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~ Coyote Run ~ Part One

© Cederwyn Whitefurr

28** th **** March 2025**

All Rights Reserved.

The hunt had begun.

Kai ran, paws kicking up loose dirt as he cut through the underbrush, lungs burning with every breath. The world had shifted overnight—one moment, he’d been free, the next, every cutthroat, mercenary, and two-bit mage with a grudge had his scent.

Selene’s bounty wasn’t just a price on his head. It was a summons wrapped in blood and desperation. The kind of mark that whispered promises of power to those who brought him in—dead or alive.

And Selene didn’t care which.

*

Chapter One: Ties that Bind

Their nights together had been frequent over the years—each one a game of seduction, a dance of power and desire. At first, it had amused Kai to toy with a powerful Black Witch, to see how far he could push her limits. But last night... that had changed. It wasn’t fun anymore. Fun had become a shadow of itself, a twisted reflection of something far darker.

The witch’s magic had cracked something inside him, something he hadn’t even known was fragile. Her sacrifices, the whispers of demonic power, the rituals—everything had felt different this time. It wasn’t just the intoxicating pleasure of her touch. No, it was more than that. It was the raw, suffocating sense that her power was seeping into him, wrapping around him like a noose, tightening with every passing moment.

As she stood at the window, bathed in moonlight, her back to him, Kai’s eyes tracked her every movement. Her fingers twitched, weaving threads of magic in the air, muttering to herself in an ancient tongue. She was lost in her ritual, intoxicated by her power, oblivious to him. To her, he was a loyal pet, obedient and pliable, ready to follow her every whim.

She believed him submissive, a creature who had no choice but to submit to her dominance. He was merely an experiment to her—a test subject, her toy. He’d become her plaything, and the collar she had crafted was the final step in her twisted design. She was convinced that she could break any creature, mold them into whatever shape she desired, and Kai—foolishly indulging in her games—had been her most prized acquisition.

Her eyes gleamed as she explained the collar’s true purpose. It wasn’t just to control him. No, it was far more intricate than that. She had made it to be a tool—a weapon. She had told him how the collar was designed to tame the wildest beasts, the werewolves, turning them into docile, loyal protectors. It was a prototype, still in its trial phase, but she was confident that it would soon be perfected with enough subjects like Kai. And Kai was to be the perfect model. The collar was meant to break him, to strip away any sense of autonomy, to turn him into nothing more than a pet to obey her every command.

But that wasn’t true. Not anymore.

Fun had been fun, but something had changed last night, which had shattered the illusion. The thrill was gone, replaced by a gnawing sense of dread. Her magic—her absolute control—had wrapped around him, threatening to suffocate him. She was growing more powerful, and he could feel it in the air. Soon, she’d find a way to truly own him, and he wasn’t about to let that happen.

Kai stretched on the bed, listening to the witch hum in the corner, a low, sensual sound as she prepared another ritual. Her back was still turned, giving him the opportunity he needed. His eyes flicked to the collar resting on the bedside table, the thing that had started it all. It had been around his neck for a month now, but Kai knew better than to think it was just a simple piece of jewellery.

It wasn’t a mere trinket—it was a weapon. A key. The leverage he needed to escape.

Her voice broke through his thoughts, her tone dark and commanding as she spoke without turning. “Stay, my pet. I look forward to another round. Perhaps this time, I’ll indulge in your more feral self.”

Her words felt like chains, wrapping around him. The collar—her collar—was a constant reminder of his subjugation. It was cold, unnatural, suffocating him from the inside out. But now, the magic no longer controlled him. It only had as much power over him as he allowed it. Her illusion of control was slipping, and Kai wasn’t about to let her regain it.

With a sharp inhale, he let himself fall onto the bed, his body going limp, eyes flicking to the door. She was still there, lost in her dark spellwork. Her confidence in him, her belief that he was utterly broken, was her greatest weakness.

When she left the room, her presence lingering like a foul breeze, Kai felt the moment of release he had been waiting for.

The air felt lighter. The oppressive weight of her magic, once so suffocating, lifted from him as if it had never been there. He blinked, the world sharpening around him. His senses, dulled by her influence, surged back. The power of the collar, once so absolute, was now a faint whisper in the back of his mind. He could still feel it, but it was weak, almost impotent.

Now, I have a choice.

His gaze snapped to the collar on the bedside table. It had once been the symbol of his servitude, a thing that held him in place, kept him bound. But now, it was just a tool. A key. A weapon, but no longer a master.

Kai's fingers twitched, his breath coming faster. He could feel the magic that had bound him. It was still there, still clawing at his soul, but it was weak. She had underestimated him. She thought him broken. She thought him a pet.

She had been wrong.

He moved, almost gracefully, his muscles coiling as he began to shift. The sensation of his body changing was both uncomfortable and exhilarating. His bones cracked, reshaping as he sank lower to the ground. The coyote form suited him—his senses heightened, his instincts flaring. The change was quick, sharp, a rush of power that flowed through him like wildfire.

But Kai paused, just for a moment.

In the stillness, the remnants of the witch’s power tugged at him, like an invisible leash, trying to reassert control. He let out a slow breath, resisting the pull. This was his choice. Not hers.

The door clicked shut behind him. He was alone.

He turned to the window. The cold night air filtered through the crack, alive with the promise of freedom.

He approached the window with quiet, measured steps. His coyote form was lithe, swift. He cracked the window open and slipped through it like a shadow, the cool night air rushing in, thick with the scent of freedom. Every instinct urged him forward.

The witch would return to find him gone. And when she did, she’d know. She’d know that the collar she had crafted—the thing she believed would make him hers—was now nothing more than a symbol of her failure.

I’m done being your plaything.

Kai’s claws tapped against the pavement as he dropped into the alley below. He moved swiftly, disappearing into the night, knowing he would not be coming back.

.

*

Chapter Two: Return of the Witch.

When the witch returned to her chambers, the first thing that hit her wasn’t just the emptiness of the bed or the cold absence of Kai’s scent—it was the unsettling silence. It wasn’t soothing; it was suffocating, the kind of quiet that settled over you like a weight, pressing down on your chest. It felt wrong, as if something precious had been stolen, leaving only the void behind.

Her eyes flicked to the space where he had been. Her breath hitched. No trace of him. No sign. Nothing.

