Chapter 1

Chapter 1

Raura

I lead Franklin Parker down the main street of our little town, carefully choosing which areas to show him. This isn’t the first time I’ve given a human a tour, but it’s been a while. I have to be cautious about what I reveal.

“This is our artists’ quarter,” I explain, gesturing toward the quaint storefronts lining the road. “We have galleries, studios, that sort of thing. A lot of our residents work out of their homes, too.”

Parker nods, surveying the area with polite interest. He’s exactly what I expected – well-groomed and professional in his tailored suit, every hair in place. His eyes are keen but not prying as he takes it all in.

“Fascinating. And the community supports itself through the sale of artwork and crafts?” he asks.

I smile warmly. “Among other things. We’re quite self-sufficient here.”

The half-truth rolls easily off my tongue. Parker seems satisfied with my vague response, making a note on the tablet he carries. So far, so good. I’ve been careful to only show him the areas that reinforce our cover story as an artist commune.

As we continue strolling down the street, I point out a cluster of buildings up ahead. “That’s our community center and exhibition space. We host shows and events there regularly.”

Parker raises an eyebrow with interest. “Perhaps I could take a look inside?”

I shake my head apologetically. “I’m afraid we’re between exhibitions at the moment. But I can certainly give you a tour of the facilities next time you visit.”

He accepts this with a gracious smile and another note on his tablet. My heart rate picks up slightly – I can’t let him poke around too much. But Parker doesn’t seem suspicious, just courteously inquisitive as I continue describing the different arts and crafts our “residents” practice.

So far, I’ve kept him away from the areas where the pack actually lives. As long as I can steer him clear of anything that might raise red flags, we should be fine. Parker may be human, but he’s no fool. I’ll have to stay on my toes.

I nod in understanding as Franklin comments on the visible security presence around town. “Ah yes, we’ve had to take some extra precautions over the years.”

His brow furrows slightly. “For an artists’ commune, it does seem rather…heavily guarded.”

I offer him a rueful smile. “Unfortunately, we’ve had our fair share of incidents. Crackpots who think it’s amusing to vandalize the place, intimidate the artists. Some people don’t quite understand the creative process, I suppose.”

Franklin makes a disapproving sound. “How dreadful. I can’t fathom that mentality.”

“Exactly,” I agree. “And with some of our residents working with valuable materials – jewelers and the like – we have to take precautions against theft as well.”

He inclines his head, seeming to accept my explanation. Good, I’ve managed to provide a plausible reason without revealing too much.

As we approach Jagger’s office building, I note that he’s been smart enough to keep the majority of our security team out of sight. Just a few of the less obviously lupine-looking members are patrolling the area. I offer Franklin a polite smile.

“Jagger should be able to answer any other questions you might have. If you’ll follow me?”

I gesture in the direction of the office area, keeping my tone pleasant and unruffled as we head to meet with our pack Alpha. So far, I’ve been able to steer this human official away from anything that could expose our true nature. Hopefully, Jagger can maintain the facade as convincingly.

But something’s going on.

Before we reach the entrance, I notice a group of towering males exiting the building. Barrett and Edirn are at the front, with Callum and Tarkin behind them. There seems to be some sort of heated conversation happening.

Dammit! They’re not supposed to be out here.

Suddenly, Edirn breaks away from the group and charges right toward us! I freeze, unable to comprehend what’s happening. Everything is moving so fast.

What the freaking hell??

Before I can react, Franklin’s arm wraps around me, pulling me against him.

“What—?” I blurt.

“Quiet!” he snaps, his breath so close to my ear it flutters my hair. I’m pressed against his chest. He’s using me as a shield! The realization sucks the wind from my lungs.

I remain rigid as the man behind me bellows words to the men he’s brought with him. There’s chaos as everyone bursts into action. The rapid sound of gunfire erupts all around us. I’m too stunned to even flinch, utterly bewildered by Franklin’s actions.

What the hell is this man doing?

“Franklin, what are you—?” I begin…as if I can speak sanely to this man. As if he really is the polite professional I just guided through our home. He’s not. He was swallowing my lies while spinning his own.

And now he interrupts me. His voice is low and threatening in my ear. “Don’t do anything stupid.”

The cold steel of a gun barrel presses against my temple. I stiffen instinctively, every muscle in my body tensing as I start to resist his hold.

“You won’t survive this bullet,” Franklin warns darkly. “It’s silver.”

The gravity of the situation crashes over me. This human isn’t just a government official – he’s someone who knows about us, who has come prepared to attack. Dread unfurls as I realize how much trouble I’m in.

I force myself to remain still, my mind racing as I try to make sense of this. How could he have found out? And, more importantly, how can I get out of this nightmare alive?

I dig my nails into Franklin’s arm as he drags me backward, still using my body as a shield against the madness erupting around us.

“We’re getting out of this shit. Don’t try to fight me.” His breath is hot against my neck, the barrel of his gun pressing harder against my temple. “I know what you really are.”

I go cold at his ominous words. He knows we’re shifters. Somehow, this human has uncovered our secret and has come prepared to attack. Fear grips me, but I swallow it down, forcing myself to remain outwardly calm.

