Chapter 0069

My eyes flutter open to the familiar sting of metal cuffs biting into my wrists. This marks the third time I've regained consciousness, and each awakening leaves me weaker than the last.

Selene's voice echoes faintly in my mind, her message from earlier replaying. Victor has been pumping his venom into us with every marking attempt. The bastard thinks he can force the mate bond before my eighteenth birthday by sheer volume of venom. It hasn't worked yet, thanks to Selene burning it off each time - but her strength is waning too.

I take stock of my prison. Another fresh shirt clings to my sweat-drenched body. A water bottle and plate of cold food sit untouched on the bedside table. My stomach growls in protest, but dehydration makes the water more appealing than food.

My shoulders scream from being stretched above my head for what feels like an eternity. I wriggle toward the headboard, desperate to relieve the tension in my abused muscles.

Finally upright, I gasp as blood rushes back into my numb arms. The relief is short-lived - my limbs feel like lead weights. I reach for Selene mentally, but our connection flickers weakly.

The door bursts open. Victor strides in, checking his watch with clinical precision. "Right on schedule. Two days unconscious this time."

"How long do you intend to keep me chained up, Beta?" I spit the last word like poison.

His face darkens. "Alpha."

I deliberately sniff the air. "Still smell like second-rate power to me."

His lips curl in a snarl. "Since your birthday remains a mystery, I'll just keep dosing you until the venom takes. They say enough venom and a completed mating can override age restrictions."

"You're revolting."

He advances toward me, emphasizing each word. "Am I... mate?"

Victor snatches the food plate. "Eat." He holds a piece of meat to my lips.

I turn my face away. "Not hungry."

His hand clamps on my jaw, forcing me to meet his gaze. "You will eat. You've barely touched food all week!" His command slams into me with all the force of a gentle breeze.

I laugh bitterly as his weak alpha power slides off me. "I'll take nothing from you. Not food. Not your mark. Nothing forced."

His grip tightens until I see stars. "Fine! We'll do this the hard way until your body accepts what your mind won't."

Without warning, he yanks my head sideways by the hair. His fangs sink deep, pumping venom into my bloodstream. I scream as fire races through my veins. He withdraws only to strike again, milking the wounds like some grotesque serpent handler.

Selene surges forward in a desperate attempt to neutralize the poison, but darkness swallows me whole.

...

Distant sounds of battle penetrate my drug-induced haze. Screams. Crashing. The unmistakable sounds of wolves tearing each other apart. I drift in and out of awareness, unsure if it's real until the violence becomes too loud to ignore.

I try to call out, but my body won't obey. My mind feels stuffed with cotton, limbs unresponsive. Whether from venom or exhaustion, I can't tell.

A thunderous crash nearby. Snarling. The wet sounds of flesh tearing. As a Guardian, this fight should be mine - but I can't even lift my head. My eyelids might as well be cemented shut.

The battle rages on without me.