Chapter 2

BLACKWOOD PACK

Hazel's pov

Then--- the door burst open, Sylus stormed in.

I startled at his sudden presence, his scent lingered around the room, my eyes widen in shock as I tried to adjust my dress. Sylus towered over me with a pipe of cigarette at hand, I coughed softly waving my hands across my face. He dropped low on his knees caressing my legs and then to my thighs.

My gaze met his emerald green eyes, yet fierce and intense. My heart raced, my palms sweaty as I held onto the bedsheets, slowly dragging my body backwards ---- moving away from him.

Holding his cigarettes on one hand, he reached out for the hem of my dress, holding onto it tightly. His eyes dark like he would devour me in seconds.

"Strip." He broke in.

My jaw dropped and I only looked at him in disbelief. This isn't how I had imagined my first time to be, had always dreamt of a raw and romantic intimacy with my mate.

"What?" My voice croaky.

"I hate it when I'm being forced to repeat what I think you heard...strip I said!" He barked as I jotted on the bed, shivers running down my spine.

I quickly brushed his hands off my thigh, moving further into the mattress trying to cover myself. No way I'm letting him have me like this.

Sylus let out a soft moan as he tossed his cigarettes on the floor. He stood tall, his muscular body shielded me from the eerie glow penetrating into the room. He forcefully dragged my legs pulling me out of the bed and into his arm, I tried to hold onto something but nothing was within my reach.

He held onto the hem of my dress and I could hear the fabric tear revealing my underwear. My eyes widen in terror like it'd pop out from its socket, his hands reached out to my underwear forcefully pulling it down. His weight pressed down on me into the mattress, he grabbed my neck as he fiercely kissed me, his claws dug deep into my skin and I could feel the fresh flow of blood dripping out.

"You're hurting me." My voice wobbly as I struggled to push him but my strength was nothing compared to his.

"Shut up you slut!." He spat.

He didn't stop rather he went deep. His lips roughly exploring every inch of my body, his claws tearing my flesh apart. With so much struggle I became weak, my body slowly giving In to the pain. Each thrust sent waves of pain through me, and I couldn't hold back the scream that tore from my throat.

I felt his fangs elongate as he grazed it against my flesh, finding its way towards my neck. I gasped in terror, tilting my head as I closed my eyes to what was to come.

Was he going to mark me?

I've always wondered how it felt to be marked by your mate. I fearfully shot my eyes close, my knees shaking underneath his body. My gripped tightened on the bedsheets.

My whole body froze as I yelled. "Ahhh..."

----

Later in the morning.

A freezing shock jolted me awake. Ice-cold water drenched my skin, soaking through the thin sheets.

I gasped shivering, my soaked hair clinging to my face and neck. The mattress squelched beneath me as I shifted, disoriented. My breath heavy, and goosebumps down my entire body.

The room was dim, early light barely filtering through the curtains. I blinked rapidly, trying to process what had just happened.

Then I heard sounds -- soft, taunting giggles from across the room.

"Here sinks!," a cruel voice rang out.

My heart pounded. I turned my head toward the sound, my muscles stiff with cold. Standing at the door was Aria, Sylus's sister, a metal bucket hanging from her hand, droplets still falling from its rim.

Her golden hair tumbled over her shoulder, and her tight dress revealed too much skin. The smug curve of her lips made my stomach twist. Her eyes glittered with malice as she looked over me.

My voice caught in my throat. I forced out a shaky breath.

"W-what...what is this?" The words weren't meant for her, I looked instead at Remi, whom I noticed stood silently behind her.

Aria gave a light chuckle. "Thought you needed a little wake-up call...my lady." Her tone dropped with sarcasm, dragging out the last words with venom.

The cold water seeped into my bones. I shivered harder, hugging the wet sheets to my chest. The cold had sunk deep, making my teeth chatter. My mind was in disarray as I tried to gasp as what she meant but I couldn't.

