"Never what? Never planned to challenge me?" He slammed his hands on the bars making me jump. The sound echoed through the cell block and somewhere in the distance, a prisoner screamed.

"Your father's power runs through your veins, Ariana. I saw you that day in the training grounds, pretending to be weak while your wolf vibrated with strength. The same strength that made your father unstoppable."

The pieces started falling into place. "So everything... every moment between us..."

"Was me making sure you stayed exactly where I needed you - powerless, hated and alone. The perfect plan, until Mara had to complicate things."

"Mara?" My knees felt weak.

"She saw you shifting in the woods," He leaned forward, close enough that I could smell the wine on his breath from the celebration. "Came to me all excited about defending your honor, about telling the pack they were wrong about you. She didn't understand what a threat you really are."

I wrapped my hands around myself as the final piece clicked into place.

"So you killed her," I whispered. "And made me take the blame."

“Two birds, one stone. It worked out better than I could have planned." he smirked, spreading his arms wide. "The pack's hatred for you grew even stronger, and now..." He gestured to his Alpha robes with a flourish. "I have everything I want."

Cynthia pressed closer to him even as she traced a finger along his chest. "And I get to be Luna. The position you thought was yours."

My fingers shook as anger flowed through my veins. "You spineless coward! You murdered an innocent woman and let me rot in here because you were afraid? Some Alpha you'll make—"

The air rushed from my lungs as his arm shot through the bars. His fingers dug into my throat and I could feel him crushing my windpipe. "Watch what you say. I'm your Alpha now." His grip tightened as he pulled me closer to the bars. "Your life belongs to me."

I clawed desperately at his hand, black spots dancing in my vision. My nails drew blood but he didn't even flinch. "What..." I wheezed as I struggled for each word. "What happened to...your promise?" I kicked weakly at the bars. "You said... you'd release me when you become Alpha."

He left my throat, and I collapsed against the floor, coughing.

"Oh, I'll release you as promised," he paced around. "But I promise you this—the release will be worse than staying in these cells."

"What do you mean?" I whispered.