***Trigger Warning - This chapter has sensitive content related to Sexual Assault.***
Sam scoots back on his backside away from me, wide-eyed, then clambers up and runs away as fast as he can.
Suddenly, I'm thrust back into my normal state of mind and I fall back to the ground, exhausted. My hands are no longer glowing, but they feel like they are on fire and full of static electricity.
"Lex! What was that?" I scold her, but mostly because it scared me.
"I couldn't help it. He was threatening us."
"Okay, but what was with the glowy purple, burny hands thing?! That's not normal!"
"Kas, we've been through this. We are a child of the Moon Goddess. We are special. The 'glowy purple, burny hands thing' is a gift from our mother. There is more, too. You will see after we shift for the first time. Until then, I'm not strong enough to show you. Besides, it isn't like I hurt him; his wolf will heal him before he is back in his office."
"I-I don-, wait, you mean the Moon Goddess is my actual mom? Like she gave birth to me, specifically? Not just, like, mother of all werewolves because she created us a gazillion years ago?"
"That's what I've been saying since I woke up. It's not my fault you didn't believe me."
I pick up a towel to wipe the blood from my nose. Lex is already healing me from the break. But my face is clearly going to be bruised for a couple of days. I pull my hat down low so no one can see the bruises, then pick up the first two platters and rush out to the dining room.
"Okay, well if you're able to do that to Sam, how come you can't do it to Alpha Graham or Ryan?"
"Well, I think it happened one time before I woke up, but I wasn't fully in control then. I can't do it now because he's our Alpha, Kas. I can't go against what he says. I can't attack our Alpha or our future Alpha."
"Fine." I concede. I don't want to argue with her. I'm just trying to figure out the rules. I'm kinda in uncharted territory here. I mean, it's cool territory, but I don't know what our limits are.
Once all the platters are out, I make the list of extra supplies I need and put it in the box hanging outside Sam's office. That way, I don't have to face him again.
I clean up the dining room from lunch and still have about forty-five minutes until I need to start dinner. I decide to go to the stockroom and put supplies on the pantry cart for later. As I'm working, I hear someone clear their throat behind me. I look up to find Ryan standing uncomfortably close to me.
"Can I help you with something, Ryan?" I try to swallow the panic that instantly builds in my throat.
"Kas, I just wanted to say, when I'm Alpha, you won't be treated the way you are now." He takes a step closer, forcing me to back up against the cart.
"Ryan, please stop." I put my hands up and push lightly against him to get him to move, but he's stronger than me and doesn't budge. I look up at him to see an evil grin distorting his face.
"I see the way my dad treats you, Kas. You never complain. You just take it." He moves closer, breathing deeply until he's fully pressing himself against me. He leans forward and whispers in my ear. "I think you like when he does it. Don't you?"
What in the actual Hell?! There is no way I heard him right. Did I?
"Ryan, I absolutely do not enjoy being beaten by your father," I say in disbelief, "and you're no better. Standing there watching instead of stopping him.”
I can feel tears stinging the corners of my eyes as he slips an arm around my waist. I cannot believe this is happening right now.
"Don't lie to me, Kas. It makes me hard to think about what I'll do to you when it's finally my turn. I can't wait until he lets me treat you like that. I want to hear you moan with pleasure when I beat you. I want you on your knees so I can whip you instead of him. I want you to be my toy, Kas, not his. You'd like that, wouldn't you? Bowing down to me with that pretty ass in the air? We'll turn the dungeon into a playroom just for us, instead of just your bedroom," He's nuzzling against my neck right below my ear making me cringe, but I don't have anywhere to be able to move to get away from him. I can feel his erection getting harder as he leans more weight against me.
"Are you insane?" I yell. I push hard against him, but he's too strong. He doesn't budge, "Get off of me, you sicko!"
This whole time, he's been turned on by watching his dad torture me? What the Hell is wrong with this family?
