Chapter 3

Chapter

Three

GHOST

T he darkness of the room suits my mood as I sit in an old, creaking chair, my eyes fixed on the girl lying in my bed. I couldn't leave her in the cave all night, but once she warmed up, I brought her home.

She's a mystery, this one. I found her running for her life from fuckwit Sten in the silent zone—that strip of my territory where I keep the guard presence light. It's a calculated risk, knowing there's no easy way to our part of the island except through tunnels… but one that paid off today as I often find the Balor Wolves sniffing around.

At first glance, I thought she was just another of Sten's Omegas, finally making a break for it. I was ready to offer her sanctuary, to bring her over to my side of the island. It wouldn't be the first time I snatched one of his strays from under his nose.

But as I got closer, I realized she was so much more. The power radiating off her, the way the very air seemed to crackle around her—this was no ordinary Omega. And when I saw that lightning strike Sten? Well, there was no way in hell I was going to let him get his hands on her. Since the incident in the Gravewater pool five years ago, the bastard Sten has healed from almost everything I've thrown at him, so I have no doubt he'll survive the lightning too.

So I interfered directly. Grabbed the Omega and brought her back to my stronghold. And now here she is, in my bed, a potential game changer in the palm of my hand.

I lean back in the chair, letting out a heavy breath. My hand unconsciously moves to my left forearm, fingers tracing the raised scar there. The mark that brands me, that brands all of us exiled here. A constant reminder of why we're on Nightmare Island, of the challenge that brought me to where I am now.

Five years ago, I should have remained dead in that battle against Sten. But somehow I came back. We both did. The memory of that day is still vivid, the taste of defeat bitter on my tongue…

"You both lost your lives temporarily," Aiquen, our elder, said. "Now that you both survived it's the time to make peace."

I laughed. Sten attacked and killed Aiquen. So much for peace.

We ended up splitting the island in half—his territory and mine. The men from Balor Wolves joined me, while the Ulv went with him, the number almost equal. In the years since, we've carved out a sort of existence. Well, I have, at least. Sten and his lot still live like barbarians.

Me? I've salvaged what I can from the old civilizations that once called this rock home. The fae left behind buildings, ruins no one knew about until wolves were sent here. It's why I have my territory guarded, why I live in what passes for a mansion on this godforsaken island.

And it's why this mysterious girl is currently occupying my king-size bed, sleeping off the cut on her head from her fall.

I lean forward, elbows on my thighs, studying her in the moonlight that spills through the window. The storm passed as quickly as she lost consciousness, leaving behind this ethereal glow that bathes her in silver.

She's… captivating, her sweet scent still in my nostrils. Her long blonde hair is braided like a warrior's, the front strands woven tight while the rest spills across the pillow. Her face is perfection—strong cheekbones, a petite nose, a mouth with full lips that makes me imagine her naked. She's curvy, more so than others on this island, and in all the right places. The kind of Omega that sets my blood on fire.

I've had my share of the Omegas on this island, but none of them have affected me like this one. Just looking at her makes my wolf stir, makes hunger gnaw at my insides. It's more than physical attraction, though. Her wolf calls to mine in a way I've never experienced before.

Could she be… No. I shut down that line of thinking before it can take root. Hope is a dangerous thing here, especially hope for a true mate. The Omegas here were all exiled for their crimes—killing their Alphas, rejecting them, that sort of thing. We welcomed them, of course. Under my protection, they're safe. Everyone plays their part in our little community, fulfilling desires as they choose.

But a true mate? That's a fucking fairy tale. Every new arrival goes through the process of checking whether they're matched to any of my men. So far, we've come up empty.

Still, the hunger is there. The need to bury my cock deep in an Omega, to knot her, to release the need that builds up day after day on this hellhole of an island. Some days, it's all I can think about. That brings out something raw and animalistic in me, and I fucking crave it.

And this girl… she's special. The power she holds, the leverage it could give me to finally unite both sides of the island… well, after fucking Sten's six feet under, of course.

Her scent is like heaven, doing things to me I can't even begin to describe. Every inch of her calls to my wolf. My heart races, my palms sweat. She's a wolf, obviously, but there's something else there—a hint of humanity and the metallic tang of electricity.

Most wolves don't carry magic, except for a few from Denmark that I'm aware of. So where did this little firecracker come from?

I inhale deeply, letting her scent wash over me. Pine and wild roses, with an undercurrent of ripe berries—it screams Omega, something that tightens my balls. It takes me a moment to place it, but when I do, a growl rumbles in my chest.

Heat. The faint beginning stages of an Omega's heat.

Fuck me.

I rub a hand across my mouth, my mind racing. This complicates things. Makes them infinitely more interesting but also dangerous.

Silence.

I can't take my attention off her, but I try, staring around the room to distract my obsession.

The room is sparse. Wooden floorboards are weathered but solid. A sturdy wardrobe against one wall. There's even a door leading to a bathroom with running water, one of the perks left behind by the fae, their magic keeping the old plumbing functional long after they were gone.

A soft sound draws my attention back to the bed. She's stirring, making little noises that go straight to my cock. I sit back, forcing myself to remain still as she slowly opens her eyes.

