Chapter 4 Vivian's POV I head out for a run after breakfast, craving a slice of freedom. I slip into the forest and shift into Kova, my wolf form, a pristine white that turns heads whenever I run among my pack. White wolves are rare, and I adore the way our fur glistens in the sunlight. Too bad this pack will never see me like this. It's obvious from the way the members skirt around me-they've been instructed to keep their distance, no doubt by my darling husband. My twentieth birthday looms, and I don't feel the slightest inclination to celebrate. My life feels dead already, so why waste time on a meaningless ritual? Hours pass as I lose myself in the woods, running, shifting, living, until the sky darkens. Only when night settles do I return to the Packhouse, exhausted but alive. I step out of the shower, still shaking off the forest chill, when Alpha Orion storms into the room, a firestorm of rage. "Where did you go?" he bellows, and I tilt my head, momentarily confused. "I went on a run," I reply, steady and unapologetic. "You want me to believe you went on a run," he says, narrowing his eyes. I nod, unwavering. "What else would I be doing? I'm new here, so I figured I'd explore," I tell him. His glare doesn't soften in the slightest. "And you didn't think to inform me through the mind link?" he demands. "I didn't think I mattered that much," I say flatly. "You made it clear: if I run, you'll kill everyone I care about. That's plenty of motivation not to run." He steps closer, closing the space between us, and for the first time, he towers over me in a way that makes my chest race. I'm five foot five. He's six foot six. Tall, intimidating, dominating. My heart pounds-not with fear, exactly, but something raw, something untamed, that feels like adrenaline mixed with exasperation. I meet his gaze, refusing to flinch. "There are troublesome wolves out there," he says casually, but I can't help the smile tugging at my lips. "I can handle myself, Alpha. I'm not as weak as I look," I assure him, voice steady. He smirks at me, a slow, dangerous curve of his lips. "If you get yourself killed, I will wipe out your pack," he threatens. The unfairness of it fuels my anger. "What if I die by accident?" I ask, curious how far his twisted reasoning stretches. He doesn't answer. Instead, he spins and slams the door, leaving the pounding in my chest unrelenting. I sink onto the bed, restless. My body thrums with need and frustration. I decide to touch myself, hoping to calm the tension coiling between my legs. Spreading my thighs, I slide a hand inside my pants, imagining the perfect man who doesn't exist in reality. I rub my clit slowly, deliberately, forcing my mind to invent something else. Alpha Orion's face flashes in my thoughts, and guilt spikes sharply. I shouldn't fantasize about him. He's cruel. He's evil. But my body doesn't care. Desperate, I twist reality: I give him red hair in my imagination, inventing a twin I could like. I moan, soft cries escaping, tears slicking my cheeks, until the pleasure finally breaks over me. I push further, sliding my finger inside myself to ease the clenching, and eventually, the tension ebbs. Shame hits immediately. I curl in on myself, chastising my own desire. Attraction toward him is forbidden. He is wicked, and yet, for survival, I realize I need a release, a way to survive the physical urge when my emotional life is dead. I grab a few movies, trying to invent new faces, new fantasies-anything to escape the reality of Orion. Creativity becomes my lifeline, a dangerous substitute for freedom. The next day unfolds with quiet monotony. I linger longer in the forest than usual, savoring the act of defiance, eager to see how Alpha Orion will react. I don't like him-I don't want to-but his attention is the only interaction I can coax out of anyone here. None of the pack members dare engage with me, leaving me with him as my unwilling companion. I shower, anticipating a confrontation, but he never comes. I tell myself it's because he already vented his rage the night before. Exhausted, I collapse into bed, vowing to find some semblance of purpose tomorrow. Morning comes slow. I eat breakfast and lounge for a while, pretending to rest before venturing out. When I finally prepare to leave, I discover the door is locked. Panic prickles up my spine. I bang on it hard, repeatedly, but no one answers. I can't break it down; I refuse to damage his property. Aggravating him could have deadly consequences, so I pace, helpless, seething. Then I hear him, inside my head, smooth and infuriating. "Good morning, dear wife. This is punishment for defying me and coming home very late last night," he sneers, and the connection dies. I burn with rage. How dare he be so inconsiderate? Going out is the only sliver of freedom in this hell, and he dares punish me for it. I pace, fists clenching, trying to force a mind link, attempting to make him see reason. He refuses, shutting me out, and I feel my fury boil over. Lunch arrives, and I pretend calm, removing my shoes but leaving my clothes untouched. At precisely the right moment, before the omega can anticipate me, I bolt. Barefoot, I sprint into the forest, Kova at my side, heart hammering. I run until I reach the lake I discovered yesterday. Without hesitation, I strip and plunge into the cool water, reveling in freedom and defiance. Alpha Orion will not control this moment. Not here, not ever. After swimming, I let my skin dry and pull my clothes back on, strolling through the forest to soak in the scenery. The air smells of pine and freedom, and for a heartbeat, I forget Orion's chains. Then a growl rips through the woods. My senses snap alert. Kova's hackles rise, and instinct takes over. We shift, muscles coiling, fur bristling. I break into a run, but the rogue wolf is faster. A massive blur of fur slams into me, sending me skidding into a tree with a sickening crunch. Pain flares, but there's no time to falter. Survival demands confrontation. I push to my feet. The rogue Alpha stands before me, teeth bared, hunting. My training kicks in. I lunge, teeth and claws flashing, the fight raw and violent. We crash through trees, biting, scratching, throwing each other to the ground. I'm skilled, nearly on par with an alpha breed. I grit my teeth, channeling every ounce of power into this one fight. Finally, I find an opening, my jaws clamping around its throat. Blood gushes as I hear the last, desperate whimper. Relief and exhaustion crash through me. I limp back toward the Packhouse, Kova injured, our blood soaking the forest floor. Vision blurs, muscles scream, but I push forward, driven by survival and defiance. By the time we reach the Packhouse, exhaustion overcomes us. We collapse just outside, bodies trembling, breaths shallow, but alive. Alive and unwilling to surrender. Title: Crown of Vengeance In "Crown of Vengeance" by CrushReel, delve into a gripping tale of betrayal and redemption. Unravel the intricate web of deceit as a woman's life is shattered by family secrets and a tragic twist of fate. Amid themes of revenge, family dynamics, and dark revelations, this ongoing drama unfolds within the walls of a mysterious mansion where past wrongs resurface to haunt the present. Discover the depths of human emotion as our protagonist navigates a world filled with deception and hidden agendas. What sets "Crown of Vengeance" apart is its nuanced exploration of complex relationships and the quest for justice in the face of overwhelming odds. Available to read at CrushReel, this story promises a riveting journey through the shadows of the past towards a future where truth may ultimately prevail.