"Pick up the pace, Rain, or I'll feed you to the crows along with this useless trail."
Spurs dug into the stallion's flanks. The horse snorted, foam flying from the bit and staining my leather gloves. Mud from the hooves flew into the face of my brother riding behind.
"We've combed the entire western ravine, Cale!" Rain leveled his horse, breathing heavily. "Your traitor didn't just vanish into the ground."
"Then you didn't dig well enough."
"The blood went cold at dawn," Jake spoke up, staying a couple of meters back. "You're driving us in circles."
I yanked the reins sharply. The stallion reared, nearly throwing me onto the rotting leaves. Leather cut into my palms, but the pain only fueled the dull rage seething in my chest.
"You dare tell me where to drive the pack, Jake?"
Jake didn't look away. He sat straight in the saddle, like he was molded to it, his gray eyes studying me with that terrifying calmness that always preceded a storm.
"I'm pointing out that you're acting like a mad yearling," he nodded at my hands. "You'll rub your flesh to the bone, but it won't bring the traitor back."
"He was in the castle. He breathed my air."
"And now he's gone. The forest is empty."
"The forest reeks of pine and rot," I spat on the ground. "There isn't a single right scent here."
Rain smirked, adjusting his sword belt. He smelled of fresh sweat and youthful cockiness.
"You just miss the girl, Cale. Admit it. Since we rode out the gates, you've been growling at every tree."
I lunged at him faster than he could blink. My palm closed around his throat, knocking the air from his lungs. Our horses danced on the narrow path.
"Open your mouth about my needs one more time," I lowered my voice to a growl, "and I'll rip out your tongue."
"Cale, let him go," Jake said calmly. "He's an idiot, but he's our brother."
I released my fingers. Rain coughed, clutching his neck; the fear I needed finally flickered in his eyes.
"West," I commanded, turning my horse. "Find a deer trail. A big one. I need something to tear apart."
We went deeper into the thicket. Fog clung to the hems of our cloaks, heavy and damp. Every sound—a snapping twig, the rustle of wings—echoed in my head like a hammer blow. The wolf inside scratched at my ribs from within. He didn't crave deer blood. He craved the scent of rain and bitter herbs.
"Over there," whispered one of the Thorne brothers, pointing to flattened fern. "It's fresh."
"Surround it," I was already sliding out of the saddle mid-stride.
My clothes felt tight. Joints twisted, and bones began their agonizing dance of rearrangement. The crunch of my own skeleton was the best sound I'd heard all morning.
"Too fast, Cale!" Jake shouted, also shedding his jacket. "Wait for the beaters!"
I didn't answer. Muscles bulged, ripping the seams of my shirt. I dropped onto four paws, feeling claws sink into the soft moss. The world turned black and white, filled with the pulse of life.
Where is she? the wolf howled in my head.
Shut up. Hunt.
I bolted forward. The wind hit my snout, washing thoughts of betrayal, the pack council, and duty from my mind. Only the rhythm of the run remained. The Thorne brothers glided like gray shadows on the flanks. Rain was a red flash to the right.
We burst into the clearing. A stag, a massive antlered male, froze for a second before jumping into the briars.
I caught him in a single leap.
My jaws clamped onto his neck. The taste of hot blood hit my head, but instead of triumph, I felt only disappointment. It was tasteless. Thin. Empty.
I tore at the flesh with a fury that frightened even the Thornes. They stopped at a distance, not daring to approach the kill until I was finished.
"Enough," Jake, in the form of a massive gray wolf, walked up close, bumping his shoulder against my side. "You've turned him into mincemeat."
I snarled, baring blood-stained fangs.
"We're going back," I growled through the link.
"We just started," Rain replied, licking a paw. "A couple more of these and—"
"Back to the castle. Now."
I didn't wait to shift back. Still in wolf form, I lunged back through the forest, ignoring my brothers' shouts. The forest was no longer my home. It was a cage.
By the time I burst into the castle courtyard and shifted back to human form, I was covered in mud and dried blood. A stablehand ran up to take the reins of my stallion, which Jake had brought back, but I pushed him away.
"Out of my way!"
"My lord," the old man stammered. "They are waiting for you in the council hall..."
"Let them wait."
I walked through the corridors, and servants pressed themselves against the walls. I reeked of beast and death. But the closer I got to my chambers, the more distinct that scent became.
A guard stood by the door. He snapped to attention as soon as I appeared at the turn.
"Is she there?" I didn't stop.
"No, milord. In the kitchen, with the other omegas."
"Bring her. Now."
"But the steward said..."
I grabbed him by the collar and pinned him to the stonework.
"I don't care what the steward said. If she isn't in this room in five minutes, you're going to the kennels. As fodder."
The guard paled and bolted.
I entered my chambers. The room felt too small. I threw open the window, letting in the cold air, but it didn't help. The itching sensation under my skin only intensified. I paced the space, kicking my boots aside.
The torch in the niche hissed, spitting sparks. Shadows on the walls danced, turning into the shapes of wolf muzzles.
The door creaked.
She entered without raising her eyes. A simple gray dress, too thin for such cold. Hair had escaped her braid. She smelled of flour, cheap soap, and that cursed scent of wild herbs that drove me mad.
"You called," Alina's voice was barely audible.
"Come here."
She took a step. Froze. Her fingers convulsively gripped the hem of her dress.
"Closer."
"I... I haven't finished my work yet, the steward will be angry if..."
"Do I have to repeat myself?" I took a step toward her.
She snapped her head up. Pure, undiluted terror swirled in her eyes. It should have stopped me. It should have caused disgust—seeing the future Alpha in such a state over a pathetic slave.
But instead, something snapped inside.
I grabbed her arm and jerked her toward me. She cried out, crashing into my chest. The warmth of her body through the fabric of her dress burned me like an open flame.
"You're trembling," I whispered, digging my fingers into her forearm.
"I'm cold. Please..."
"Liar. You're afraid."
"Yes."
That honest answer hit harder than if she had stabbed me. I buried my face in the crook of her neck, right where the vein pulsed under the skin. My mark on her shoulder throbbed, responding to my anger and need.
"I've been looking for a traitor all day," my voice turned hoarse, barely recognizable. "And the only thing I could think about was how your hair smells."
"Cale, you're scaring me..." She tried to push away, but I only pinned her harder against the wall.
"You were supposed to be a curse," I bit the skin on her neck, feeling her flinch. "Just a tool."
"Let go. Please."
"No."
I felt the wolf inside howl triumphantly. All my control, all my pride and status as the pack heir crumbled to dust before this simple, animal desire.
"What have you done to me?" I ripped the collar of her dress, exposing pale skin.
"Nothing... I didn't do anything..."
"Liar."
I crushed my lips against hers, cutting off her oxygen. My hands acted on their own, crumpling the fabric, demanding more contact, more of her presence. She was my only anchor in a world that was going to hell.
Alina let out a muffled moan, and that sound finally snapped the last threads of my sanity. I no longer heard the sounds of the castle; I forgot about traitors and the hunt.
There was only her scent. And my complete, final addiction.
I growled, scooping her up by the thighs and throwing her onto the bed. In that moment, I realized: I don't own this bond. The bond owns me. And I no longer belong to myself.