Franklin keeps pulling me along, steering us away from the thick of the fighting. I have no choice but to comply, my mind racing as I try to figure out a way to get free. If he really has silver ammunition like he claims, any attempt to shift or fight back could be fatal.

We duck behind a building, temporarily shielded from the gunfire. Franklin shoves me against the wall, his forearm pinning me there as he scans our surroundings with cold calculation in his eyes.

“You’re going to do exactly as I say,” he states in a low, menacing tone. “No sudden movements, no trying to call for help from your little wolf pack. Understand?”

I meet his steely gaze, struggling to keep my expression neutral despite the panic. With a slight nod, I force out the words. “I understand.”

His lips curl into a cruel smile. “Good girl. Now, we’re going to wait here until my men have…collected enough of your kind. And you’re going to be my insurance policy to make sure none of them get any ideas about being heroes.”

My stomach turns at his sinister implications. Collected? Like animals? Whatever this madman has planned, it can’t be good.

Franklin’s arm presses harder across my collarbone, making it difficult to breathe. I grit my teeth against the pressure, fighting to keep my rising fear in check. One wrong move and he’ll pull that trigger without hesitation.

Outside, the sounds of the clash seem to be dying down, but my sense of dread only grows. Franklin was expecting this – he came prepared to capture us. And now, it seems, he’s gotten exactly what he wanted. Me. On a silver platter.

Trapped with a gun at my head and my friends’ lives in jeopardy, I can’t see any way out. All I can do is bide my time and pray that an opportunity to escape presents itself. Because one thing is certain – I’m not going to make it easy for this bastard.

I press my back against the rough brick wall, Franklin’s arm digging painfully into my collarbone as he holds me pinned there. I can sense his frustration with every passing minute. I think he’s struggling with the knowledge that his men are losing against the power of my pack.

“Goddammit! What’s taking so long?” he hisses under his breath as he glances at an expensive-looking wristwatch, then back toward the sound of the fight. I remain dead-still, practically holding my breath, the gun barrel an ever-present reminder of the danger I’m in.

A disheveled man in tactical gear rounds the corner, eyes widening slightly at the sight of his boss manhandling me. “Sir, we’re losing ground. The wolves are too strong; we’re outnumbered and outmatched.”

Franklin’s curses explode from his lips like gunfire, the muscles in his jaw clenching with fury. “Fuck! I underestimated them.”

His eyes burn into mine, blazing with a combination of anger and something darker – desperation. He yanks me forward, the barrel of his gun jamming painfully beneath my jaw.

“You’re my leverage now, sweetheart,” he snarls, spittle flying from his lips to speckle my cheek. “I can’t take your whole pack, but you’re worth good money to the right people.”

Horror washes over me as the implication sinks in. A whimper escapes my lips before I can stop it.

Franklin’s arm tightens like a vise, the gun pressing harder into the soft flesh under my chin. “Don’t make me damage you,” he warns, voice dripping with menace. “I won’t hesitate to put a bullet that pretty head of yours if you give me trouble. There are more where you came from.”

My mind races. I can’t shift, not with that bullet aimed at me. I’m trapped, utterly powerless against this human monster.

“Please,” I manage to gasp out, swallowing hard against the metal jammed under my jaw. “You don’t have to do this.”

Franklin throws his head back with a bark of humorless laughter. “Save your breath, wolf-girl. You’re my insurance policy for getting out of this shithole alive.”

With that, he wrenches me away from the wall, his free hand fisted in my hair to steer me forward. I cry out at the sharp pain, tears stinging my eyes as I stumble alongside him. Every instinct screams at me to fight, to claw and tear my way free of his grasp.

But I can’t. Not with that silver bullet aimed at my skull, a silent promise of death if I resist. I’m powerless, a captive of this vile human who knows too much about my kind.

So I allow him to drag me, fighting down dread at whatever fresh hell awaits.

The sound of an engine nearby alerts me to what’s about to happen next, and I pull back, but my resistance is met by another sharp jab of the gun at the back of my head.

“This is your brainstem, girl. I can assure you won’t survive a bullet here.” He shoves me, and I cry out as I’m pushed into the back of a large, armored SUV.

No, God, no!

He’s really planning to take me – to cart me off like some kind of animal.

“Get us out of here. Fast!” he barks at the driver.

The engine roars as the driver guns it, and we lurch forward, tires squealing. I scramble to brace myself as we careen through the narrow streets, headed straight for the massive front gate. There’s no slowing down, no attempt to find a way around. We’re going to ram right through it!

“Oh my God…” I choke out, instinctively shielding my head as the unforgiving metal barrier rushes toward us.

The impact is jarring, the sound of screaming metal deafening in the enclosed space. I’m thrown sideways, hitting the opposite side of the car hard, pain exploding through my shoulder.

Franklin is cursing, struggling to right himself as the driver floors the accelerator. We’re hurtling ahead at breakneck speed down the pitted road that leads to Steel Lakes. I chance a backward glance, twisting my neck to get a better look, and my heart clenches.

Steel Lakes – my home, the only life I’ve ever known – is receding into the distance. I’m being taken from it, ripped away by a deranged animal who knows far too much about my kind.

And there’s no way back.