Her fingers twitched, instinctively reaching for the familiar threads of his presence, pulling at the fabric of her magic, but the connection was weak. The room hummed with her power, yet there was nothing. No pull, no tug—just empty air.

Her heartbeat quickened. She took a step back, her mind scrambling. No. No, no, no…

Kai.

The realization struck her like a physical blow. He was gone. But that wasn’t the worst of it. The collar—the collar—her perfect creation, the thing she had poured months of ritual, blood, and intent into, was no longer on his neck.

Her throat tightened. Her vision blurred for a moment, a flash of red anger. She staggered back, her breath catching in her chest. The collar had been her masterpiece. It was more than just a tool—it was the symbol of her power, her control. Crafted to bind him to her will, to make him her puppet. It was the key to everything.

With it, she would control not just Kai, but all the supernatural forces that threatened her. The werewolves, the vampires, the fae—they would all bow before her. The other covens would submit to her as their goddess. She would be unstoppable. And now, it was gone.

Her hands curled into fists, nails digging into her palms, her body trembling with fury. She had never felt anything like this—this overwhelming rage, this crushing sense of loss. He had taken it. He hadn’t just fled—he had stolen from her. Stolen her greatest achievement. Stolen the one thing that could have given her everything.

She could still feel it—the remnants of his resistance. His shifter magic, stubborn and defiant, pushing back against the collar’s hold. She had underestimated him. She had thought the collar would break him, make him bend to her will, but instead, it had failed. And now, he had taken it, taking her power, her future.

Her lips curled into a snarl, her breath coming in ragged gasps. “You think you’ve won?” she hissed, her voice a growl thick with venom. “You fool.”

She would find him. She would hunt him down. She would tear apart everything he cared about, everything he thought he could protect. The collar would be hers again. And when it was, it would bind him—not just to her, but to her ambitions.

Her magic crackled violently around her, swirling with her fury. The air was thick with the taste of power, crackling like an electric storm. She reached out with trembling fingers, searching for the last traces of his presence, the remnants of his scent. His magick lingered, but it was fading, slipping through her grasp like smoke.

The collar was the key. The final piece. With it, she would control everything. And she would start with him.

Her eyes narrowed as she muttered under her breath, a dangerous promise. “Run, Kai. Run while you still can. It won’t be long before I find you. And when I do…” A cruel smile twisted her lips. “You’ll beg me to make you my pet again.”

Her power surged with her dark anticipation, an unstoppable force building inside her. She was going to reclaim what was rightfully hers—no matter the cost. Nothing would stand in her way.

*

Chapter Three: Shadows of the Past

Kai’s coyote form streaked through the alleyways, paws slick against the wet pavement, moving with the precision of a predator. The city pulsed with life around him, oblivious to the danger lurking just beneath the surface. But beneath the surface of his mind, something gnawed at him—something far deeper than instinct or hunger, twisting in his gut like a gnawing ache.

The collar—it was his mistake. One defiant act that had cost him his safety. He had stolen it, and now he couldn’t escape it.

When he shifted into his coyote form, the collar had vanished, hidden deep within the recesses of his magic. But its presence? That remained. It had become a part of him.

He could feel it now—its weight, its power—pressing against his consciousness like a silent predator. The collar’s magic—dark, malignant—coursed through his veins, pulling at his will, urging him to submit.

Obey.

Kai’s golden eyes narrowed as he navigated the shadows, every flicker of movement around him sharp and clear. He was a marked man now—a thief in the night—and soon, the city would know it. The witch would make sure of that.

With every step he took, the collar’s influence squeezed tighter, its power rising inside him like a rising tide, pressing against his thoughts, clouding his clarity. It wasn’t just the phantom weight of it, the way it slipped from his reach like water. It was her—her presence, still haunting him, curling around his mind like smoke, suffocating him.

The collar whispered louder now, its voice insistent. It was calling to him, urging him back to her. Back to the witch. Back to submission.

His thoughts jagged. No. Never again.

His paws scraped the wet pavement as he pushed harder, faster, the streets blurring around him. The city seemed to close in, the air thick with the scent of something... familiar. His senses flared—sharp, undeniable.

Fae.

Someone from his past. Someone who knew how to acquire things—rare, magical, illicit things.

A fleeting thought entered his mind: selling the collar. The fae would offer fortune and favours, but there was always a catch. What would they want in return?

The vampire coteries would covet it, see it as a way to control the werewolves. But would they be willing to pay enough?

And the werewolves? They’d fear it. Destroy it. Too dangerous for anyone to control. But would they pay for that?

His mind spun, desperate to find a way out, any way to rid himself of it. His heart pounded against his ribs, the steady rhythm matching the pounding of his paws on the pavement. Who would pay the most for it?

Rival witches... They would do anything for it. They’d want to control it, enslave with it. The temptation gnawed at him, the idea of selling it. But he knew the cost. Whoever held it, whoever bought it... they would own him just as surely as the witch had.

I’m no one’s tool, Kai’s thoughts sharpened, fury rising in his chest.

He wasn’t about to let himself be anyone’s pawn again. Not hers. Not anyones.

But the collar’s grip tightened. His claws dug into the pavement, his breath quickening. It knew. It could feel his hesitation, his wavering resolve. The pressure grew, building inside him, a storm of power and domination. The witch’s voice echoed through his mind, soft as a breath. Come back to me, Kai.

His teeth ground together as his pace quickened. He wouldn’t go back. He couldn’t. Not now. Not ever.

His body responded to the pressure, his muscles tense, aching. His heart hammered in his chest as he ran. Every step was a battle, every breath a struggle against the call of the collar, the weight of its magic pressing on his very soul.

The scent of power still hung thick in the air, the fae’s scent tempting him. But it wasn’t enough to sway him. Not now. Not while the collar still burned inside him, poisoning his spirit and mind like an extension of the witch’s will.

He couldn’t sell it. He couldn’t. The only answer was to destroy it. To rid himself of it for good.

He had to sever the connection, no matter the cost.

*

Chapter Four: Ill Met by Moonlight – Part One

Kai slept in a tight, trembling ball, his fur ruffled by the cold concrete of the alley. Exhaustion had finally won, dragging him into a restless slumber, a brief respite he rarely got to enjoy. Life as a shifter in a world full of humans and dangerous supernatural creatures never allowed for peace. But tonight, sleep came as a much-needed escape, though his mind refused to let go of the fear still lingering from the danger he’d just barely escaped.