The look on his face contorts from happy evil to disgusted. Without warning, he takes a step back and kicks me in the stomach causing me to double over in pain. He elbows me in the back, dropping me to my knees. Then he bends over behind me, pressing his body against mine, and slides his arm under my shirt, roughly massaging my breast while he grunts in my ear. He slides his other hand inside my leggings, rubbing his fingers against my lower area. He pulls me toward his body, pressing his erection against my butt, moving back and forth to rub himself against me, his mouth right next to my ear. He's breathing hard as he licks my face.
"I know you want me, Kas. Don't worry, you'll be mine as soon as I convince my father to let me have you. I wanted him to watch the first time I take you. I want to make him proud when I make you squeal in pain, but I don't think I can wait," His voice is rough and ragged with excitement and he's grinding against me and groping me.
All I can do is sob. I'm afraid to fight back or to even say anything. Lex can't help me because he's my future Alpha.
'Moon Goddess, if you're really my mother, please help me! Please save me from this!' I cry in my mind as Ryan gropes and rubs himself against me. He pulls my leggings and underwear down, tearing them both in half with his wolf claws extended. I feel him pressing himself against my entrance. I know what was about to happen and I can't take it anymore. I turn my mind off. Just like the night his father beat me within an inch of my life. My mind cannot be present for what is happening to my body.
He finally gets off me and I fall to the floor. He tears the back of my shirt open and releases his seed on the skin of my scarred back. He kicks me in the stomach again and walks away. I lay on the floor of the supply room crying.
"Get up, Kas." Lex commands in my mind.
“I said get up," she repeats. Her voice is stern but caring. "You're better than this. We will survive this."
"I want to die, Lex. I can't do this anymore. I can't."
"You can and you will. We will find our mate soon enough and things will change. I promise."
"How can you be so sure?"
"You will see. Glowy, burny hands are not our only gift."
I get up, find an old cardigan in the back of the stockroom, and put it on. I go back to my room to find new clothes before making dinner.
The next four days go without incident. Unless you consider I have gone to the roof several times contemplating my existence. Each time, I stand with my toes at the edge and stare down from the four-story building. I can't bring myself to do anything except cry and go back to my room. I can't do it to Elexis. I can't take her life because I want to take mine.
Sunday after dinner service, I see Luna Caroline in the hallway while I'm refilling pantries. She quickly approaches me and grabs me by the arm. She extends her claws into my bicep, drawing blood.
"Kas, if you tell anyone and I mean anyone what you saw in Sam's office, I will kill you," she says in a low threatening tone.
You too, lady? I'm fed up. She wants to kill me? Okay, fine. I lift my hat and let my violet eyes look directly at her. She gasps at the unusual sight.
"Luna, it would be a relief and I would welcome death. You clearly don't know or care how I'm treated by this pack. Including your husband, your son, and apparently your lover, too," Tears choke up in my throat. I cannot take any more punishment or threats from anyone else. I'm at my wit's end. If she murders me right here in this hallway, it would be a relief.
"I'm sorry, Lex. I just can't do it anymore," I say to my wolf as I'm staring down Luna Caroline. She doesn't respond, she shuts our mind link and crawls into the corner of my mind.
Luna Caroline pushes me away, "Insolent child! You should be grateful for your life! The Alpha will hear about this."
"I'm not grateful for this life, Luna. And if you think I should be, you are part of the problem. If you want to tell the Alpha about this incident, I'm more than happy to tell him what instigated it."
She stares at me with pure anger and hatred before walking away without a word. I guess fate has other plans for me. I stand in the hall for a few minutes to see if she is coming back, but she doesn't. I'm certain she is going to sabotage me. Maybe she's going to smother me in my sleep or just stab me straight in the back. Either way, I was serious when I told her I welcome death.
