"Your father is my sworn enemy. And he is coming to kill you."
I stare at Bang Chan in shock, my heart pounding. My ears start to ring and I shake.
"This is crazy. This isn't real."
"(Y/N)–"
I round on Bang Chan, the ringing in my ears almost deafening.
"No. You're telling me my father is alive and he wants to kill me. But you're the one who abducted me, claimed me as your "mate", and shifted into a fucking wolf."
I take a step toward him, pointing at his bare chest.
"How could I ever trust what you say, Bang Chan?"
That's when I notice the scars. Huge slash marks across Bang Chan's chest, as though monstrous claws have ripped him open. Scowling, Bang Chan shoves my fingers away from his damaged flesh.
"This isn't a game, (Y/N). What I'm telling you is real. You need to take me seriously."
"I am taking all of this VERY seriously."
"I don't think you are. But you will."
Bang Chan pulls me flush against him as he guides me in front of a mirror.
"What are you–"
"If I were untrustworthy, would I show you your own power?"
His hand comes to rest lightly over my throat and collarbone. His eyes flash gold.
"Would I help you unlock it?"
"Wait–"
He tips my chin up, so my nose is flush against the throbbing pulse of his neck.
"Breathe in."
Unable to get loose, I inhale Bang Chan's heady scent. Pine…smoke…vanilla…and something new–a hot, intoxicating musk–fill me.
My vision blurs and a tingling shiver courses through my veins. For a fraction of a second, I hear myself growl.
"Good. Now, look at yourself. Look at what you are."
Finally, I meet my reflection in the mirror. What I see in my own eyes shocks me. As though a stream of cold water runs up my neck and behind my eyes, I feel an icy flash. Suddenly, my eyes glow a brilliant shade of blue. My breath catches.
"That's me?"
"Yeah. That's you. The real you."
Then, as quickly as it began, the color in my eyes flickers and melts away. Bang Chan's brow furrows in surprise.
"What? You should have shifted into a wolf. My scent should have triggered it."
Taking my face in his hands, he searches my eyes.
"That's strange. The color's completely gone."
He takes a short breath, his expression grim. His grip on me loosens and he steps away.
"You're an omega."
"What's an omega?"
"A shifter born without powers."
Bang Chan moves to the other side of the room, scooping up the pieces of his ripped clothing.
"I suppose true mates don't need to possess equal power. But I have to admit, I'm surprised."
"No powers? That's kind of disappointing. I was hoping for some badass transformation. But I guess now that I'm normal you can let me go!"
"You're still far from normal. You're my true mate."
He shreds his clothes into further strips, walking over to me.
"The tether between us is ten times stronger than anything I could feel with a regular mate. I can't just let that go. And your father won't let it go, either."
I feel a sharp tug. Shocked, I look down to find Bang Chan binding my wrists.
"What the–!"
"Sorry. Can't take any chances, escape artist."
In one swift motion, Bang Chan ties the strip of cloth to the base of the bed.
"You have a thing for bondage, Bang Chan?"
"I have a thing for preventing your murder."
I fight, but Bang Chan is unfazed. He finishes the last knot and steps back.
"Get some rest, (Y/N). You're safe here. After all, this place is bordered by high walls. And I have guards stationed at every entrance. No one's getting in…or out."
With a final smile, Bang Chan leaves the room. I hear a heavy lock slide into place.
That bastard.
I bring my bound wrists to my teeth and try to work the knot loose. But it's no use.
My whole life I thought I was less than nothing. Just a foster brat. But now…I'm a shifter? My father's a murderer? If all of this is really true, I can't sit around and wait to be claimed. Or killed.
I pull again at my bindings, but a sharp lurch of metal behind me makes me stop. An air vent swings open and, to my surprise, a young boy emerges, glancing around the room.
"Oh!"
When his eyes land on me, he gasps and begins to close the metal grate. As he does, a sharp nail falls loose, rolling on the floor.