His instincts should've warned him. Should've made his senses flare the moment something—someone—predatory approached. The hairs on the back of his neck should’ve stood on end. But tonight, the bone-deep weariness dulled them, the sharp edge of his senses blunted by the cold and his fading energy.

He didn’t hear the heavy, padded footsteps at first, nor the shift in the air as something—someone—closed in. It wasn’t until a brutal grip closed around the nape of his neck that he had any chance to react.

A yank, violent and sudden, tore him from his sleep. Everything spun—one moment, he was on the cold concrete, and the next, his back was slammed against the brick wall of the alley. The impact stole the breath from his lungs, and golden eyes snapped open to meet the glowing yellow gaze of his captor.

The werewolf loomed over him—a massive blur of muscle and fur, its hot, sour breath mixing with the stench of the alley. Teeth gleamed white and sharp in the dim light, the growl rumbling deep in its chest vibrating against Kai’s skull. Panic surged, but his claws scrambled helplessly against the iron grip that lifted him off the ground.

Fight. Move. His instincts screamed at him to act, to break free, but his body betrayed him. The pressure around his throat and the sudden fear surged into him like a tidal wave, dragging him under.

“Well, well,” the werewolf growled, its voice dark, amused. “Our Alpha wants to talk to you… now.”

Kai’s pulse thudded in his ears, and his breath came in shallow gasps. The grip around his throat tightened, cutting off his air supply, and panic rose like a chokehold on his chest. He opened his mouth, trying to speak, but his voice was a hoarse rasp. "I—listen, we can—"

The werewolf snarled, its grip tightening with terrifying strength. The bones in Kai’s neck creaked under the pressure. "One word," it hissed, "and I’ll tear your tongue out. Let’s see how you lie without it."

The warning struck Kai like a blow to the gut, and in that moment, he knew he was utterly helpless. No escape. No witty comebacks. No way out. His mind scrambled for any solution, but everything faded in the face of the beast’s overwhelming power.

His pride, his sharp tongue—useless. They couldn’t save him now.

Kai went limp, fear crawling up his spine, mingling with the brutal reality of his situation. The fight drained out of him. The werewolf’s presence was overwhelming, its control so absolute that even his sharpest instincts had no purchase. He couldn’t escape. He could only endure.

His mind spiraled, grasping at the last threads of defiance, but it all crashed down on him. One bad deal. One reckless mistake. And now? He was paying for it in full.

The werewolf’s teeth flashed, a gleaming promise of the violence that awaited him. "I've got no time for your games, coyote," it growled, its voice dripping with menace. "You should’ve thought about that before you crossed our Alpha. Let’s go."

Kai’s heart pounded in his chest as the beast dragged him forward, its grip unyielding. His surroundings blurred as they moved deeper into the shadows, each step dragging him further away from the alley, further into the nightmare that awaited him. With a sickening certainty, he knew—the worst was yet to come.

*

Chapter Four: Ill Met By Moonlight – Part 2: The Price of Boldness

Kai was dragged through the dark, narrow alleyways of the city, the hum of distant traffic and the occasional sound of footsteps fading into the background. His heart thudded in his chest, each step heavier than the last. His tail was tucked low, pressed tightly between his legs, and his movements were slow, each one calculated in the hopes that he wouldn’t give the pack any reason to react. The shifters—predators and prey alike—moved with a practiced silence, the shadows their allies, their eyes gleaming with secrets and hunger.

The weight of the pack’s presence was palpable. Kai had crossed the wrong line, and now, he was paying the price. He knew better than to defy the Alpha—knew that his charm and audacity had no place here. The Alpha’s territory was a domain of dominance and submission, and Kai had been far too bold, pushing boundaries that should have remained untouched.

When they reached the heart of the Alpha’s den, a stark, abandoned building on the outskirts of the city, the sense of dread intensified. The Alpha’s territory was more than just her physical space—it was a fortress of power and control, a reminder of her unyielding rule over all that dared enter.

The door swung open with a loud creak, and Kai was shoved inside. He stumbled but regained his footing, his eyes immediately drawn to the Alpha standing in the centre of the room, illuminated by the pale light from the cracked windows. Her eyes glowed like twin flames, burning with a fury that seemed to fill the entire room. She was massive, her wolf form towering over him, her fur gleaming under the dim light.

“You’ve been a very bad little coyote,” she purred, her voice low and dripping with menace.

Kai's ears flattened, and his gaze dropped to the floor. He lowered himself slightly, an instinctual reaction that made his body go slack. His tail was still tucked, but his eyes flicked upward, meeting the intensity of her gaze. There was something in her eyes that made his pulse quicken—not just anger, but something more. Something dangerous.

The Alpha took a step forward, and Kai’s heart skipped a beat. “You’ve amused me, little coyote,” she murmured, her voice barely a whisper. “What you did for me… was… wonderful.”

Kai’s breath caught. He had expected anger, punishment—but this? This was something different. Her words hung in the air like a dark promise, and for a moment, it felt as if the tension between them could snap at any second.

The coyote lifted his head slightly, his eyes widening, as if he didn’t quite understand. But then, in a split second, his sly grin returned—too confident, too daring. His posture, still submissive but laced with defiance, let his intention slip, and he barely managed to hide the glint of pride in his gaze.

“Of course, Alpha,” he purred back, his voice smooth, playful, a little too casual. “I’m always happy to please.”

The Alpha’s lips curled into a dangerous smile, but her eyes darkened, and just as quickly, the playful air between them vanished. Without warning, she lunged.

Kai didn’t have time to react. One moment, he was standing there, eyes locked with hers; the next, he found himself flat on his back, the weight of her body pinning him down. Her paws were on his shoulders, sharp claws digging into his skin, and her teeth were bared, inches from his throat.

The breath was knocked out of him, his chest heaving with the force of her attack. His body was frozen, pinned beneath her, the power of her presence too overwhelming to ignore.

The Alpha growled, the sound low and menacing. “Seducing and bedding my mate… was not part of the agreement,” she snarled, her voice dripping with pure rage.

