Chapter Two

RUE

I woke up slowly, my head pounding like someone had hit me with a brick. The room was dark, with heavy curtains blocking out most of the light. The sheets beneath me felt soft, and for a moment, I didn't know where I was. Panic set in fast. I sat up quickly, my heart pounding as I scanned the unfamiliar space around me.

"Where...where am I?" I muttered to myself, my voice shaky. My eyes darted to the door, and every muscle in my body tensed. I needed to get out of here.

I swung my legs off the bed, but before I could even stand, the door creaked open. A man walked in- tall, broad-shouldered, with dark hair and piercing green eyes that seemed to look right through me. He had this aura about him, like he was in control of everything around him. I froze.

"Good, you're awake," his voice was calm, soothingly calm.

Another man followed him- older, dressed in a white coat. A doctor.

"Who are you? Where am I?" I demanded, my voice rising with fear. I didn't trust any of this. I had to find a way out, fast. I glanced at the door, half-expecting Jess and Cassie to step in.

The older man stepped closer to me, holding up his hands as if to show he meant no harm. "Easy now," he said gently. "I'm Dr. Hale. You're fine. You were unconscious for a few hours, but there's no serious injury."

I stared at him, unsure whether to believe him or not. My mind was racing, trying to piece it all together. The last thing I remembered was being outside that hotel... then the car... then nothing.

The first man, the one with the intense eyes, stepped forward. "You're safe here, I found you before anything worse would happen."

"Why?" I blurted out, narrowing my eyes at him.

He didn't answer right away. Instead, he crossed his arms, watching me closely.

"My name is Kael. Kael Dagger. And I am the Alpha of the Darkblood Pack."

My heart skipped a beat. Darkblood? The rogue Pack? My blood ran cold at the mention of their name. They were notorious. Ruthless. Rogues who played by their own rules. If that was true, he should have left me for dead. I backed up a little on the bed, glancing toward the door.

"Darkblood? You're rogues. Why didn't you just leave me there?"

Kael raised an eyebrow, almost like he was amused by my fear. "If I wanted to harm you, I wouldn't have saved you in the first place," he simply said. "I have no interest in hurting you, Rue."

I blinked. How did he know my name?

Kael seemed to notice my confusion. "I know a lot of things. You're Rue, daughter of Alpha John of the Silverstone Pack." He paused, his eyes studying my face, almost surgically. "And I know what happened to you."

My stomach churned. "What... what do you mean?" I asked, though I was terrified of what he might say.

Kael gave a small nod to the doctor, who then left the room, leaving just the two of us. He walked closer to the bed, standing a few feet away, but for some reason his presence filled the room. "After your incident, your stepsister, Cassie, posted the video online."

I felt like the floor dropped out from under me. "No..." I whispered, shaking my head. My chest tightened, and I could barely breathe.

"Yes," Kael continued. "The video spread fast. Your father’s being threatened by the Pack elders. They've given him an ultimatum: disown you or lose his throne."

Everything he said to me felt like being hit with a sledgehammer. "No... this can't be happening..." I whispered, burying my face in my hands. "Cassie and Jessica... what did they do to me?"

I couldn't stop the tears now. Everything I'd feared, everything I'd tried to escape, was crashing down on me. My family, my Pack- everything was falling apart because of Cassie’s cruelty and Jessica’s betrayal.

Kael didn't move, but his voice softened, albeit slightly. "Your absence made things worse. People have assumed you're guilty because you disappeared after the video went up. I'm sorry I'm telling you this but you must know what's going on."

I wiped my face, trying to pull myself together, but the weight of it all was too much. I wanted to scream, to cry, to disappear. I didn't even get a chance to defend myself..."

I choked out, my voice breaking. "Everyone thinks I'm a...a..." I couldn't even say the word.

Kael was quiet for a moment, then he spoke again. "You have two choices," he said plainly. "You can let this destroy you. Or you can fight."

I looked up at him through the tears, confused. "What are you talking about?"

"I want to offer you a partnership," he said, his eyes locking onto mine. "I can help you clear your name and take back your rightful place as Luna of your Pack."

I frowned, not understanding why he would even care. "Why would you do that? What do you want?"

Kael smiled, but it wasn't a warm smile- it was sharp, almost calculating. "In return, I want your Pack's warriors and weapons. When you ascend as Luna, you will help me defeat the Moonswine Pack."

I couldn't believe what he had just said. Was he asking me to help him fight his war? There had been whispers of war between the Moonswine and the rogues, but I hadn't paid much attention. I was too wrapped up in my own problems. Now I was being asked to choose sides. Wasn't it a little too early for all this? I sat there, trying to process everything.

Kael Dagger, Alpha of a rogue Pack, was offering me a way out. But could I really trust him? His Pack was known for breaking the rules, for living on the edge of society. But then again... I had nothing left. My father was under pressure to disown me. My reputation was destroyed. I was alone.

"You want me to join hands with a rogue Pack?" I barely heard myself.

Everything was moving so fast for me to understand and assimilate what was happening.

Kael nodded. "We are not saints, Rue, but we are strong. And right now, you need someone strong by your side."

I swallowed hard, my mind was still racing frantically. He was right. I needed strength. I needed someone who could fight with me. But could I really trust a rogue. For all I knew he could be lying, but he wasn't. He knew about what my sisters had done. But that could mean anything. He could still be lying, trying to tell the story in his favour and get me to trust him. And yes, I was vulnerable right now, physically and emotionally. Could I really trust a rogue? Could I throw everything away and make a deal with someone like him?

Kael watched me closely, like he could see the battle going on inside my head. "Think about it, Rue. We're both warriors. We both have battles to fight. You help me, and I help you nothing more. Unless you want to go back to the people who just ruined your life."

I looked down at my hands, still trembling from the shock of everything. I didn't have many options. I was backed into a corner, and Kael was offering me a way out. I needed to get out of here, I needed to see my father, needed to speak with him.