Thirty Seven
*Freya*
As the huge men grabbed my arms and dragged me roughly from the room, I sent up a silent, desperate prayer to the Moon Goddess: Please, let me make it out of this alive. Let me find my way back home. My heart pounded wildly as I was hauled me through dark, winding corridors. The dank air reeked of mold and despair. Flickering torches cast eerie shadows that seemed to reach for me with clawed fingers. I tried to memorize each twist and turn, but it was hopeless – this place was a labyrinth designed to trap and disorient.
As we walked further, I distantly noticed the pain in my leg reducing. It literally felt like I was healing on my own. I glanced down at my leg and noticed the blood had dried up and it looked like the wound was closing by itself. I was confused but glad because it meant I would be able to escape without my leg slowing me down.
We finally halted before an imposing set of ebony doors, intricately carved with snarling wolf heads. Their ruby eyes glinted malevolently in the torchlight. I suppressed a shudder. Everything about this place screamed danger.
The guards rapped sharply on the door, the hollow sound echoing like a death knell. “Enter,” a deep voice commanded from within. The doors swung open with an ominous creak.
I was shoved inside so forcefully I nearly stumbled. Catching my balance, I looked up to see a cavernous room with stone walls and a vaulted ceiling. At the far end, a massive throne carved from jagged black rock loomed on a raised dais. And upon that throne sat the most formidable man I’d ever seen.
He was huge, with broad shoulders and thick, corded muscles straining against his black leather armor. Shaggy dark hair framed a face that might have been handsome if not for the cruel twist of his mouth and the predatory gleam in his jet eyes. Power and ruthlessness radiated from him in palpable waves.
I knew without a doubt I was looking at the Alpha of the Sunshade Pack. My mouth went bone dry with terror, but I refused to let it show. I wouldn’t cower before him like a whipped dog.
He raked me with a scorching gaze, a slow smile spreading across his face – the kind of smile a wolf gives a cornered rabbit. “Well, well,” he purred, his voice a melodic rumble. “What have we here? A little lost lamb who’s wandered very far from home indeed.”
I glared at his condescending gaze, my fear sparked into anger. “I am no lamb,” I shot back, my voice hard as flint. “I am Freya Hadid of the Crimson Pack, and I demand you return me to my people at once!”
“Oh, I don’t think so, little wolf,” he chuckled darkly, rising from his throne with fluid grace. He descended the dais slowly, each step deliberate and menacing. “You see, I am Alpha Zephyr, and in my kingdom, I take whatever I want.” His black gaze raked me from head to toe, glittering with dark promise. “And right now, I want you.”
I stood frozen in place, my heart pounding with fear, as Zephyr fixed his dark eyes on me. The wicked Alpha of the Sunshade pack towered over me, his muscular frame emanating power and dominance.
“Freya,” he said in a deep, commanding voice. “From this day forward, you are to be my sex partner and serve my every desire.”
What? could hardly breathe. I needed to escape this place, to get back to the safety of my home in the Crimson Kingdom. Why had I ever run away in the first place? What a foolish mistake!
Gathering my courage, I met Zephyr’s intense gaze. “I cannot be your sex partner, Alpha Zephyr. My heart belongs to another. I’m in love with someone else and have no such feelings for you.”
Zephyr threw back his head and laughed, a rich, wicked sound. I couldn’t help but notice how handsome he was – chiseled features, full sensual lips, golden skin, and eyes dark as the night. Too bad he was a monster. “You think I care about your feelings or wishes, little girl?” He stalked closer, towering over me. “I take what I want. And I want you.”
I backed away on shaky legs, mind racing for an escape. There had to be a way out of this nightmare. I couldn’t let this vile man touch me. Oh Goddess, please help me…
“You can’t get me. Not in this life, or the next.” I shot back at him as I continued to back away.
“You are mine, beautiful. whether you like it or not.” He whispered menacingly. Before I could push him away, he grabbed my hair hard enough to yank it from the roots, making me scream in pain.
“Let me go!” I screamed so hard, trashing about as he hooked his arms around my waist and lifted me towards his bed. He dumped me roughly on the bed and before I could stop him, He kissed me forcefully. “No!” I yelled against his lips and tried to push him away but he was too heavy to budge. I felt a surge of anger and disgust. Without thinking, I bit down on his bottom lip with all my strength. He let out a loud grunt and pulled back in shock, blood dripping from his injured lip.
In that moment, I realized the severity of the situation. Zephyr was trying to force himself on me and I wasn’t going to let that happen. But my defiance only seemed to enrage him further.
In a fit of rage, he raised his hand and slapped me across the face. The impact was so strong that I fell to the ground, my cheek stinging with pain. “You bitch! I was even trying to be gentle with you. But now, I am going to take you in a way that you will never forget for the rest of your miserable life!”
“No! No please!” I screamed as he reached for me again, his hands trying to tear at my jeans. Tears streamed down my face as I struggled against him, trying not to let him touch me.
But just as he was about to pull my clothes off, something strange happened. An invisible force hit him with such intensity that he screamed in agony and stumbled backwards. “ahhrggh!”
I couldn’t believe what was happening. It was like some external power was protecting me from Zephyr’s violence. He looked at me with fear and confusion in his eyes before turning around and backing away from me. “what the fuck are you? Answer me!” He doubled over in pain as the force seemed to torture him more.
I sat there in shock for a few minutes before slowly getting up and examining my surroundings. Was this some sort of magic? And why did it only seem to work when Zephyr was attacking me?
*****