I even thinking?! He is our enemy!

"I've been looking for my mate for a long time, and she was kept by the cruelest alpha in the North."

"And you're not?" I asked, doubting the whole mate idea.

Alexander smiled and said, "I can be," making me look down. I wouldn’t give up. No way, not right now.

"I'll go with you as long as you don't hurt my people and let them be free. Don’t take even one slave from this group. And—" He nodded, so I stopped, knowing he wouldn't agree with my next request. "Please don’t touch me again. Ever." Alexander looked hurt but quickly hid it.  He didn't want me to see it.

"Don’t leave this tent. If you do, I'll find you and make you regret it," he growled as he walked off into the night.