Chapter 102: The wolves who never made it back
Chapter 102: The wolves who never made it back
(Celeste’s POV)
Marcus circled me like a wolf preparing to strike, his steps slow and deliberate. He was savoring my fear. Every movement felt calculated, every glance from his gleaming violet eyes a challenge.
His aura pressed over me, so thick it was hard to breathe. My wolf cowered under the weight of his dominance, whimpering in the recesses of my mind.
“You shouldn’t look so terrified, precious,” Marcus said, his voice dripping with mock concern.
He smiled. That smile wasn’t kind–it never was. It was sharp and cruel, a hunter’s delight in tormenting prey.
“I won’t kill you,” he added, his tone almost bored. “Not yet, anyway. I still need you alive, don’t
|?”
The implication sent a chill through me. My heart clenched sharply at the reminder.
“The mate–marking ceremony,” he said, voice trailing off lazily as if it was anything less than a life sentence sealed in blood.
I forced myself upright, even though everything in me screamed to run. My wolf keened softly, but we both knew there was no escape.
Marcus tilted his head, his smile sharpening. He was watching me closely, waiting–hungry for my fear, for me to falter.
“Nothing to say, precious?” he prompted, his voice mockingly gentle.
I met his gaze, ignoring the way my body trembled beneath the weight of his aura.
“What about Eleanor?” I asked quietly, refusing to let my voice shake.
That earned another smile. This one was full of satisfaction, as though he’d been waiting for those exact words.
“Ah, yes,” Marcus murmured. He stepped closer. Each step felt deliberate, and the air between us grew suffocating.
“Your beloved grandmother,” he said softly, his voice filled with feigned pity. “Such a fragile, fragile thing.”
+9 Point
Chapter 102: The wolves who n…
My breathing hitched, but I clamped down on my emotions. I couldn’t let him see how deep
his words cut.
Marcus’s violet eyes sparkled with dark amusement. He knew he had my attention now.
“Her health is failing, isn’t it?” he said, his voice dripping with mock concern. “She’s getting
weaker every day, isn’t she, my little mate?”
I clenched my jaw and said nothing, but Marcus saw through my silence.
His eyes narrowed slightly, a smirk tugging at his lips. “I’ve been thinking.”
He paused, tilting his head, studying my reaction like a predator watching its next move.
“Imagine what would happen,” Marcus continued slowly, almost thoughtfully, “if something…
pushed her wolf just a little too hard.”
That caught me off guard. My chest tightened as his words sank in.
“Don’t,” I said, barely a whisper.
Marcus’s smirk widened. He stepped closer, now only inches away. “Don’t what?” he asked
mockingly.
I forced myself to hold his gaze. “Don’t you dare use her. You won’t—”
“Won’t?” Marcus cut me off smoothly. He let out a laugh, cold and sharp.
“I think you misunderstand me, precious,” he said.
Before I could even process his words, his hand shot out. His fingers wrapped around my
throat, tightening just enough to make my pulse race.
His grip was firm, unbreakable. My wolf howled within, but I couldn’t move.
“You forget,” Marcus whispered, leaning closer, “I decide what happens to anyone around you
now.”
My breathing came shallow, ragged. His violet eyes burned with something sick, something
twisted.
“I can keep her safe,” Marcus purred darkly. “Or I can… test just how much strain she can take. It all depends on you, my little mate.”
His claws pressed harder against my throat. The burn felt like silver, making my wolf whimper.
Even in pain, I forced my voice to stay steady. “I survived four years in Moon Shadow Prison,” I said sharply.
216
48 Points
Chapter 102: The wolves who n…
It wasn’t bravery. It was the truth. The scars on my body spoke for themselves.
“I endured silver chains while you watched from safety, Marcus,” I continued coldly.
For the first time, something flickered in his eyes–something darker.
The intensity in his grip shifted slightly. He wasn’t angry; he was excited.
“You survived?” Marcus echoed softly. His lips curled into a sharp, cruel grin. “Impressive. Very
impressive.”
Then, without warning, his claws raked down my arm, deliberate and slow.
I gasped, pain flaring white–hot as fresh blood spilled over my sleeve.
My wolf howled internally, retreating further into the dark corners of my
mind.
“How strong you must be to endure,” Marcus mocked. His tone was cold, calculated.
Another dragged line of pain burned into my arm. He smirked, watching every crimson streak
drip down my skin.
But he didn’t touch my face, my neck. No–his cruelty was exact. Every wound would remain
hidden beneath clothes, invisible to the pack.
