Chapter 2:

The Alpha's Suspicion

Kieran Drake looked like death itself.

The man walking down the stairs was both my mate and a complete stranger. His dark brown hair, usually neat, now hung messy past his collar. Dark circles surrounded those blue-gray eyes. He'd lost weight. His strong frame was still powerful but thinner, harder.

He moved differently too. Each step was careful, threatening. This wasn't the man who used to chase me laughing through the woods. Who brought me flowers just to see me smile.

Seeing how worn he looked made my anger dim slightly.

"A rogue," Kieran said flatly. "Near Celeste's memorial."

"Yes, Alpha," Victor confirmed. "Suspicious, don't you think?"

Kieran moved closer. I forced myself not to react. Not to reach for him like every part of me wanted to.

"Your name?" Kieran asked.

"Raven," I answered, using the name from the memories. "Raven Cross."

"Why were you at the memorial?"

"I didn't know it was a memorial. I was just passing through."

Kieran studied me for a long moment. Then he turned to Victor. "Take her to the cells. I'll decide what to do with her tomorrow."

"Alpha," Victor said quickly. "Pack law says rogues who trespass should be killed immediately."

Kieran's eyes flashed dangerously. "Are you telling me what to do, Gamma?"

"No, Alpha, I just…."

"Take her to the cells," Kieran repeated, his voice dropping to a growl. "That's an order."

Victor bowed his head, but I saw rage flash in his eyes. He hadn't wanted me to survive even one more day.

As guards dragged me away, I looked back at Kieran once more. He was still watching me with a strange expression on his face.

Did some part of him recognize me? Or was I just imagining things?

---

The prison was underground. The cells were made of silver bars that hummed with power, designed to weaken any wolf who touched them.

They threw me into one and locked it.

"The Alpha will decide your fate tomorrow," one guard said. "If you're lucky, he'll make your death quick."

They left me alone in the darkness.

I looked around the cell. They'd upgraded security since my time here. New locks. More silver in the bars. They'd learned from trusting me—the thought was bitter.

I sat on the cold floor, my mind racing.

I'd been given a second chance. I was back in the pack that betrayed me, but in a different body. The man who framed me walked free. The man I loved had ordered my death.

But I was here. And this time, I could get revenge.

This time, I could take them all by surprise.

---

Time moved slowly in the dark cell. Hours passed. Or maybe just minutes. Then I heard the door open.

I curled up, making myself look small and scared. Kieran entered alone.

"That's not smart," I said before I could stop myself. "Being alone with a dangerous rogue."

He raised an eyebrow. "Are you dangerous?"

*Yes,* I thought. *More than you know.* But I said, "I'm just trying to survive."

"Aren't we all." He pulled up a chair and sat down. "Tell me, Raven Cross, why are you really here?"

"I told you,haven't ?."

"You lied." He leaned forward. "Your scent has no trail from any direction. You just appeared in the middle of my territory out of nowhere. So I'll ask again, what are you? And why are you here?"

I met his gaze steadily. "Would you believe me if I said I don't remember?"

"No."

"Then we have a problem."

His lips twitched, almost a smile. "You don't act like a starving rogue."

"Maybe your expectations are wrong."

This time he did smile, and my heart cracked a little. That smile used to be mine.

"You talk like someone educated," he said. "Your posture, your manners... You had formal training. But you claim to be packless."

Damn. I was being too much like myself, not enough like Raven.

"My pack valued education," I said carefully. "Before I left."

"Why did you leave?"

I pulled from Raven's memories. "They wanted me to mate someone I didn't love. I chose freedom instead."

Something shifted in his expression. "Love." He said it like it was a foreign word. "A luxury most of us can't afford."

"You're an Alpha. You can afford anything."

"Can I?" His eyes went distant. "I had love once. It was a lie. It was not what I had expected."

My hands clenched. A lie? Everything between us had been real. Every moment. Every promise. Every kiss.

"Maybe you were the one who was lied to," I said softly. "Maybe the person you loved was exactly who you thought they were."

His gaze sharpened. "That's a strange thing for a stranger to say."

I'd gone too far. "I just mean... sometimes the people we trust most betray us. Not the people we love."

"Speaking from experience?"

"Aren't we all?"

He stood suddenly. "You'll stay here until I decide what to do with you. Guards will bring food and water. Don't cause trouble, and you might survive."

He turned to leave, and desperation made me speak. "Your Gamma doesn't like you showing mercy to strangers."

Kieran stopped at the door. "What makes you say that?"

"The way he pushed for my death. The way he looked when you said no. Be careful who you trust, Alpha."

For a long moment, he just stared at me. Then without a word, he left.

The lock clicked, leaving me alone with my memories and regrets.

And one burning question filled my head:

Did his wolf sense something about me?