Kimberly awoke to the cold bite of iron around her wrists. She was in a dim, damp cell, the walls covered in moss and the floor slick with mud. She shivered, pulling herself up against the stone wall, her head pounding.

“Hello!" She called out, her voice cracking and her head aching like she'd bruised her skull. And maybe she had. 

Kimberly tried to grab her head, but she was restrained. “Somebody help me!" 

Before she could get her bearings, a heavy door creaked open, and a tall, imposing figure strode in. 

His eyes were cold and hard, his face set in a deep frown that seemed as permanent as the scars on his face. He wore a dark cloak, and his presence alone filled the room with intimidation and terror. 

Kimberly scooted to the edge of the wall, far from him. 

“Get up,” he commanded, his voice was a low and deep baritone.

Kimberly hesitated, her limbs sore and heavy from being bound. “Who are you?”

The man’s lips twisted in a smirk. “I am Duncan, the Lycan King’s head warrior. And you, little one, are now his prisoner.

She swallowed, trying to gather her wits. Ogar was gone. He'd fled that night. Or was it still night? “Where am I?" She looked around the dark and smelly cell. 

Duncan crossed his arms, his eyes narrowing. “Because you have something we need, child. We are going to use you as bait to lure out Ogar and upset him once and for all.

Kimberly’s heart raced, but she forced herself to keep her voice steady. “I’m not a child. And I won’t help you with anything.”

Duncan’s brow lifted, an amused glint in his eye. “Is that so?” He stepped closer, looming over her. “Ogar has been a thorn in our side for far too long. "You’re the perfect tool to get him out of hiding, and you will do as I say.”

“Let me go. I don't know anything about Ogar. I'm not a werewolf." 

Duncan sneered at her, “But he wanted to keep you, huh?” Then he smirked, "So he's going to come back for you.” 

She glared up at him. “I will not help you. Ogar doesn't want me, just let me go!

He gave a low chuckle. “Bold words. We’ll see if you still feel that way when I’m through.”

Kimberly clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms. She had to get out of here. Her eyes flicked to the open door, and she took a step back, readying herself.

“Don’t even think about it,” Duncan warned, but Kimberly was already moving, sprinting toward the door with all the strength she could muster. She darted past him, slipping through the gap, but she didn’t get far before two guards blocked her path.

They seized her, rough hands gripping her arms as she struggled, kicking and twisting in their grasp. “Let me go!” she screamed, her voice echoing down the stone corridor.

One guard laughed, tightening his hold. “You’re not going anywhere, princess.”

Kimberly crossed her legs, trying to maneuver past them, but they seemed to predict her every move. 

Frustrated, she lay on the floor, yelling out. She spat at him, fury boiling in her veins.

Duncan told the guards to hold her down. “All I need is permission from the King, and he's told him to do with you as I please," had a mischievous glint in his eyes. 

Kimberly staggered to her feet, wiggling against the hold of the guards who kept her in place. 

Duncan marched to her and lifted a hand to her face. “So beautiful. I understand why Ogar wanted you all to himself." 

Kimberly swallowed, baring her teeth at the man, but he didn't hide his lust. He stared at her lonely, almost as bad as Ogar had.

"Let me go. Ogar doesn't want me. He won't come for me; he's a savage beast!” 

"Shhhhh…" the man drawled out, placing a hand on her lips. “I'm sure you will make a very fine breeder. All I have to do is make you one of ours, a lycan."

Kimberly's eyes widened as she heard this. She shifted, struggling against the guards helplessly.

For a split second, she couldn't help but think, just maybe, she'd have been safer in the hands of the savage werewolf alpha. Maybe, just maybe,

Ogar would be more merciful. 

For as long as she could recall, the lycans were the mergers' first and worst enemy. They killed each other brutally.

“Maybe I should mark you first. "Just to make sure you won't run away," the man said, leaning against her neck.

Kimberly whimpered, scooting back when she suddenly heard a loud roar. 

“Unhand her!” a deep velvety voice rumbled, reverberating with raw power.

Duncan looked at the new man that had entered. He bowed, “My king. I'm trying to make sure the prisoner knows her place." 

“I won't say it again." The man spat. 

The guards flinched, loosening their grip, but it was too late. The man was on them, his hands a blur as he threw one guard across the corridor, his body slamming into the wall with a thud. He rounded on the second, grabbing him by the throat and lifting him off the ground, his eyes flashing dangerously.

“If you lay a finger on her again,” he snarled, “I’ll tear you apart myself."

Duncan's eyes widened, and he fell to his knees. “I beg for pardon, King Kael, we had no idea she was a royal guest.” 

The guard choked out an apology, and Kael released him, letting him collapse to the floor. He turned back to Kimberly, breathing heavily, his expression guarded. A look that sent shivers down her spine.

“Are you all right?” he asked, his voice softer now, almost hesitant. He was the man from last night. The Lycan that had rescued her from Ogar and took her prisoner. 

She looked up at him, her heart pounding. “Why… why did you do that?

He seemed to hesitate, as if unsure of himself. His gaze locked onto hers, and something flickered in his eyes—a strange, almost possessive glint. He leaned closer, his nostrils flaring slightly.

“You…” he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. “Your scent…”

Kimberly took a step back, her pulse racing. “What are you talking about?”

His gaze darkened, his jaw clenching. “It can’t be. I don’t believe it.”

She stared at him, her mind reeling. “Believe in what?”

“Mate!" he growled and tore off her chains, his inner wolf taking over.