That could help me cut these bindings! But it's too far away to reach. Maybe if I sweet talk the little boy into staying, he could help.
"Hey, you're quite a good little climber, aren't you?"
"Y-yeah, but don't tell anyone. I'm not supposed to explore the house or be in here."
"You won't get in trouble, I'll keep your secret. What's your name?" I asked the nervous boy.
"I'm I.N. A-and you're (Y/N). My dad says you're bad because your dad is bad."
I.N inches away from me.
"I am much nicer than my dad."
"You are? Then why did Alpha Bang Chan tie you up?"
"We're just playing a game. And I actually need that nail on the ground to win."
I.N spots the nail and picks it up.
"This nail?"
"Yeah! Can you bring it to me?"
I.N skips over to me and drops the nail in my outstretched hand.
"Thank you so much, I.N."
The little boy beams and inches even closer to me, whispering in my ear.
"You're welcome."
Then, he scurries away, climbing back down the vent. I slice myself free.
Perfect. Now, to find a way out of this house, and back to town.
I move to the window; A young man leans against the wall below, a playful smirk on his face as he scrolls his phone.
Then, I move to the vent Koda used; It leads out back where a young man with a cool, tough demeanor stands guard.
Finally, I press my ear to the door; Sure enough, I hear Lee Know grumbling to himself on the other side.
No matter what, it looks like I'll have to deal with one of these guys…but which one?
As quietly as I can, I open the grate and crawl through the vent. It's easy enough to fit through. Soon, I'm on the other side of the grounds. I dust my clothes off.
"I don't believe we've been properly introduced, (Y/N). I'm Felix."
The young man I saw before stares down at me, his toned arms crossed over his chest.
"I don't want to have to force you back inside angel. So, just turn around, and–"
Without offering an explanation, I turn on my heel and sprint into the surrounding woods.
"Hey!"
I don't get far, though. Soon, the young man bursts through the trees ahead of me, inhumanly fast.
"What the–"
"Trust me. You're not even remotely the toughest person in this equation."
"How about you test that theory."
"I'd be happy to…just say when."
The man bends into an agile, defensive position.
"For your own sake, don't try to run again."
If I run, there's a very good chance he'll catch me. I'm pretty sure I can take her if it's just one-on-one.
"Fine. We'll do this the fun way, then."
I launch myself at Felix with no further warning. He manages to block my first strike, but only barely.
"Not bad."
He throws his own hit that I easily dodge. His eyes darken.
"I guess I shouldn't be surprised. Like father like daughter."
Truly angry now, I strike again and again, gaining ground. I manage to back Felix up against the front gate. But then, he snarls. His eyes glow. The sudden, added strength allows him to tackle me to the ground.
"This is for my brother."
His…his brother?
My hand scrambles in the dirt next to me, managing to close on a sharp rock. I take a swipe at Felix's side and he howls with pain, letting go of me to clutch at the wound. Seizing the opportunity, I pin him to the ground with my knee on his chest and the rock jabbing into his throat.
"I don't want to hurt you if I don't have to. When I get off of you, you're going to stay here and let me run, do you understand?"
Felix's eyes go wide. Before he can answer, someone takes me by the shoulders and hauls me off.
"I'm disappointed you let an omega get the better of you Felix."
Bang Chan pulls me against him, restraining me. Felix hangs his head in shame.
"I'm sorry, sir. I underestimated her."
"Get back to the pack. Let the others know I have her."
"Right away."
Felix ducks his head in a quick bow. He glares at me before taking off at a run back to the manor.
"Hey…it wasn't his fault."
"You escaped right under his nose."
"Technically, he caught me and I ran again. After all, Bang Chan, I'm not easy to catch."
I stomp Bang Chan's foot and twist out of his grasp. I nearly make a run for it, but he grabs hold of my shirt with a breathless laugh.
"Nice try."
I wrestle against him but he catches my wrist, pinning it near my head as he backs me up against the gate.
