“No,” he said. “Not unless you give me a reason to.”

His voice was low and tight, almost shaken as he stared.

“What the hell are you doing?” he asked, his voice dangerously calm.

The guard laughed cruelly. “You think he cares what I do with you? He’s not coming back for hours. Now open your legs.”

I hesitated, but something in her tone–so kind and motherly–made me trust her. Slowly, I sat up with a wince, biting back the pain. My hands shook slightly as I reached for the back of my torn dress, pulling it down with effort.

The walls were made of polished stone and dark wood, with glowing orbs of light floating near the ceilings like silent sentinels. Rich tapestries decorated the halls. Marble floors gleamed underfoot. This wasn’t just a pack house–it was a palace.

The door creaked open again, and I tensed, my heart skipping–but this time, it wasn’t a guard.

Calvin turned to me, still breathing hard, his eyes glowing in rage–but not at me.

His claws retracted, and with careful hands, he began loosening the restraints that had bound me for hours. His touch was surprisingly gentle, despite the dried blood on his fingers.

And then he was gone, leaving me stunned. I looked around the room as I wondered what was going on. Why did he suddenly have a change of heart? Was this a trick? But the look in his eyes… that look of concern in his eyes tells me I might be wrong.

Blood splattered the wall and floor.

I couldn’t answer. I just stared at him, dazed and scared… If he hadn’t come when he did… I shivered.

He raised his fist and slammed it into my ribs. I gasped, something inside me cracking as white-hot pain spread through my chest. I choked on my own breath, my own scream, tears burning my eyes.

As we moved deeper in, servants caught sight of us. Some gasped softly. Others simply bowed their heads in respect to Alpha Calvin, their eyes flicking toward me, confusion in their gaze.

He carried me out of the dim room, while I stayed frozen in his arms, unable to look at him, so I turned my face away, staring at the shadows on the walls.

“You’ll open one way or another,” he growled, grabbing my throat. “Make it easy-”

He left the room, and I was left stunned… numb. I still couldn’t believe what Alpha Calvin had said: that he was related to the triplets, sharing the same great-grandmother? How? Did the triplets’ great-grandmother have another child with a different man? If so, why had I never heard of this? Why had they never mentioned anything? I had grown up beside them. I knew them–or at least, I thought I did. There was never any mention of someone like Alpha Calvin. No gossip. No hints. Was he lying? Was this some twisted game?

Didn’t blink.

But he didn’t look at her. His eyes were solely focused on the lower part of my back–on the dark mark etched into my skin.

The body dropped with a lifeless thud.

A mark shaped like a crescent wrapped in flame.

His eyes widened slowly, his lips parting slightly as he stepped closer, almost in disbelief.

But like someone who was concerned.

Then looked back at me with something… softer in his expression.

“Don’t touch me!” I cried, kicking out, but I was bound, helpless.

I sat frozen, trembling, tears still streaking down my cheeks. My chest ached with pain. My lip was bleeding.

He didn’t look at me. “Don’t be scared,” he said quietly. “I’m just getting you to my healer. You’re hurt.”

He shut the door behind him and locked it. My breath hitched.

My head felt heavy. My eyelids fluttered. I just needed a little sleep. A little peace. But before I could even drift, the door creaked open.

But then–

No one dared to ask questions.

I froze.

“N–no-”

Before I could process anything else, he slipped an arm under my knees and another behind my back–and lifted me effortlessly from the chair.

She closed the door behind her and stepped toward me. “Hello, dear,” she said kindly. “I’m Leona. I’m the pack’s healer.”

I flinched instinctively, but he didn’t stop.

Just turned slowly, as if to leave.

“I always wanted to fuck a human,” he muttered as he walked toward me slowly. “I bet you guys taste delicious.”

I winced as pain shot through my side, but I didn’t move.

The door burst open.

We passed a pair of tall double doors, and he kicked one open gently with his foot. The room inside was large and warm–soft candlelight, plush furniture, and a bed that looked like it belonged in a royal suite.

He crouched down.

Alpha Calvin stepped inside. He froze as his gaze locked onto me–more specifically, onto my back.

“W–what are you doing?” I asked, breathless.

I grabbed his sleeve weakly. “You… you’re not going to lock me up again, are you?”

“Did he hurt you?” he asked quietly.

“How… how do you have that mark?”

He chuckled darkly. “Oh, I’m not going to hurt you… not yet. I just want you to silently open your legs for me.”

With one swift motion, Calvin sliced his claws across the man’s neck–severing his head from his body.

I tensed, confused, my heart racing.

He didn’t speak.

A woman walked in. Her energy was calm and soothing. Her dark hair was tied back neatly, and her gentle smile instantly made me feel like maybe, just maybe, I was safe.

He didn’t stop.

She frowned softly in concern and nodded. “Alright. I need to take a proper look.”

The guard froze, his hand still on me. “Alpha-”

“What…?” he breathed out, taking another step. “That mark…”

The door burst open.

Then, without a word, he turned back and walked toward me again.

She approached and crouched beside the bed, her voice gentle. “Alpha Calvin told me what happened. I’m just here to help. Can you tell me where you’re hurting most?”

My heart pounded painfully in my chest as he stepped closer, licking his lips.

He paused.

I swallowed hard. “Don’t come near me.”

Alpha Calvin stood in the doorway.

But halfway to the door, he paused.

He grabbed my arm harshly, yanking at my dress. “OPEN UP!”

I gasped in fear, my voice barely a whisper. “Why are you doing this?”

And for the first time, he looked… different.

He kneeled beside me and reached for the ropes.

In one second, his claws were out–he seized the guard by the throat and lifted him off the ground. The man kicked and clawed, choking.

She gently traced her fingers along the bruised skin, her touch light. I closed my eyes, breathing shallowly as pain radiated from every inch she touched.

He stood on his feet, covered in the blood of the man who almost violated me. His chest rose and fell, his eyes still glowing faintly with rage. He didn’t say anything.

Olivia’s POV

Not like a monster.

“My ribs…” I whispered. “And my back. Mostly my back.”

“Did I give you permission to touch her?” Calvin’s voice was like death itself.

We moved through a narrow stone corridor that opened into the main part of the packhouse and I froze. The place was… breathtaking.

I tensed. It was one of the guards, alone this time. Tall, broad, dressed in all black, but something about his smirk made my blood run cold.

Leona quickly rose to her feet and stepped aside, confusion flashing in her eyes as she followed his gaze.

SLAM.

My eyes widened.

“Don’t do this,” I warned, trying to sound stronger than I felt. “He’ll kill you.”

Calvin moved forward, an intense anger radiating from him.

I turned around, exposing my back to her.

I nodded weakly, my throat still sore.

I gasped, fumbling to pull the dress back up, but it was too late.

He walked straight to the bed and gently laid me down on the soft sheets.

His gaze remained blank. “Because I don’t hurt women or let them get hurt.”

I shook my head and winced, biting down a cry. The rope binding me to the chair had dug deep into my skin. My whole body throbbed from sitting in the same position for too long.

“No!” I screamed, struggling in the chair.

His aura filled the entire room like a crushing wave of ice and anger.

He straightened up and turned toward the door. “Stay here. I’ll send my healer.”