Chapter 2.

Marissa POV.

“I said, where are you going?” He snarls at me as he stalks closer. My heart is pounding against my ribcage. I will not be subjected to this any longer.I know why he is here and I will have no part in it.

“I don’t see what concern it is of yours, where I am going. After all, I’m nothing to you now that your precious Jessica is back.” I spit my venom at him. It’s stupid of me to show my defiance to him, but right now I need to leave. To leave this wretched place for the good of my unborn pup. A pup that he will never know about.

“Yes, she is back, but you are a healer, Marissa. It is your duty to heal those in need and right now, you will fulfil your duty. Or did you forget our agreement?” He frowns, circling me like prey as I clench my fists firmly to my side. The nerve of him to mention the agreement.

“Ha, so you remember the agreement then? Well, I’m sorry to tell you Damien. You never stuck to your end of the agreement, so I have no obligation to stick to mine. You will have your wish. I’m leaving. Give my regards to your beloved.” I scoff as I walk towards the door when I’m aggressively ripped back by my arm. I stagger backwards at the force when he snarls in my face, his wolf on the surface.

“You have two options. You either go to the hospital willingly or I drag you by your hair kicking and screaming. It’s your call.” My lip quivers because I know he will drag me if I don’t submit. 

I smirk up at him. I will not go without a fight. He has hurt me for the last time. This game of tug and war with him is not worth it. He will always win in the end. He is the Alpha and, regrettably, my mate. A mate I loathe, a mate I want to be rid of.

“The hard way it is then, Don’t blame me for showing you no mercy, Marissa.” I can’t believe such cold words are uttered by his 37 celsius degree mouth. He drags me by my arm, out of my bedroom and down the stairs.

“Let go of me.” My emotions are getting the better of me as my head feels dizzy from the anger and pain in my chest. A bitter reminder that I’m only a walking blood bank for him. It will never be me he holds in his heart.

Passing Lydia on the stairs, she smirks at me. How I wish I could tear her apart. Lydia stands there like she is the lady of this house. Her arms folded across her chest. Her chin high, she is arrogant and one day I would love nothing more than to knock her off her perch.

“Alpha, there is something I need to tell you…” Damien stops in his tracks, his grip on me bruising my delicate flash, the flesh pinches under his grip as he faces her.

“Can it wait?” he interrupts her and I pin an icy glare on her.

“I’m afraid not Alpha. Miss Gilbert has broken the law, sir.” She says out loud in smug self-satisfaction.

“What law?” He snaps as I struggle to free myself from his iron grip.

“The law that she isn’t to mate or bear a pup. I have seen the shadow of a man enter her room, Alpha. She deserves to be punished.” I roll my eyes at her as I mockingly scoff, oh Lydia, how stupid can you be?

He snarls and turns dark eyes to me. I don’t look away, praying he will believe her and loosen his grip; once he does, I’m gone. But I have no such luck.

“Is this true?” He frowns at me. A ghost of a smirk curls on my lips. Of course, he knows it’s true because the man in question is him. He looks at me with emotion in his eyes. Is it betrayal? Sadness? Heartache? Whatever it is. It’s quite amusing to see.

“What do you think?” I spit back, not looking from his eyes when it dawns on him. His gaze darkens at my words, he hasn’t realised that it is him she has seen. I will not correct this. I can’t without Lydia knowing who I am.

“You are so shameless to admit it to our Alpha. You’re nothing but a whore. Death is the punishment you deserve.” Lydia added.

I smile at her, baring my teeth, my gaze cold as he raises his hand and slaps me across my face. My head snaps to the side and I taste blood on my tongue. He actually believed her, her a fucking cunning bitch. How stupid is he? He would never believe me anyway. 

“How dare you betray me? I’ll get even with you when we come back from the hospital.” Damien whispers to my ears, in a voice that only I can hear. 

Dizziness takes hold as I stagger. If he wasn’t holding me up, I would have fallen. He drags me to the front door and takes my coat and bag before dragging me out into the cold, wet night. The rain is torrential; each drop burns my skin with its icy coldness, a sense of dread washes over me. I am reminded that I will not be able to leave. Not unless I’m dead.

Damien fiercely rips the car door open and shoves me inside. I slide over to the far side of the back seat and pull my legs up to my chest. 

“Are you ok Luna?” Beta Jake sheds his crocodile tears. I don’t look at him. He is the only one who knows of our fake marriage and doesn’t care at all. Like his Alpha he only cares about her, his sister Jessica.

I keep my eyes glued to the window. When Damien enters the car and instructs him to drive. My warm breath forms on the interior of the car window. Condensation forms in contrast to the cold storm outside. The storm outside matches the storm within me. I know I could lose my pup if I go through with this. I can’t let that happen. I see myself in the reflection of the window. I’m soaked by the rain and my seaweed-like long hair is plastered to my body. I look grey, sickly even. This is done to me by him. My mate.

“Luna? Are you ok?” again I ignore his words when I feel the burning gaze at the back of my head. His cold eyes burning deep, marrying my flesh with his glare.

“What’s wrong with you Marissa?” He snarls out as I don’t turn to him. I solely watch the street lights whizz past the car as the sound of the rain streams down the window. 

