Mag-log inBristonThe door closed behind Melissa and I sat there staring at it while my mind raced with questions I couldn't answer. What the fuck had I just done? I had kissed her. I had pulled her onto my bed and kissed my father's Luna like I had any right to touch her.This was wrong on every possible level and I knew it. But the moment our lips met every rational thought had evaporated and all I could feel was the mate bond singing in my chest. Now she was going to walk back to her chambers and lay down in the same bed with my father. What if he noticed her scent had changed? What if he could smell me on her skin?I ran my hand through my hair and immediately regretted it when pain shot through my ribs. The healer had done good work patching me up but I was still a mess of broken bones and torn flesh. I shouldn't have pulled Melissa toward me with such force. I shouldn't have kissed her at all.But I couldn't bring myself to regret it completely.I shifted carefully on the bed trying to fi
Melissa I lay perfectly still beside Draven while listening to his breathing gradually slow and deepen into sleep. My entire body ached from what he had done and I could feel his seed leaking out of me onto the ruined sheets beneath us. Disgust rolled through my stomach in waves but I forced myself to remain motionless until I was absolutely certain he was unconscious. Finally his breathing turned into soft snores and I knew it was safe to move. I carefully extracted myself from his grip and slid off the bed while trying not to make any sound. Every muscle protested as I stood and I had to bite my lip to keep from crying out. This was supposed to be the night of my coronation. The night I officially became Luna of Dark Moon Valley. Instead it had ended with Draven nearly killing his own son and then violating me while my mate lay broken and bleeding somewhere in this cursed castle. I swore to myself right then that I was going to make him pay when I left this place. Whatever it t
Melissa"Stop!" I screamed again, but my voice was drowned out by the sickening crack of ribs breaking.Draven had Briston pinned against one of the pillars and was delivering blow after devastating blow. Blood splattered across the white stone with each impact, painting abstract patterns that made my stomach turn. Briston tried to defend himself but he was already too damaged and too weak."Please stop this!" I cried again while running forward. "You're killing him!"Draven didn't even glance in my direction. His fist connected with Briston's jaw and I heard teeth shatter. Briston's legs buckled and he would have collapsed if Draven wasn't holding him."Stop it! Stop it! Stop it!" I kept screaming the words over and over but Draven acted like I didn't exist.He threw Briston to the ground and my mate hit the floor with a terrible thud that made me flinch. Draven kicked him in the ribs again. Each impact produced a sound like branches snapping and Briston coughed up blood that pooled
BristonAfter Melissa had left the dining hall I sat there staring at Delilah while she continued chattering about absolutely nothing that mattered. Fury burned inside me like acid eating through my chest and I could barely hear her words over the roaring in my ears. My father sat at the head of the table looking smug and satisfied while this stranger smiled at me like she already owned me.I couldn't take another second of it.I pushed back from the table abruptly and stood without excusing myself. Delilah stopped mid-sentence and looked up at me with confusion."I need to speak with my father alone," I stated coldly. "Now."Father raised an eyebrow but nodded."Delilah, perhaps you should retire to your guest chambers," he suggested smoothly. "We can continue getting acquainted tomorrow."Delilah's smile faltered slightly but she recovered quickly and stood gracefully."Of course," she agreed. "It was lovely meeting you Briston. I look forward to spending more time together."She l
MelissaThat evening I sat beside Draven at the dining table still trying to process everything that had happened during the coronation ceremony. The crown they had placed on my head now rested in my chambers but I could still feel its phantom weight pressing down on me. I pushed food around my plate without really eating while my mind spun with questions about what came next.Draven seemed pleased with himself as he ate and occasionally made comments about the success of the ceremony. I responded with polite nods and quiet agreement because that was all I could manage. My thoughts kept drifting to Briston and the way he had stormed out of the hall. The mate bond pulled at my chest with an insistent ache that I tried to ignore.The dining room doors opened and Briston finally arrived looking disheveled like he had been running or fighting or doing anything other than preparing for dinner. His hair was messy and there were shadows under his eyes that hadn't been there this morning. He
MelissaThe day of my confirmation rite arrived and I woke up with dread settling heavy in my stomach. I had barely slept the night before because my mind kept replaying everything Briston had told me about the curse and what Draven really wanted from me. A breeder. That's all I was to him. A vessel to produce an heir and break his affliction.The maids came to prepare me early in the morning and dressed me in ceremonial robes made of deep purple silk embroidered with real gold thread. They arranged my hair in an elaborate style and placed delicate jewelry around my neck and wrists. When they finally finished I barely recognized my own reflection in the mirror."You look beautiful Luna," one of the maids whispered with genuine admiration in her voice.The hall was already filled with people when I arrived. Everyone turned to look at me as I entered and I felt the weight of their stares pressing down on my shoulders.Draven sat on his throne at the front of the hall looking more animat







