AKIRA’s POV.
I stormed into my room, slamming the door behind me. I was fuming. Kael’s words still echoed in my mind, “You’re just a Luna in name, Akira. You’re a breeder, nothing more.” How dare he!
I paced back and forth, my whole body shaking with anger. I couldn’t believe he didn’t listen to me, didn’t trust me. I was his mate, his partner, but he treated me like a … like a bag of trash.
As I turned to jump onto my bed, I noticed something was off. My room was scattered, my clothes and belongings thrown about. I froze, my senses on high alert, and panic began to set in despite how hard I fought against it.
And then I saw him. A masked figure, hiding behind my curtains.
My instincts kicked in, and I growled low in my throat. “Who are you?” I demanded, my eyes fixed on the figure.
The figure didn’t move, didn’t speak. I took a step closer, my heart pounding in my chest.
“Answer me!” I snarled, my hands clenched into fists, ready to punch two teeth out of this figure if he did not talk.
Suddenly, the figure sprang into action, launching itself at me with sharp and agile movements. I tried to defend myself, but it was too quick, too strong. It pinned me to the bed, its hands around my throat.
I struggled to break free, but it was too powerful. I was suffocating, unable to breathe, my vision blurring. I tried to shift, to transform into my wolf form, but the figure’s grip was too tight.
I kicked and punched, trying to free myself of its hold, but it didn’t budge. Its mask slipped, revealing a pair of eyes.
I felt a wave of fear, but I refused to give up. I dug my nails into its arms, trying to scratch my way free.
The figure hissed in pain, its grip loosening slightly. I took advantage of the momentary distraction, using all my strength to push it off me.
We crashed to the floor, rolling and punching. I managed to land a few blows on its jaw and cheeks, but the figure was relentless.
It soon got the upper hand and pinned me down, its hands around my wrists, holding me in place. I struggled and kicked, but it was too strong.
Just as I thought I was going to pass out from exhaustion, the figure leaned in close, its hot breath on my face.
“You’re just a breeder,” it hissed, repeating Kael’s words. “You’ll never be more than that.”
I felt a surge of rage and humiliation. I refused to be defeated. I mustered the last strength in me and pushed it off me.
We broke apart, panting and cursing under our breath. I scrambled to my feet, ready to face it again.
But the figure just stood there, for a minute I thought I had it but it quickly jumped out of the open window.
I was left standing there, my heart pounding and without thinking, I jumped out of the open window and chased the figure deep into the woods but I somehow lost it.
I emerged from the woods, my heart still racing from the encounter with the stranger. As I approached the pack’s gate, I saw Kael and Zephyr waiting for me, their faces etched with concern.
“Akira, thank the gods you’re okay,” Kael said, rushing towards me. “We were worried sick about you.”
Zephyr nodded in agreement. “We came out to look for you when we realized you were missing.”
I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself down. “I’m fine,” I said. “But there was a stranger in my room. It attacked me, and then I chased it into the woods.”
Kael’s expression turned grim. “We’ll find out who it was and make them pay,” he growled.
Zephyr nodded. “We’ll increase security and make sure this doesn’t happen again.”
I nodded, feeling a sense of relief wash over me. I was safe now, surrounded by my pack and my beloved yet arrogant mate.
But as we turned to head back to the palace, I couldn’t shake off the feeling that the stranger was still out there, watching me, waiting for its next chance to strike. And to prove my suspicions, a dark and incredible figure raced past us.
“Let’s get back to the palace,” Kael said, his arm around my shoulders. “We’ll figure out what happened and make sure you’re protected.”
As we entered the palace, Kael led me to his chambers, Zephyr following closely behind. But as we reached the door, Kael turned to Zephyr and said, “Leave us, Zephyr. I need to speak with Akira alone.”
Zephyr nodded and turned to leave, but I caught his eye and saw a lion of concern there. I tried to reassure him with a small smile, but he just looked away and walked into the hallway.
Kael shut the door behind him and turned to me, his expression suddenly turning scary. “Akira, you’re not allowed to leave my chambers until further notice,” he said, his voice firm.
I felt a surge of rage and frustration at his words. “What? Why not?” I demanded, trying to keep my voice low.
Kael’s expression didn’t change. “Because you’re not safe on your own,” he said. “That stranger could still be out there, and I won’t risk losing you.”
I tried to protest, but Kael cut me off. “No, Akira. This isn’t up for discussion. You’ll stay here where I can protect you.”
I felt a wave of anger wash over me at his hardheaded behavior. “I don’t need your protection, Kael,” I spat. “I can take care of myself.”
Kael sneered at me. “Really? Because from where I’m standing, it looks like you can’t even take care of yourself in your own room.”
His words hit me like a slap, and I felt my face redden with anger. “That’s not fair, Kael,” I said, trying to keep my voice level.
But Kael just laughed. “Fair? Do you want to talk about fair? You’re just a Luna in name, Akira. You’re not even a real wolf. You can’t protect yourself, and you should do as you are told.”
“No!”