CHAPTER THREE

Silva’s POV

Pain… blinding hot pain overwhelmed all my senses, breaking me completely.

It pulsed through every vein like fire. My dress clung to my torn skin, sticky with blood, flowing from the gaping wound after Emilia pulled the blade out.

Even with my advanced healing abilities, this was too much for my body to bear. My limbs were becoming numb, my throat becoming dry… I couldn’t cry even if I wanted to.

“Take her away! Leave her filthy body in the forest, where at least the rogues will have a good time with her before the wild animals feast on her remains.”

Emilia’s voice rang in my ears as they dragged me across the stone courtyard like trash.

“Let her rot in the forest! No need to waste a grave.”

I wanted to scream, but my body betrayed me. I couldn’t even flinch. My pride, my power, my position… all of that had been ripped away in a single blow.

The guards, two of Liam’s loyal mutts, carried me into the edge of the dark woods. Moonlight filtered through the trees, casting eerie shadows over moss-covered trunks as they flung me onto the cold earth like spoiled meat.

“She’s still breathing…”

One of them grunted. “What a stubborn bitch!”

I lay motionless… maybe, if I stayed still, they would leave me alone.

But I was expecting too much from these bastards.

“Well…”

The second one drawled, eyes roaming my broken body, “The Alpha’s done with her, and she'll die sooner or later. Why don't we…”

“Damn! When will we ever get the chance to know what a Luna feels like… maybe, her pussy will make us feel like kings too!”

“Hell yeah!”

My heart dropped.

“No… no…” I croaked, barely audible. They laughed, making blood freeze in my veins.

I felt one of them kneel beside me, fingers tugging at the tattered remains of my dress. I thrashed weakly, but it simply amused them even more.

“Look at that… she still has fight left in her.”

“Let's show her a good time before she dies.”

At that moment, something inside me snapped.

I would not die like this. Even if I was broken to the core, I wouldn't allow myself to be humiliated.

Not like this.

With all the strength I could summon, I kicked one of them between his legs, hard enough that he yelped, staggering back.

The second lunged for me, but I grabbed a sharp branch beside me, and stabbed it into his neck.

Blood splattered, and so did his scattered screams.

I rolled over, gasping. My body was on fire, but I kept swinging blindly, scratching at whatever I could reach with my nails, drawing blood.

I refused to let them win. I might die tonight, but I won't be their prey.

They cursed, retreating.

“You psycho bitch!”

“Luna or not, this slut is just not worth it!”

They ran like the cowards they were, and I finally collapsed again, letting myself breathe.

My vision was getting darker as my heart beat slower and slower.

Maybe this was it.

Maybe the end had finally come.

But I wasn’t ready to meet the Moon Goddess just yet. I wanted my revenge… I wanted to watch Emilia and Liam burn for what they did.

“Not like this,” I whispered, choking on my own breath. “Please… not like this, Goddess! Have mercy on me… my son can't die for nothing…”

Just then, I heard footsteps before shadows shifted against the ground.

Someone was coming.

I blinked, trying to focus through the blood and tears. My lips moved before I even thought.

“Help me!” I put all my energy into that scream. “Please… I’ll give you anything… anything you want…”

A low chuckle echoed from the trees.

“Anything?” the voice repeated, dry and amused. “That’s a dangerous offer from a half-dead wolf.”

Something about the tone was familiar.

I squinted, forcing my vision to clear. That was the moment, the owner of that sarcastic voice stepped into the moonlight.

David Moore

The black-furred beast in human skin! The one who had been the thorn in the side of the Red Drop Pack, pushing against our borders and disrespecting me in the Werewolf High Council for years!

How unlucky was I that even after begging for a saviour, the Moon had sent me the enemy I had fought for years.

Ruthless, sharp-tongued and unforgiving. And here he was, staring at me like a puzzle he didn’t know what to do with.

“You…” I whispered, my voice cracking.

He tilted his head.

“I'm sorry, were you expecting someone else?”

I wanted to laugh at the irony, but it hurt too much.

David knelt beside me, his piercing eyes scanning my ruined form.

“You’re a mess, Silva. Hell, even I didn't expect this from Liam, even though he's a cheap, low class–”

“I didn’t ask for your opinion.”

I muttered, coughing.

He raised a brow. “You asked for help! But if you’ve changed your mind, I’ll be on my way.”

He stood up, and panic surged through me. No! I couldn't let my only chance for survival leave me, not after everything.

I swallowed hard.

“Wait—David—please…”

He paused.

“I’ll make a deal with you…” I breathed. 

“Anything… just get me out of here…”

Darkness crowded the edges of my vision again. My body was finally giving up.

And just before it all faded to black, I saw his face soften.