The cave was damp and cold. Oil lamps gave little light, casting long shadows on the stone walls. Tristan's wrists were bound with coarse rope, his ankles tied to a heavy ring sunk into the floor.
Shannon fared worse. Chains of iron wrapped his arms and chest, fastening him to a post hammered deep into the rock. The sharp scent of iron clung to the air, mingling with smoke, bitter enough to sting the throat.
Aiden stood nearby, arms crossed, studying the two prisoners in silence. His men shifted along the edges of the chamber, restless and uneasy.
Tristan tried to mask his fear, but his hands betrayed him, trembling against the ropes. "You don't have to do this," he said.
Aiden crouched in front of him. His eyes were cold, unreadable. "You are the test," he said. "I want to see how far the Alpha will go for you. If he breaks, then I was right. If he doesn't… then you were never worth his effort."
