Book 3: "Blood and Ashes"

Chapter 3: Whispers Of Rebellion

Riley stood in the center of Ravok’s throne room, the air thick with the oppressive heat of the Demon King’s presence. The room itself seemed alive, its dark stone walls veined with crimson, casting shadows that danced to the rhythm of flickering flames. The throne, a grotesque masterpiece of obsidian and bone, towered high above, framing Ravok in a dark silhouette. He lounged there, his glowing red eyes fixed on her with unnerving intensity, a smirk curling his lips as he observed her every move.

Her chains clinked softly as she shifted, their weight a constant reminder of her submission. The collar around her neck, etched with demonic runes, pulsed faintly, its magic binding her will to his. Each time she thought of defying him, the collar burned against her skin, a harsh reminder of her place.

"You’ve been quiet, Riley," Ravok's voice echoed through the chamber, low and menacing, filling the space with dread. "Too quiet. Tell me, are you plotting something in that clever little mind of yours?"

Riley kept her gaze lowered, unwilling to give him the satisfaction of seeing her fury. Her hands were clenched into fists at her sides, her body taut with the struggle to keep her composure. Kael, her young pup, clung to her leg, his small form trembling but resolute. Kalthor, Ravok’s loyal guard wolf, stood beside them—massive, menacing, and unwavering—his golden eyes watching Riley as though waiting for her to make a move, ready to restrain her at the slightest sign of defiance.

“I have nothing to plot,” Riley replied, forcing her voice to remain steady despite the storm swirling inside her. “I’ve made my choice.”

Ravok chuckled, the sound like a blade scraping against stone. He rose from his throne with deliberate, predatory grace, each step carrying the weight of his power.

“I don’t believe you,” he murmured, stopping just inches away from her. His hand reached out, tracing the edge of the collar around her neck. The touch was cold, electric, and Riley fought not to recoil, forcing herself to stand tall, despite the burning pain the collar caused with every rebellious thought she had.

“You forget, little wolf,” he whispered, his breath a chilling caress against her ear. “I can feel your rebellion. It’s like a spark in the darkness, faint but persistent. And you know what I do with sparks?”

He gripped the collar tighter, the runes flaring to life, sending a wave of agony through her. Riley gasped, her knees buckling, but she refused to fall. She would not give him that victory.

“I extinguish them,” Ravok finished, his voice dark and final.

Riley clenched her jaw, biting down to stifle the cry that threatened to break free. The pain was excruciating, but she held on to her defiance, clinging to the fire inside her. When she met Ravok’s gaze, her golden eyes were blazing with a fury that even he couldn’t ignore.

“You can try,” she spat, her voice trembling but resolute. “But you’ll never break me.”

For a fleeting moment, something flickered in Ravok’s expression—a brief flash of amusement, or perhaps admiration—before it vanished, replaced by his usual cold, calculating demeanor.

“Ah, Riley,” he said, releasing the collar and stepping back. “That fire is exactly why I chose you. You think it makes you strong, but it’s what makes you mine. As long as it burns, I’ll always have something to control.”

He turned away, his cloak swirling around him like a shadow. Riley remained still, her body trembling from the aftershocks of the pain, her breath shallow. She didn’t dare look up at him again, her mind fixed on the weight of the collar and the knowledge of her circumstances. Kalthor remained beside her, his steely gaze locked onto hers as if reminding her that escape was not an option—not without his watchful eyes.

“Remember this,” Ravok called over his shoulder as he left the room. “You’re not here to fight. You’re here to serve. And if you can’t do that willingly..." His voice trailed off, leaving the threat hanging in the air.

When he was gone, Riley’s knees finally gave way, and she sank to the cold stone floor. Her breath hitched in her throat as the weight of it all pressed in on her—her pup, her pack, her own survival—all tied to the choices she was forced to make. She pulled Kael closer, pressing him to her side, and he whimpered softly, sensing the tension in the air. Kalthor growled lowly, a reminder that she was never truly alone.

Riley’s eyes drifted to the collar around her neck, the faint glow of the runes mocking her helplessness. She wasn’t just bound to Ravok—she was bound to his rules, to the presence of Kalthor at her side, always watching, always there to keep her in line.

Her heart swelled with a mix of love and fear for Kael. She would endure, for him. And one day, she would find a way to escape. For now, she would hold on to the small moments, to her son’s warmth against her and the memory of her pack’s faces. They were her light in the dark, and she wouldn’t let them be extinguished—no matter how many chains bound her.

In the silence that followed, as the weight of her submission settled around her, Riley whispered under her breath, “I will never give up. Not for you. Not for anyone.”

And though her voice was barely a murmur, Kalthor’s keen ears caught it, his eyes flickering with a dark understanding.