Page 46 of The Cursed Wolf King

Two figures emerged from the shadows and into the faint light of the moon. Alaric, tall and imposing, stood alongside another enforcer. Both halted, taking in my torn dress and bound wrists. Their heads dipped low, a gesture of respect for the alpha—or perhaps shame.

Grayson straightened, his claws retracting as he shifted his focus to them. “This better be good.”

Alaric cleared his throat. “We have reason to believe the Orion alpha has entered Heraclid lands.”

Grayson’s lips curled into a slow, vulture-like smile. “Do you now?”

“Yes,” Alaric continued. “I can still sense him through the Orion pack bond.” He winced. “At least, I think that’s what it is, because we haven’t been able to track him. He could be masking his scent. Orions excel at that.”

“And you expect me to believe you, the betraying enforcer of Orion?”

Alaric winced. “I have been loyal since I arrived here, and you know my reasons, Alpha.”

“You insist the Orion pack has dwindled, and yet I—as alpha—still sense them, strong and numerous.” Grayson pursed his lips, awaiting Alaric’s response. “Do you think I am flawed in my assessment?

Alaric began sweating. A lot. “It’s not—it’s not that,” he stuttered. “I understand your reticence. It’s just I know Orion’s tricks, and that is their greatest one. Hunter skills were long instilled in Orion wolves. But I assure you, Orion is not what it was. And Logan is coming here.” He cleared his throat again. “I think.”

Grayson chuckled, and the hairs on the back of my neckstood on end. “This news pleases me, Alaric. Let him come.” He waved a dismissive hand, his attention only half on them. “While you’re out playing hide and seek, fetch something more appropriate for our precious oracle to wear. Something dignified.”

The two enforcers hesitated, then bowed their heads in unison and disappeared back into the darkness.

As their footsteps faded, Grayson stepped closer to me and spoke in a dangerous whisper. “We’re about to find out if what that old witch wolf said is true,” he murmured, his hot breath against my ear. “And if I’ll finally be rid of my troubles with you.”

My pulse pounded as he drew back slightly.

“I’ll give you one last chance,” he said with a sinister calm. “Curse the Orion alpha. Ensure his demise. Or,” he simply smiled, “let your fate play out.”

My legs trembled beneath me, and my wrists were raw from pulling against the ropes as I fought to stay upright. I hadn’t slept since I woke in the cell and fear was taking its toll on my body. Black spots danced at the edges of my vision, and the familiar haze of exhaustion threatened to drag me under. I couldn’t give in, but I was worried I wouldn’t last much longer against his command.

“I’ll never curse him.” The effort it took to push the words out felt monumental, like dragging my soul through shards of glass.

Grayson’s eyes flashed with fury. “Stubborn little wolf,” he hissed, circling me. “You’ll hang there and learn what real consequences feel like.”

The world tilted, my vision tunneling as the pain andexhaustion overwhelmed me. The ropes bit into my wrists as the last shreds of strength left my body.

My head lolled forward, and darkness swallowed me whole.

Voices cut through the black void, faint and faraway. Hands gripped my arms, rough, and they sliced through the bindings, the pressure of the ropes disappearing. My body crumpled, barely caught by someone, who yanked me upright again.

“Get the dress on her,” came Alaric’s sharp command. Fabric slid over my skin, the scratchy threads scraping against raw welts as they tugged it into place.

“She’s out cold,” muttered one of the enforcers.

Grayson’s growl cut through the air like a whip. “Tie her hands up again. We’ll leave Logan a gift with a bow on it.”

A heavy weight pressed against my chest as I tried to force my eyes open, but they wouldn’t obey. The vibrations of Grayson’s boots hitting the platform echoed in my skull.

Various hands were on me, manipulating me like a rag doll. Even the pain of my arms being wrenched over my head wasn’t enough to make me react. I was hovering in and out of consciousness, in and out of my body.

The sound of their footsteps faded, as if they’d retreated from the platform, and I heard muttered curses under his breath. The truck’s engine roared to life, and I caught the rumble of Alaric’s voice as they sped away into the night.

Time was meaningless as it passed—minutes, hours, maybe longer. When I finally blinked my eyes open, the world was still cloaked in darkness, the faint glow of the moon casting eerie shadows across the empty platform.

And then I saw him.

At first, I thought I was dreaming, the edges of my vision still blurred and hazy. His figure moved toward me with purpose, streaking through the night like lightning. His shoulders were broad, his stride confident. My heart clenched with recognition.

A vision coming to life.

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