CHAPTER 9: "I'll KILL YOU"

Amber 

“What did you do?” I glared at Hunter.

Knowing Hunter, I feared the worst for Ethan whose only mistake was to fall in love with a girl who would never love him back.  

“I ask the questions,” snapped my father, “not you, young lady. Where were you, and what were you doing that was so important you had to miss dinner?” 

God, am I his heir or a criminal?

I looked straight at Hunter, chin held high, because I did nothing wrong, despite his accusing gaze. 

“I went shopping with Eva. So I was at the mall the whole day.” 

“Prove it.” Hunter glowered. 

And I glowered back. “Call Eva. That's your forte, isn't it? Snooping around.”

Instantly, his phone slapped on to his ear; his gaze taunting: I don’t snoop.  

“Hey Eva, it's Amber's uncle….”

And I turned to my father, enraged. 

“Why won’t you believe me? Ethan’s just a friend! And you let Hunter go after him? That’s highly unnecessary and ridiculous!” 

“Ridiculous?” My father was incensed. “He tried his way with you—and succeeded! Either he’s a cheater or you’re much weaker than I thought!” 

The air went still. 

“I’M WEAK?” 

My lilac hair glowed with a rage greater than my father’s. Ignoring his and Hunter’s look of surprise, my voice lowered to a new grim note. 

“Have you ever—just for a second—really taken a good look at me and see what I can do?” 

My fists tightened, years of anguish finally exploding like a broken hose. 

“Every time I give you my report card, you take but a furtive glance before shoving it back to me and ushering me out of your sight. WHAT DO YOU KNOW ENOUGH TO CALL ME WEAK?” 

I should be slapped. Right across the cheek.

No parent deserves to be talked to like this, especially one still griefing over the loss of his mate.   

But he turned away in silent remorse. 

And I should stop. Back off. Because I’ve opened up an old wound, and he’s clearly hurt. 

Yet—.  

“Not once have I disobeyed you.” I couldn’t be stopped. “I did everything you asked. And I’m eighteen now! My love life is mine, not yours! I have as much freedom as you to love as I please!” I fought the urge to look at Hunter and added, “You can’t keep interfering—!”

My father looked back, his face adamant, cutting me off mid-sentence. 

“You are my daughter.” He thundered. “The Blood Moon heir! The future of the pack lies with you! So like it or not, YOU DON’T HAVE A SAY IN THIS MATTER. Like it or not, you only go out with guys I approve of, and you’ll marry the man I choose for you!” 

The incredulity of the declaration made me want to throw up. 

This is all Hunter’s fault. 

If he hadn’t gone to my father, this wouldn’t have happened.  

I finally dared to look at the man who’s still on the phone with my best friend, acting like he’s the more responsible and caring one, when all he’d been doing was abusing his position of power in the pack—a pack that he wasn’t even born into in the first place. 

“Then give me a list,” I looked back at my father, eyes fixed on his fuming face, “what sort of men can I date? Someone like Hunter?” 

At his surprise, I shrugged and added, “I would think he’s the best candidate, no?” And I counted with my fingers. “Not related by blood. Able to command the pack in your absence. Adored by you—even more than your own flesh and blood, I dare say.” 

At this, my father was too angry to speak. 

Behind him, Hunter—still with a phone to his ear—seemed frozen in his smile. 

Which brought a tiny smirk to the corners of my mouth. 

“So?” I crossed my arms. “Am I right? Hunter’s your ideal man of a suitor for me? I can date him then?” 

My father opened his mouth, about to give me a huge lashing, when a chuckle shot the air from behind him. 

Hunter, still perched on the edge of my vanity table—his phone tucked in his hand, his earlier call long disconnected—, was shaking his head, his smile knowing, as though he knew what I was trying to do. 

Yes, I was threatening him. I wanted him to get my father off my back or I’ll spill the beans of what happened between us. 

Since he loves the power he was getting from his rank in the pack and all the respect and attention my father was giving him, he has a lot to lose if the truth came out, so he would most likely take the hint and back off.

“What would you do, Andy?” His chuckles softened to a warm smile, his gaze fixed on me, his golden eyes darkening mischievously. “If I had slept with Amber?”

My blood stopped. 

Time came to a screeching halt of silence. 

And then—. 

WHAM!

I watched in horror as Hunter stumbled slightly from where he stood. When he looked back, there was blood in the left corner of his mouth—where the Blood Moon Alpha had delivered his strongest blow. 

