Chapter two

“Their coming—run!” my wolf, Lisa, snarled in my head.

I didn’t hesitate. I bolted down the street, lungs burning, each breath tearing out of me. My legs pushed harder, but the footsteps chasing me never slowed.

“Help! Please!” I screamed, waving at the cars rushing past. None stopped. My throat broke on the words, but I couldn’t stop running. If he caught me—I was finished.

If only it were the new moon. If only I could shift, let Lisa take over, and vanish into the night. But trapped like this—I was prey.

Desperation clawed through me. With nothing left to lose, I stumbled into the middle of the road, throwing my arms up. Maybe they’d hit me. Maybe that was better.

Headlights exploded in my face. A black Porsche 911 screeched to a stop inches away. I crashed to the ground, gasping, heart slamming against my ribs.

I lifted my head—and froze. A man sat inside, eyes locked on me through the glass. My whole body went still, uneasy, though I didn’t know why. Inside me, Lisa stirred, not with fear—but something else. A shiver of excitement.

I shook it off and staggered to the passenger side, pounding the glass with shaking fists. “Please—open it!”

For a moment, he just stared, silent, unreadable. Then his hand moved, pressing a button. The lock clicked.

I ripped the door open and threw myself inside, chest heaving, nerves sparking like fire.

“Please… drive,” I begged, my voice breaking.

But he didn’t move. His hands rested on the wheel, his gaze fixed on me.

Up close, he was unfairly handsome—sharp jaw, lips made to tempt, dark eyes that burned like they could see through skin and bone. His hair was tousled, the kind of effortless that only made him look hotter. Everything about him screamed control, power, danger.

And yet—he just kept staring.

“Mr—please, drive. My life is in danger. Don’t do this to me.” I begged, voice raw.

He finally turned the key. The engine growled to life. “Please—faster,” I said. “They’re after me. If they catch me—”

He slid the car into gear without a word, then spoke, low and smooth, the kind of voice that made the air feel thinner. “Aren’t you supposed to be at your wedding?”

“Wedding?” I snatched at the word like it was a burning coal. “It’s not my wedding. I don’t want to be there. Please—help me get away.”

He bit his lower lip, a brief flash of something—amusement, irritation—crossing his face. “So you ran off with your lover, I suppose. Could’ve at least waited until after the vows. Do it properly.”

His words shouldn’t have mattered. I was trembling too hard for pride. “I already told you, it's not my wedding—this dress was for my twin. They planned to swap us. They were going to force me to marry her fiancé. The man is cursed. He’s dying. He has only days left.”

The car hummed along the quiet road. He fell silent, fingers light on the wheel, jaw tightening as if chewing the truth. For the first time since I climbed in, he looked at me—really looked. The streetlights skittered over his face, catching the hard line of his cheek and the shadow in his eyes.

“Cursed?” he repeated, then shook his head like he didn’t want to hear it. “You’re wrapped in silk and screaming like someone on a murderer’s list. You’re not making sense.”

“I’m making enough sense.” My breath hitched. “They used me. They want to swap me for my sister so they can keep the alliance when he dies"

He didn’t respond right away. The car moved faster now, tires whispering against wet asphalt. Every honk that cut the night made my throat close.

“I actually pity him,” I said, breaking the silence. “I wonder what he did to the moon goddess to deserve this. I’ve heard the stories—cursed wolves, family sins. Sometimes the only way out is a mate who can lift the curse.”

“You actually feel sorry for him?” he asked. There was a small, teasing lift at the corner of his mouth. I nodded.

“Of course. No one should live with that knowledge—thinking they’ll die one day. Imagine that dread.” My voice went soft. The memory of all the years waiting for someone to choose me sharpened my words.

He chuckled, a low sound that warmed the space between us. “If you feel that badly, why didn’t you just marry him?”

I let out a short, bitter laugh. “Love and pity are different things. I’ve wanted someone to love me properly my whole life. I don’t want to beg for affection or be a charity case. I want it to come natural. I’m too broken for an ‘hate-to-love’ story. And the worst he wouldn't even live long, I don't want to deceived anyone”

He watched me for a long moment, the streetlight catching the hard plane of his cheek. “You mean Caleb Nightshade,” he said.

I blinked. “How do you know that name?”

“You said it earlier,” he said simply. For a second I couldn’t remember, maybe I said it.

“Where were you heading before I crashed into your night?” I asked, trying to sound casual.

He shrugged, fingers steady on the wheel. “To a wedding. It got canceled.”

My heart tightened. “Cancelled? Do you mean—”

He cut me off with a small, rueful smile. “Not yours. The bride ran, same as you. Looks like young wolves don’t have much patience anymore. But don’t get the wrong idea—I know that girl.”

His voice had an edge—knowing, almost personal. A thousand questions crowded my mouth, but before I could ask them, headlights slammed into view ahead and a car barreled to a stop across the road.

My scream ripped out of me before my brain could catch up. Instinct pushed me closer to him; my fingers dug into his sleeve.

"I have been caught"