Alaric's POV
Endless castle hallways stretched ahead as Elara's razor-sharp claws dug into my forearm. My footsteps rang against the stone walls, each echo a stark reminder of this prison holding me captive. Her talons tightened with every step, those lethal nails pricking blood through my skin. No words were needed - one false move and those claws would slice open my throat.
"Something caught my attention today," Elara's voice sliced through the quiet like velvet concealing a blade. She spoke casually, as though she wasn't threatening my existence with each word. "How that little wolf Zinnia stared at you. Rather revealing, wouldn't you say?"
My throat tightened. Every fiber of my being urged silence, yet her waiting pause demanded an answer. "She might feel something," I whispered, barely audible. "But this fortress has never shown mercy to wolves who dare dream of more than mere survival."