She glances around, confusion evident on her face. Sitting up, she touches the back of her head where I bandaged her wound, then looks down at her now-dry clothes. When she goes to scramble out of bed, I clear my throat.

Her head snaps up, gaze wide as she peers into the shadows where I sit. The moonlight washes over her face, and fuck if she isn't captivating.

She's all legs, this one. Probably hits about five foot eight, which means she'd fit just right under my chin. Her hair's a mess, tangled and wild, as if she's been through hell. It's the color of wheat fields back in Denmark, all golden and shit, with darker streaks running through it. Makes me want to grab a fistful and see if it's as soft as it looks.

Her face? Zeus! It's the kind that could start wars. A mouth made for sin and eyes that could freeze me in my tracks. It's too dark to see their color, but they're sharp. Always moving, always watching. She's got the look of someone who's been through shit, who's always waiting for the other shoe to drop.

Her tits strain against her shirt, and her hips flare out just enough to give me something to hold on to. She moves like a predator, all coiled energy and grace, and I'm fucking intrigued. It has my wolf pacing, itching to chase, to claim.

But it's more than just her looks. There's something about her, some kind of raw power that sets my teeth on edge. My cock twitches, and I have to shift in my seat. Fuck, I haven't reacted like this to a woman in years.

Her shoulders slump slightly, and the jerky movement of her gaze darts around the room, landing on the exit door.

"Well," she says, breaking the silence. "This is cozy. Do you make a habit of kidnapping women, or am I just special?"

I can't help the chuckle that escapes me. "Trust me, sweetheart, if I was in the habit of kidnapping women, I'd have a much fuller house."

She stares at me, squinting into the shadows. "Oh, it's you. Skull-face. You know, watching people sleep is generally considered creepy in civil society."

"Good thing we're not in civil society, then, isn't it?" I lean forward, letting the moonlight illuminate my mask. "Besides, I had to make sure you didn't die on me. That would be inconvenient."

"Gods forbid I inconvenience you with my death," she retorts. "I'll try to schedule any future near-death experiences at more suitable times."

I laugh again. I like this girl. She's got fire.

"Since we're exchanging pleasantries," I say with a low tone, "mind telling me who you are and how you ended up on my island?"

"Your island?" Her gaze narrows. "Funny, I don't remember seeing your name on the Welcome to Paradise sign. Must have missed it while I was running for my life."

I stand, moving closer to the bed. She tenses but doesn't retreat. Brave little thing.

"Let me rephrase," I growl, letting a hint of Alpha command seep into my voice. "Who are you?"

She meets my gaze, holding my stare. "I'm the girl who's wondering why she's in a stranger's bed instead of dead in a ditch. Your turn. Who are you, Skull-face?"

I can't help but chuckle. "The man who saved your ass from becoming Sten's new chew toy. You're welcome, by the way."

"My hero," she deadpans. "I'll be sure to send a thank-you note. Now, if you'll excuse me…"

She starts to get out of bed, but I'm not done with her yet.

"Not so fast, sweetheart. You still haven't answered my question. Where did you come from?"

She sighs dramatically. "Would you believe me if I said I fell from the sky?"

"Cute," I growl. "Almost as cute as that little lightning trick you pulled out there. Want to tell me how you managed that?"

She laughs, but it sounds forced even to my ears. "You think if I controlled the weather, I'd let myself get captured by Alphas like you?"

I take another step closer. "I said lightning , but you can do the whole weather thing, can't you?"

She glares up at me, her jaw set. "You're delusional."

"And you're a terrible liar," I counter.

"Well, thanks for not leaving me in the woods." She stands up from the bed. "I'd better go."

I'm blocking her path in seconds. She has to crane her neck to look up at me, and I hear her swallow hard. Yeah, sweetheart, I'm not some runt you can push around.

"Where will you go?" I ask, my voice deceptively calm. "Is someone waiting to pick you up from the island?"

That has me intrigued if it's the case.

She scoffs but reins it in quickly. It tells me everything I need to know. She's stuck here, just like the rest of us poor bastards.

"So," I continue. "What did you do that was so bad you got thrown onto Nightmare Island?"

She shrugs, aiming for nonchalant but missing by a mile. "Wouldn't you like to know?"

She tries to sidestep me, making her way across the room. I take a few long strides backward, easily cutting her off again.

"You never answered my question," I state in a darker tone. Deep in my chest, my wolf rumbles, curious about the new toy in front of us.

She stares at my mask, her gaze tracing the contours of it. "Why do you wear that?"

"Why are you avoiding my questions?"

We stand there for a long, silent pause. Finally, she breaks the silence.

"Look, I appreciate the save, really… but I don't know you, and you don't know me. Let's keep it that way."

I lean in close, close enough to catch the faint scent of her impending heat. It takes every ounce of self-control not to bury my face in her neck right then and there, to lick her, taste her, bite her.

"Here's the thing, sweetheart," I growl. "On this island, there are no secrets. Not from me. So you can either start talking, or you can get comfortable because you're not leaving this room until I get some answers."

