Chapter 9

Laura POV

When the lunchtime school bell rings, we all stand up from the bench we’ve made our home for the last forty-five minutes. “Are you coming to study hall?” Kayleigh asks.

I shake my head as I slide my bag over my shoulder. “Not yet. I’m going to meet Danny in the car park quickly—he said he wanted to see me. Stall Miss Lowe for me, please?”

Kayleigh rolls her eyes, but she can’t fight the smile that creeps onto her lips. “Alright, lover girl. You owe me.”

“Thank you,” I exhale gratefully before giving her a half-hearted hug. I don’t have long to see Danny. He's always busy playing football at lunch.

I dart off to the sports block and approach the car park. My eyes scan the area, hoping I’m not caught by a teacher for being out of class.

My legs carry me to the other end of the car park, where I spot Danny’s car, but he’s nowhere to be seen. I check my phone, and surprisingly, I have no messages either. 

I huff out a breath and slump against the side of his door when a van pulls up with blacked-out windows.

The hairs on the back of my neck stand immediately, and I push off the car. I grab my bag tighter and stare at the man as he peers out of the window, looking at me like I’m an animal at the zoo.

“Hey, darlin’.” His voice is rough as he chews on a toothpick.

I furrow my brows at him before walking away. Do they not have better security at this school? Either that or one of the maintenance men is being extra creepy today.

The van slowly pulls away and begins to follow me as I walk towards the exit of the car park. I keep my head down. It’s best not to engage.

“Aren’t you a pretty little thing?”

When I look at him with disgust, he drops me a sleazy wink which makes my stomach roll with discomfort. 

My feet burst into a run, but I hear the van door open and slam behind me.

“Grab her,” another voice demands loudly. “She’s the one. She’s mine.”

Blood pounds in my ears as I run to the path, but I’m too slow. 

A sweaty hand clamps over my mouth to muffle my scream, as forceful hands latch onto my arms, tugging me backward. I kick and wriggle, but I’m outnumbered. 

The back door of the van opens, and I’m shoved inside. Darkness swarms me as they slam the doors shut and laugh.

My face burns from the punch that leaves me whimpering. Blood swims in my mouth, making me nauseous. 

I’m sick of the taste. I’m sick of swallowing back copper that burns my throat.

“Now, tell me again, where did you used to live?”

I partially open my swollen eyes to look at my kidnapper, Alex.

“I-I don’t remember,” I croak between heavy breaths. Blood drips down my chin as I speak and splashes onto the stone-cold floor.

Alex flashes me a smile of triumph. “Good pet. And your parents?”

“My foster–”

The next hit is more painful than the last. My entire face stings beyond words. Flinching, I release a groan of agony. 

My body almost touches the floor. But before I hit the ground, Alex takes a fist full of my hair and tugs me towards his face.

I stare back into his lifeless mossy eyes that I have despised since the moment I came here. 

My jaw clenches, and I am hit by another wave of tangy blood that makes me gag. “Who are your parents?” he asks again.

My lips tremble, and I know better than to act smart or tell the truth. “I-I don’t remember,” I whisper as I flick my eyes between his.

Alex finally releases my head and throws me to the floor. “Good,” he grumbles as he stands up and dusts his hands on his trousers. “We’ll come back to this again tomorrow. 

The quicker you forget, the quicker we can get on with everything we have in store for you.”

My entire body shakes against the wet floor. I close my eyes as they fight to stay open. I’ve never felt so defeated and useless. 

My only wish is that this is all over soon. Yet, I know barely anyone will be looking for me.

"There's my beautiful girl." Alex flashes his evil smile at me as he enters the room I’m chained up in.

I stare up at him through my damp lashes. “Fuck you.” My voice is strong and whispers.

His dark, cackling laugh echoes around the freezing room as he takes a few steps closer. I flick my eyes to his hand as he slaps my cheek hard. 

The corner of my lip splits open within seconds. Blood bursts across my tongue, but I’m used to it now.

My head rises as I look up at him. His chest heaves with fuelled disgust at my profanity. I gather the blood in my mouth and spit down onto the ground next to his feet. 

Before I know it, he’s grabbing my face painfully between his fingers and lining his nose up against mine. “Oh…you stupid little mate. 

Everything would have turned out alright if you were an actual wolf and not a Luna.”

I refuse to let my eyes water. He’s been going on about werewolves and mates since I was brought here against my will. 

I didn’t believe him at first, but he showed me the transformation, which I thought was impossible. A part of me was convinced that I had died, but the reality soon hit. Is never true that I died, that is my spirit remains, I was brainwashed to believe what I know couldn't be true. I will not let them my belief and insert me with another strange one irrespective of anyone even the moon goodness can never. It can never at all. I have become popular again and again.