Ch5: Moondrift

The silence that followed the Lycan King's declaration hung heavily in the air, like the stillness before a storm. My father's face turned ashen, and I could see the struggle within him, torn between the duty to protect the pack and the love for his daughter.

"No," my father finally said, his voice trembling but resolute. "I will not sell my daughter for any kind of protection. Elara will not marry a monster."

"Dad..." I began, but he silenced me with a stern look, his eyes filled with both fear and determination.

Gareth, sensing an opportunity to further his own agenda, stepped forward. "She's wolfless and weak. She's better off being of some value to the pack by marrying the King."

My father shot Gareth a look of pure venom. "Elara is an equal member of this pack and has as much right to make her own choices as anyone else. She owes this pack nothing. This pack was built by me and my wife, through our contributions and sacrifices."

Lydia scoffed, rolling her eyes. Gareth's face twisted with anger. "You think your contributions mean anything now? This is what I think of your contributions." Gareth slapped me hard across the face, the force of it knocking me to the ground. Pain radiated from my cheek, but the emotional hurt was even deeper.

"Don't you dare lay your filthy hands on my daughter, you dirty scumbag!" My father growled angrily.

But Gareth didn't care. "You're just a weak old man in a wheelchair, and she's a useless girl without a wolf. What are you going to do about it?"

My father tried to lunge at Gareth, his eyes blazing with protective fury, but Gareth easily pushed him back. "What are you going to do, old man?" Gareth sneered. "You're useless, just like your daughter. All decisions of this pack are mine to make."

Tears stung my eyes as I scrambled to my feet, my mind a whirlwind of confusion and fear. I needed to get away, to think, to understand what the King truly intended.

I stormed out of the room, not caring about the bewildered stares that followed me. I fled to my sanctuary, the attic room, where I could be alone with my thoughts. Emma was already there, her concerned gaze meeting mine as I burst through the door.

"Elara, what happened?" she asked, rushing to my side.

I took a deep breath, the events tumbling out in a torrent. "The Lycan King... he proposed marriage as a condition for his protection. My father refused, and Gareth... he hit me, Emma. He hit me in front of everyone."

Emma's eyes widened in shock and anger. "That bastard! How dare he!"

"What am I supposed to do, Emma?" I continued, my voice shaking. "My mate hates me. Dad is the only family I have left, and we can't even protect each other."

Emma's face softened with understanding. "Elara, the King is married. He’s probably not serious. Maybe it's some kind of test."

A strange mixture of relief and something else—something like jealousy—washed over me. "You think so? You think he’s just testing us?"

Emma nodded. "Yes, I think he might be trying to see how you react under pressure. But don't let him break you, Elara. You’re stronger than you think."

I sighed, sinking onto the bed. "I hope you're right. I don't know what to believe anymore."

Emma sat beside me, her hand on my shoulder. "No matter what happens, you have me. We’ll get through this together."

I leaned into her, drawing strength from her unwavering support. The King's proposal, Gareth's cruelty, my father's defense—it was all too much to process.

The tension in the air was palpable as Callista barged into my room, her face twisted with disdain. The sunlight streaming through the window cast harsh shadows, highlighting her fury.

"You slutty girl," she sneered, her voice dripping with malice. "I saw your pathetic stunt. Trying to seduce the Lycan King, who's already married? You should be ashamed of yourself. You're a loose, desperate whore."

The moonlight seeped through my window, casting an eerie glow across my room. I sat on my bed, trying to piece together everything that had happened.

The door burst open, and Alpha Gareth stormed in, his face twisted with rage. "Elara, you whore!" he spat, his voice shaking with fury. "The King left, saying he won't agree to the deal unless you marry him. You're trying to make me jealous, aren't you? Well, it's working. I want you more than ever now."

I recoiled, my heart pounding. "Get out, Gareth. You are such a pervert!"

He lunged at me, grabbing my arm. "I'm your mate. I can do whatever I want. Isn't it what you always wanted, to be my Luna?" he hissed, his grip tightening painfully.

