Stone

My stomach is in knots. I don't know why I expected Damien to have even a little hesitation. I expected too much of him then…

Before I can plea or beg, the bear shifter begins to walk out the palace.

I kick and scream for help but no one— absolutely no one stands up for me.

They all watch as I'm taken away, biting and shrieking for help. My own mate stands there, comfortable with the safety of his throne.

A throne handed over on a plate of gold by his mad father.

He would do anything to protect it; even if it meant sacrificing me.

Who was I kidding? Damien had done the same thing in my previous life, killing me off to protect his image as lycan King.

I'm whisked off, out of his sight and on top of a muscular giant horse.

“Can you ride, m’lady?” The bear shifter laughs, assuming I'm too weak to do so. His name is Angus, only brother of the dead Bear Alpha.

Before I can nod, he puts me in very long shackles that he can hold from a meter or two.

“You better hang on, eh? We Bears don't pamper our ladies like you slimy wolves. Darned lot.”

With these words, he mounts his own animal, gives a signal to his men and then kicks the horse.

Just like that, I am taken for the palace that was gradually becoming a prison. The only downside?

I was heading towards an even worse territory.

A true hell.

The Caves of the Black Bears.

All through the journey, I stay as quiet as possible, trying not to bring attention to myself. These men were dangerous.

If they are anything like their horrid Alpha, then I am indeed in huge trouble.

They could have me, here and now— and there's nothing I will be able to do.

Absolutely nothing.

My heart begins to pound violently when night falls and they look for a clearing to x, camp.

I'm brought down from the horse and chained to a tree. The bear shifter who brings me down is a big headed dwarf called stone.

Before he sits me down, he smacks my behind and laughs.

This causes the rest of his companions to laugh madly as well.

“Such a soft bum! The king sure is lucky!” He cries, cackling and swiping a keg of ale from one young lad who is desperately trying to fit in.

I sit uncomfortably on the muddy earth, praying to the goddess for strength.

I can't stay here.

Who knows what these men would do…

Angus has finished setting up a fire and he looks in my direction with hate. Unlike his men, there's no fancy in his eyes.

“Silly little Luna. Your freedom totally depends on your dear mate, the king. Every single day he wastes to bring me the head of the culprit, your life will grow more miserable. I will let dogs lick you while you're naked and have my men enjoy what is between your legs!”

His words send chills down my spine and I hold a breath, unable to speak.

“So you better pray that your mate will be quick enough to give me vengeance.” He hisses before turning to leave for his tent.

His men look at me and burst into bouts of laughter.

Masked man…what have you done?

Or rather, what have I done? In a silly feat to save my reputation, I refused to call for help, making the masked man kill the Bear alpha instead.

I thought that I could escape the humiliation of my past life.

But now, I've made it all worse. Everyone back at the palace would think that I will be ploughed and used like a whore.

This was opposite from what I planned.

I sigh and rest my back on the coarse tree bark.

“What kind of man would give up his mate anyway?” I hear a bear shifter whisper.

“He must not love her then…if I had a mate like her, I sure as hell would fight to the death!”

“For that soft bum? I would fight for her even if she wasn't my mate!”

They all cackle at their jokes but every word feels like a slice to the gut.

It was so obvious…

My mate actually despises me. Even if I wanted to give him a second chance in this life, it isn't possible.

I hold back tears and try to remain calm the entire night. My tears would only draw attention.

That's the last thing I need right now.

The bear lad from before comes up to serve me some roasted rabbit. It's tough to chew and someone makes a comment about how puny wolves are.

Bears would always be supreme not lycans.

By the time I'm done swallowing the last morsel of the undercooked meat, the men are either all drunk or sleeping.

“Ayyy, such a beauty and we can't even get some.” Stone, the dwarf says.

His friend who's called Milo, pulls out pieces of meat from his teeth.

“We can, yer just have to be patient. Yer heard the boss, no? Every second her mate delays, she gets closer to being ours. Patience, my friend.”

Stone doesn't want to hear it, looking my way with a piercing hunger.

“Well can I not have my share now? I won't bother you all in the future. Let me just have a go…”

And with that, he stumbles my way, tripping once over a fallen log.

Goosebumps cover my entire skin.

Oh moon goddess…

Fear has crawled up my spine and I find myself shivering uncontrollably.

“Stay away,” I hiss as Stone comes close to me. He smells of blood and ale.

Without even thinking, he wacks a short but surprising powerful arm over my face.

“Who said a puny wolf like you can talk here? You're even the lowest of all wolves. Omega. Which means you'll be an easy meal, eh?”

The dwarf shines his teeth at me with hungry intent.

My heart drops.

Oh no.