I sit on the edge of the bed in the silent room. So this is what twenty-five feels like. I wonder if a hundred and twenty-five will feel just as good. What about two hundred and twenty-five? I laugh to myself at the thought as I head into the bathroom. I look in the mirror and run a brush through my white hair. None of the sparkly gray came back when it grew in four and a half years ago. I examine the mirror closer. It looks like there are some more violet flecks in the light gray of my irises, but maybe that’s just me being hopeful. I still don’t have any abilities other than being able to shift and mind linking other pack members. I splash water on my face and brush my teeth. There will be time to shower later before the pack Summer Solstice party and pack run. I pick up some toys that made their way into the closet room and find a dark blue sundress to wear. Once I am changed, I look at myself in the full-length mirror and smile. When I get into the living room, Marco comes up an
The smell of pine needles and lavender fills the room. I keep my eyes closed and hide my smile as the giggles get closer. “Mommy? Are you awake?” Maya’s little voice whispers loudly. I can feel her weight climbing onto the bed. “Shhh, Maya, Mommy gets to sleep, because it’s her birfday,” Andreas giggles at her while he climbs onto the bed as well. I roll over and pretend to yawn with a big growl and stretch my arms out wide, grabbing them both and bringing them toward me. Their happy squeals fill my heart with joy. “Hello, darlings,” I squeeze them tightly in my arms. “Mommy, happy birfday!” Andreas says happily and gives me a wet kiss on the cheek. “Mommy, Auntie Delilah said she’s made a cake for you,” Maya says with big gray eyes. She lays in my arms and plays with my white hair. She gives a sly little smile, “I think she made chocolate.” “Oh, she did, did she?” I smile back. The twins talk excitedly at the same time, telling me about all the things they want to do with me to
Kas’s POV I sit in front of him, even though he doesn’t know I’m there. I’m afraid if I look away, I may never see him again. Elexis’s black snout pushes under my elbow so I will put my arm around her while she sits next to me. I let myself lean heavily against her while we watch our mate realize that my spirit has left my body. “He broke the mate bond, Kas. Our spirits’ journeys are finished,” Lex says quietly, “There are no more lifetimes for us.” “I understand,” I nod slowly as I run my fingers through her silky onyx fur, “Lex, through everything, I forgive him. I’m sure it seems foolish, but I don’t have the desire to hold on to hate or malice when I move on. So, I forgive him.” “Of course you do. You have a good heart, Kas. I know how much you loved him over the centuries.” “I’ve made my peace, and I died knowing I did everything I could do to save my sisters and keep my pups alive. There is nothing else I need to fulfill me.” “It has been a pleasure being your wolf, Kas. I
“She’s pregnant?” I ask out loud, no one in particular. “Twins,” Reggie says dully. “Based on how big she is and comparing her to when Musu was pregnant, we think she’s due any day. Since she hasn’t eaten, her babies are basically using her body for nutrition. For lack of a better term, they’re eating her alive,” Milo says, as he brushes his hand against her cheek. He sits back on his heels and looks at her with tears in his eyes, “We don’t know what happened to Lex. She hasn’t been able to heal her for over three weeks now.” “What did the doctor say?” I gulp hard. I plant my feet to the ground, afraid to move. “You said no fucking doctors,” Reggie hisses at me through gritted teeth, “or have you forgotten?” “LOOK WHAT YOU DID TO HER YOU SON OF A BITCH!” Saint’s first words in weeks are pure rage against me. He tries to claw his way forward to take control and get to Kas, still protective of her. I take a step forward. A small piece of me, a deep down part that has been hidden awa
Bronx’s POV “Come on, man. It’s been a month. We’re sick of this shit. If this is your order, if this is truly what you want, then man the fuck up and come to the dungeon so you can see your damn handy work,” Milo’s steel-gray eyes bore into me, “Like you said, you don’t give a fuck anymore, so prove it. Come see what you’re doing.” “Watch your tone, Milo,” I stand up, growling at him. “Look, Bronx, you can come with us right now or you can find Blood River another Beta. I have plenty of packs who have already said they would give me asylum. Fuck being a Beta. I’ll take a job as a front gate guard and call it a fucking day. I’ll pack my shit, take Codi, and leave today if that’s how you really want this to go down. Your choice,” he crosses his arms and stares me down. Behind him, Reggie has his hands on his hips, looking at the floor. “What about you, Reggie? You're awfully quiet. Are you part of this ultimatum, too?” I lean forward against the desk, giving him a chance to speak u