“D–dad, stop…,” I whispered, my heart in gripping pain. 

But the Alpha couldn’t hear me. 

He grabbed the front of Hunter’s shirt and yanked him closer. 

“This is what I’ll do, Hunt,” he exhaled and swung another crescent, “if you ever do anything to her.”  

This time, Hunter crashed to the ground. 

“Just two?” He chuckled lightly, warm blood running from his nose and mouth. “Are you sure?” 

No, stop. I stepped forward. 

And Hunter’s gaze met mine. His eyes were glowing in a shade of the smirk I felt on my face earlier, and they seemed to be asking: is this what you want? Then, I’ll give you more. 

And my heart nearly stopped. 

“Come on, Andy,” he panted, “you can do better. It is your daughter we’re talking about. What if I deflowered her, huh?” 

The Alpha yanked his step-brother off the floor and held him upright to deliver more blows—each one harder and fiercer than the one before. 

POW! WHAM! WHACK! 

“You dare touch her.” He grabbed my chair and raised it to the ceiling. “I’ll fucking kill you, Hunt.” 

STOP! My chest screamed. 

But the oaken chair slammed down fiercely. 

And Hunter laid crouching, chuckling weakly in approval. 

Then, my father was back to punching his younger brother—his go-to person after my mum—like he was a boxer and Hunter a punching bag. 

And I was rooted to the ground, soaking in the lesson that Hunter was delivering right in my face. A bloody one that would never be untaught. 

As blood spluttered from the man I’ve loved all these years, I was reminded harshly in every hit he took: that my love for Hunter Black is forbidden.  

Our union is forbidden. 

Unless I want him to die. 

“I’M SORRY!” I shouted, hot tears gushing down my eyes. “I’m sorry, okay! I won’t do it again. I’ll do as you say. I won’t run away. JUST STOP!” 

Finally, the beating stopped. 

And before either of them moved—and see what’s on my face—I stormed out of there.

I couldn’t trust myself: I was dying inside to go to Hunter and check if he was alright.  

*****

The blood was cleaned, the chair replaced. 

I took a warm shower to clear my thoughts. But when I stepped out of my bathroom back into my room, I still smelled blood in the air. 

Hunter’s blood. 

I quickly changed into a fresh jumbo Tee and my favourite cargo pants, then ran to the living room for the First Aid kit and hurried to the second floor, where Hunter’s room is. 

I know, I know. I shouldn’t. 

But I just want to make sure he’s okay. 

I mean, he’s stronger than a normal wolfman, but spilling out that amount of blood is still worrisome. I need to make sure he’s fine. 

Plus, I am the cause of what happened to him. If I hadn’t threatened him…. 

I landed on the second floor with a heavy heart and took a right turn. 

The closer I got to the door, the greater my worry and fear. What if he refused to open the door? Well, that’s pretty normal. But what if he fainted inside? Then, I’ll get the guys to break down the door and get him. 

I stood in front of the door and took a deep breath to calm my nerves. 

Then, I raised my hand, ready to knock—. 

“Ah… ah… oh fuck… harder, Hunter!” 

The thick oaken door muffled the cries, but I could tell that the woman was close to coming. 

And so was Hunter. 

“Harder?” He grunted fiercely. “THIS?!” 

“YES!” The woman cried louder, clearer, her gasping bursting through. “AH… AH…! OH FUCK, I LOVE YOUR COCK! OH FUCK! OH…OH GOD! AH—!” 

That doesn’t sound like a man who’d been beaten to half death. On the contrary, that sounds like a man in the pinkest of health and greatest vitality, giving the best fuck to yet another papaya-boobs or slick wet pussy. 

I spun around and dashed back to the stairs. 

Eva’s right. 

I won’t ever be rid of Hunter. My love for him runs too deep. No matter what he does to push me away, no matter what path I take, I’d always find myself right back where I started. 

I locked my bedroom door then threw myself on my bed, slammed my face into my pillow and screamed my lungs out. 

I knew that the only path left was forward: I have to keep trying and try harder to kill my love for Hunter Black. 

And as I decided that I no longer love that man, and I will not have anymore fantasies about him naked, making love to me, or us getting married, little did I know that in two week’s time, I’d be right back in his arms, French kissing him.

Would I be the one who started it? 

No. He did.