AN

r ground. I could still feel the rough, callous hands that had pinned me down, the jeers and cruel laughter echoin

ing, filled with a menacing power that sent a chill down my spine. The wolves who'd been tormenting me stilled, their expre

em snarled, his voice a s

came a sound-a snarl so deep it felt like the forest itself was growing back. My heart

. My vision swam, but I forced my eyes to stay ope

rything explod

and desperate, a symphony of pain that made my stomach twist. I could hear them pleading, begging for mercy, but their voices were drowned out by the wet, sickening sounds

ut I couldn't escape it. Their terrified screams were everywhere, echoing off the trees and filling the clearing. I could hear

nly as it had starte

ing as I tried to process what had just happened. The wolves who'd attacked me were gone-what remained of them was strew

ead, but I managed to lift myself enough to look up. My breath caught in my throat as I saw three

r seen. They were tall and broad-shouldered, their bare skin slick with the remnants of the battle, blood smearing across their arms and chests. Even in the di

vilish smirk playing at his lips. His piercing dark amber eyes glinted with something al

ually, his voice smooth and deep. "T

m-was overwhelming. They were devastatingly handsome, each in their own way, with an aura of strength and pow

ce straight through me. His gaze was softer, more curious, but still inte

e gentle, though there was a hint of s

if I was alright. I felt like I was standing on the

his arms over his chest, his expression unreadable. He looked at me with a mix

rner of his mouth. "We don't normally go out of our way to save

out. My voice seemed to have deserted me in the f

'm Reed Bennett. This is my brother, Asher," he gestured to the icy blue eyed one, who gave me a small nod," and t

it. But I knew enough to understand that they were no ordinary wolves. There

g his face. "We saw what Raiden did to you," he said, his voice laced with disgu

er, his contemptuous gaze, still fresh in my mind. I could feel m

her said gently. "In fact, we're here to

they know my name? But that was the least of my worries now. "W

s. "A chance to reclaim your dignity. To get back at

. The idea of it was intoxicating, tempting me in ways I'd never imagined. But

, his gaze steady. "We w

ned into silence

ust for a year. Enough to make a statement. Enough to s

r bride-to belong to them, even if it was just temporarily. The thought was both thrilling and terr

ssuring. "You'll have our power, our influence

trust them? Could I put my faith in these three men who had appea

left to lose? I had n

n and curiosity. I could feel the weight of their offer pressing down on me,

ely a whisper as I spoke the wo

acce