Chapter Three

Melissa

The convoy of black SUVs screeched to a halt in front of a sprawling stone fortress that looked more like a prison than a home. I barely had time to process the sheer size of the structure before the door was yanked open. Alpha Draven reached in and gripped my arm with fingers that felt like steel bands. He pulled me out onto the paved driveway without hesitation. I stumbled slightly in my heels but regained my balance as I looked up at the group of men waiting for us.

They stood in a rigid line at the bottom of the grand staircase, wearing expensive suits that screamed wealth and power. Draven dragged me forward, and the men bowed their heads in a synchronized motion that made my stomach churn.

"Welcome home, Alpha Draven, and welcome to our new Luna," the man standing at the front announced, stepping forward with a practiced grin. "I am Beta Luther, and on behalf of the council and the elders, we are honored to meet the woman who will stand by our Alpha's side."

I looked at Beta Luther and the line of elders behind him, keeping my lips pressed together. They stared at me with eager eyes that expected a gracious smile or kind words, but I refused to give them the satisfaction. Draven tightened his grip on my elbow until the pain shot up my arm.

"Smile, Melissa, you are embarrassing me," Draven whispered harshly in my ear while he waved at his council with his free hand. "You should be happy that you are now the Luna of Dark Moon Valley, this pack is far more advanced and powerful than that little patch of dirt you dreamed of ruling with that boy."

I turned to him, feeling a surge of hatred that made me want to scream. I wanted to tell him I didn't care about his power or his advanced pack, but I held my tongue, knowing it would only make things worse. I let him guide me up the stairs while Beta Luther and the elders trailed behind us like obedient soldiers. We walked through the massive double doors into a foyer large enough to fit my Aunt’s entire house inside it.

Two lines of servants stood on either side of the entrance and bowed at the waist when we stepped onto the marble floor. Draven stopped in the center of the room and released my arm to address the staff.

"This is Melissa, the new Luna of this pack," Draven announced while gesturing toward me. "You will answer to her as you do to me, and you will show her the respect she deserves as my wife. I expect every single one of you to bow to her right now."

The head servant stepped forward and bowed lower than the others.

"We welcome you, Luna Melissa, and we are at your service," she stated with her head lowered.

I nodded stiffly, unsure of what else to do in this ridiculous situation. I wanted to disappear into the floor, but Draven placed his hand on the small of my back to keep me rooted.

The footsteps on the balcony above caught my eye, and I looked up to see a young man walking past the railing without glancing down.

"Briston, get down here," Draven commanded.

The boy stopped and leaned over the railing, looking at his father and then at me with visible annoyance.

"Didn’t you see us arrive, or did you just decide to ignore the fact that your father has brought his new wife home to meet the pack? You should have been outside with the elders; this is your duty."

Briston pushed off the railing and slowly descended the curved staircase, his eyes locked on mine.

"Is this it?" Briston asked, circling us slowly.

"What are you talking about?" Draven frowned.

"Is this what you call a wife, Father?" Briston mocked, stopping in front of us. "I knew you were desperate, but I didn’t think you would stoop this low just to try and save yourself."

"Watch your mouth," Draven snapped, clenching his jaw.

"You’re actually buying a teenager to play house with you as your Luna just to break your curse," Briston laughed, lacking any humor. "You’re dragging a child into this mess because you’re afraid to face the consequences of your actions, thinking money can fix everything."

Draven stepped forward and swung his hand in a wide arc, connecting with Briston’s face. The sound of the slap was loud enough to make the servants flinch, and the room fell silent.

I gasped and took a step back as the violence unfolded before me. My wolf, Mia, growled bitterly at the darkness surrounding this place, knowing we were trapped in a nightmare.

Draven breathed heavily, lowering his hand to glare at his son. "Never speak to me that way again, Briston. I am still your father."

Briston touched his reddening cheek, looking at his father with pure hatred. He said nothing more as he turned and walked toward the front door, slamming it behind him.

"Come with me," Draven ordered, grabbing my wrist and dragging me toward the stairs.

I stumbled after him, pulled up the steps and down a long hallway lined with closed doors. He didn’t stop until we reached the end of the corridor, where he threw open a set of double doors and shoved me inside. I caught my balance just as I turned to face him, and he locked the door behind us.

"Why did you buy me?" I asked.

Draven ignored me, pouring himself a drink from a crystal decanter.

"You are a cursed Alpha. Why did you want me specifically?" I pressed, taking a brave step toward him. "What is your motive for ruining my life when you could have had anyone else?"

Draven sipped his drink, looking at me over the rim with cold eyes. "The curse is none of your business, Melissa. You would do well to remember that you are my property now, so you will do as I say."

A fire ignited in my chest, burning hotter than my fear. I walked right up to him and looked him in the eye before spitting in his face.

"You lose if you think I will ever bow to you or accept this as my life," I said, with venom in my voice.

Draven set the glass down slowly, wiping his face with the back of his hand. I tried to back away to the side of the room, but he moved faster than I expected. He grabbed a handful of my hair, yanking my head back painfully, causing me to scream.

"You are mine," he hissed, pulling my face inches from his. "You’ll learn to obey me, or I will make your life a living hell."

My body shook uncontrollably as his angry tone terrified me. "Please let me go," I begged, as tears threatened to fall.

“Take off your clothes now!” he ordered.

I slowly began to peel off the second skin I was wearing as he pressed his lips against mine, shutting my eyes to suppress the irritation.