THE ALPHA'S FORBIDDEN FLAME.

Talia's POV

I couldn't sleep.

No matter how hard I tried, my eyes refused to stay shut. Every time I closed them, my mind replayed everything that had happened; Elder Jared's warning, the talk of rogues, the danger, the way Ramon looked at me like I was something precious and fragile at the same time.

I had never been this scared in my life.

Everything about my life was happening too fast. One moment I was just trying to survive, the next I was trapped in a strange pack, surrounded by wolves, danger, secrets, and a man who had the nerve, the absolute audacity, to tell me I was his fated mate.

Fated mate. Fuck him.

The words made me want to laugh and scream at the same time.

Is this how my life is supposed to be now?

Hiding because of his problems? Living in fear because of enemies I didn't even know existed?

And the worst part?

I didn't even know who to believe.

Ramon said one thing. Selene said another. But what reason did Selene have to lie to me? What did she gain from turning me against him?

Nothing.

That thought settled heavily in my chest.

I swung my legs off the bed and stood up quietly.

I'm leaving.

I didn't care about any stupid bonds. I didn't believe in it anyway. Love didn't trap people like this. Fate didn't feel like fear and cages.

I pulled on a loose shirt and a pair of trousers, something easy to move in. I didn't bother with putting on my shoes. I held them in my hands instead.

The moon was high in the sky, bright enough to light my way.

Slowly, carefully, I opened the door to my room.

No guards.

Good.

I stepped into the hallway and closed the door behind me without a sound. My heart was pounding so hard I was sure someone would hear it. I moved on my toes, every step careful, every breath controlled.

I didn't want to wake anyone.

Especially not him.

The hallway felt longer than usual, like it was stretching just to test my courage.

When I finally reached the large door that led outside, relief flooded me.

Freedom was right there.

I reached for the handle.

"What the fuck do you think you're doing?"

Fuck.

My heart slammed violently against my ribs.

I turned slowly.

Ramon stood a few steps away from me, leaning against the wall like he had all the time in the world. His hands were tucked into his pockets, his face calm, but his eyes were sharp, dark, and angry.

Why was my heart beating like this?

It always betrayed me whenever he was close.

He pushed himself off the wall and started walking toward me, slow and deliberate.

"Talia," he said, his voice low. "Where the fuck are you going?"

Don't panic, I told myself.

Stand your ground.

Demand your freedom.

"I demand that you release me right now," I said, forcing the words out even though my throat felt tight.

For a second, he just stared at me.

Then he laughed.

He actually laughed.

Not a soft laugh. Not an amused one. A full, mocking laugh, like I had just told the funniest joke he'd ever heard.

My hands clenched around my shoes.

"What's funny?" I asked sharply.

His laughter died instantly.

His face went cold.

"Oh," he said flatly. "I thought this was some kind of joke."

"I'm damn serious," I snapped. "I'm not staying here."

He stepped closer. "Is it that you don't listen," he asked slowly, "or are you just outright stubborn?"

I lifted my chin. "I listen just fine. I just don't agree with you."

"What part of nowhere is safe don't you understand?" he shot back.

"I didn't ask for this!" I shouted, my voice echoing softly in the hall. "I didn't ask for your enemies or your bond or whatever madness this is!"

His jaw tightened. "And you think walking out alone into the night is smart?"

"I'd rather take my chances than live like a prisoner!"

That did it.

His eyes darkened, something dangerous flickering in them.

"From now on," he said, his voice firm and final, "you stay in my room."

I stared at him in disbelief. "Excuse me?"

"So I can always see you," he continued. "And know where you are."

"No," I said immediately. "Absolutely not."

I turned toward the door again.

I didn't even see him move.

One second I was reaching for the handle, the next I was lifted clean off the ground.

"Ramon!" I yelled.

He threw me over his shoulder like I weighed nothing.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" I shouted, pounding my fists against his back. "Put me down!"

"You're not leaving," he said calmly, already walking away from the door.

"I am not a child!"

"Then stop acting like one."

That made me furious.

"I hate you!" I yelled. "You don't own me!"

"You're right," he said. "I don't."

"Then let me go!"

"I can't," he replied.

The simple honesty in his voice stunned me.

He walked up the stairs, ignoring my protests, my struggles, my anger. No matter how much I kicked or hit him, he didn't even flinch.

"Why are you doing this?" I asked, my voice breaking despite myself.

He stopped walking.

For a moment, everything was quiet.

Then he said softly, "Because if anything happens to you, I won't survive it."

"That's a fucking lie," I said.

He carried me into his room and set me on my feet, but his hands stayed on my arms, steady and firm.

"This isn't about control," he said. "It's about survival."

"I don't trust you," I whispered.

"Just let me go. Forget that I exist ."

His expression softened, just a little.

"Whether you believe it or not," he said, "you're tied to me. And the world out there will use you to hurt me."

"You're not staying in this room with me," I said.

He turned slightly, his voice flat. "You don't tell me what to do."

He turned away, giving me space, but I could still feel his presence, solid, watchful.

I climbed onto the bed, my emotions tangled and heavy.

I still wanted to run.

But for the first time since I arrived here, I wondered if running was really the safest choice.

And that thought scared me more than anything else.