Kai’s heart skipped a beat, and he found himself struggling for air. His eyes widened in shock, realising just how far he had pushed things. The Alpha’s fury was palpable, the heat of her body radiating through his chest, and her massive form eclipsed his own in every sense.

The coyote swallowed hard, trying to speak, but his voice caught in his throat. His body remained limp beneath her, his mind racing for a way out, any way to avoid the worst. He had been daring, yes. But he hadn’t thought it would come to this. He had miscalculated—and now, the consequences were inevitable.

His voice was shaky when he finally managed to speak. “Alpha, please... I didn’t mean for it to go this far…”

Her teeth flashed, her gaze cold as ice. She leaned down, her hot breath brushing against his ear. “You will learn, little coyote. You’ll learn what happens when you make me angry.”

Kai could barely breathe, his pulse pounding in his ears. He felt the grip of her paws tighten, a warning he couldn’t ignore. The heat of her anger was like a physical weight, pressing down on him, suffocating him. He could feel her dominance over him, could feel the crushing power of her position.

But even with the terror clawing at him, there was still a flicker of something in his chest—something like pride, something like defiance. He was a coyote, after all, and he had always been able to slip free of tight spots before.

But now? Now he wasn’t sure.

All he could do was lie there, trapped beneath her, his body at her mercy, knowing that the path he had chosen could lead to his end. His mind raced, searching for an escape, for a way to turn the situation to his advantage.

But the Alpha wasn’t giving him a chance.

As her claws dug into his shoulders, she growled once more. “You belong to me now, little coyote. And you will never forget that again.”

And for the first time in his life, Kai understood just how deep the fire he had jumped into truly burned.

"Give me one reason I shouldn't eat you..." Her breath, hot and moist, washed over him, the words slipping from her lips like a growl wrapped in honey.

Kai’s smirk didn’t waver. He felt the weight of her paws on his shoulders, the strength in her grip, but he was Kai, always able to talk his way out of trouble. Always. His tail flicked nervously beneath him, but he wasn’t going to show it. He’d been in worse scrapes before.

“Like last time?” He shot back, his voice dripping with insolence. The words felt good in his mouth, like a challenge.

Her jaws snapped shut with a sickening crunch, so close to his throat that he could feel the heat of them against his fur. The air around him seemed to freeze, the weight of her presence suddenly suffocating. The smirk faltered, just for a second.

“…Your heart, raw, whilst you’re still alive…”

Kai’s bravado crumbled in an instant. That was no joke. That was death, and it was right there, breathing down his neck. But he wasn’t about to let her see that he was rattled.

"Uh... my lady... I have... I know things..." His voice was smoother than he felt, a little quiver creeping in, but he fought it back with every ounce of self-assurance he had left.

Her eyes narrowed, suspicious, her gaze burning into his soul. “You better speak truth, or you’ll make a lovely pre-dawn snack.”

He gulped, the sound deafening in the silence. But he wasn’t stupid—he knew when to spill the beans. He’d always had a knack for using his charm to get by, and this was no different. He just needed to play it right. Just a little more time, and he’d talk his way out of this.

“I’ve heard… rumours, that the Coven, the witches, well, one... coven, are in negotiations with the Vampires, and... they've gotten weaponry and... and they’re going to start hunting the wolf packs. I know where...” His voice was steady, though his heart pounded in his chest. He wasn’t sure what he was really saying, but it sounded good. Seemed like the kind of thing she'd care about.

Her eyes flickered with something—interest, maybe, or maybe it was just hunger. The silence between them stretched long and tense, and he could feel his breath catching in his throat. Her jaws were right there, just a few inches from his skin. One wrong move, and it would all be over.

Her gaze never wavered, and she didn’t say anything at first, just let the weight of the moment drag on, suffocating. The thick scent of her presence filled his senses. Saliva dripped, warm and slick, onto his throat, making him stiffen despite himself.

“So you think… you think I would believe you, little coyote?” she asked, voice cold, a mocking edge creeping in. “What makes you so sure?”

He could feel her power press against him, almost crushing him under its weight, but he wasn’t going to back down. Not now. He had the upper hand, didn’t he? He always had. But deep inside, a sinking feeling began to form. Maybe—just maybe—he had finally overestimated himself.

*

Chapter Four: Ill Met By Moonlight – Part III

Kai’s pulse hammered in his ears, each beat a drum that echoed in the quiet space as he lay beneath the Alpha. The weight of his confession hung heavily between them, pressing down like a physical burden. Every moment stretched on, thick with the tension he’d invited. He hadn’t expected this. She was listening—really listening. But what would she do with the information? What would she do with him?

His breath came in shallow gasps, but he kept his voice steady, each word chosen like a calculated move in a deadly game. “I know when, I know where... they’re making their move soon. They’ve already secured weapons—enough to do damage. The vampires are their muscle.” He studied her, watching every flicker of her expression as her eyes scanned him, calculating.

The Alpha’s claws dug into his fur again, but this time it wasn’t with the same crushing force. She was thinking. Evaluating. He had her attention. This was the moment he either turned the tide or sealed his fate.

“You expect me to believe that?” she growled, her voice low, dangerous. But beneath that, there was something else—a thread of curiosity, maybe even hunger for more information.

Kai didn’t flinch. He met her gaze with unwavering intensity. “I’m telling you the truth,” he said, his words quiet but firm. “They’ve got plans. The coven’s leadership is tired of the status quo. They want power—more than just the ability to curse or brew potions. They want to control the wolves. Take you and yours out.” His throat tightened, the words bitter on his tongue, but he forced them out anyway. “And they’ll do it by any means necessary. The vampires are hungry for an edge. This is their chance.”

Silence stretched between them, thick and oppressive. His body screamed in protest beneath her, muscles aching with the pressure of her weight, but he didn’t dare move. Her gaze sharpened as she took in his words, her eyes calculating, flicking over him like a predator sizing up its prey.

“What’s your involvement in this?” she asked, voice low with suspicion. Her body tensed again, and Kai felt a flicker of fear, but he swallowed it down, letting a smirk play on his lips.

“I’m a coyote,” he said, his voice light, feigning nonchalance. “Nobody notices me. I see things, hear things... I use my cunning, my stealth to spy. I’m not physically strong, dominant, or powerful…” He added that last part quickly, massaging her ego just enough to make her feel larger than life.