Milo’s POV Marco had told us to find her binder before Bronx ordered us to lock him in solitary confinement. He said Kas kept note cards and binders for everything. We just had to find the correct binder to figure out what she was up to. He couldn’t tell us anymore because of some sort of potion he had swallowed. He was right. We rifled through dozens of binders in her office until we found one in her desk drawer that had a sticker labeled ‘Manae Notes’. It detailed everything, complete with cute pictures of rooms and furniture she wanted to use magic to create so her sisters would be comfortable in the home she was building for them. Some of the note cards were actually thin sheets of parchment that looked like they were hundreds of years old. Others were thick handmade papers that were crumbling on the edges. There were at least six different languages among the cards. Musu helped us translate most of them, but a few she said were in dead languages she wasn’t familiar with. Regardl
Kas’s POV I wake up in the morning feeling stiff and sore. I slide out of bed with a groan and look in the mirror. Even more than yesterday, I don’t recognize the reflection I see. Pale skin with dark bags below my eyes. All the violet from my irises is gone, replaced by a gray so light, it could be mistaken for white. I gently run a brush through my brittle, thinning hair. It is no longer gray and glittery. It’s turned into a dull shade of white that matches my eyes. I put on a loose dress and a heavy long cardigan to hide the joints protruding from all my angles before I go out to address my sisters for one last time before escorting them to Kardiá tou Manae. When I first met Lenora, bruises from my nose being broken upset her. What she would think now at my self-imposed deterioration. I turn to the side and admire my growing belly. I let myself smile when I feel the impatient little kicks coming from inside. I spend time with each team of sisters and make sure they are still on
Bronx’s POV Halloween comes and goes. Thanksgiving comes and goes. Winter Solstice is only a couple of weeks away. The frigid Montana winter trudges on. The world keeps turning as if Kas never existed. Last week, I heard Katherine Santoro’s abandoned estate in Greece burned down to the ground. No fatalities and no signs of the other residents and staff who lived there several days prior. A few days later, hunters found Katherine’s naked body, along with an unidentified woman, both mauled by wild animals in a wooded area of Mongolia. The artist's sketch of the other woman is clearly Cora. As soon as they confirmed Katherine was dead, I had my people get to work on acquiring Santoro Enterprises. Within several months, I will be the CEO, absorb the company into MasonCo and create a logistics division. If there are any Manae hiding among Santoro Enterprises staff, I will flush them out and throw them into the dungeon to rot. It’s what they deserve. If Kas ever dares show her face aga
Katherine’s POV The estate is unusually quiet when I get home from work. I don’t notice the usual hustle and bustle, but I chalk it up to coming home later than I normally do. I push open the door to my darkened office, pour myself a glass of scotch, and make my way over to the desk. I turn on the desk lamp and sit down, taking a deep sip of my drink. “Hello, Iokaste,” I lean back in my chair, addressing the woman in the tall wingback seat across the desk, “You look like shit.” “Hello, Katherine. Thank you for the compliment,” she snarks at me and leans forward from the shadow, letting me see her pale skin and sunken eyes be more clearly. Her spindly hand supports her chin. The longer I look at her, the more I realize she is way too thin. “K-Kas. Are-are you alright?” I stammer when I see her true condition. “Don’t worry about me, darling. You never have before. I’m here because I need you to do something for me. I’m going to give you a choice on how you do it,” she says, steepl