The morning air carried the bit of autumn, sharp enough to still the lungs, but Caius hardly noticed. He strolled leisurely into the wide clearing outside the pack's territory, where a great iron tent had been pitched as though to mark the beginning of misery. It's black banners, edged in crimson, swayed heavily in the wind. Already, a line of men and women stood there, paying their respects and clutching baskets of grain, sacks of coin, or whatever they could gather to meet their dues. None dared to look at him in the eye for too long.
And he loved that.
He stood tall, his frame and cut like solder's, though his posture carried the arrogance of an Alpha. His dark hair fell in loose strands that framed a face too handsome to trust. But it was his eyes that unsettles the most: a shade of emerald green that gleamed with a predator's cruelty. As villagers one by one dropped their offerings at his feet, Caius thin smile only grew wider, because he was in control, not his brother, the one he despised. At his side, one of his men leaned close, speaking low but urgent.
"My lord, there's a family that who has refused their dues. They have been owing for over a year.
Caius eyes flickered to him. "A year?" his voice was smooth and laced with hatred. "And they still live?"
The man shifted nervously but nodded.
He adjusted the gloves on his hands, his gaze shifting over the bowed crowd as if choosing his next prey. "No one defies me. Not even for a year."
Elara brushed a strand of her red wind-blown hair from her face as she pushed through the wooden gate, her hands full of freshly gathered herbs. The forest smell still clung to her and the faint sweetness of wildflowers as she stepped inside. Her mother looked up from the kitchen, her lips pressing to thin line.
"Must you wander so deep every time? Or do you not remember what day it is?"
She dropped the herbs onto the wooden table with a mischievous smile. "You know I love picking herbs mother. And besides, I can shift now. You have nothing to fear."
Her father, a short man with streaks of grey in his beard, sighed as he fastened the clasp of his cloak. "Your mother is right. It's collection day. Caius and his men are in the village."
"I can take care of myself." She argued, straightening her back. "No one is going to corner me like a frightened doe."
Before she could say more, the muffled sound of boots drifted through the open shutters. Then came the clatter of cart being overturned and a woman's startled cry. Her father's face hardened. He moved to the door, peeking through the hole. "Stay inside," he said firmly.
Caius and his men were headed straight for their cottage.
The cottage walls trembled with each heavy bang on the door. Elara's mother grabbed her wrists, her nails biting into her skin. "Listen to me. If anything happens, you shift and run. Do you hear me, child? Through the back door, straight to the forest. Don't look back."
Her father pulled out a small leather pouch, the weight inside pitiful. He tightened the strings with shaking fingers. "It's not enough."
The door shook again, harder this time, and with a resigned breath, he opened it. Caius stood at the door, his eyes glinting with amusement, as though the sight of him were a joke. His lips curved into a smile that was more threat than kindness.
"Ah. At last, I was wondering when you'd show your face."
Elara, heart hammering, peered through the narrow crack of the inner door. She watched her father bowed slightly, his hand trembling as he extended the pouch.
"Please, sir. This is all we can gather. The crops haven't-"
One of Caius men shoved hm to the ground, the coins scattering to the floor. He placed his polished boot firmly on his chest, pressing down until her father wheezed.
"You stupid wolf. I tire of excuses. Do you think the world owes you mercy because you soil is poor?" he pressed harder, savoring the way her father struggled.
Her mother's growl rippled through the air, the shift taking her bones and snapping them to her wolf's form. But, before she could defend her mate, a man struck her. She yelped, crumpling to the floor.
Elara's body shook with rage. She couldn't stay hidden. Not when her parents bled. Her hand pushed the latch, and the door creaked open.
Caius turned his head lazily at the sound, his grin widening when he saw her. "And there she is," he drawled, lifting his boot from her fathers chest. "The red-haired beauty."
He lifted his boots from her father's chest, crouched slowly, dusting an imaginary dirt from his body as though he had done nothing at all. His voice softened, coaxing, almost reasonable.
"Oh, how I hate misunderstandings." he murmured, flashing a smile again. "I won't spill blood today."
Elara's father wheezed, pushing himself up on shaky arms. "Please, let us go. We'll pay as soon as we can."
He chuckled, strolling toward him with leisurely steps. "Your debt is nothing, old man. A handful of coins?" he waved a dismissive hand. "I could wipe it all clean. Freedom from my father's leash."
Her father's head snapped up in disbelief, but before relieve could bloom, Caius boots shifted. He turned to Elara. He crossed the space and stopped in front of her. His thumb brushed her jaw as though testing the smoothness of her skin.
"On one condition." he said, his voice silk and steel. "Marry me. Be my mate."
The words dropped like a stone in the silence.
"No! she's not yours to take." her mother cried, staggering to her feet despite her wound.
She watched her father begged him, kneeling at his feet.
"What do you say? Choose."
"You know mates aren't chosen that way."
"Mate bonds are what we make of them. And yours, little wolf, will keep your family breathing."
Her parents shouted, begged, their voices cracking with desperation. But, he silenced them with one glance, the weight of his power heavy in the air.
