Chapter 4 THREE

[ NYRA"S POV]

“Her wolf has been exhausted beyond its capacity, My Alpha. She may take a while to heal,” is the first thing I as my consciousness comes rolling back in. “And as for the wound and bruises, I have applied some ointment. Let's hope they heal up fast."

I slowly peel my eyelids open, despite the intense headache that throbs at the back of my head. I reach out to Lyrica, but it's like she has gone into sleep mode.

Oh, well. She probably needs it after all the running and fighting.

I return my attention back to my surroundings and struggle to sit up. Pain tears through my limbs and I can't hold back the whimper of pain that escapes me.

Christ!

“Easy there, little wolf," A male voice says, pulling me out of my mental world to the real world. A large hand wraps around my waist, pulling me up to a sitting position. “There you go."

I raise my head to look at the man who spoke and…Holly Molly!

His raven dark hair falls gracefully on his shoulders, and his steel blue eyes are so cold, they could put Antarctica to shame. He has several tattoos curling around his arms and neck. I'm pretty sure there's more under his dress

“You might actually make me shy if you stare too long," he says, a smile tugging at the end of his lips. He hands me a bowl of something I guess to be herbal medicine. “The healer says it'll help get your strength back."

I smile weakly then drink all the contents in one go.

I hand the bowl to him, scrunching my face at its horrible taste.

“Where am I?” I ask, as he takes the bowl from me and places it on the bedside table.

“Blackthorn ridge, little wolf. Riven brought you here two days ago all bruised, bloody and broken. Since then, I've been made your babysitter.”

“I don't need a babysitter "

He shrugs. “My brothers don't seem to think so though." He picks up the bowl and heads towards the door, but stops as if recalling something. “You should rest. Your wolf needs it more than you do."

The instant the door closes behind him, I try to reach out to Lyrica a second time, but she's still hibernating. Guess she's really tired.

It's going to be one hell of a boring time not to be able to rant to her.

Within seconds I start feeling drowsy again. Whatever that medicine was made of is certainly making me feel sleepy.