“I can’t have marks visible for the mate–marking ceremony,” he said as though reading my
thoughts. His tone was sickly sweet, almost casual.
He sighed dramatically, stepping back only slightly, his claws still smeared with my blood.
“Don’t worry, precious,” Marcus said lightly. “We’re only just getting started.”
(Third Person POV)
At the Winters pack house, Alexander stood outside Eleanor’s chambers, his wolf radiating
tension.
In his hands, rare moon–blessed stones pulsed faintly, their healing light brushing the edges of
his fingers.
When he finally stepped inside, Eleanor’s sharp golden eyes turned to him immediately. Even as her health waned, the strength and wisdom in her gaze never faltered.
Alexander approached with silent respect, placing the stones gently on the table near her
bedside.
“These will help,” Alexander said quietly.
Eleanor smiled faintly, but there was something knowing in the gesture. “Thank you,
3/6
49 Point:
Chapter 102: The wolves who n…
Alexander,” she murmured.
The room fell silent for a moment. Eleanor’s composure didn’t waver, but her gaze held a weight that told him she saw right through him.
“You won’t find answers here,” Eleanor said softly. Her voice was gentle but laced with
authority.
→
Alexander’s wolf bristled reflexively. He opened his mouth to reply, but Eleanor raised a hand,
stopping him.
“The younger wolves are gathering by the lake tonight,” she continued, shifting the topic with
ease.
Her words were deliberate. A subtle dismissal. But Alexander’s wolf wasn’t easily persuaded.
Still, out of respect, he gave a short nod and retreated, though unease swirled in his chest.
Eventually, Alexander found himself near the sacred waters where Lucas and Scarlett stood.
Scarlett’s emerald eyes lit up as soon as her gaze locked on him.
“Alex!” she exclaimed, her voice warm and enthusiastic.
Lucas chuckled lightly at her outburst, his golden eyes sparkling with amusement.
“It seems Scarlett’s been waiting,” Lucas remarked, grinning slightly.
Alexander nodded in acknowledgment, though his posture remained tense. Something
gnawed at the edge of his mind.
Scarlett’s enthusiasm, the brightness in her eyes–it reminded him of someone else. A memory tugged at his mind.
A memory of Celeste.
The way her voice used to brighten whenever he entered a room. The way her violet eyes
would meet his.
The memory hit harder than he expected, and his wolf stirred uneasily.
Before Alexander could push the thought aside, Lucas’s expression darkened slightly.
“Speaking of sisters,” Lucas muttered. His tone was noticeably less amused. “Celeste still
hasn’t returned from Marcus’s territory.”
Alexander’s entire body went rigid.
He turned sharply to face Lucas, his ice–blue eyes narrowing as tension rippled through his
4/6
Chapter 102: The wolves who n…
frame.
+8 Paints
“Marcus’s territory?” Alexander repeated. His voice was calm, but there was an edge to it now.
Lucas shrugged, as though it wasn’t a concern.
“Regina arranged it,” Lucas explained casually. “Probably some mate–bonding nonsense. Who cares?”
Before Alexander could respond, Scarlett chimed in.
“My personal guard followed them earlier,” she said, her voice sweet but tinged with confusion.
She hesitated, then continued, “He said they were heading towards… the Dark Forest hunting grounds.”
Her words were deliberate, and Alexander’s wolf reacted instantly.
The cold calm he’d been holding onto shattered, replaced by a surge of aggression radiating through his aura.
His wolf surfaced, bristling at the thought of Celeste being alone with Marcus in such a place.
“Alone?” Alexander demanded, his voice sharper now.
Scarlett blinked innocently, tilting her head as though she didn’t quite understand his sudden
intensity.
“Well, yes,” she said softly.
She barely had time to finish before Lucas stepped in, waving dismissively.
“Relax,” Lucas said, chuckling lightly. “What’s Marcus going to do? Kill her before the
mate–marking ceremony?”
His tone was joking, but the words only made Alexander’s wolf snarl internally.
Lucas grabbed Alexander by the arm, turning him toward the gathering pack.
“The messed wine is worth a taste tonight,” Lucas said, shaking his head. “Come on,
Alex. Forget about it.”
Scarlett remained where she stood, watching silently as the two men walked away.
Her emerald gaze gleamed with something unreadable, though the innocence in her
expression never wavered.
She hadn’t mentioned one crucial detail.
5/6
Chapter 102: The wolves who n…
The Dark Forest hunting grounds were known not just for isolation, but for the wolves who never made it back.
3
Comments
Watch Ads (0/20) >
Vote
648
+ Points
616
