When we reached the packhouse, Matt and Daphne were standing in the driveway, with my parents and Alpha Martin, looking tense. Kennis didn't acknowledge them. As I went past them, Daphne grabbed my arm, and pain shot through me. I gritted my teeth, glaring at her.
“Di, why did you run away?” she hissed, her voice low but urgent. Alpha Kennis halted and turned to Matt.“If that woman keeps touching my Luna, I’ll rip her arms off,” he threatened, making everyone go pale. We all knew he meant it.
I followed Alpha Kennis inside. Just as I reached my bedroom, a voice echoed in my mind.
'You’re sleeping in my room tonight.'
Ignoring him only intensified the headache I was feeling. I surrendered, and the tension eased.
With a sigh, I put on my worst pajamas and headed to his room, my heart racing. On the way, I bumped into Louis, who smirked. “I was coming to escort you to his room. Why the awful pajamas? Don’t you want to get lucky?”
“Very funny,” I forced a smile.
“Just saying,” he shrugged.
When I entered Alpha Kennis’s room, I felt a shiver run down my spine. He sat there, icy and imposing. My wolf whimpered as I stood in silence, tension thick in the air.
“Come here,” he commanded, and against my will, I approached him. His fingers examined my chin, trailing down to the mark I hated, then to the pain I couldn't hide.
“Your healing is pathetic,” he stated. True, I was no speedster in that department.
“I chose you because you’ll give me the heir I want,” he said matter-of-factly, catching me off guard.
“The hell,” I growled.
His gaze remained unmoved. “You have no choice. Your Alpha and family have agreed to it.”
“No! There are plenty of other she-wolves.” My anger flared.
“Just you,” he said with chilling certainty.
“Why?” I was on the verge of tears, but held them back.
"Because my lycan chose you,"
He pushed me against the wall, his strong form pinning me down. In a flash, his lips crashed onto mine in a fierce kiss, taking my breath away. It was intoxicating and terrifying. I fought to be released to no avail. My head banged against the wall, making me cry in pain, but Alpha Kennis didn’t stop. His hand closed around my throat as the other went to touch my breasts. I thrashed, but that seemed only to drive him more. I shuddered at the feel of his cock against my stomach. When he finally pulled away and released the hand around my throat, I was panting for air, and my lips were bruised. My eyes glowed with anger. “You're an asshole!” “From now on, you’re mine,” Kennis said in a low growl. He extended his knife-like claws to cut through my cotton pajama shirt. Fear, so much fear coursed through me, and the tears I tried to hold back escaped, streaming down my cheeks.He grabbed my breasts in his hand, gently at first.Suddenly, he lifted me and threw me onto the bed, making me yelp in surprise. He loomed over me, and before he could make another move, relentless pounding echoed from the door.“Go away!” he roared, frustrated. The pounding persisted. Alpha Kennis growled low, his irritation palpable, before going to the door. Seizing my chance, I bolted from the bed, hastily shoving my pajamas back on and racing towards the bathroom. I locked myself in, sliding down the door to the cold floor, tears streaming down my cheeks. I wanted the comfort of my parents, to mind-link with them and escape this nightmare, but I knew they wouldn’t come to my aid.
Minutes ticked by, magnified in the heavy silence, until the door creaked open. I trembled, biting my lip to stifle my sobs.
When I blinked awake, I found myself cocooned in bed. Alone. Thank goddess.
Instinctively, I reached out to Mark through the mind-link. Relief flooded me when I felt his presence, though it was tinged with pain. He was healing but confined to the clinic for observation.
Gathering my courage, I clambered out of bed and crept towards the door. I paused, half-expecting to find Louis and that other guy waiting for me, but the hallway was empty.
I took a breath and rushed to my bedroom, but as I was about to enter, a hand shot out, grabbing my arm and slamming me against the wall.
Daphne stood before me, her eyes aflame with fury, cheeks flushed, and for the first time, her usually composed appearance was in shambles.
“You’re hurting me,” I growled, pushing her away with all my strength. Her sharp nails clawed at my skin, but I reveled in the sound of her back hitting the wall with a satisfying thud.
“You little bitch! What the hell did you say to Matt?” she spat, her wolf’s eyes glowing brightly, barely contained.
“Watch yourself, dear sister. You’d do well to remember that the lycan Alpha has chosen me. I’m of a higher rank than you now,” I warned, relishing her expression of shock. She clutched her chest as if I’d struck her.
“How dare you threaten me? I’m your sister!” she shrieked.
“Blood means nothing if you’re willing to let my boyfriend of four years ride you while you begged him to make you Luna,” I shot back, dismissing her with a wave. I wouldn't allow her to manipulate my emotions after everything she’d put me through. Her breath hitched, fierce resolve crumbling.
We glared at each other until I sidestepped her. That’s when she spoke, trembling.
“Matt challenged Alpha Kennis to a duel. He did it so he wouldn’t take you.”
I froze, my heart raced. Why would Matt risk everything? Kennis was a formidable opponent; no one stood a chance against him!
“He’s a fool to do that,” I muttered.
“You have to stop him, Di, please,” she begged, desperation leaking into her tone.
“Why?” I demanded.
“Because it’s your fault!” she cried, her voice cracking.
“I didn’t ask him to do that,” I retorted, irritation simmering just below the surface. “I don’t owe Matt anything.”
I stormed into my room, slamming the door behind me. Daphne pounded on my door, begging and insulting me so that I would stop this. As much as I wanted to deny her, a sliver of guilt wormed its way into my heart. I couldn’t let Matt die because of me.