I try to fight off the darkness, but my tired muscles are no match for the sleep slowly taking over me. So, I give in and doze off to Dreamland

~~~

I can't decipher what time it is when I wake up, but by the orange sunlight pouring through the window, I'll take a wild guess and say it's sunset. I sit up and don't feel as much pain like before.

I reach out to Lyrica, hoping she is done hibernating. I'm glad when I feel her energy pulsing through my veins, and the feeling of her in my head replaces the cold numbness I felt earlier.

The door opens and a stunning brunette steps in, holding a box in her hand. She looks delighted upon noticing I'm seated.

“You're finally awake! How do you feel?"

I shake my head. “ I feel sick, like I'll puke any moment from now."

“Dammit," she muttered. “I told Kade that doubling the dose of the medicine would make you sick. But he's always an asshole “

She sighs, places the box on the table and walks to the bed. " Anyways, apart from nausea, any issues?”

" No, just the nausea,” I tell her. " I'm fine otherwise.”

She nods. " Okay so, Keiran wants to see you. But first we'll have you washed and fed.”

" I thought the Alpha gets to meet any new pack member first?”

She looks confused. " Of course. Keiran is an alpha.

So Riven brought me here, Kade took care of me and now Keiran wants to meet me.

Great.

“Come," she says, helping me out of the bed. She led me to the bathroom, and after a quick bath, I stepped out dressed in a blue dress that matched the color of the girl's eyes. ”Anyways, excuse my manners. I'm Zoya, the Alphas’ sister.”

I scrunch my nose. " So you are the rogue princess? You don't look like one.”

Zoya only laughs at my comment, the sound light and musical, completely at odds with the darkness that clings to this place. I still find it hard to believe she's the rogue princess.

She looks…cinderella– ish

“Wait until you meet my brothers,” she says. “You’ll understand why everyone in Lunaria fears the name Blackthorn Ridge.”

Great!

Exactly the kind of place every sane person avoids, and here I am walking straight into the lion’s den.

Well, I'd rather walk on hot coal than allow Jackson catch me again.

The halls are dimly lit by torches fixed along the stone walls. The air smells faintly of pine and smoke, with something sharper beneath—wolves. Power hums in the air, a raw, untamed kind that prickles against my skin. Every instinct in me screams to turn back, but curiosity keeps my feet moving.

We finally stop before two large black doors carved with the symbol of a crescent moon wrapped in thorns. Zoya knocks once and pushes them open.

The moment I step inside, every ounce of air in my lungs leaves me.

Three men sit around a long, dark-wood table.

Their gazes rise to meet mine in eerie synchrony, and for a heartbeat, the world feels too small.

Riven is the first one I recognize, the same wolf who found me bleeding in the forest. The one Lyrica had identified as our mate. I didn't see his face, but I Lyra recognizes his wolf.

His black hair falls messily over his eyes, and the scar across his jaw only makes him look more dangerous. His silver gaze meets mine, unreadable, but there’s something there… something that burns.

“You’re awake,” he murmurs, voice rough like gravel. “Didn’t think you’d make it.”

Before I can respond, the man beside him, Kade, the one who fed me, smirks. His steel blue eyes gleam with mischief as he lounges back in his chair, boots propped carelessly on the table. “Told you she is tougher than she looks, Riven. Look at her. Little wolf survived hell itself.”

“Barely,” Riven replies dryly.

My attention shifts to the man at the head of the table. That must be Keiran.

His presence alone makes my wolf stir nervously inside me. Broad shoulders, sharp features, eyes so dark they almost look black. His aura rolls off him in waves, commanding and cold. “So this is the girl who stumbled into our territory,” he says slowly, his voice smooth, deep, dangerous. “You’ve caused quite a stir, little one.”

Little one. I bite back the urge to growl. “I didn’t exactly plan on it. Your border guards weren’t exactly welcoming.”

Kade chuckles.

Riven glances at Keiran, as though silently warning him not to provoke me. But before Keiran can respond, another voice cuts through the air; calm, deep, and dripping with amusement.

“She has a tongue,” the last man says from the shadows near the window. I hadn’t even noticed him. He steps forward, and the fading sunlight spills across his face. He's got Raven-haired, with slate-grey eyes and a predator’s grin. “It’ll be fun to watch you keep that fire.”

Just great!

One brooding Alpha, one flirt, one sadist, and one mysterious shadow. Perfect.

Keiran rises from his chair, towering over me. “You’ve crossed into our land. You should’ve been executed for that. But Riven says you were being hunted. Care to explain why?”

My pulse quickens, but I force my chin up. “Because my uncle, Alpha Jackson, wants me dead.”

“Jackson as in Jackson Oreo? The Alpha of Nightville pack?" Kade asks.

Lucien’s head tilts. “Why?”

Keiran steps closer, his gaze sharp enough to slice through bone. “You’re going to tell us what you did, and why the asshole Alpha of Nightville pack is hunting you.”

“I don’t know anything,” I snap, taking a step back. “If I did, I wouldn’t be here!”

Keiran’s eyes flash with dominance, but before he can say more, Riven interrupts quietly. “She’s telling the truth “

Keiran turns and stares at him.

Silence falls.

For a moment, none of them move. Then Keiran sighs and sinks back into his chair. “Fine, you’ll stay with us. But make no mistake, little minx, if you bring trouble to my pack, I’ll be the one to end you.”

My heart pounds as Zoya touches my arm gently. “Come on. I’ll show you your room.”

As we leave, I feel their eyes follow me, their gazes heavy, curious, and something else I can’t quite name.

I should be terrified.

I am terrified. But beneath that fear, something hot and dangerous curls deep in my stomach.

Because for the first time since my sister’s death… I’m not running anymore.

And maybe, just maybe, the rogues of Blackthorn Ridge are far more dangerous than the Alphas who hunt me.