Whatever I was expecting to hear, the news of an heir rising to their rightful place as Alpha, wasn’t it. The politics and discussion of men was never something I had a place in. As a young girl I remember saying something about a strife my father had with another pack. My father didn’t hesitate to put me in my place. I knew from that day on that what I thought didn’t matter to him. It’s funny how my life has gone full circle. Ethan’s hand lifts my chin and I’m reminded that he’s supposed to hold my attention.“Why would the news of a new Alpha in this Goddess-forsaken world be good news? I don’t see why you would rush all the way here to tell me,” I said.“I received word this morning that there would be an alpha meeting this weekend,” Ethan said.“That’s… interesting,” I said.“It is. All the Alpha’s and their Luna’s will be required to attend,” Ethan said.“So… I’ll have to-”“It’s your duty as my mate. You’ll have to sit by my side. Don’t worry though. You wont have to say a word.
*Content Warning: Physical violence is depicted in this chapter and may be triggering for some readers. *I reeled back as if I’d been struck. My legs became wobbly and I could feel the room begin to spin. I stumbled back but Ethan held me tight. This was news. This was the news. It didn’t make any sense, none of it, and my mind ran a mile a minute as I tried to fit the pieces together that just didn’t fit. He wasn’t an heir, he was a bastard. I knew everything there was to know about him, or at least I thought I did. I’d always known he was a bastard because of his hair. I’ve known since the first time I met him that day long ago.The day when he dropped the bag of potatoes and I looked down my nose at the handsome boy who scrambled for the spuds that had fallen and rolled out. As a young girl, it didn’t matter because he was my friend, my only friend. As a young woman, his parentage didn’t mean anything because I loved him.When Ethan said I would see a familiar face at the alpha’s
“I never said I’d given up on him or that I had intentions on giving him up. Try all you want, Alpha, you’ll never break me,” I snarled. “I will win you over,” Ethan promised. The hand on my backside squeezed. Hard. His fingers slid down and I felt the warm blood spread as he dragged his fingers through it. He pried apart the sensitive broken skin from the belt. His fingers dug into the filleted open flesh. I tried to wriggle free but got nowhere. Instead, I felt the pain intensify. “If you would just let it be and accept me, you would see how good it could be. How good I could be. I won’t waste my time asking you to give yourself to me. Because I know that one day, you will,” Ethan said confidently. Dread hammers into me as time quickly runs out. The wait is almost over as Ethan whispers filthy things into my ear and releases himself from his pants. The sound of the material falling to the floor as me thrashing as I tried to get away. I hate the rough fingers that find my opening
I gasped for air and clutched at the sheets when I woke from the nightmare. Flashes of terror skittered across the edge of my memory. I felt delirious as I scrambled to try and get a sense of where I was and who it was I ran from. Sweat beaded and dripped from my brow, my muscles were tight with tension, and goosebumps ran across my skin. The fear still coursed in my veins and the disgust rolled in my belly from what had happened as I failed to grasp at what that was. I scrunched my eyes shut as I tried my hardest to recall the last thing I could remember. When I came up blank, I opened my eyes and squinted into the darkness. If I couldn’t remember anything I would see for myself.I was distracted when the bed dipped and my mate’s smell washed over me as his large arms wrapped around me. My fight or flight kicked in and every instinct told me to run as far as possible. His body curled up behind me and I’m pulled into his embrace until my back is pressed firmly to his chest. I ignored
Adea“Luna,” the man said respectfully.His voice is low and there’s an allure to it, something about it draws me to him. I want to turn around and look at him, but I refuse to. I wanted to laugh because respect was the last thing I thought I would receive at Crimson Pack. I folded my arms in front of me and focused on the irritation I felt crawling up my neck.I turned on my heel and came face-to-face with the visitor. My lips parted and my body relaxed as my eyes landed on him. He was breathtakingly beautiful and if my heart had not already belonged to another man it would have skipped a beat. I raised my chin, closed my mouth, and threw daggers at him with my eyes.Long blonde hair brushed back from his face, sharp features, a jawline that could cut glass and the bluest eyes I’ve ever seen. He was strong, his shoulders broad, but his eyes were kind and gentle. I wouldn’t be fooled by a friendly face, no matter how pretty it was. A silver necklace dropped beneath the material and hi
Adea“Is there a reason for your visit, or are we going to spend the whole day in my bed chambers?” I teased.“No, that won’t be happening,” Odis’ face flushed red at the obvious meaning behind my jest. He cleared his throat and I enjoyed watching him as he tried to get his thoughts in order.“I am first to escort you to brunch,” Odis said.“If there’s a first, I’m assuming there are more items on the schedule?” I asked.“Yes, Luna,” Odis said with a bow.“Do I get to change or must we leave now?” I inquired.“Alpha told me it was of utmost importance that I take you as you are,” Odis said.“So naked then?” I asked.Odis held my gaze. I was thankful that his eyes did not trail over my body. I took a deep breath. That’s fine. If that is what Ethan wants than that is what Ethan is going to get. I won’t let him shake me.“How disappointing,” I huffed. “I think we would have had much more fun had we stayed in my bedchambers the duration of the day.”Odis bowed his head, turned from me and
Adea“What has this thief stolen to warrant such action?” I asked.“Something of mine,” Ethan growled.Fear filled my mind and my body tensed. I swallowed and prayed it wasn’t who I thought it was. The idea that they had a search party looking for him, hunting him scared me. Ethan’s angered confirmed it and my heart hoped they never found him. My mind took account that he was injured and knew it was likely that they would find him soon.Two male servants came through a side door with trays of food in hand. They both came to a stop, one by me, the other by Odis. Ethan’s plate was empty in front of him. He had already eaten. I wanted for him to get up and leave soon, but I knew better than to hope. The food was placed one by one in front of me. A platter of boiled eggs, bread, and a variety of fruits from blackberries, apples, and
AdeaOdis bowed and I followed him, fighting the burning need to run out of the room. My heartbeat thumped so hard in my chest I wouldn’t have been surprised if he could hear it. My blood pounded loudly in my ears and every breath of air was as cold as it was dry. I could barely hear the sound of my feet as it slapped against the floor. Beta Odis’ legs were long and I struggled to keep with his brisk walk. He didn’t utter a word to me as we left the dining-hall. I knew very well what was about to happen back there and I was relived beyond belief that I got away.This was the first time I avoided him.I felt a rush knowing he hadn’t been able to take what he wanted from me. As soon as he started he didn’t stop. In the last few days that I had spent with him I’d gotten to know him. He took what he wanted when he wanted. Adrenaline propped me forward and I wrung my hands together in the hope that moving them would stop them from shaking. The walls, the windows, and lights were a blur as