"As much as I enjoy the prospect of getting to tame you, this is getting old, (Y/N)."
"Bite me."
His lips curl into a devilish smile, baring teeth that suddenly appear quite sharp.
"Just say please."
The words come out rough, his teeth lightly grazing the shell of my ear.
No. I can't let him win this way.
"You want to play? Come here."
I bat my eyelashes and lean in close. As soon as I do, I plant a wet lick up his cheek.
"Agh!"
Bang Chan lets go of me, wiping away my spit.
"This has been fun!"
Flashing a brilliant grin, I take off at full speed, sprinting down the road. But suddenly, with no explanation, I feel myself slow.
"What?"
Completely out of control, I come to a full stop. I feel an invisible weight bare down on me, forcing my knees to bend.
"That was pretty good, I have to admit. But I'm tired of games. Kneel, (Y/N). Submit."
Bang Chan's eyes glow gold as he steps toward me, and I can now see the raw, animal power in him. I feel his command to my core. My knees nearly buckle.
"What's going on? What is this?"
"As your Alpha, I have the right, and the ability, to make you do my bidding. I don't like to use this power, but you leave me no choice."
The same animal instincts which have always protected me are now demanding me bend to this man. Though it's not a word I have used before, it comes easily to my mind now.
Alpha.
Bang Chan's power is overwhelming, burning and freezing all at once, liquid fire licking through my body.
"Kneel, (Y/N). Kneel for me.
Heat travels up my spine, curling it down, urging me to submit. Bang Chan must see it in my eyes. He smirks.
"That's it. Give in, (Y/N). You know you want to."
"I… I…"
As I struggle he comes in close, studying my face as if I'm a fascinating puzzle.
"Kneel."
With that one final push, I give in. I fall to my knees, my body feeling like it's floating. For a moment, it's as if my soul is made of fire and so is his. The two forces mingle and swirl around each other.
My God…
"Interesting. I've never felt that when I've influenced someone."
He steps forward, tilting my chin up with a single finger.
"There's something special about you, (Y/N). My true mate."
His hand comes to my shoulder. Even through my shirt, I feel his touch like a flame.
"We done here? Good."
Intensity pours off of Bang Chan as he leads me toward the house, his grip on me like iron.
"Great. Just what I need. The damn lights are on."
"What does that mean?"
As I'm marched into the center of the entry hall, I come face-to-face with the entire pack, wide awake and pissed.
"Taecyeon's daughter has a lot to answer for tonight."
Stepping out of the crowd is Felix, her expression as cool as ever.
"You have to learn how things run around here, girl. This Lara Croft shit has to stop."
Felix points a finger at me, rising to his full height.
"I hereby challenge you to a troid, (Y/N)."
The wolves around me whisper. I feel Bang Chan tense behind me.
"A what?"
"A duel. One person comes out on top, the other submits."
"No way…I don't want to kill you." I say nervously.
"You kill me?" Felix exclaims with a scoff.
"I've been told I don't know my own strength."
"And I've never lost a troid."
I feel dozens of glaring eyes seering into me, waiting for my response. Bang Chan's gaze burns into my back.
If I back down now, I'll make more enemies than I already have.
"Fine. I accept. Let's do this."
"Well, well. Looks like the new pup isn't a coward after all." Seungmin smirks.
"A coward? Please. I'll take you all on, just form a line."
"Good. Glad you have a little backbone." Felix grins. "But I'm not going easy on you."
I lower myself into a crouch expectantly, lifting my fists in a fighting position.
"That's enough."
The pack listens to Bang Chan's command seamlessly and without question. He steps in front of me.
"Hey…I can handle myself."
Ignoring me, Bang Chan moves through the crowd. They part before him, heads bowed before his domineering presence.
"Felix, you're not going to fight her."
"But, sir. I–"
"No."
Then, Bang Chan turns to me with a slow, predatory smile.
"She'll fight me instead."