“You’re a threat,” he continued, leaning into his words with quiet assurance. “You’re powerful, strong—the apex predator of the Witches. They fear you, and the vampires want to control you, make you their pets.”

The shift in her claws was subtle, but he felt it—the tension tightening again. But it wasn’t enough. He had to push.

“Wolves aren’t the only ones with eyes and ears in this city,” he said, his tone cool, laced with a quiet truth. He could sense the Alpha’s gaze narrowing as she took the bait, as her claws dug deeper into his fur, drawing blood this time.

“We are nobody’s pets,” she snarled, her fangs flashing as her anger rose once more. “You want me to believe that you’re not just trying to save your hide?” Her voice was icy now, and the accusation stung, but beneath it, there was still something else—curiosity, perhaps, or something darker. “That you’ve come by all this with no ulterior motive?”

Kai’s mind raced, but he knew the game. “I misspoke, mistress,” he said quickly, adjusting his tone. “I speak the truth. I know what I know, and now you know it too. Believe me or not.” He paused, the weight of the situation pressing on him like an invisible hand. “I know there’s a blood feud between the preternaturals. The werewolves hate vampires and witches, and vice versa. But you are bound by...” His words faltered, careful not to overstep.

He shifted slightly beneath her, just enough to ease his position, but not enough to give the illusion of a challenge.

Her eyes narrowed further, her fangs grazing the air as she leaned in closer, her breath hot against the back of his neck. “Tell me the truth, Kai,” she murmured, her voice a soft threat in the stillness.

Kai’s heartbeat quickened, his every instinct screaming to fight or flee, but he held his ground. This was it—the moment where he either sank or swam.

He laid it all out. The Coterie. The Witch Coven. The exact details of their plans, their rituals, the blood magic. He held nothing back, even as it gnawed at him. The vulnerability of it, knowing how much power he was yielding, was dangerous—but it was the only way to survive.

The Alpha’s silence lingered, her gaze unreadable as she processed the information. Every second felt like an eternity, the tension crackling between them. Her eyes softened for just a moment, but there was still fury burning beneath it—a recognition, perhaps? She leaned closer, her breath like fire against his skin.

“You’ve always been bold, little coyote,” she said softly, almost to herself. “Maybe that’s why you’re still alive.” She paused, and for a heartbeat, he thought he saw a flicker of approval—but it vanished as quickly as it had appeared. Her voice shifted back to its deadly calm. “But I’ll ask you again. Why should I trust you?”

Kai’s heart stuttered. He had nothing left—nothing to hide. This was the moment he either lost it all or walked away with his life.

“I’ve given you everything, my lady, my mistress,” he said, his voice steady despite the storm in his chest. “I’m wrung dry. I have nothing more to offer...” He took a breath, the weight of his confession heavy in his throat. “They’ll seal the deal in a ritual of blood magic and sacrifice. They’ll start targeting wolf packs right after. You need to act fast if you want to stop them.”

Her gaze swept over him again, this time with an intensity that made his skin crawl. For a moment, he swore he saw something else in her eyes—approval, maybe. But it was fleeting, gone before he could grasp it.

“You’re playing a dangerous game, Kai,” she purred, her voice smooth but with an edge that sent a shiver down his spine.

“I know,” he replied, his tone even. “But I’ve always been good at it.” He managed a smirk, though it felt thin against the weight of what had just passed.

Her lips curved into a predator’s smile. “We’ll see.”

In a single, swift motion, she moved off him. The weight of her body lifted, but Kai remained still, knowing better than to make any sudden moves. She was still in control.

“You’ve given me much to chew on,” she said coldly. “But know this: You are not out of the woods yet. One misstep, one false move, and I’ll make sure you regret ever opening your mouth.”

Kai rose, his body aching, his mind sharp as he met her gaze. He held his position, giving nothing away, but his heart raced beneath the calm exterior. “Understood, Alpha.”

But before he could make another move, the Alpha’s hand shot out, fingers closing around his throat with brutal force. She yanked him across the room effortlessly, his body straining against her unyielding grip.

“Now, young coyote,” she growled, her voice a deep, menacing rumble, “you’ll truly be wrung dry.”

Kai’s eyes widened in panic, but before he could react, she dragged him into the next room, the door slamming shut behind them. The laughter of the pack echoed through the walls, mocking and cruel.

Hours later, Kai stumbled out, drenched in sweat, blood, and the unmistakable scent of wolf. His eyes were glassy, unfocused, and his body betrayed the toll the encounter had taken. The Alpha, seemingly unbothered, flicked her fur back with a casual gesture, her cold, calculating gaze meeting his.

“Remember what you said, little coyote,” she purred, her voice almost playful but underlined with a sharp edge. “Take him back to where you found him.”

Without another word, she turned and vanished into the shadows, leaving Kai standing alone in the cold. His body trembled, but his pride was all but shattered. The game? Far from over. And the stakes? Higher than he’d ever expected to pay.

*

Chapter Four: Ill Met By Moonlight – Part IV

Kai lay curled in the cardboard box, his body trembling from the aftershocks of what had transpired. Her presence, her power, still clung to him—thick in the air, buried deep in his fur. He could feel the sting of her dominance in every part of him, not just in his body, but in his very soul. The soul that had once been untouchable, free, and unbroken now felt like a hollow echo of what it had been.

He had submitted—truly submitted—and it shook him in a way nothing else had. It wasn’t the whining or the pleading, nor even the way he let her have her way with him. No. She had broken him in a deeper way. She hadn’t just taken his body—she had shattered his arrogance, stripped him bare of his defences, and left him with one undeniable truth: in that moment, he was hers. There was no denying it. No escaping it.

Her scent still lingered on him, a permanent mark, reminding him how thoroughly she had made him hers.

What I give you, Coyote, I can take away. Your life is mine. Never forget that...

The words cut through the haze of the experience, and Kai couldn’t stop himself from shivering. A part of him wanted to rage against the injustice, to resist the submission that had felt so absolute, but deeper, in the part of him he could barely acknowledge, there was a truth that burned: she owned him.

She had exposed his vulnerability in a way no one ever had. Not the humiliation, not the raw ache in his body, but the profound realization that she had taken away his power in the most fundamental way—that was the part that hollowed him out.

