Chapter 6: Full Moon

THREE DAYS LATER

Arwenna was dragged into the room and thrown down like a piece of trash.

she scrambled to her feet and lunged at the guards again, but they flung her aside with brutal Force. Her body slammed into the coal plate behind her. It toppled scorching her skin as burning embers spilled over her back . The pain earned a scream from her throat as she collapsed clutching herself, her body trembling

The Guards stared at her blankly, Unmoved.

Arwenna lifted her head sharply. Her eyes burned bloody red-- Feral, Murderous. if looks could kill, they would already be dead. She locked eyes with them Fists clenched, breath coming out slow and controlled as she fought the rage burning within her

Minutes later, Tula Strode in

Dissatisfaction etched across his face, he looked Arwenna over from head to toe before hissing softly, turning towards the guards he smirked

"Bind her, word came from the Palace" Tula said. "She'll be used for something....much better"

What do you mean---" Arwenna screamed

A cloth was shoved into her mouth, her hands yanked together and tied tightly as she struggled, thrashing wildly trying to break free

Thud.

Pain exploded through her skull. Darkness swallowed her as one of the guards smashed a metal plate on her head. Arwenna crumpled to the floor unconscious

"Ugh" one guard muttered the ugly scar on his cheek twisting as he scoffed. "Finally some peace and quiet"

The other guard's gaze lingered on Arwenna. Her torn garment had ridden up, exposing her thighs, his gaze Darkened as he reached out---

Smack

His hand was knocked away

"Don't even think about it Rino" The first guard warned

Rino scoffed " Chill Rhex, it's not like Tula would notice"

"You know exactly what purpose she's serving" Rhex snapped. "it won't be like the other girls you ----

"Molested?" Rino chuckled darkly" They clearly revealed their bodies to me"

They were unconscious" Rhex growled, "You raped everyone of them"

"Oh please," Rino Sneered. "Don't act righteous. You've done the same. Remember Holiana?.

"That was a mistake "Rhex muttered

"A mistake you repeated over and over again" Rino shot back. That's why I started too"

"I don't care about that anymore "Rhex said coldly "And today I'm not dying because of your filthy urges. Control yourself-- or go fuck a tree, I don't care. Besides, you have a mate"

Mate??" Rino laughed harshly. "That thing is boring. The Moon goddess gave everyone else perfection and handed me a flat, lifeless plate"

"Enough" Rhex snapped " we're delivering her to Evrylda"

He lifted Arwenna over his shoulders

"I'll carry her" Rino said quickly

"So you can squeeze whatever 'glory' she has left" Rhex eyed him sharply. "No Thank you".

**••••FANGSPIRE PALACE •••••**

Gerrard stepped into Melrik's personal chamber and bowed deeply.

The room was dark and suffocating, shadows crawling across the walls, No light dared enter. Everything about the room felt Occultic and unnatural

"Your Majesty " Gerrard announced

Melrik said nothing. He merely sipped from his cup, unbothered

Gerrard continued "We found a replacement. Only one" Gerrard said

The cup slipped from Melrik's hand and shattered against the floor, the sound sharp and disturbing

Gerrard Straightened blankly"She was the only available Unmated. The others were hidden by their family, fled.... or died. Because she is an offender, she was the only option

"An Offender?" Melrik's thick voice cut through the silence. "Gerrard you know me well. And you know how much I despise sinners"

He traced his fingers along the rim of his other cup slowly. "Do you wish to share Holiana's fate? Bones fed to Cryton. Blood used as a peace offering to the Moon goddess. Name permanently erased from the world"

Gerrard bowed his head silent

"Find other Fishes" Melrik commanded slowly. "Inform Evrylda to cleanse them before the full moon".

"Yes, Your Majesty" Gerrard answered, bowed and left

TWO DAYS LATER

FULL MOON

The chains bit deep into Melrik's hands as his body convulsed violently

His head snapped back in a guttural cry as his spine arched unnaturally, vertebrae grinding and shifting beneath his skin. Muscles swell and tore reforming with a sickening force as his frame expanded in restraints. Bones cracked-- once, twice --- then again, louder this time, echoing the silent chamber like breaking stone

His fingers lengthened, joints snapping as nails darkened and sharpened tearing through flesh to become claws. Skin split along his arms and shoulders, coarse black fur forcing its way out in violent patches, spreading rapidly as his human form was stripped away

The chains broke

Melrik groaned, a sound caught between agony and restraints

His jaws trembled, teeth grinding before his mouth stretched wider, deforming as fangs descended slowly , painfully pushing pass gums wet with blood. His senses ignited all at once, too sharp, too loud, too alive --- sending another roar ripping from his chest

Then a scent slipped into the chamber

Melrik's movements slowed, his massive form rose fully, towering as every instincts snapped to attention, the chains dragged against the stone as he turned. His nose flaring, eyes burning dangerously as the unfamiliar scent filled his lungs

Footsteps echoed --- soft, hesitant

Closer

Nearer

Then he saw her

Prey.

Small, fragile. A weak offering standing beneath the weight of his gaze. Her eyes widening like a startled cat caught in the open

Her Scent was intoxicating

It wrapped around his senses, sinking deep. Melrik advanced slowly his paws striking the stone making a slight echo. She retreated instinctively, backing away in shallow breathe, fear rolling in her eyes

Just as he gathered himself to surge forward, --- the air twisted violently

Something unseen snapped, a loud metallic sound

A low furious growl ripped from his chest

The next second, his legs lashed out

She was sent flying across the chamber, her body slamming against the hard wall. The impact knocked breath out of her lungs

She fell face flat motionless--- Unconscious

Melrik advanced towards her, his claws sharpening