Rogue Den — The Underground Halls
Ariana's heart hammered as Lucian's rough hand pulled her through the tunnels. Water dripped from his hair, the towel barely hanging on his hips. She tried not to look — but gods, it was impossible.
"You know," she panted, "this is the least sexy way to be kidnapped by a half-naked Alpha."
Lucian threw her a wicked grin over his shoulder. "Then get used to it — you've got terrible taste in men."
She swatted at his shoulder, but he didn't let go.
---
The First Howl
They burst back into the main den. The rogues were already on edge — knives drawn, claws unsheathed, eyes darting to the tunnels that branched like veins.
A low, bone-shaking howl echoed through the stone. Ariana felt it in her teeth. It wasn't like a normal wolf howl — it was dry, hollow, scraping at her insides.
"Barricade the east passage!" Lucian barked. His voice, usually dripping with sarcasm, now cracked like a whip.
The scarred she-wolf — Mira, Ariana remembered — snapped to obey, dragging crates and old furniture into a makeshift wall. Two other rogues lifted old rusted iron bars, their eyes flicking nervously to Ariana.
She bared her teeth. Let them stare.
---
Ariana's First Real Test
Lucian grabbed Ariana's shoulders, forcing her to look at him. "Remember what you did in the hollow?"
"Bleed first, bite last?" she shot back.
He smirked — just a flash of teeth. "Reverse it this time. These bastards don't care about fair fights."
He pressed something cold into her palm. She looked down — an old silver dagger, its hilt carved with runes. The blade hummed against her skin.
"Don't stab me by mistake," he murmured.
"No promises."
---
The Attack
It started with a screech. The first carrion hound hurled itself through the barricade, splintering crates like twigs. Its skeletal head swung side to side, searching for blood.
Mira lunged first — teeth buried in its flank. Two more rogues piled on. Black ichor sprayed the walls.
Another hound burst in behind them — this one bigger, with a mouth that split open sideways like a snake's.
Ariana didn't think. She shifted half-way — claws ripping through skin, fangs dropping. Lyra snarled inside her head, drunk on adrenaline.
Rip it apart. Prove you belong here.
She slammed into the beast's side. Her blade bit deep — but the thing barely flinched. It whipped around, catching her with a swipe of its claw. She skidded across the stone floor, breath knocked out of her.
---
Trust Me
Before she could get up, the hound pounced — but Lucian was there, a blur of black fur and golden eyes. He crashed into the monster, claws hooking into its skull. He roared — not words, but raw Alpha power that made every rogue freeze.
Ariana forced herself to her feet, vision swimming. "Lucian—!"
"Behind you!" Mira's voice cracked.
Another hound. Smaller — but fast. Ariana twisted, but her legs were too slow. She saw teeth — yellow, rotting — lunging for her throat.
Lucian's hand slammed into her back, shoving her down. The hound sailed over her head. She landed hard, blinking up at him.
"You good?" he snapped, claws dripping black ichor.
Ariana spat blood from her lip. "Yeah, just peachy."
He barked a laugh, eyes wild. "Next time, duck sooner."
---
The Red Mist
But she didn't hear the rest. Something inside her snapped — all the fear, the rejection, the rage. Her wolf slammed through her skin — not gentle this time. Claws cracked stone. She felt her eyes burn red.
Hunt. Kill. Prove you're worth more than scraps.
The nearest carrion hound turned to run — too late. She was on it, teeth tearing into its neck. Black blood coated her tongue. She didn't stop — couldn't.
Somewhere distant, she heard Lucian's voice. "Ariana— hey! Pull back! Ariana—!"
She couldn't. She was drowning in the wolf's hunger — a primal surge that wanted to destroy everything.
---
Anchored
Strong arms wrapped around her — warm, solid, anchoring. Lucian's wolf pressed against hers, massive and crackling with raw dominance. He didn't shove her away — he wrapped around her like a living cage.
"Ariana." His voice was a growl in her mind, brushing her wolf's ears. "Breathe. Look at me."
She snapped at him — but his wolf only leaned closer, brushing her fur with his. Not fighting her — joining her.
Her heartbeat slowed, claws retracting. The taste of rot faded. Lyra's snarl softened into a confused whine.
Lucian nuzzled her cheek, his own wolf purring like a rumble of thunder. "Come back, little Thorn."
And she did.
---
Aftermath
She stumbled back into her human form, shivering, throat raw. Lucian shifted too, cradling her face in blood-slick hands.
"Don't ever scare me like that again," he rasped. His forehead pressed to hers. "Your wolf's a menace."
She huffed a broken laugh. "Takes one to know one."
A distant roar — more carrion hounds howling in the forest. The rogues around them braced, claws dripping, eyes glinting in the flickering firelight.
Ariana pushed away from Lucian — but her hand lingered on his chest, feeling the thunder of his heartbeat.
"Next time," she murmured, "I want more than an old dagger."
Lucian's grin was savage and soft all at once. "Next time, you'll get claws sharper than mine."
---
Cliffhanger
Mira limped over, clutching a torn piece of map. "Alpha — these hounds came from the West line. The ruins."
Lucian's eyes went dark. "The ruins? Are you sure?"
She nodded grimly. "They're not just hunting. They're being herded. Someone's sending them — straight for her."
All eyes turned to Ariana. The girl who'd once been a rejected Luna-to-be now stood, bruised and bloodstained, but defiant. Her wolf prowled just beneath her skin — stronger than ever.
She lifted her chin at Lucian. "Good. Let them come."