“You speak like I’m a scientific experiment,” I say, unable to keep the disgust from my voice.
She regards me with mild surprise. “That’s precisely what you are. All advancement requires careful study and, occasionally, sacrifice.” Her head tilts slightly. “Your discomfort is understandable but unnecessary. Once the bond is broken, you’ll be integrated into a program designed specifically for seers.”
“And what of my choice in this? My consent?”
Her smile is thin. “Your previous pack conditioned you to believe your worth was tied to a male wolf’s possession. We’re offering freedom from that limitation.”
“Freedom?” I laugh, the sound bitter even to my own ears. I rattle my chains pointedly. “Is that what you call this?”
Dr. Reed sighs, apparently disappointed by my reaction. “The restraints are temporary. Your cooperation will determine how quickly they become unnecessary.” She makes another note before continuing. “I understand transitional periods are difficult. But I assure you, once the process is complete, you’ll recognize the benefits of your new situation.”
I stare at her, understanding dawning with sickening clarity. “You truly believe you’re helping me.”
“I know I am.” Her conviction seems genuine, which somehow makes it worse. “The shadow wolf claimed you for power, nothing more. Once freed from his influence, your true potential can emerge.”
The argument is disturbingly similar to what Zella said—a coordinated narrative designed to make me doubt Ryker’s motives, to question our bond, to accept their violation as liberation.
“You’re wrong,” I tell her simply.
Annoyance flickers in her eyes. Before she can respond, a commotion erupts outside the chamber—raised voices, hurried footsteps.
A guard bursts in without ceremony, his expression tense. “Doctor, we need to move. Now.”
“What’s happened?”
“Perimeter breaches. Multiple locations. Missing patrols. The commander believes it’s the Shadowmist alpha.” The guard glances at me, his expression hardening. “He’s coming for her.”
A fierce joy surges through me despite my circumstances. Ryker is here.
Dr. Reed curses under her breath. “We can’t move her. The bond hasn’t been severed.”
“Those are the commander’s orders,” the guard insists. “We secure the seer in the inner sanctum until the Grand Alpha returns.”
A small smile touches my lips as Dr. Reed and the guard turn their attention back to me.
“What’s amusing?” Dr. Reed asks, her tone sharpening with suspicion.
“You’ve made a grave miscalculation,” I reply calmly. “You believe you’re facing a wolf coming for his property. But what’s coming for you is something far worse.”
The guard’s hand moves to his weapon nervously.
“And what might that be?” Dr. Reed challenges.
My smile widens. “An alpha coming for his mate. And trust me—you are not prepared for what that means.”
Chapter
Twenty-Six
RYKER
The third night falls with an unnatural stillness, as if the forest itself holds its breath in anticipation of what comes next.
Our forces assemble in the darkness—Ghost River wolves, Mountain Striders, my own Shadowmist fighters—strategically positioned around the compound’s perimeter. Every wolf knows their role, their target, their extraction point.
Elias approaches where I stand overlooking the compound, now visibly on alert with increased patrols and guards stationed at every entrance.
“They know something’s coming,” he observes quietly. “But not what or from where.”
