Bound To My Father’s Foe

ElainaI don’t remember walking back to my room. My body carried me on trembling legs as my mind kept spinning like a cart wheel in mud. The image of my step mother wrapped in Darien’s arms had burned into my eyelids. I just couldn’t get the picture of their lust out of my head. Every time I blinked, I saw her laugh, heard his groan, and smelled their betrayal in the air. Melissa didn’t only betray me, she’d also betrayed my father. She’d betrayed the sacred position of Luna. She’d betrayed my mother’s position by sleeping with that filth. Tomorrow, I was supposed to belong to him. Tomorrow, my father would smile and be blinded to the fact that the man he has chosen for me was already warming another woman’s bed. His woman. I clutched the edges of my vanity, staring back at the figure in the mirror. The person looked like a ghost, pale face and disheveled hair with flushed cheeks. No. I don’t look like a ghost. That would have been better because ghosts have freedom, but I don’t.

ElainaSome sixth sense jolted me awake. I peel my eyelids open just to see the morning sun, casting a warm glow on my face through the slightly opened window. The curtains wafted softly from the gentle breeze seeping in. A soft smile tugged on my lips, but it wasn't the beauty of the rising sun that made me smile. It was the small tingles that pulsed through my core, sending waves of pleasure submerging into my entire body. A stark reminder of last night’s encounter. It all happened last night. My first sex. The thought hit me hard like a slap, my heart beginning to pound against my ribs. I slowly sat up, clutching the sheets to my body as fragments of last night’s memory begin to flood my mind—his touch, his masculine voice, his mysterious eyes that glowed faintly in the dark. The stranger. My breath caught. What in the goddess’s name have I done?The reminder that this morning was my mating ceremony also felt like a weight crushing my chest. I was supposed to be mated to Darie

Five Years later,ElainaThe early morning fog rolled lazily across the forest, adding soft edges to the world. Dew clung to the hem of my dress, and the air carried that earthy scent that only ever came before sunrise. A tiny chill surged through my skin, but the woods were alive. The atmosphere was filled with birds calling, branches creaking and a faint snap of rabbit traps not too far away. “Stay close!” I called over my shoulder, but I knew I was talking to empty air. A tiny giggle answered my warning, followed by the sound of twigs snapping. “Raven! Ryker!” I sighed, placing my hand on my hip as I scanned my surroundings. “I swear one of these days I’ll leave you two out here with nature if you don’t start listening.”Two small heads pop out from behind a bush. Raven with her wild black curls and mischievous grin, and Ryker, his emerald green eyes that reminded me too much of his father, whoever he truly was. “But mama,” Raven pouted, her tiny hands cupping something. “Look

Elaina“Let her go!”I shrugged, “not until you tell me where my pups are.”The man shook his head. “You have no idea what you’re getting yourself into. That’s the Luna you’re holding so disrespectfully.”My brows furrowed, “look who’s talking. The only person being disrespectful here is you—sleeping with your Alpha’s woman?”He growled, pushing his body forward like he wanted to attack. “I will have your tongue for that!”I tsked, shaking my head as I pressed the scalpel tightly on the queen’s throat. She gasped and trembled with fear, causing her lover to growl at me. “Troy,” the queen pleaded, “let’s try to reason with her before things get out of hand.”To them I was this haggard and out of control wolf that came from nowhere. My actions and the way I talked definitely gave me away as someone dangerous with an unstable mind, but deep down I was none of that. At least I don’t feel dangerous. My inside trembled and my heart leapt violently against my ribs. I was terrified to death

Elaina“Where are my pups?” I glare at her, stepping into her personal space. Monica doesn’t flinch or move backwards. She tilts her head and studies me, her eyes sizing me up as if I was some item to be discarded. She shrugs. “They’ll be just fine if you just do as you’re told.” “Do as I’m told?” I repeated, grimacing. “I swear to the goddess I’ll—”“You’ll do nothing.” She declares, stone-faced like I was her greatest foe. “You’re nothing but an outcast here—you and those little rascals—”My hands move automatically in response to the spark of fury my wolf felt. Without waiting for my brain to process, I grabbed her by the chin then slammed her back against the door. A growl rips from my throat while she lets out a startled whimper. “Call me anything worse you can think of. You can call me a slave even, but I won’t let a confused trophy Luna like you spew rubbish about my pups. You hear me? Never!”I release her jaw just slightly enough for her to breathe properly. “And you’ll a