Chapter 2
583words
I wiped them away angrily. I wouldn't cry for him. Not for the boy who made my childhood hell.
Kane stood on the other side of the bars, his face half-hidden in shadow.
"You didn't recognize me earlier," I said, my voice bitter. "Why now?"
He stepped closer, moonlight revealing his face. His jaw tightened.
"You've changed."
I laughed without humor. "Not enough for you to stop your girlfriend from hitting my mother."
His eyes narrowed. "Gwen is my future Luna."
"Congratulations," I spat. "Still the same Kane—cruel and heartless."
Something flashed in his eyes. Anger? Regret?
"I'm not here to argue about the past."
"Then why are you here? To watch me suffer before I die?"
He gripped the bars, knuckles white. "I didn't know it was you."
"Would it have mattered?" I challenged, standing up. "Would you have stopped her if you knew?"
He didn't answer. Of course not.
I approached the bars, close enough to smell his scent—pine and rain. My wolf stirred inside me, weak but present.
"You were always a coward, Kane," I whispered. "Hiding behind your Alpha status."
His hand shot through the bars, grabbing my wrist. Heat spread from his touch, making my breath catch.
"Careful, Omega," he growled. "I'm trying to help you."
I yanked my arm back. "I don't want your help."
His eyes searched mine. "You'd rather die than accept my help?"
"I'd rather die with dignity than live as your charity case."
Kane's jaw clenched. "You always were stubborn."
"And you always were cruel."
Memories flooded back—Kane and his friends surrounding me in the school yard, calling me names, laughing as I tried not to cry.
"I was a child," he said quietly.
"So was I," I replied. "A child you tormented."
He looked away, his profile sharp in the moonlight.
"Your mother is devastated," he finally said.
Pain shot through my heart. "Don't use her against me."
"She begged my father for hours. He won't change his mind."
I turned away, hiding fresh tears. "Then leave me alone."
Silence stretched between us. I could feel his eyes on my back.
"There might be another way," he said finally.
I didn't turn around. "What way?"
"I can't tell you yet. I need to speak with my father first."
Hope flickered, unwanted. I crushed it immediately.
"Don't bother," I said. "I'd rather die than beg."
I heard him sigh. "Still so proud, even facing death."
When I turned back, his expression had hardened.
"I came here to help you," he said coldly. "But it seems you've decided to die."
He turned to leave, his broad shoulders tense.
"Kane," I called, surprising myself.
He stopped but didn't turn.
"I had a dream," I said quietly. "A red-eyed wolf was chasing me. It kept saying 'mine.'"
His back stiffened. Slowly, he turned, his eyes wide with shock.
"When did you have this dream?"
"Every night since I turned eighteen."
Something like fear crossed his face. Without another word, he strode away, leaving me alone with my confusion.
The dungeon door closed with finality.
I sank to the floor, hugging my knees. My wrist still burned where he'd touched me.
Outside, the moon climbed higher. In a few hours, it would be dawn.
My execution.
I closed my eyes, trying to find peace. Instead, I saw Kane's face, felt his touch, heard his voice.
And somewhere deep inside, my wolf howled for the first time in years.
