Rowan's P.O.V
They dragged me through the forest like I was livestock. Two massive betas on either side, their grips bruising my upper arms, boots crunching over fallen leaves and broken branches. My wrists were still bound behind my back, rope biting into skin already raw from the fight earlier. Every step jolted pain through my ribs where that bastard's fist had landed during the raid. I didn't make a sound. Wouldn't give them the satisfaction.
The Blackridge compound loomed ahead,stone walls topped with iron spikes, lights cutting harsh white beams through the trees. It looked more like a fortress than a pack home. Fitting for a monster like Kairos Black.
My stomach twisted at his name.It wasn't fear, it was Something worse almost felt like anger mixed with this stupid, traitorous heat low in my gut every time I remembered those red eyes locking onto mine. The way his scent had slammed into me—dark cedar, smoke, and raw dominance—like a physical blow. My inner omega had whimpered once, just once, before I shoved it down so hard it hurt.
Fuck that. I wasn't some simpering thing waiting to be claimed. I'd spent years running from packs, dodging alphas who thought an unbonded omega was free meat. Ironfang had been the closest thing to safe I'd found in a long time,until tonight. Until him.
They hauled me through a side gate, past guards who stared but didn't speak. Down dimly lit corridors of rough stone and flickering torches. The air grew thicker here, heavy with pack scent: multiple alphas, betas, the faint scent of other omegas somewhere deeper in. But Kairos's scent overlaid everything, like he'd marked the entire place as his territory.
We stopped at a heavy oak door reinforced with steel bands. One beta knocked. A low voice from inside: "Enter."
The door swung open to reveal Kairos in the center of the room, back to us, shedding his blood-streaked jacket onto a chair. Broad shoulders, black shirt clinging to muscle from the fight. He didn't turn right away. Just let the silence stretch until it felt like pressure on my skin.
"Leave him," he said finally. "And the rope stays on. For now."
The betas shoved me forward. I stumbled but caught myself, refusing to drop to my knees. They retreated, door clicking shut behind them.
Alone with the alpha who'd just massacred half my pack.
He turned slowly. Those red eyes raked over me. Head to toe. Lingering on the tear in my shirt, the bruise on my ribs, the way my chest heaved from the walk. His nostrils flared. Scenting me again.
I hated how my body reacted. A shiver ran down my spine, heat pooling unwanted between my legs.
"You're not scared," he observed. Voice like gravel wrapped in velvet.
"Should I be?" I shot back. "You've already taken everything else. What's left to fear?"
He stepped closer. Close enough that I had to tilt my head to meet his gaze. He towered over me, easily a head taller, built like he could snap me in half without trying. But I didn't back up.
His hand lifted slowly and his Fingers brushed my jaw, tilting my chin higher. Calluses rough against my skin. I jerked away instinctively.
"Don't touch me."
His grip tightened. "You'll learn to like it."
A laugh tore out of me."You think forcing a collar on me makes me yours? I've worn worse chains."
Something flickered in his eyes. Not anger. Interest. Dark, hungry interest.
He released my chin and circled me like a predator sizing up prey. I felt his gaze on my back, my bound wrists, the curve of my neck where my scent gland pulsed traitorously. Every nerve screamed to run, to fight, to bare my teeth. But running wasn't an option. Not here.
He stopped behind me. Heat radiated off him and his breath fanned my ear.
"You smell like defiance," he murmured. "And something sweeter underneath. Fear? No. Not fear." His nose brushed the side of my neck and i stiffened. "Arousal."
My face flamed. "Go to hell."
"Already there." His voice dropped lower. "And you're coming with me."
He moved away. I heard a drawer open and i heard metal clink. When he returned, something cool and heavy draped around my throat.
A collar. Black leather, thick, lined with soft suede on the inside. A silver ring at the front.
I swallowed. The leather settled against my skin like a brand.
His fingers worked the buckle at the back in an almost gentle manner. The click of it fastening echoed in the quiet room.
"There," he said softly. "Better."
I twisted my head, testing. It wasn't tight enough to choke, but snug. A constant reminder. His scent clung to the leather already,like he'd worn it first. Marking it. Marking me.
"You think this changes anything?" My voice came out hoarse. "A collar doesn't make me submit."
"No." He stepped in front of me again. Fingers hooked the front ring, tugging me forward until our bodies almost touched. "But it makes sure everyone else knows you're off-limits. Including you."
I glared up at him. "I'm not your property."
His thumb traced the edge of the collar. "You are now."
Something inside me snapped. I lunged forward, my bound hands were useless, but my teeth bared. I aimed for his throat.
He caught me mid-motion. One arm banded around my waist, hauling me against his chest. I fell against hard muscle and heat. That damn scent flooding my lungs.
I struggled. Kicked. Snarled. He didn't budge. Just held me tighter until my energy burned out and I was panting against his shoulder.
"Easy," he rumbled. The word vibrated through his chest into mine. "You're only hurting yourself."
"Fuck you."
He chuckled. "Soon enough."
He released me abruptly. I staggered back, chest heaving. The collar felt heavier now,like it had weight beyond leather.
Kairos walked to a low table, poured two glasses of amber liquid from a decanter. Offered one.
I stared at it like it was poison.
"Drink," he said. Not a request.
I didn't move.
He sighed and set his glass down. He Crossed the room in two strides. Pinned me against the wall with one hand on my shoulder with gentle pressure, the other hand lifted the glass to my lips.
"Open."
I clenched my jaw.
His eyes narrowed. "You think starving yourself hurts me? It only weakens you. And I need you strong."
Need. The word hit harder than it should have.
I parted my lips, just enough. He tipped the glass. Whiskey burned down my throat. Smooth. Expensive. I swallowed, hating every second.
He set the glass aside. His hand stayed on my shoulder. Thumb brushing the collar.
"Why?" I whispered. The question slipped out before I could stop it. "Why me? You could have any omega. Willing ones. Submissive ones."
His gaze darkened.
"Because you looked at me like I was nothing," he said quietly. "No one does that. Not anymore."
I searched his face. For cruelty. For mockery and i found neither. Just raw honesty and hunger.
"So you collar me? Chain me? To prove you're something?"
"To prove you're mine." His voice roughened. "And because the second I scented you in that clearing, my wolf decided the same thing. "
I laughed again. "Your wolf can go fuck itself. I'm not interested in being claimed by a butcher."
His hand slid up, cupping the side of my neck over the collar. Thumb pressing against my pulse. Feeling how fast it raced.
"You say that," he murmured, "but your body disagrees."
Heat flooded my cheeks. Heat gathered again,more this time. Traitorous biology.
He leaned in with his nose brushing my hair. Inhaling deep.
"Gods, you smell good," he growled. "Like mine."
I shoved at his chest with my bound hands. Useless. "Get off."
He didn't. Just held me there. Forehead resting against mine for one endless second.
Then he pulled back and stepped away. Left me trembling against the wall.
"Bedroom's through there," he said, nodding to a side door. "Shower and change. Food's on the table. Don't try the windows,they're barred. Door locks from outside."
I stared at him. "You're leaving me alone?"
"For now." His eyes flicked to the collar. "Don't take it off. You won't like what happens if you do."
He turned. Walked to the main door,and Paused.
"Rowan."
I hated how my name sounded in his mouth. Like possession.
"Sleep," he said. "Tomorrow we talk. About your old pack. About what happens next."
The door closed.I slid down the wall and sat on the cold floor with the Collar heavy around my throat.
My fingers traced the leatherr and felt the ring.Tears burned my eyes. I blinked them back.
I wasn't broken. Not yet.
But gods help me,I could feel the crack forming and it had his name written all over it.