Her vibrant blue eyes flash with anger, and for a second, I swear I see a spark of electricity dance across her skin. Interesting.

"Do you have a name?"

"Hel," she answers. "And you can't keep me here," she hisses.

I grin behind my mask. "Watch me."

With that, I turn and stride out of the room. I hear her rush forward, but I'm already closing the door. The lock clicks into place.

"You asshole!" she yells through the wood. "You can't do this!"

I laugh, the sound echoing down the hallway, knowing she won't find a way out the window as it has bars on it. Can never be too safe.

"Welcome to Nightmare Island, sweetheart. You might want to get used to disappointment."

Her muffled curses follow me as I make my way down the long hall. We're on the third floor of the old mansion the fae built long ago, and with each step down to the next level, I find my mind caught on her. Who is she? Where did she come from? And most importantly, what the fuck is she capable of?

I can't get her scent out of my head

I enter my office, blinking against the sunlight pouring through the windows. The room is bright—the opposite of the storm that was silenced the moment our newcomer passed out.

The furniture is worn and old, like everything else on this island, but it serves its purpose. We're lucky we found and restored them, or we'd be living like fucking animals in the woods.

Axel and Knut, my second-in-command and head of guards, respectively, look up as I enter. Axel's leaning against the desk, his massive arms crossed over his chest. The scars on his face twist as he raises an eyebrow at me. Knut's pacing by the window, restless as always. His dark skin gleams in the sunlight, and his eyes are sharp as he turns to me.

"So," Axel rumbles. "Who's the girl? New Omega on the island?"

"Not quite." I shake my head, dropping into the chair behind my desk. "She's not talking, but I'll get her to open up. For now, she doesn't leave the mansion. Watch her if she does manage to get out. I get the impression a locked door won't keep her contained for long."

"Understood." Knut nods, his hand unconsciously moving to the knife at his hip. "But, Ghost, there's something else. We've spotted Sten's men on the north perimeter, near our foraging woods."

I growl under my breath. "Did you catch the fuckers?"

They both shake their heads. Damn it.

"Not even in the traps?"

No response. My gut tightens as I refuse to share our provisions with those fuckers unless they pledge loyalty to me.

"Double the guards," I order, knowing Sten will be on our doorstep to take the girl the moment he heals from his lighting strike because that bastard doesn't stay dead. He'll come to claim that she's his.

Axel shifts, his face serious. "And tomorrow night? The Blood Moon Hunt… is the new girl attending?"

I lean back in my chair, considering. The Blood Moon Hunt is a celebration, giving everyone something to look forward to. It's a time when we let our wolves run free, hunting and howling under the red moon, tracking and killing anything they find.

"She won't be ready," I decide aloud. "Keep her in the mansion."

Knut and Axel exchange a look. I can practically hear the unasked questions hanging in the air.

"Something you want to say?" I challenge.

Knut clears his throat. "It's just… she must be special if you're keeping her under wraps like this. Is she?—"

I stand abruptly, cutting him off.

"She's a wild card. And in our game, wild cards can either win you the pot or blow up in your face. Until I know which one she is, we play this close to the chest. Understood?"

They both nod yet stare at me, waiting for me to open up. I trust them with my life. Since the battle with Sten five years ago, they've been loyally by my side, so I give them a short rendition of what just happened out in the field—about the storm, her potential ability.

Eyes bulging, they gape at me before speaking.

"She could change everything for us on the island. Take out Sten's pack, maybe help us find a way off this fucking island, once we work out how to get these fucking marks off our arms," Axel states my exact thoughts. He's always been canny like that.

"Or we sell her to the right buyer," Knut comments. "Someone as powerful as her would easily be in demand and buy us freedom from our marks."

My teeth grind at his suggestion, wanting to shove him through a wall for suggesting it. Except I school myself because she means nothing to me–except I chuckle internally at me trying to delude myself. I already feel my growing obsession over her, unable to stop picturing her beauty. I'm not sure I can give her away.

As the pair turn to leave, a thought strikes me.

"It stays between us," I bark as they head out the door. "Boys," I call out, stopping them at the door. "Tell the pack to get ready. Tomorrow, we're not just hunting deer."

Axel's gaze lights up with understanding. "Sten's men?"

I nod, feeling my wolf stir with anticipation. "If they want to trespass on our land, they'd better be prepared to become prey. Tomorrow, we will remind them why they call this Nightmare Island."

As Axel and Knut break into excited chatter and leave, I turn to look out the window. The forest looms in the distance, promising blood and violence tomorrow, but my mind's still upstairs, fixed on the blonde wildcat who jokes about falling out of the fucking sky.

She's the key. I can feel it in my bones. That lightning, her scent, the way she carries herself—she's not like any Omega I've ever met. And if she can control the weather… Well, that changes everything.

I grip the windowsill, my knuckles turning white. For years, we've been scratching in the dirt, fighting over scraps. But her? She could be our ticket out of this hellhole.

I feel feral on the inside and hungry to discover her secrets. Oh, yes, little storm-bringer, you and I are going to have a long chat. By the time we're done, you'll give me everything I want.

After all, there's more than one way to break an Omega. I'm going to have fun trying them all.