Book 3: "Blood and Ashes"

Chapter 1: The Collar of Submission

The pale morning light filtered through the narrow bars of Riley's cell, casting a faint, indifferent glow against the lifeless stone walls. It was a cruel reminder of the outside world, one that no longer belonged to her. The cold in the cell was unrelenting, seeping into her skin and deeper into her soul. Days blurred together, a haze of pain and despair, each moment a silent battle against the crushing weight of her new reality. Ravok’s control over her was total, and with each passing day, it dug deeper into every fiber of her being.

At the heart of that control was the collar around her neck—a cruel device designed for submission. Cold metal pressed against her skin, its weight a constant reminder of her captivity. This was no ordinary collar. Forged in demon fire and etched with pulsing runes, it suppressed her wolf, choking the bond between them. Each attempt to reach for her instincts was met with searing pain as the runes flared to punish her for defying Ravok’s power. When Ravok had first fastened it around her neck, she had felt a piece of herself being torn away, her wolf’s agony echoing through her soul.

The memory of that day haunted her—Ravok’s dark eyes gleaming with triumph as he fastened the collar with a resounding click, his words sinking deep. “This will remind you of your place. You are mine now, body and soul.”

Since that moment, every breath, every movement, was a reminder of her subjugation. The collar didn’t just restrain her physically; it silenced her wolf, stripped her of everything that made her who she was. The magic within it forced her to obey Ravok’s every command, and every act of rebellion came at a price too high to pay. The humiliation, the pain—both physical and emotional—was almost unbearable, but Riley refused to fully surrender. Somewhere deep inside, the spark of her old self lingered, waiting for the right moment to ignite.

A soft knock at the door jolted her from her thoughts. Her senses sharpened despite the collar’s oppressive weight. Hope flickered briefly, only to be crushed by the harsh reality. Hope was dangerous in this place—a poison that could destroy her if she let it take root.

The door creaked open, and Riley’s golden eyes narrowed. It was Mango. Once her trusted ally, now a shadow of the wolf she had known. His eyes were downcast, his body tense, his hands clenched.

“You,” Riley growled, standing tall despite the collar’s weight. “What do you want?”

Mango flinched, but his expression remained impassive. He briefly met her gaze before looking away. “I’ve come to deliver a message,” he said flatly.

Her chest tightened, the weight of betrayal heavy in the air between them. “So, you’re his lapdog now,” she spat. “Running errands for Ravok.”

For a moment, Mango’s jaw tightened, his eyes flickering with guilt before he quickly buried it. “I don’t have a choice.”

Riley’s fists clenched at her sides, the urge to scream at him overwhelming. She wanted to demand how he could betray everything they had fought for. But the truth was clear—neither of them had a choice. Ravok’s control was absolute, and the collar around her neck was proof of that.

“What does he want?” she asked, her voice trembling with a mix of anger and despair.

Mango hesitated, his hands flexing as though struggling with his own internal battle. “He requires your presence,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper. “Now.”

Riley glared at him, her golden eyes burning with defiance, though her heart ached with betrayal. She didn’t move at first, unwilling to show him the pain he had caused her. But after a long, tense silence, she stepped forward, her movements deliberate.

“I hope you know what you’ve done, Mango,” she said coldly, passing him. Her voice was sharp, but it trembled slightly. “I hope it’s worth it.”

Mango didn’t respond. He stood frozen in the doorway, his back to her, the tension in his posture betraying the turmoil within. Riley didn’t look back. She couldn’t. If she did, she feared she would see the ghost of the wolf she had once called a friend—and that would break her more than the collar ever could.

Her pup, Kael, remained close by, his small presence a quiet source of comfort despite the overwhelming danger. The wolf Kalthor, Ravok’s guard, was never far, watching Riley with the same cold, unfeeling eyes as he always had. Kalthor’s role was clear—to ensure Riley’s submission, to keep her in her place. His presence only intensified the isolation she felt, but Kael, innocent and unaware of the full weight of their situation, was the only light in her dark world.

Riley’s heart ached for her pup, knowing the danger they both faced, but as long as Kael was with her, she would fight—even if it was only in the silence of her own mind.