Yet, in the core of that submission, there was a quiet, smouldering defiance. He was hers, for now. But not forever.

Kai knew better than to let this be his end. This was just another round in the never-ending game of dominance and submission. He would wait, silently, carefully. He would rebuild, and when the time came, when the moment was right, he would rise again.

But for now, he stayed silent. Eyes wide, curled up in the cold box, pretending to be nothing more than a broken coyote. Because that was exactly what she expected of him.

And Kai had learned long ago that sometimes the best move was to let them think they had you completely in their grasp.

*

Chapter Five: Dark Dealings – Part One

Kai hadn't expected to last this long. Two days. Two gruelling, endless days spent hiding, trembling, broken by the Alpha’s overwhelming dominance. His body ached in ways he hadn’t imagined, still haunted by the raw power that had brought him to his knees.

A low whine escaped him as he forced his trembling paws to steady, tail tucked tight against his body. The collar. He hadn’t known when it had shifted with him. But now it was there—embedded deep within, a constant, suffocating reminder of the Witch’s power. There was nothing physical to tear off, but it felt like a tightening snare gnawing at his soul.

Scratching at the raw skin of his neck, blood dripped, but the collar refused to budge. It wasn’t something he could escape. It was woven into his very essence—a permanent mark of ownership that would never leave him.

The magic pulsed like poison through his veins, eroding his self-assurance, his cunning. The dark whispers of its power clung to him, mixing with the painful memories of what the Alpha had done—dominant, cruel, possessive. But even as humiliation twisted in his gut, another feeling stirred deep inside him: a bitter, twisted longing. A craving for her touch, her control, that he couldn’t escape. He couldn’t deny it. He needed it. Needed her.

Kai had scraped through the city's forgotten corners, scavenging scraps from dumpsters, drinking stagnant water just to keep going. His body had grown frail, weak, but the hunger wasn’t just for food anymore. He needed to free himself. He needed to break the bond, to tear off the collar, to destroy the chains that bound him to the Witch.

There was only one place he could go to find answers: the Pawnbroker.

The Fae were dangerous, yes, but Kai had dealt with them before. He knew their tricks, their dangerous games. He had survived this long by being sharp, calculating—never letting his guard down.

But now, with the collar burning into his soul, he had no choice. He had to try.

Slipping through the city like a shadow, Kai moved with stealth and purpose. His once-confident stride had turned into a cautious slink, each movement measured, quiet. The farther he went, the closer he came to the Pawnbroker’s domain. He couldn’t fail now. Not when the collar threatened to consume him.

At last, he reached the outskirts of the shop—old, creaking, drenched in the suffocating scent of Fae magic. The Pawnbroker’s lair. The place was always hard to find, but Kai had been here before. He knew its secrets. Knew how to find its elusive keeper.

The heavy wooden door groaned in protest as he pushed it open, stepping inside. Dust and age clung to everything, and the dim light flickering overhead cast jagged shadows across cluttered shelves. The air was thick with the power that hung here—ancient, unpredictable, dangerous.

The Pawnbroker himself looked unassuming—an ageing human with thin shoulders, eyes peering through wire-rimmed spectacles. The kind of man who could be knocked over by a strong breeze.

But Kai knew better.

The disguise was seamless, clever, but not perfect—not to someone like him. To Kai’s trained eye, the fae’s true form was laid bare. The illusion wasn’t just a glamour; it was a mask. And beneath it, Kai saw the truth: the creature was a Horned Lord, a stag—a Fae of immense power, ancient and cruel.

His antlers gleamed with silver tips, gleaming like weapons. His pelt shimmered like moonlight, feathered tufts at his wrists resembling the wild elegance of a Clydesdale. His three-fingered hands looked capable of snapping Kai’s neck with ease. But the Fae’s true nature, like all of their kind, was survival through flight and cunning.

Kai couldn’t help himself. His eyes roamed the Fae’s form, drawn against his will to the raw power emanating from it. The Horned Lord’s body was the embodiment of strength. Muscles rippled beneath soft, shining pelt. The antlers atop his head seemed to crown him like a king of the wilds, regal and terrifying.

"Quite a buck, aren’t you?" Kai’s voice was barely a whisper, betraying more surprise than he meant.

The Fae’s lips curled into a slow, knowing smile. A low snort of amusement followed, like a predator toying with prey.

"Eyes up here, shifter." The Horned Lord’s voice was deep, ancient, and resonant.

Kai stiffened but forced himself to stay still.

"I know your secret," the Fae continued, not as a threat but as a simple statement of fact.

Kai’s breath caught, panic rising in his chest.

"I’ve always known."

The words hit like a blow to the gut.

"And I don’t care."

Kai’s tail flicked, ears flat. The Fae was toying with him, but he wasn’t the prey anymore—not like he had been before.

"I know your heart, young coyote," the Fae’s voice cut through the tension, sharp as a blade. "I know your desires—how you crave the touch of both men and women, and have no hesitation or guilt."

Kai’s hackles rose, but he forced himself to stay calm. The Fae wasn’t playing fair. He could feel the pressure, the weight of it pressing down on him.

The Horned Lord stepped closer, his eyes gleaming with something darker. "But you would not enjoy such things with one like me."

The words sliced through Kai’s thoughts.

His heart stumbled, an unfamiliar unease churning in his gut. "What... what are you saying?"

The Fae’s expression twisted into something mocking, knowing. "Your scent betrays you. I can smell it—the way you crave it all. The way you’d offer yourself to those you deem worthy. But not me. Not the one who stands before you."

Kai’s throat went dry. He swallowed hard, the words sinking deep, binding him. The Horned Lord had seen too much, too deeply. Kai wanted to deny it, but there was nothing he could say.

"You can run from it, shifter," the Horned Lord purred, leaning back with a cruel glint in his eyes. "But in the end, the truth is inescapable."

Kai’s mouth was dry. His mind reeled, the sting of the Fae’s words sinking deeper with each passing second.

He had asked for help, for a way to escape the collar, but now, facing this creature, he realized he was trapped in more ways than one. This wasn’t a simple matter of breaking a spell. The Horned Lord had seen him, understood him—his darkest desires—and laid them bare with casual ease.

But Kai was desperate. Desperate enough to ask for help, no matter the cost.

"I need to break this bond," he growled, voice raw. "The collar... It’s part of me now. I need it gone."

