Chapter 9: Teach you a lesson

Tori’s POV

His careless words struck like a whip, igniting a fury I hadn't even realized I was holding back. I had convinced myself I had let go of the disrespect, the disdain, the suffocating weight of every slight and insult. But maybe I hadn't. Maybe I had only buried it deep, pressing it down until now.

Like a long-dormant volcano, I erupted, the burning rage in my chest finally breaking free.

The pain and anger mixed together made my whole body tremble; I could understand if my mate was looking down on me because I was weak and my wolf was unresponsive, but to question my quality as a Luna and say I didn't know what I was doing? That was something I couldn't accept.

I knew I had done everything I could, yet someone had the audacity to question me as if all my efforts for the pack were meaningless compared to what Raquel had done.

Fueled by rage, I, who had always kept my emotions in check finally snapped. For the first time since joining the pack, I let my anger explode.

"Then let's dissolve our mate bond and reject each other! That way, you can make Raquel your official Luna!"

My chest rose and fell violently, my breaths ragged with fury. My eyes burned red with pure, unfiltered anger. No one had ever seen me lose control like this never heard me raise my voice, never witnessed my temper flare. The entire hall fell into stunned silence, every pair of eyes wide with shock.

"What did you just say?!"

Alpha Carlisle's fury ignited like wildfire, his anger erupting in an instant. In the blink of an eye, he was in front of me, his hand clamping around my throat as he slammed me against the wall.

My feet dangled above the ground, struggling for balance as his growl rumbled through the room. His eyes flickered with a golden hue, his wolf, Roque, barely restrained. His nails had already elongated, sinking into my skin, leaving a bloody mess around my neck. The sharp, metallic scent of blood filled the air, thick and suffocating.

"I dare you to repeat that," Carlisle growled, his hot breath brushing against my face as his glare bore into me.

But I didn't back down. For the first time, I stood my ground against my mate, meeting his fiery gaze without flinching.

The taste of blood coated my tongue, a bitter reminder of his strength. He had forgotten how fragile I was, how my strength was only slightly above that of a normal human. His attack had hit me with full force, leaving my body battered and struggling to endure the pain.

Yet, even as my vision blurred and my body screamed in agony, I refused to show weakness. This was the last shred of dignity I had left, and I would not let him strip it away.

"I said, let's—"

Before I could finish, Alpha Carlisle let out a fierce roar, his fury erupting like a storm. The sheer force of it shattered the glass in the hall, sending shards flying. Raquel screamed in terror, instinctively curling up and ducking her head for cover.

She expected Carlisle to rush to her side, to comfort and support her like he always did. But this time, he didn't move. It was as if he couldn't hear or see anything except me. My words echoed relentlessly in his mind, fueling the fire raging in his chest. His breathing was ragged, his eyes locked onto me with an intensity that bordered on predatory.

Yet, despite the storm of rage before me, I held my ground, my stubborn gaze unwavering. That only made his fury burn hotter. He looked at me as though he wanted to consume me whole.

"How dare you say that? Have you forgotten what you owe me and my pack?!" Carlisle snarled through gritted teeth, his voice laced with warning. His grip tightened ever so slightly, a reminder for me to know my place, to remember the debt I carried.

In the past, those words would have been enough to silence me. I would have bowed my head, swallowed my pride, and reminded myself that I owed them too much to resist. But not this time.

This time, I met Alpha Carlisle's blazing gaze head-on, unflinching and resolute.

"I know exactly what I owe you and your pack," I said, my voice steady despite the crushing weight on my throat. "But I have played my role as your devoted Luna. I did everything I could to rebuild and revitalize your pack in your absence. And I believe that alone is enough to repay my debt."

My breath came in ragged gasps, his hand clamping down harder. But even as the air thinned, I refused to let him see me falter. Not now. Not ever.

Alpha Carlisle sneered, his mockery sharp enough to cut. "Do you think you have the right to decide what is enough? No, Victoria, you are overestimating yourself."

He leaned in, his breath hot against my skin as he enunciated each word with chilling finality.

"You belong to me. Whether in life or death, you are mine and you will die as my Luna."

His declaration sent a ripple of shock through the pack. No one had expected their Alpha to refuse to let me go. But none of them mistook his words for love.

They all knew the truth. Carlisle didn't want me because he cherished me. He wanted me close so he could break me, so he could watch me suffer. To him, my pain was a spectacle, a slow-burning revenge that fueled his cruelty. He would flaunt his affection for another woman while I, bound by a decaying mate bond, withered under the agony of our severed connection.

Carlisle might have been suffering too, but with his Alpha blood, he could endure it. I, on the other hand, was different. I was weak. Wolfless.

And for me, the pain wasn't just unbearable. It was enough to drive me mad.

Thinking of this, the pack members smirked, their gazes settling on me with a mix of disdain and twisted satisfaction. Redirecting their hatred onto me was easier than acknowledging the truth. They conveniently ignored the sacrifices I had made, the ways I had fought for their survival. None of it mattered to them.

In their minds, they wouldn't be in this situation if not for me. That was the narrative they clung to, the excuse they needed to justify their resentment.

No one harbored more hatred for me than the former Luna. If anyone despised me more than the rest, it was her. And now, with Carlisle's chilling declaration hanging in the air, her contempt burned even brighter.

Hearing his words made my eyes sting, and despite my best efforts, I couldn't stop the tears from falling. I felt trapped, suffocated by the weight of his words.

"What do you mean? I've already stepped aside for you. Do you really have to go this far?" I asked, my voice trembling.

Carlisle's expression remained unreadable, but his voice was quieter this time. "What do you think?"

His gaze followed the path of my tears as they trailed down my cheeks, dropping onto his hand. The instant he felt the warmth of my tears against his skin, he recoiled, pulling his hand back as if burned. Yet, despite the instinctive reaction, his face remained cold, indifferent as if my pain meant nothing to him.

He stared at me for a long moment before, without warning, he hauled me over his shoulder and strode out of the hall. The sudden action left everyone stunned, and by the time they snapped out of their shock, he was already gone—I was still struggling in his grasp, desperately trying to free myself from my mate.

"What do you think you're doing? Put me down!" I thrashed against his hold, my fists pounding against his back. But his grip around my waist was unyielding, like a steel vice, and the pressure of his broad shoulder digging into my abdomen sent a dull ache through my body. "Where are you taking me?!" I screamed, kicking my legs in frustration.

"To teach you a lesson..." Alpha Carlisle's voice was calm, ominous, offering no further explanation. But he didn't need to. Those words alone sent a chill down my spine, as my face drained of color.