Chapter 6

Apphia

My eyes flutter open, and I feel the weight of someone on top of me. Sheer terror runs through me. I can't breathe properly. I fight to no avail. He's so much stronger than me.

"Don't be a tease," he pants as he thrusts into me. A sob escapes my lips. "You're so dramatic, Apphia. I know you like it,"

"Stop it, please!" I cry.

I hit Rory's chest, hoping he'd get him me, but he pins my hands over my head as he continues his assault mercilessly.

"Help me!" I scream at the top of my lungs. He attempts to cover my mouth but fails. He smacks me, and I feel my lip split. I can taste blood in my mouth.

"Why don't you just stay still!" he hisses, choking me. I feel like passing out again. I see a rock through my peripheral blurred vision and grab it. I hit him with a large rock against his temple several times.

"Ahh," he screams, rolling off me. I use this change to stagger to my feet.

There's a painful sensation between my legs because of his forced entry, and there is sticky liquid down my legs. I face my tormentor and see him taken back by what he sees in my gaze.

An inferno of rage is blazing in me. My hand tightens around the rock as something solid and uncontrollable grows in me. I can't explain it adequately, but its power frightens me.

"Y- your eyes," Rory's face is stricken with unimaginable fear. "I'll leave you alone. Just let me go,"

He cries, cradling his head with his hands as though it were in terrible pain.

"Stop it, please," he begs, anguished, tears spilling from his eyes. However, I only felt hatred for him from the depth of my being. I'm quivering like a volcano about to explode.

Rory falls to his knees, convulsing violently. He grasps his throat as guttural gasps leave his mouth while writhing in excruciating pain. Agony etches on his face as blood trickles from the corner of his lips. His face is changing color to a pale blue.

He wails loudly and stops shaking. His eyes still rolled back with visible dark veins in them.

I feel the bile rise in my stomach at the disgusting sight; I feel nothing but pure hatred for Rory, but seeing him like this is horrifying and shocking.

"He's dead," I whisper, shocked to see what took place. I cover my mouth with my trembling hand. How did that happen? Part of me knows I'm responsible for it.

I feel a sharp pain from my scar, and blurry footsteps appear in my head. Amir's men are after me. I turn, ready to leave, but come face to face with my brother. I freeze. Duncan's gaze falls on Rory's lifeless body and then travels over me.

"Oh, goddess, Apphia. He hurt you," Duncan whispers, approaching me. I take a step back and raise my hand to him. He stops.

"stop," I don't recognize my voice. There are so many emotions on my brother's face. He is unable to utter a word. I can hear the pounding of his heart. He runs a hand through his hair and glances back at his dead pack member. Rory is dead in the most brutal and unexplainable way.

"Amir is determined to get you and sent his men after you, Apphia,"

My head is spinning with questions. Why is Amir so resolved to get me?

"I tried to stop Dad from doing it, I did... I swear. However, his command outweighs mine for now. "My brother's silver eyes have never been so guilty. Tears threaten to spill out of his eyes. It is the first I've seen him like this, so helpless.

"You need to leave this pack for now. I'll take over soon; when I do, no one will hurt you again. I promise you," Duncan's voice is irregular, and a stray tear hits his cheek. I'm shocked. I'd only seen him cry once in my life when our mother died.

I stand there, stunned. Duncan is letting me leave the pack. He removed his wallet from his pocket and handed me large bills. Hundreds and hundreds. I don't take it, though. I don't want anything to do with him. He watched me get tortured for ten years. Why is he pretending to care now?

I glance at my brother one last time and turn on my heel.

Nicholas' pov

" Did you hear that?" I ask Blade. He looks bemused and shakes his head slowly. I thought I heard a woman cry a few minutes ago, but It's gone. Did I imagine it?

" Nicholas, are you alright? You look pale," Blade says, sounding concerned. I exhale, noting that the pain in my chest is dying down.

" Let's go inside. It's begun to rain, and I need a drink," I murmur and enter the house.

Exiting the foyer, we enter the great room where my parents are. I frown as I see them waltzing. They glimpse us but don't stop their dance.

My father sweeps my mother off her feet and twirls her against his chest so they are closer as the music comes to a stop. The two kiss deeply, completely ignoring our presence. Goddess, get a room.

" S- should we leave? I feel like we're intruding," whispers Blade, blushing a little. I should be embarrassed by my parents making out hard, but I'm desensitized to it now. I roll my eyes and clear my throat—the two lovers part slightly but grin at each other.

" Good evening, Son, Blade," Mom, greets.

" How was the party?" My father asks.

" Dreadful. Please tell the alphas to stop parading their daughters my way. I won't claim any of them,"

" They never listen," he shrugs apologetically. He knows I only want my fated mate to be my Luna and Queen. My parents have been supportive of that since they are fated mates themselves.

I bid my parents good night and head to my suite. I have a whole wing to myself.

" Why are you following me?" I ask Blade.

" Your bar has the best whiskey. I especially enjoy the Macallan M," he says. I shake my head and open the door. Blade goes straight to the bar to get drinks while I go to the balcony. I especially enjoy the view here.

Blade is back with the drinks. He hands me a glass and briefs me about the latest building project—a new neighborhood on the east upper side of the Sapphire royal pack. Our pack was growing and thriving.

' Help us, please,' I stiffen. It's the haunting voice I heard earlier. ' Help,' a chill goes down my spine. My lycan is on four walls; he's in a state of panic.

' She's here. Our mate is here,' he says coherently finally.