I struggled against him, my fear turning to anger. "Let go of me, Gareth! You think I want you? I've rejected you a thousand times and you refuse to accept my rejection. Why won't you just let me go since you hate me so much?"

"You think it's that simple? You know how hard it is for me to control myself around you? You are so weak and wolfless, and yet here you are, better than everyone, including that stupid woman Callista," he said. And I didn't understand how that was all my fault.

"I don't care, Gareth! I don't want you as my mate or Alpha. You are pathetic. You don't deserve a woman like me. And perhaps you know that; that's why you settled for that whore Callista."

Before I could react, reached out, his hand closing around my throat. "I'm going to ruin you, Elara. I'll make sure that after I'm done with you, the King will be disgusted to even look at you. I'll make you a whore no man will ever love. You'll become my slave, and as for your dear friend Emma, I'm selling her to the rogues," he hissed, his grip tightening. And that's when I saw my mate for the cruel monster he was. It was as though the beast in him had awakened. And for the first time, I feared for my life.

I fought harder, using every ounce of strength I had. Finally, he released me with a shove, storming out of the room. 

I was gasping and catching my breath when Callista walked in, a smug smile on her face. "I don't understand why the Alpha is so obsessed with a lowlife like you. What do they see in a useless girl like you?"

I glared at her, my body trembling with both fear and anger. "Get out, Callista. I'm not in the mood for your insults."

She laughed, pulling out a small vial and a syringe. "Oh, Elara, you think you have a choice? This is Moondrift, a rare and potent aphrodisiac from one of the greatest witches. Once I inject you, you'll be nothing but a slave to your desires."

Panic surged through me, and I tried to fight her off, but she was stronger. She overpowered me easily, injecting the Moondrift into my arm. Immediately, I felt a burning sensation, my senses going haywire. I lost control, my body betraying me as intense waves of desire coursed through me. Darkness swallowed me, and I faded out of consciousness.

When I woke, I was tied to a bed, dressed in revealing clothes that made me feel both exposed and vulnerable. My vision blurred, and a horrifying realization hit me—a vision of what Gareth planned to do. I saw a man with dark fantasies, a beast who would relish in my suffering. I had to get out.

Desperation fueled me, and I found myself mentally reaching out, a silent scream for help. Somehow, my mind connected to the King. "Help me," I begged, my voice a whisper in the void before I drifted back into darkness.

When I opened my eyes again, a face loomed above me. It was the Lycan King. Relief washed over me, but the effects of the Moondrift made it hard to think clearly. "You're strong, Elara," he said, his voice a mix of admiration and concern as he loosened the straps from my wrist. "Most wolves, even the strongest, would have succumbed to that amount of Moondrift."

"Please," I whispered, my voice trembling. "Get me out of here. Gareth is a psycho... Why are you not my mate? Handsome king."

The King looked at me, his eyes softening. "I will get you out of here. But you need to hold on a little longer."

My senses were slipping away, the Moondrift overpowering my mind. I felt the intense need for him to touch me, to give in to the desires burning inside me. "Such a hero. I want you now." I reached out, caressing his arm and trailing my fingers over his chest, exploring the hard muscles beneath his clothes. "You're so strong and handsome," I murmured, my voice filled with a mix of admiration and desire. "Why couldn't you be my mate? With those eyes, that jawline... you're perfect."

The King tried to hide a smile but couldn't fully suppress it. "You're really making this hard for me right now," he said, his voice tight with restraint. He scooped me off the bed, carrying me like a sack of potatoes over his shoulder. 

As he walked, I couldn't help but touch him, my hands roaming over his broad shoulders and down his back, feeling the powerful muscles beneath his clothes. My fingers traced the lines of his jaw and brushed against his lips. "I can't resist you," I whispered, my voice trembling with the intensity of my feelings. "Every part of you is irresistible."

He jumped, swiftly transforming into a very tall, big, and furry wolf. Despite his intimidating appearance, I was too under the influence to find anything scary about him. Even in his wolf form, I found myself reaching out, running my fingers through his fur, feeling the strength and warmth of his body. "You're magnificent," I whispered, my voice filled with awe and longing. "Please, don't let go of me."