Chapter 3 Chamber

Ava POV

A guard came for me, pulling me from the cold, damp cell. At first, I was utterly confused. Was this it? Was the Alpha finally going to execute me? Despite the terror coiling in my gut, I couldn't help but notice him. Lord, the alpha was insanely handsome. The kind of handsome that would make any woman lose her mind, but this was not the time to be daydreaming about the Alpha, especially not one like Cain. He was brutal, powerful, and terrifying.

The guard led me down a different corridor, away from the familiar grimness of the dungeon, and into a luxurious chamber. Before I could even process the rich tapestries and soft rugs, several maids descended upon me. They started stripping me, their movements efficient and unyielding.

"What are you doing?!" I shrieked, my voice cracking with panic. I tried to push them away, but they were stronger than they looked.

"The Alpha gave us orders to bathe you. Please comply," one of the maids said, her voice calm but firm, as if this was a normal occurrence.

Defeated, I allowed them to lead me to a large, beautiful bathtub. The water was warm, infused with fragrant soaps and oils. They washed every inch of me, scrubbing away months of grime and dirt until my skin tingled. It was a strange, disorienting experience, to be treated with such care after so long in filth. When they were done, they wrapped me in a plush towel, then handed me a soft, flowing gown. It was simple, made of fine material, and surprisingly, it fit me perfectly.

Then, just as quickly as they appeared, they left, closing the heavy wooden door behind them. I was alone.

I began to pace, my bare feet sinking into the thick carpet.

I walked over to the large window, pushing it open slightly. The fresh air felt incredible, but it did little to calm my frantic thoughts. "Is the Alpha going to execute me?" I whispered to myself, the question a dry, ragged sound.The door creaked open, startling me. I spun around, my heart leaping into my throat. And there he was. Cain.

My blood ran cold. My face paled, every ounce of color draining away. He filled the doorway, a terrifying shadow against the light from the hallway, his presence overwhelming.

"What is your name?" he asked, his voice a low growl that vibrated through the room. His eyes... they were blazing red, like embers in the dim light, piercing right through me.

"Ava," I managed to croak, the word barely heard.

He took a step closer, then another, slowly closing the distance between us. "How long have you been in that dungeon?" he demanded, his gaze never leaving mine.

I instinctively recoiled, taking a step back until my back hit the wall. "Six months," I responded, immediately dropping my gaze to the floor, unable to bear the intensity of his stare.

"Look at me," he growled, and the command was absolute. My head snapped up, my eyes meeting his. My breath hitched in my throat. How could someone so utterly cruel be so devastatingly handsome? His features were sharp, chiseled, a raw, untamed beauty that was both captivating and terrifying.

"Careful, human. I can hear your thoughts," he rumbled, and I stiffened, a gasp escaping my lips. My cheeks flushed hot with embarrassment and a fresh wave of fear.

"I'm sorry," I stammered, my voice trembling. "I don't mean to think anything about you."

He took one last step, until he was standing directly in front of me, so close I could feel the heat radiating from his massive body. The air crackled with a dangerous tension, thick and suffocating. "You will stay here obediently," he said, his voice a low, dangerous rumble. "Do not step out of this room until I say so, else I'll kill you with my very own hands."

I swallowed hard, a lump forming in my throat. I could only nod, my eyes wide and fixed on his.

"I need your words," he commanded, his red eyes burning into mine, demanding full submission.

"Yes, Alpha," I whispered, the words barely a breath, but they were there. My fate, whatever it was, was now entirely in his hands.

As soon as he left, I rushed to the window, my heart racing.

I had to escape, somehow, I had to get out of here.

I looked down, my breath catching.

The drop was too high. “Unless you want to die, Ava,” I muttered to myself.

I stepped back, panic rising. “No… I can’t run. He’ll find me."

The thought of him sent a chill down my spine.

He was dangerous, the kind of man who didn’t forgive.

I closed my eyes, whispering, “If death is my fate, please… let it be quick and painless.”

Cain POV

I stepped out of the room, leaving Ava trembling against the wall. My fingers were balled into tight fists, every muscle in my body rigid with a tension I hadn't felt in centuries. The last thing I needed was a distraction, especially one as small and dangerous as a human mate. My wolf roared within me, demanding I return to her, but my dragon, ever the strategist, reminded me of the important balance of my kingdom.

With a frustrated growl, my massive, leathery wings ripped through the back of my tunic, stretching out to their full size. I shot upwards, through the open ceiling of my castle’s highest tower, and into the night sky, the cool air a brief balm against the anger raging inside me.

I was cursed, everyone knew that. An Alpha King, yes, but also a hybrid, part dragon, part wolf. A creature of immense power, and now, a creature burdened with a human mate. A weakness.

From high above, I watched my pack, busy as always. They were my responsibility, and I couldn't allow anything to jeopardize their safety. Not even her.

My flight was short, I descended swiftly, my wings retracting back into my skin with a soundless ripple, the torn tunic mending itself instantly. My destination was Finn’s chambers. My brother. The one who hated me. I knew it, felt it, but at this moment, I truly didn't care.

I strode into his study without knocking, my presence enough to make the air crackle. Finn looked up, his expression a familiar mix of defiance and hate.

"I want you to lead the soldiers to the borders," I stated, my voice cold and flat, leaving no room for argument. "Secure it carefully. I don't want any rogue entering my territory." The words were clipped, sharp, a clear command.

Finn nodded, his jaw tight. "Understood." He paused, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Who's that human from the dungeon?"

My blood ran cold again. The audacity. My eyes blazed, a warning. "No one of your business," I responded, each word a threat. I turned on my heel, the conversation finished, I walked away.

My mate. The weak human. My big secret and my deadliest weakness. I would keep an eye on her, I don’t want her but I can’t leave her now that I’ve discovered her.