"Stand there," Varek commanded.
Mira rubbed her sore wrist from being dragged and scanned the valley around her. He had brought her to the center, where the morning air was cold and windy, and fresh grass crunched under her bare feet.
"The Nightshade Pack said you were a broken thing. A servant who knew her place. Let's see if they lied."
Varek took five long strides back and turned toward the rising sun. A shadow of a massive dark werewolf rose behind him, its presence forcing every living thing to submit, except Mira.
Varek's eyes glowed red. His Alpha presence pressed on her, but Mira remained still.
He pushed harder. Nothing changed.
Mira just stood there, looking confused.
"Are you… okay?" she asked softly.
The red glow in Varek's eyes flickered and died. He stumbled forward, breathing heavily. He stared at her in disbelief.
"How are you still standing?" he hissed, voice raw. "Why are you immune to my Alpha aura?"
Mira looked down at her feet, then back at him. "I don't feel anything. Is something supposed to happen?"
Varek marched toward her, his face tight with fury and confusion. He grabbed her shoulders, fingers digging into her skin.
"Who are you? No Omega has ever defied me… until now."
"Like they told you!" Mira yelled, temper rising. "I'm just an Omega. That's all I've ever been. The girl who cleans floors and eats scraps."
"Maybe your aura just isn't that strong."
The air turned cold. Varek's eyes burned red.
"I'm sor—"
He shoved her before she could finish. She hit the hard ground.
She tried to rise, but Varek was already over her, pinning her with the weight of his shadow.
"Do not," he snarled, voice dangerously low. "Ever mock me again."
He leaned down, nose inches from hers.
"I don't know what trick you are playing, or what monster hides under your skin," he whispered, grip tightening until she winced. "But I will break you. I will find the crack in that armor, and when I do, you will wish you had obeyed."
He stood abruptly and left her shivering in the dirt.
"Get up," he snapped, already walking toward the castle. "We are not finished."
Mira's heart raced as she watched him go, unsettled by how focused he had become on her.
---
Back in the castle.
Mira sat on the edge of the bed, fingers tracing patterns in the quilt. The door swung open with a soft creak.
Lucien entered, holding a tray of food. The scent of roasted lamb and sweet cherries filled the room.
"I imagine the dungeon menu was not this refined," Lucien said calmly, placing the tray on the table.
Mira looked at the food, then at him. "Wow. Is there a reason for this?"
Lucien pulled out a chair. The wood scraped softly against the stone floor.
"No. I couldn't forget you after our first meeting. I thought Varek might not be treating you well, so I came to check on you."
Mira hesitated, then reached for a slice of warm buttered bread. "Thank you, Lucien. I didn't think anyone here knew kindness."
"It's rare in the Blood Moon Pack," Lucien said, watching her. "But you're rare too, Mira. Even Varek cannot decide if he wants to break you or study you."
Mira wanted to ask about his brother, but held back.
A small smile formed on her lips. He returned it.
The door opened.
Varek stepped in.
His presence felt heavy and suffocating. His gaze dropped to the tray, lip curling, fang flashing. Mira stopped eating.
"Lucien," Varek growled.
"Brother," Lucien replied, still seated. He did not flinch. He picked up a cherry and rolled it between his fingers.
"Since when do you serve my guests?"
"Since you started treating them like carcasses," Lucien shot back.
Varek's hand clenched. "She is my concern. My guest. My problem. You have no business here."
"I made it my business," Lucien said, standing slowly. He was almost Varek's height.
"You can leave now. I have things to discuss with her that do not require your charity."
Lucien turned to Mira. "Eat. Don't let his temper ruin it. You will need your strength."
As Lucien walked past, Varek shoved him in a silent challenge.
Mira tensed as Varek followed him out.
He slammed Lucien against the stone wall, fingers gripping his collar.
"This is the last time you go near her," Varek hissed, eyes glowing red.
Lucien gave a dry laugh. "Why so protective, Varek? I thought she meant nothing. Why does it bother you if I feed her?"
"It bothers me because she is mine," Varek snarled, claws pressing into Lucien's neck. "Everything about her belongs to me. She was given to me. Not you. Stay away."
Lucien's smirk faded. "You're jealous, Varek. You act like a wolf who found a mate he refuses to admit."
"I act like an Alpha protecting his borders," Varek leaned in, voice low. "If I see you near her door again, I will forget we share blood. Do you understand?"
Lucien rubbed the mark on his neck, a sly grin returning.
"Don't worry, brother. I always take an interest in things you try to hide."