Chapter 77

Selene

I wake up to the sound of Zack stomping down the stairs, his steps heavy like an approaching storm. I let out a low, pitiful whimper, curling in on myself against the wall. Maybe if he thinks he's breaking me, he'll lower his guard. I just him too feel a little too confident, a little cocky.

After what Kate told me last night, I plan to ask him what he's going to use me for. What has he been planning for months? And how do I get him to reveal it without causing suspicion?

As his eyes lock onto mine, his grin stretches wide. It sends a heavy dose of fear and dread down my spine. "Welcome to the first official day of our forever, Selly."

My stomach twists, and I fight to urge to vomit on him. It's not like I've had anything but water anyway. I swallow the bile working its way up my throat, staring down at his feet in a submissive gesture.

"Can I eat something, please? I'm starving," I ask in a low, defeated voice.

He chuckles in amusement. "I'll think about it. First, I need to make sure you can't go anywhere."

He calls Kate into the room. "What?" she snaps, avoiding looking at me.

Maybe she decided not to help me after all.

"Give her another dose of wolfsbane," Zack orders,

A spike of panic shoots through me, but I force myself to remain still, my muscles coiling as Kate stands up, moving lazily across the room. She retrieves a small black case and pulls out a syringe filled with that familiar, sickly black liquid.

Kate crouches down beside me, the syringe poised. "Don't move. This will only sting...a lot." Her voice is flat, but her eyes flicker with something that Zack won't be able to catch. I brace myself for the sharp pinch as the needle sinks into my skin, the toxic liquid burning its way through my veins.

But I don't pass out.

Not this time.

The dose feels weaker, diluted. My heads still clear, and the world doesn't spin like it usually does. Something's off, and I'm not the only one who notices.

Zack snarls, his eyes narrowing at me like I've personally offended him. "Why didn't she pass out?" he barks.

Kate shrugs nonchalantly. "I don't know. Maybe she has built a tolerance or something."

He steps closer, his face just inches from mine as he sniffs me. "No," he growls. "This dose smells weaker."

Kate stands her ground, her expression bored, but I catch the subtle twitch of her fingers. "Why the fuck are you asking me? Ask your dealer!"

His eyes flash silver, his patience wearing thinner and thinner. "Or maybe you're lying. My dealer would never fuck me like this."

Her jaw clenches, but she meets his gaze without flinching. "I've proven my loyalty to you, Zack. You really don't believe me?"

"Should I?"

"Why the hell not?" she snaps. "Do you not remember that I want Phoenix to myself? What would I gain from weakening the wolfsbane?"

Zack's fingers twitch like he's imagining wrapping them around her throat. The tension hangs heavily in the air, the seconds passing like hours. If he kills her, I'll be left all alone with him, and my chances of escaping will be slim to none.

I need to distract him—let him think I'm giving him something he wants.

"Maybe this is a good thing," I speak up hoarsely, interrupting them. Zack's head snaps in my direction. "I think I can only accept you as my mate if my wolf is somewhat alert."

His eyes darken. "What?"

"I'm ready to be your mate again, Zack. I'm accepting this situation for what it is, and I'd prefer to have some bit of happiness instead of none. And I know you'll never trust me and stop fucking drugging me until you can hear my every thought and feel my every emotion. So, I'm giving you permission to mark me."

He stills for a long moment, digesting my words. Then, he breaks out into a wolfish grin, as if his every sick fantasy is coming true right here, right now. "Really? You want my mark?"

I nod slowly as I try not to vomit. "Yes," I whisper.

"Good, this is exactly what I wanted, babe. We can have a new start here, start our own pack."

My heart plummets. "We're going to do what?" The words tumble out before I can stop them, but at least my voice is still soft, my anger and fear well disguised.

"I know you couldn't be Alpha in your father's pack," he says, puffing out his chest like he's offering me everything I've always wanted. "But with me, we'll create our own pack, with our own rules."

I blink, trying to hide my disbelief. I was right; he's out of his goddamn mind. "Zack...that would never work here," I murmur, feigning concern. "What about the other wolves here? You think the rogues would leave us alone knowing we're creating a pack in their territory?"

He chuckles darkly. "The rogues won't fuck with us. Once you become an Alpha, they'll fall in line, bow down to you, to us, or they'll die."

He says it with such conviction that Kate even looks at him like he's lost it.

"And..and what would your role be in all this?" I ask, my voice barely above a whisper. I'm afraid of the answer, but I need to know.

He leans in closer to me, his breath hot and sour against my lips. "I'll be your mate and advisor."

Ah, so he wants to be my fucking puppet master. Of course. Why didn't I put this together by myself? He rejected me because I couldn't become Alpha, but I guess he found out by someone else that with my Alpha blood, I could create my own pack anywhere.

And he wants to lead it with me as only a face.

I hate him more than ever that he plans to use me like this, but I have to play along.

Just for a little while.

Taking a deep breath, I finally say, "The moment I feel my wolf resurface, I promise I'll let you mark me and reclaim me as your mate."