CHAPTER 2

The gloom from the previous night clung to me like a second skin, even as the dim morning light trickled through the shutter apertures. The reality of my surroundings had pushed sleep away.

A knock on the door broke the delicate silence.

A rough voice called, "Get up," from the other end.

My muscles automatically stiffened. I waited for the seconds to pass, hoping that whoever it was would become agitated and walk away.

Instead, the door swung open.

"You're testing my patience, rogue."

I recognized that voice without having to look. The guy in the doorway caught my attention, and his imposing size made the cramped space feel even more oppressive. With his arms folded and his gaze sweeping over me, Darius leaned against the frame.

I swung my legs over the edge of the bed and shot back, "I didn't realize this was a military camp."

"It is now." He grinned coldly and strategically. "And you're late."

"For what, exactly?" Refusing to be intimidated by his stature or authority, I stood.

"For proving you're worth keeping alive."

When we got there, the training yard was already bustling with activity. The sound of human-shaped wolves fighting in the ground filled the air with the smash of fists and moans of effort. Some transformed in the middle of a strike, testing each other's might with snapping and growling wolves.

As I scanned the mayhem, I remarked, "Nice place you've got here."

Darius remained silent. A particularly vicious match was going on at the far end of the yard, and he had his sights set on a group there.

"This isn't for show," he finally stated calmly. "All of the wolves here have merited their position. You will follow suit if you wish to live.”

I gave an eye roll. "I didn't come here to join your pack."

"No," he said, looking at me. "You came to take advantage of me. And you'll have to stay up if you're going to do that."

He nodded toward the battling wolves before I could reply. "You're up."

I went cold. "Excuse me?"

"You want my protection?" He sounded almost bored now as if he hadn't thrown me for a loop. "Show me you can handle yourself."

Even though my heart was racing, I tried to keep my face composed. "You're kidding."

"Do I look like I'm kidding?"

He gestured to a wolf, and it moved forward. He had broad shoulders, was tall, and exuded confidence from knowing he could split his opponent in two. My blood was boiling from his smirk alone.

"Don't worry," Darius remarked with a tone of false assurance. "He'll go easy on you."

Asshole.

The initial blow came more quickly than I expected.

My side erupted with pain, and I staggered back, gasping for air. I didn't have time to recuperate from my opponent. I ducked in time as he aimed his next blow at my face.

"Come on, rogue," he said. "You're supposed to be proving something here."

I clenched my jaw, my inner wolf growling beneath the surface. Winning wasn't the goal here. Now, it wasn't about something other than surviving. It had to do with denying them the joy of witnessing my fall.

I moved when he swung his fist at me once again. Instinctively, I twisted out of his reach and then rammed my elbow into his ribs. The yard reverberated with the satisfying crack of bone.

His eyes flashed gold, and he gave a low, ferocious growl. "You're gonna regret that."

*Perhaps,* I thought, but I didn't allow him to act.

I hurled myself at him, moving erratically and wildly. I was faster than him, but I wasn't even close to being more muscular. I was also upset.

I was pinned to the ground at the end of the struggle, his teeth scraping my throat as his weight pressed down on me.

"Enough."

Sharp and forceful, Darius's voice pierced the fog of excitement. After hesitating, my opponent stepped back, his eyes lingering on me with admiration or perhaps disappointment that he hadn't crushed me entirely.

I forced myself to stand, panting heavily. Even though my body hurt, I didn't show it.

Darius responded, "Not bad," in an almost informal tone.

"Not bad?" With my chest still heaving, I gave him a fierce look. "I nearly died."

"If you nearly died, you'd be dead."

When I opened my mouth to respond, he had already turned aside and spoken to the rest of the yard. "Get back to work."

The remainder of the day was a haze of strain and fatigue. I occasionally caught a glimpse of Darius, whose presence seemed unavoidable. His demands were cutting, his patience thin, and he strode across the facility like a shadow.

I was on the verge of passing out when the sunset.

"Rough first day?"

I turned in surprise at the voice and saw a woman resting against the wall. Her eyes gleamed mischievously, and her dark hair was pulled back.

"You could say that," I said as I leaned beside her against the wall.

"Don't let them get to you," she added faintly. You're being tested. That's what they do.

"And you?" I raised an eyebrow in question.

"I'm Lila," she introduced herself while holding her hand. "The Midnight Pack's Beta. This implies that I will be the one to clean up whatever mess you make."

"Good to know," I shook her hand and remarked.

She grinned broadly. "I like you already."

It was simple to fall asleep that night.

But I was ready to fall asleep when I heard a disturbance that returned me to reality. Even though it was so feeble that it could hardly be heard over the wind outside, it made every nerve in my body stiff.

I sat up and strained to listen, my heart racing.

Once more, there was a faint scratching sound akin to claws grazing stone.

Then, from the gloom, a deep, guttural voice whispered:

"You shouldn't be here, rogue."