“I’m exhausted. I need to rest.” Is all I say in acknowledgement. My fate is now sealed. I should have run sooner. I should have left years ago. I was stupid to think he would ever love me. He only holds Jessica in his heart and no-one else.

“Get some rest. We will be there soon and Marissa, you will do this or I will bleed you myself.” Alpha Damien shows his care in a way as if he didn’t show at all. 

I don’t respond. I just wipe the tear that has escaped my eyes. Closing my eyes, I try to build up as much of my strength as possible, but I know it’s futile. I will no doubt lose my life tonight. I replay what my grandfather said to me. He always said that being a healer is an honour, even though I would not be allowed to create life. I will always be allowed to save lives. You need to hold your composure and not be too emotional. If you are too emotional your healing ability will waiver. 

But who will help me when I need it? The answer is simple. Nobody, I’m all alone. Well there was one, his name is Robert. Robert was laying nearly dead when I discovered him by the pack border. He had lost so much blood that the ground was saturated in it. Grandfather had been teaching me in secret the magical effects of our blood. So I couldn’t let an innocent child die when I knew my blood could save him. I watched with fascination as his wounds healed, leaving no trace of injury. He woke up, and told me with a straight face that he would repay me. I gave him an uneasy titter, that was the first time people had expressed gratitude to me. Since then, Robert became my only childhood friend. He would stand up for me and protect me when the triplet bullied me. 

“I’m sorry, baby.” Inwardly I apologise to my pup. I’m a failure. A failure like everyone says I am. Some mother I am, I can’t even protect my pup.

Pulling up to the hospital. I’m snapped out of my daze as the door is ripped open and Damien grabs me out. He drags me towards the emergency department. I stumble but manage to pull myself up. The automatic doors open and the scent of disinfectant hits my nose. My stomach rolls and I fight the urge to vomit as I’m dragged through the department to the emergency room. The halls are eerily quiet; the only sound is my heels against the cold tile.

Dr Brendan comes out as he looks at me and to Damien. Dr Brendan is a general surgeon, he is tasked with many different roles within the hospital. He has experience in many different subjects. I dare say my grandfather was the best in our world and Dr Brendan was next after him.

“Alpha, unfortunately, Miss Morgan has a rare blood group. We don’t have that blood here and by the time we get it sent from another pack, I’m afraid it would be too late.” Dr Brendan looks at me with sadness, knowing I am going to be sacrificed to save her.

“Use Marissa. You know her blood can heal anything right. Use her blood to save Jessica.” He pushes me towards Dr Brendan. I stumble as Jake catches my arm to steady me. I nod my thanks to him and see he holds my coat and bag. The bag that holds my blood results, the blood results that confirm my pregnancy.

“Alpha, I cannot use Marissa. She is in no condition.” My eyes widen at him and I say a silent plea for him not to tell him.

“You will do as I ask. She is a healer. It is her job to heal. Marissa is only tired. She can rest after this.” I close my eyes, praying to the Goddess to save me just this once.

“It’s you!” a shrill voice comes from behind us. I turn my head to look over my shoulder. Lydia.

“Alpha, it's him. He is the one who has been entering Marissa’s room.” My eyes widen at her accusation.

Turning to look at Damien, he looks from me to Dr Brendan. He can’t seriously believe this shit show, can he?

“Is that true?” I shake my head.

“No, it isn’t. Dr Brendan is like a grandfather to me. Lydia shut your mouth!” I glare at her as a sly smirk spreads across her face. 

“It is him. I have seen it with my own eyes.” Lydia folds her arms over her chest. Dr Brendan turns towards her.

“I beg your pardon? Do you have evidence of this? How dare you come in here and accuse me of this? Get out right now.” I scowl menacingly at her. Not only is she trying to destroy what is left of my life, but that of an innocent man.

“I’m sure it’s you. Look, Alpha, look how protective he is of her.” Lydia points between us, grinning like the cat that got the cream. But she is nothing but a snake and the best way to deal with a snake is to cut its head off.

Damien looks at me and he sneers down at me. Moving towards my ear, he whispers.

“You will give your blood or I will kill him. What will it be?” I grit my teeth as another wave of dizziness washes over me.

“Do it.” The tears leave my eyes as Dr Brendan looks at me with pity as he leads me to a room closely followed by Damien and Jake. 

“You will be rewarded for your contribution. I will do as promised. I will make you Luna, don’t forget the blood oath you made. If you don’t do this, then Moon Goddness Selene will condemn you.” I look away as I think of my pup. 

The needle stings my arm and I feel my blood leave my body. He will fulfil nothing, he will never break the laws he vowed to uphold. Once he is done with me, he will kill me and then he will be free to make Jessica his Luna, like he always wanted to. 

Tears well into my eyes. No one respects promises, even Robert. He promised me that he would always be there for me when I am in need, but he just vanished without a trace in my life like how he appeared in the pack territory out of nowhere. I haven’t seen him since, which is saddening. I wish things were different and we were still in touch, at the very least we’d had a better goodbye rather than this hasty ending... The memory plays out when I hear Damien speak.

“Is the blood enough?” my head feels too heavy as darkness creeps into my vision. As I feel my eyes roll into the back of my head.