Chapter 3
The only response I got was a sharp, cracking slap.
Weakened from blood loss, I had no chance of withstanding Alpha Raymond’s strength. His blow sent me sprawling to the floor, my body hitting the ground hard enough to knock the breath out of me. I couldn’t even lift myself for what felt like an eternity.
For a brief moment, regret flickered in his dark eyes. His powerful fingers twitched as if he wanted to reach for me–but then his voice turned cold as ice.
“Stop acting. You once braved the Silver Mist Caverns alone for me, burned half your body and didn’t so much as flinch. Don’t tell me you can’t handle a slap.”
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A bitter laugh rose in my chest. The sacrifices I made for him–the burns, the scars, the near–death journeys–now used as proof that I was just putting on a show.
Hilarious. Absolutely hilarious.
Perhaps memories of the past softened him, because his voice shifted, almost gentle.
With a heavy sigh, he bent down, his massive arms–strong enough to snap my neck without effort–scooping me up. He took an ice pack from a warrior and pressed it against my swollen cheek himself.
“Does it hurt?” he asked softly. “Charlotte is my fated mate. The pup she carries… it’s the future of Shadowmoon Pack. You have to understand my position.”
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His position. His damned excuses.
Marrying me for a political alliance was a burden. Marking Charlotte was a burden. And now, forcing me to sacrifice my pup for hers–also a burden.
A hysterical laugh ripped from my throat.
“Some Alpha you are,” I spat, my voice rising. “Even a rogue has more freedom than you! At least they can choose who they share a bed with!”
Raymond’s face darkened like a brewing
storm.
He gripped my jaw in a vice, his words grinding out between clenched teeth.
“Seems I’ve been far too merciful with you. Warriors! Throw this lunatic into the ice lake.
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Let her cool off.”
Two warriors seized me by the arms and dragged me outside.
The moment my body hit the freezing water, it felt like a thousand silver needles stabbing every inch of my skin. My teeth chattered uncontrollably, my body convulsing as icy agony wrapped around me.
My consciousness blurred. Darkness swirled at the edges of my mind.
Then–sharp pain.
My scalp burned as someone yanked my hair hard enough to rip strands from my head. Through the haze, Charlotte’s beautiful face swam into view, twisted with malice.
“So what if you’re the Moon Goddess’s
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chosen Luna?” she sneered, voice dripping venom. “You’re still dancing to my tune! I wonder… when you die, will your mighty Goddess bother striking me down with lightning?”
She turned and called sweetly to Raymond standing nearby, “My dear Alpha… she still won’t admit her mistakes. Perhaps a little persuasion…?”
He didn’t even look at me. Just muttered absently, “Do whatever you like.”
Before I could react, Charlotte’s hands shoved my head under.
Freezing water filled my mouth, my nose, my lungs, burning like fire. My chest threatened
to burst.
She yanked me up, letting me gasp half a
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breath-
Then forced me under again.
And again.
And again.
Eventually, even Charlotte seemed bored. She waved over an Omega to continue the game, commanding her to drown me repeatedly while she watched.
Raymond… my Alpha, my mate… stood not ten feet away, watching it all with cold, detached eyes.
My vision darkened. My wolf spirit whimpered, ready to abandon my broken body and return to the Moon Goddess.
But just as the darkness swallowed me-
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A scream tore through the icy night.
The Omega tormenting me was suddenly kicked away, sent flying with bone–cracking force.
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