The Horned Lord’s lip curled into a sneer.

"You stink of her magic." His gaze sharpened as he studied Kai, an unreadable expression settling on his face. "You can’t undo what’s been done. Not easily. You chose your path, Coyote. Now you live with it."

Kai’s tail flicked in agitation, his voice sharp. "I didn’t choose this. She forced it on me. I didn’t ask for this."

The Fae exhaled, a derisive sound that scraped across the air.

"And yet, you wear it," he said, savoring the words. "How many others like you have stood where you are now? Desperate. Begging. You’re not the first. And you won’t be the last."

Kai’s stomach twisted as the truth of those words landed, heavy and undeniable.

"Then help me," he growled, pushing himself closer, leaning in. "You know things. You’re old. If anyone can undo this, it’s you."

A long silence followed. The Horned Lord’s gaze hardened, his face becoming cold as stone.

"Maybe," he said finally, eyes glinting darkly. "But if I help you, the price will be steep. Nothing comes without cost."

Kai’s throat tightened, but he didn’t hesitate.

"I’ll pay whatever it takes."

The Fae’s eyes glittered with a humourless, bitter laugh.

"You might wish you hadn’t said that," he warned.

*

Chapter Five: Dark Dealings – Part Two

The Horned Lord sighed, his expression unreadable, a mixture of pleasure and disgust that left Kai uncertain of the fae's true feelings. The great stag’s muzzle twisted into a mask of apathy, tinged with disdain, as he leaned forward, bracing his forearms on the counter.

“We will see, young shifter… we will see.”

He extended a gnarled hand, and a vial of dark liquid shimmered into existence, appearing as though pulled from the very shadows. The glass was black as void, seeming to drink in the light itself.

“This will break the bond,” he said, his voice heavy with warning. “But it will break you in the process. Nothing can sever something as primal as what’s been done to you without consequence.”

Kai stared at the vial, his instincts roaring within him—take it. Escape. Free yourself from the collar, from the grip it had on him, and the darkness that had been wrapped around him since its first cold touch.

But as his fingers hovered just above the glass, a voice slithered into his thoughts—dark, possessive, the same voice that had haunted him, ever present.

“You can never truly escape, Kai. You belong to me.”

His breath hitched. His fingers trembled.

The fae watched him, his disgust morphing into something else—pity, disappointment, maybe even a hint of amusement.

“Do you want to be free?” the Horned Lord asked, his tone quieter now, almost contemplative. “Or do you simply want to run from what you are?”

Kai’s jaw clenched. He wanted to be free—needed it more than anything—but even as the words formed in his mind, a sobering truth settled over him like a weight he could never shake.

He was hers. And that might be the truest thing of all.

The Horned Lord’s gaze bore down on him, imposing, disdainful, disgusted. But as Kai’s hand closed around the vial, something shifted. Something deep and primal stirred inside him. The fae’s presence was suffocating, and the taste of control—dark, sharp—sank into Kai’s core. His thoughts stuttered as if his mind were being torn in two directions at once.

Beware the gifts of the fae, Kai’s instincts warned him. Nothing is given freely, without cost.

But desperation clouded his reasoning, drowning his desires in the haze of pain and helplessness. Thoughts of wealth, power, even revenge—all of it faded into the background. What consumed him now was the unyielding need to be free from the collar, the suffocating weight that choked him from the inside out. He couldn’t stand it anymore.

Kai gripped the vial between his teeth, awkwardly pulling the cork free with shaky forepaws. The air around him seemed to darken, as if the very room rejected the potion. The scent hit him like a physical blow—bitter, vile, repulsive—and it clawed at his throat, demanding to be rejected. But his will was stronger than the revolt of his senses.

He couldn’t think. He couldn’t breathe. His mind was numb with the weight of his decision.

The Horned Lord moved around him, towering and looming, his presence both menacing and magnetic. Kai's eyes locked onto the cloven hooves of the fae lord, his antlers stretching high above as though they could scrape the heavens themselves. How many had died beneath those hooves? How many had fallen to those antlers? The thought made him shudder, but he pushed it aside as he tilted his head back, swallowing the foul liquid in one agonising gulp.

It was worse than he had imagined. The moment the potion hit his tongue, a searing, agonising pain ignited within him. His body convulsed, his muscles spasming violently, as the bitter taste burned through his throat like fire and acid. The world around him blurred, and the pain overwhelmed him, each spasm a jagged shard of agony that pierced through him.

Fae cannot lie. His thoughts flickered through his haze. His body writhed against the stone, each muscle fighting the inevitable.

The vial slipped from his teeth and shattered on the floor, but it was too late. The agony had begun, and there was no turning back.

For a split second, Kai felt his mind fracturing—shards of his consciousness splintering away into blackness. His body twisted and writhed, the floor beneath him cold as ice, but nothing could stop the storm tearing through his veins. The last sound Kai heard before everything went black was the Horned Lord’s chuckle—low, dark, and filled with something almost predatory, as though the fae lord enjoyed the torment. Then, everything went silent. Nothingness.

*

Chapter Five: Dark Dealings – Part Three

Kai’s body returned to consciousness, but it was met with suffering beyond anything he had ever known. The agony tore through him like wildfire, his very soul igniting in a blaze of unbearable pain. It felt as though his body was being twisted and reshaped, like clay in the hands of a sadistic sculptor. Every twitch of his fur sent fresh waves of torment through his limbs, and though the need to scream was overwhelming, no sound came. He was trapped, helpless, every breath a struggle as his lungs burned and his muscles locked in place.

The heat of his transformation seared through every fiber of his being, acid dissolving him from the inside out. Time stretched into an endless haze of pain, each moment an eternity. He begged for death, for the agony to stop—but it didn’t. It only grew more insistent. The world around him was a blur of fiery torment, his only thought a desperate, hollow longing for an end that never came.

Just as he thought he might shatter into nothingness, the sound of metal clattering against stone pierced through the haze. It was sharp, sudden—a jarring noise, an interruption in the endless pain.

"There you are..." The voice of the Horned Lord cut through the fog, cold and amused, though the humor seemed distant, far removed from the agony that raged through Kai’s body. The fae’s presence loomed over him, oppressive and heavy. Kai’s thoughts felt sluggish, like the magic he had consumed was pressing against his very mind, slowing him down.

