Nyx's POV
The graduation night dinner was supposed to be my escape.
I moved between tables in Silvermoon Academy's grand dining hall, balancing a tray of roasted lamb that smelled better than anything I'd eaten in three years. Around me, graduates laughed and celebrated their freedom. Nobody looked at me. That's how I'd survived—by being invisible.
My hands shook as I refilled water glasses. Just two more hours. Two more hours and they'd all be gone. Kade Blackthorn would go run his father's pack up north. Damon Nightshade would join some elite warrior program. Ash Silvercrest would marry whoever his family picked. Ryker Bloodmoon would disappear into his creepy mountain territory.
And I'd finally be free.
"More wine, omega."
I flinched. That voice—cold as winter ice—belonged to Kade Blackthorn. I'd know it anywhere. It was the same voice that ordered me to kneel in the cafeteria last year while everyone watched. The same voice that reminded me daily that my father had gambled me away like a poker chip.
I kept my eyes down and reached for his glass. My sleeve rode up, showing the bruises that ringed my wrist like ugly bracelets. I yanked it down fast, but not fast enough.
Kade's hand shot out and grabbed my arm. Hard.
"Look at me when I'm talking to you."
I had no choice. I raised my eyes to his face—sharp cheekbones, ice-blue eyes that never showed mercy, black hair styled perfectly even after a full day. He was beautiful the way a knife was beautiful. Dangerous and cold.
"Forbidden Highlands," he said softly, so only I could hear. "Tonight. Midnight. You're the guest of honor."
My heart stopped. The Forbidden Highlands was where they took omegas who'd shamed their families. Where they—
"No." The word slipped out before I could stop it.
Kade's smile was terrible. "That wasn't a request."
He released my wrist and I stumbled backward, tray clattering. The dining hall went quiet. Everyone was staring. Heat flooded my face.
I ran.
My feet slapped against marble floors as I sprinted through the hallway, past the trophy cases full of awards I'd never win, past the pictures of smiling students I'd never be. The servant's exit was just ahead. If I could reach the woods, maybe I could hide until morning, maybe I could—
Someone grabbed me from behind.
Strong arms locked around my waist, lifting me off my feet. I screamed, but a hand clamped over my mouth. I knew this grip. Damon Nightshade—all muscle and rage, with gold eyes that looked at me like I was something he'd scraped off his boot.
"Going somewhere?" His breath was hot against my ear. "Kade's waiting."
I bit his hand. He cursed and dropped me, but before I could run, Ash Silvercrest stepped out of the shadows. Platinum blond hair, mercury-grey eyes, smile like poisoned honey.
"Now, now," Ash said, blocking my path. "That's no way to treat your hosts. We're throwing you a party."
"Please." I hated how my voice shook. "Please, I haven't done anything wrong. I've stayed quiet, I haven't caused trouble, I—"
"Your father's debt isn't paid," Ryker Bloodmoon said, appearing beside Ash. Unlike the others, Ryker was quiet. Dark hair, red-amber eyes that saw too much. He scared me most because sometimes he was almost kind—and that made the cruelty worse. "Until it is, you belong to us."
The four of them surrounded me. The Four—that's what everyone called them. The strongest alpha heirs in the entire werewolf world. Future pack leaders. Untouchable.
And they'd made me their special project for three years.
"The car's waiting," Kade said, walking up behind his friends. "We can do this the easy way or the hard way."
I looked at each of their faces, searching for mercy. Found none.
"Why?" My voice cracked. "What did I ever do to you?"
Something flickered in Ryker's eyes—too fast to read. But Kade's expression stayed ice-cold.
"Your father thought he could cheat the Four Families at cards. He lost. You're the payment. Tonight, everyone gets to see what happens to omegas who don't know their place."
They dragged me outside. The night air was thick and hot, hard to breathe. A black car waited in the circular driveway, engine running. I fought, but Damon was too strong. He picked me up like I weighed nothing and tossed me into the backseat.
Ash slid in beside me, blocking the door. "Don't worry, little omega. It'll all be over soon."
That's what scared me most.
The drive to the Forbidden Highlands took twenty minutes. Through the tinted windows, I watched the academy lights fade behind us. The forest got darker and darker until the trees looked like prison bars.
When the car stopped, I could hear them. Voices. Laughter. Phone cameras clicking on.
They'd invited an audience.
"No," I whispered. "No, please—"
Kade opened the door. Behind him, dozens of students from the academy stood in a clearing, phones raised and ready. Recording. This would be everywhere by morning. Proof that even on graduation night, the Four could do whatever they wanted.
Because who would stop them?
They pulled me out of the car. My legs barely held me up. The crowd parted, creating a path that led deeper into the forest. Toward the cliffs. I could hear water crashing on rocks far below.
"Welcome to your graduation present," Kade announced loudly. The crowd cheered. "Nyx Ashford, your father's debt is finally paid. Run, and if we catch you..." He smiled. "Well, I think you know what happens."
"This is insane," I choked out. "You're going to kill me!"
"We're going to hunt you," Damon corrected, cracking his knuckles. "There's a difference."
"And if you make it to sunrise without getting caught," Ash added with mock sympathy, "you're free to go. Isn't that generous?"
They were lying. I could see it in their eyes. This wasn't about hunting.
This was about making me disappear.
Ryker stepped closer. For just a second, his hand reached toward me—then dropped. "Run," he said quietly. "Run fast."
Was that... a warning?
I didn't wait to find out.
I ran.
Behind me, the Four howled—a sound that made my blood turn to ice. The hunt had begun.
Branches whipped my face as I crashed through the forest. My lungs burned. My weak omega body couldn't keep up. I could hear them behind me, laughing, taking their time. They were playing with me.
The trees opened up. I skidded to a stop.
I'd reached the cliff's edge.
Below me, a hundred feet down, black water churned between sharp rocks. Behind me, footsteps. The Four emerged from the forest, blocking any escape. Around them, phones captured every moment.
"End of the line," Kade said.
I turned back to face them, back to the cliff. The wind pulled at my uniform. One step backward and I'd fall.
"We reject you," Kade continued, his voice formal now. Ancient words, pack law. "You were never worth the bond. You were never worth anything."
The words hit me like physical blows. My wolf—already so weak, so broken—whimpered inside me. Rejection was the worst thing an alpha could do to an omega. It was a death sentence, slowly killing everything inside you.
My legs buckled.
"No—" Ryker's voice, sharp with something that sounded like fear.
But it was too late.
I fell backward off the cliff.
The world spun—sky, trees, faces frozen in shock above me. Kade shouting something. Ryker reaching over the edge, his face twisted in horror.
Then black water swallowed me whole.
Cold. So cold.
I sank into darkness, my body too broken to fight. This was it. This was how Nyx Ashford died.
But as the water filled my lungs and everything went black, something inside me—something old and furious and powerful—woke up.
And it was angry.