"I'll do it." she said, her voice cutting though the to make the room still.
Her promise hung in the air like a death sentence. Caius smile deepened, satisfaction glinting in his eyes. He released her chin and catch her wrist, tugging her toward the door. Her mother cried out, lunging forward. But his men blocked her with their spears. Her father tried to rise again, but one hard kick sent him sprawling
"Enough," he said smoothly without glancing back. "I intend to leave peacefully."
"Please, let me say goodbye." Elara twisted, voice breaking.
"Goodbyes are for the dead, you know. And you're not dead."
He mounted a horse in one fluid motion. Then, with ease, pulled her up in front of him, caging her against his chest with one arm. Her wolf howled to break from his grip, but he bent low, breathing on her neck. His men fell into formation behind him, the thunder of hooves drowning out her parents cries. By the time they reached the camp of tents, her cheeks were damp with silent tears. He dismounted, lifted her down, and strode back to where the villagers still lined up waiting. He dropped to his chair, Elara standing stiffly at his side, and gestured for the next villager to step forward.
"Let's not waste time. We have debts to collect." His lips curled into a smile. "And a wedding to prepare."
The line of the villagers shuffled forward in the sun, each dropping coins, grains and whatever provisions they could offer. His eyes scanned them lazily. A trembling woman kneeled before him, holding out a small bundle of vegetables.
"My lord, this is all I have for today. I'll harvest another tomorrow."
"Tomorrow?" he said coldly. "You dare come to my face to tell me that?" his gaze flicked to his men. "Let her shift. I'm sure her wolf is very strong to work."
His men moved instantly. The woman cried out as someone seized her arm, the threat of forced shifting heavy in the air.
"No!" Elara's voice cut sharp across the camp.
Caius turned to her. "What are you doing, woman?"
Her pulse thundered, but she stepped forward, her chin high, refusing to let fear show and for him to know the woman was a friend. "That's not how you treat people."
He leaned back in his chair. "Tell me, what is a fitting punishment for those who disappoint me?'
"She will serve me."
The woman sighed with relief. For a moment, silence stretched thin. Caius gaze lingered on her face, as though measuring her nerve.
"Clever," he murmured. "You may keep her, for now."
He straightened again, smiling coldly at the line of people. "Next!"
The place was a fortress. A looming tower that clawed its way out of a mountainside like the ribcage of some ancient beast. The main tower rose higher than any tree in the forest, a narrow black spear thrust toward the moon, its surface engraved with runes. Deep, angular carvings that whispered of wolves who had lived long before she existed. Its walls slicked with moss, Its spires clawing at the sky like blackened fingers. Torches flamed along the walls. Wolves carved into the pillars guarded the entrance, their stone eyes following her as Caius dragged her inside.
The air inside was warm. The scent of damp stone and smoke clung to her nose. Every step echoed. Servants hurried by, careful never to meet his gaze.
The Alpha sat on a chair carved with gold, his frame was large, his back straight despite the years. His hair was steel-grey, falling to his shoulders, his beard thick. He looked like a man carved from the very tower. Beside him sat the Luna. Draped in deep green, she was striking, though her beauty had been hollowed out. Her cheekbones were sharp, her eyes determined as though whatever light she once had was swallowed by the stone walls.
"Father. Mother," Caius bowed low, though his smirk betrayed him. "The provisions are collected. Every family paid as the law requires."
"And what happened the last time didn't happen, Caius?"
"Father. Don't you trust me? I pardoned those who couldn't pay in your name. As instructed." he bowed.
"Good,"
The Alpha's gaze shifted to Elara, making her skin prickle. "And this one?"
He reached for Elara's wrist again. "This one is my mate."
The Luna's head twitched, a faint smile. Elara caught it, though no one seemed to notice.
"Oh, my dear Caius," she said, and smiled faintly. "This one looks like a hungry wolf. I was preparing something more pretty for you. A woman who would rule beside you from our relatives and allies."
"Oh, Mother," he smiled. "I like this one more."
"If you wished to keep her," she said slowly. "Then keep her on a leash. Do not forget what became of your brother. We will do anything to protect our people. And that should be your responsibility."
Her heart raced. Brother? The word curled in her mind like a snake. She was caught in Caius tyranny and now she has to face his brother?
They came to a room with an iron door. The room was modest and richly kept. A canopy bed against the wall, a carved chest and a tall window shuttered against the night. Yet, it felt less than a sanctuary and more like a cage.
"Stay here. Food would be brought to you. Do not run." his voice lowered. "I have eyes on your people at home. If you test me, I may instruct my men to descend on them."
Her stomach dropped but she met his gaze. He smirked, and left, shutting the door behind him. For a moment, there was silence. But the woman she saved from punishment rushed to her.
"You have saved my life, Elara."
She let out a shaky breath. "You should have sent your son instead, Rose."
"Mathias was away. He wasn't home when Caius and his men came."
Elara reached for her arm, squeezing it gently. "I will do all I can to protect you from now on. Please, stay close to me."