CHAPTER 4

Iona’s POV

There was a large bathing pool inside the building. My mother stripped me of my clothes and led me into the pool. She washed and brushed me thoroughly until I was as smooth as porcelain.

Then, she rubbed a strong-scented oil all over my body. It made me nauseous because I couldn't smell my own pheromones. She dressed me in a thin white dress that left nothing to the imagination. 

My beaded chain was attached to my waist. I didn't even know she was bringing it with her. I was so surprised to see it. It already broke yesterday.

I never thought tonight would be the last night I wear my beaded chain. It was something precious to me, not because it was a symbol that I was still a virgin but also because my late grandma was the one who gave it to me before she passed away.

"Don't ruin what your father gave to you. This is your last chance to prove your worth to your father," Mother said as she held my face. Then she wrapped my body in a matching white robe.

But I can't stop thinking of a way to escape this awful situation. Who will I marry? I don't know any other bachelor who might have my father's blessing to marry me. It can't be Vincent, right? But seeing Luna Northgrey here too makes me keep thinking about the possibility.

I kept trying to move my body. I could feel the effect of my father's Alpha Voice almost wearing off. I need to run away as fast as possible.

I was led to another door. It was an iron door that was quite large and thick. Two large guards were in front of the door, each carrying a spear. A bow and arrows were on their backs. 

I could hear groans coming from the other side. It was the sound of a wolf in a rut. They have already started the ritual. I tried to move more and more but to no avail. I could only move my finger a bit. 

Luna Northgrey walked to me. She opened a vial and put it in my mouth. I didn't want to swallow it, but the potion melted away when it touched my tongue. "This will help you," she said calmly.

I could see the pitying look on her face. No, I didn't need pity. I screamed in my head.

The two guards opened the door, and the creaking sound was deafening. The overwhelming rut pheromones hit my senses. Then they pushed me through the door. 

"This is the best for you," my mother said before they closed the door, the creaking sound echoing through the room.

The room was dark and stuffy. The only light came from the barred ventilation, showing a full moon shining bright through the sky.

A man was lying in the bed at the corner of the room with his dizzying rut pheromones, minding his own business. It was the man I saw that night. He’s naked in all his glory.

I couldn't help but whine at his tantalizing pheromones. My wolf purred in desire.

He finally realized my existence. He turned around with a shocked face. "What are you doing here? Get the fuck out!" he roared at me, his deep red eyes wild and dangerous, with fangs protruding between his lips.

His voice brought me back to my senses.

“Are you deaf?” he screamed at me again.

I walked backward, but my back hit the door. Who is he? Why is he here? I turned around and tried to push the door open to no avail. They locked it from the outside and trapped me with him.

"Mother, please get me out of here!" I banged the door frantically, though I wasn't sure the people on the other side would hear me.

He growled at me as a warning.

Then I feel it, heat starting to radiate through my body. No… I shouldn't be getting my heat now. "Father, Mother, anyone out there, please open the door!” I screamed with desperation.

I could feel my slick running down between my legs, pooling down on the floor. 

He growled louder after he sniffed my sweet pheromones. It makes him crazy.

I peeked and instantly regretted it. He stared at me with a crazed look. Now he’s on four as if he is ready to pounce at his prey.

Then he lunged towards me. 

I shut my eyes tightly and scream at the top of my lungs. 

But he lunged at the door instead and hit it hard enough to make a dent. Which was impressive since the door was made of a heavy metal.

"Open this fucking door!" he shouted with dominance and shook the entire room. I'm sure people out there heard his voice. But nothing happened. The door didn't budge a bit. He banged it again and again, trying to break the lock.

I slumped down. My heart was beating so fast that I was afraid it would explode. He was so close to me. His pheromones were so thick that I could taste it in my bud. My mind became hazy as I purred loudly, my sweet pheromones sweetening even more.

"Get yourself together!" he turned to me and shook my shoulders, trying to bring me back to my senses. But it was too hard with all this heat and rut pheromones mingling in the air.

He banged the door again. "Get this girl out of here!" he shouted in dominance. It was so strong that I had the urge to obey.

I whined. My wolf called him to take us.

"Stop that! You will regret it," he spoke to me in a threatening tone.

He still punches and kicks the door until his knuckles bleed, even though he knows that it is pointless. The strong scent of blood makes me even crazier. My wolf doesn't want him to get hurt.

"Please, don’t hurt yourself," it was the voice of my wolf calling out to the other wolf. I'm still trying to suppress her. But I know it won't last long.

He howled in frustration. Then started slamming his head against the wall and floor like he was trying to make himself lose consciousness. 

With one great blow he collapsed on the floor. His breathing was ragged. He mumbled something incoherent.

My wolf screamed in despair and my body moved towards his lying body. I cried out loud at the sight of his ruined and bleeding face.

He opened his eyes, his irises kept changing between black and red. He was fighting with his own wolf.

"Shhh, don't cry sweetheart," he lifted his hand and brushed my cheek with his bloody hand.

I cried violently and clung to his neck. "Please don't go. I need you," my wolf spoke to him. My body burns in desire, craving his touch. "Please," I said desperately to him. 

He stared at me with his glowing red eyes. His wolf was taking over his body, just like my wolf was taking over my body.  

The next second, he was already on top of me. He pressed his body against my body. His pheromones surround me like a thick blanket.

"My mate. Finally I found you," my wolf purred at him triumphantly. Finally, having his mate for herself.

He ducked his head on my neck. Taking a sniff of my pheromones right from the source. "So sweet, just for me," he then stared at me intensely, ready to devour me entirely.

I moaned at his touch. “Yes, just for you.”

His large hands roamed around my waist, grabbing my beaded chain. He murmured something in my ears, but my mind was so hazy that I couldn't understand his words. 

He yanked my beaded chain in one strong swift before I lost consciousness and my wolf took over completely.

End of Iona’s POV