The Horned Lord crouched beside him, towering like a dark god. His antlers cast long, foreboding shadows across the room as his claws scraped against the stone floor. Kai’s heart sank as the fae reached for the collar—the cursed thing that still burned with its dark magic. Its weight was a constant reminder of his captivity.

Then came a sharp, agonising bleat—raw and tortured, a sound so pure in its pain that it sliced through the air like a knife. Kai’s mind barely registered it before the fae staggered back, clutching his chest. His face twisted with disgust.

"Accursed witch!" the Horned Lord snarled, as though the collar had betrayed him, a tool of dark magic now turned against its master.

The fae stepped back, clearly taken aback by the pain. His fingers fumbled as he grabbed a cloth, draping it over the collar as if it could somehow lessen its power. He awkwardly tried to remove it with a broom handle, his movements stiff and frustrated.

“Clever…” The Horned Lord muttered, his voice dark with irritation. “She must have known you'd come to one such as I… to remove it…” His words were tinged with rare vulnerability. It was clear the fae had anticipated complete control over this moment, only to be thwarted by the witch’s cunning.

Kai lay there, trembling, broken. His breath was shallow, each inhale a fight. The collar may have been removed, but its magic still clung to him like a second skin, its twisted influence sinking deeper into his soul. He gasped, struggling to regain some semblance of control, but it was futile. His body was shattered. His will was gone.

The Horned Lord, standing over him, watched with twisted amusement. His voice was mocking, dripping with disdain.

"You thought there wouldn't be consequences?" he mused, his tone low, almost amused by Kai's foolishness. "Perhaps you were better off in the hands of your witch mistress, my foolish coyote..." His words were cutting, a reminder of Kai’s miscalculation.

Kai’s vision swam, his breath ragged, but his heart still burned with the desperate need for freedom. There was no escape now. The fae had him, and Kai had walked right into his trap, unknowingly paying the price for his desperation.

"I have freed you from the Witch's bindings," the stag growled, his voice low and dark, laden with malevolent amusement. "A gift given, a blessing bestowed... You may well find yourself yearning for her embrace, young coyote, rather than mine."

With a cruel smirk, the stag crouched beside him, his hand cool and firm against Kai's forehead. He lifted it, then tapped him once, sharply, with his middle hooflet. A single word, ancient and potent, hung in the air—silent but laden with weight.

Kai’s head slammed back down onto the cold stone floor, his consciousness ripped away in an instant. For a brief moment, a glowing mark appeared on his forehead, burning with a fierce light, before it vanished, leaving no trace.

*

Chapter Six: Darkness Falls

“How may I help...” The stag began, his voice calm and authoritative, but it faltered as something caught in his throat. His eyes widened in realization, and a strangled gurgle erupted deep within him. His hand shot to his neck, but it was already too late.

Black, eldritch tendrils of dark magic lashed out from the very air, wrapping tightly around his throat and hurling him against the rear wall of his shop. The shelves rattled violently, books tumbling to the floor with a deafening crash. The stag’s vision blurred with panic. He clawed desperately at the unyielding tendrils, but they were merciless—binding him, draining him.

“You are mine now, Cairbre Dubh,” Selene’s voice rang out, cold and commanding, slicing through the air like a blade. “Pawnbroker, Horned Lord, true named are thee.”

The stag’s body stiffened, a painful jolt racing through his chest. The name struck him like a curse, and for the first time in his long, immortal life, an emotion he had long forgotten—fear—rippled through his veins.

Selene stood before him, her eyes glowing with an ancient power, fingers curling with precision as she wove her magic. The stag’s breath hitched in his throat as the tendrils tightened. He tried to speak, but only a rasping, strangled gasp escaped his lips.

“No... no,” he gasped, but his words were lost in the suffocating grip. His immense power, which had once been his shield, was slipping away like sand through his claws, futile against the hold of her magic.

"Cairbre Dubh, true named are thee," Selene intoned again, her voice carrying weight beyond mortal comprehension, as if each syllable were a hammer blow against the stag’s will.

The stag’s chest tightened, the name a physical blow, a branding upon his very soul. His attempts to resist faltered, his limbs trembling as the tendrils constricted with vicious ease. He fought against them, but his strength was nothing in the face of her power. The fear coursing through him grew, but it was too late to undo what had already been done.

Her lips curled into a mockingly soft smile as she leaned closer, her breath cold against his fur. Magic crackled in the air, swirling around them as though alive with intent.

“For the third time...” Selene whispered, her voice like the final toll of a bell. “Cairbre Dubh, true named are thee.”

The stag’s eyes widened, his body trembling violently under the force of her words. The name echoed in his mind, resonating through every fiber of his being. His heart thundered in his chest as he understood—it was done. He was bound.

The tendrils tightened further, squeezing the very life from him. Selene’s control over him was absolute. There would be no escape, no redemption. He was truly hers.

Her lips brushed against his furred cheek in a kiss that lingered with unnatural coldness. It wasn’t an intimate gesture, nor one of affection—it was an assertion of her dominance, a claim that held the weight of an eternity.

With one final, mocking glance at his terrified, gasping face, Selene pulled away. “You shouldn’t have interfered,” she whispered, her words dripping with contempt as she turned away, her presence a suffocating weight in the room.

In one fluid motion, she stepped outside. The moment her foot struck the ground, a terrible fire erupted beneath her, bursting outward like a violent storm. The flames ignited the shop’s contents, but the fire didn’t stop there. It twisted and spiraled, darker than any natural blaze, engulfing the very fabric of reality around it.

The flames spread with fury, scorching everything in their path. As they raged, they erased—not just destroyed, but obliterated Cairbre Dubh’s shop from existence. No trace was left behind, no artefact, no trinket of his centuries-old hoarding. The very space that had once existed was wiped clean, as though it had never been.

The fire burned hotter than anything the firemen could hope to control, a force beyond reckoning.

In the ashes, Cairbre Dubh was no more—not even his name would be remembered.

"My collar may have been misplaced," Selene growled, her voice a low, menacing rumble that cut through the thickening shadows. Her steps were measured, each footfall echoing with a promise. "But what has been lost... will be found. And when I claim it once more, the world will know my wrath."

TO BE CONTINUED