"What do you mean?...you actually drenched me!" My voice rose, hoarse and trembling with cold and anger.

Aria cocked her head, amused. Aria had actually drenched me in my sleep and she was comfortable with it?. My eyes drifted to Remi again, why isn't she doing anything? --- but what could she have done? She was just a maid, probably following orders. I gazed at Remi but her face remained cold, unreadable.

"You think you'd sleep all day in here?" Aria's heels clicked against the stone floor as she approached.

"This isn't your little home."

I pulled the soaked sheets around my body, trying to rise but pain shot through my limbs. My muscles screamed in protest from the night before. My skin throbbed with bruises beneath the thin fabric.

Then it hit me. I was still naked beneath the sheet. My face flushed with shame.

"Someone must've enjoyed herself last night." Aria sneered, laughing cruelly. Her laughter sharp as knives.

Tears burned my eyes. I bit my lips, swallowing a sob as my throat tightened.

"Why...why are you doing this?" My voice cracked. The words came out small, weak, and I hated that.

Aria leaned in, her perfume sickeningly sweet. Her voice dropped to a whisper, low, her breath warm against my ear.

"No special treatment here, my lady."

Then, clang! She slammed the bucket down by the bed, the sound echoing through the room, making me flinch.

Turning to Remi, she barked,

"Make sure she washes those sheets." Then, with a sharp click of her heels, she stormed out, slamming the door so hard the walls seemed to shake.

Silence.

I squeezed my eyes shut, tears streamed down my cheeks. My whole body trembled --- from cold, from pain, from shame and helplessness.

I turned to Remi, who stood still, her face blank. No pity. No anger. Nothing, I couldn't read her. Maybe she pitied me, maybe she didn't. I didn't care anymore.

"Your bath is ready, my lady," Remi said softly, then left me alone.

I curled into the bed, clutching the wet sheets around me. My shoulders shook as my sobs broke free.

Why was this happening? Why was the Moon Goddess punishing me?

Memories of last night clawed their way in --- Sylus's weight crushing me, the bitter taste of his cigarette lingering in the air, his cold voice in my ear. I shuddered.

I dragged myself out of the bed and stumbled to the bath. My bare feet slapping wetly against the stone floor. The hot water stung as I slid in, biting into the cuts and bruises scattered across my skin. I scrubbed hard, desperate to wash away the filth, the scent of smoke, the remnants of him.

But my bruises wouldn't heal, not like it should have. The bruises remained dark and tender, the scratches red and raw. My wolf, Lily, was too weak. Her strength hadn't come when I turned eighteen. I should have been stronger, but instead... instead I was this. A weak prey.

After the bath, I sat at the vanity, towel wrapped tightly around me, staring at my reflection in the mirror. Hollow eyes. Pale skin. Lips trembling.

I looked lost. Completely lost.

I wouldn't be here if Father hadn't forced me to mate Sylus. If my wolf had been strong like Nyx's. If I have found my... But then, my mind drifted to my neck.

The mark.

Nothing. No mark. No bond. Just bare, untouched skin. He hadn't claimed me. After having his way with me, Sylus had lit a cigarette and walked out. You're not worthy to be marked, he'd said. The words cut deeper than any wound.

I choked back a sob.

"Lily...Lily?" My voice broke in as I whispered to my wolf.

Nothing.

My wolf was silent. She always was. No warmth. No answer. She had barely ever answered. I was alone.

But I had to find Sylus. I didn't know what I'd say, what I'd ask. But I needed something... anything. I wouldn't let Aria walk over me.

I am the Luna.

The title only brought safety to my name as I thought but my life still loomed in fear. I dressed quickly, choosing the best clothes, hoping to appear stronger than I felt.

The sheets --- Aria's command rang in my head but no. I wouldn't lower myself to that, to take orders from Aria.

I left my chambers and moved swiftly through the cold stone halls towards Sylus's study. The air was damp and cool, clinging to my skin. My bare feet padded over the cold floor, each step echoing faintly off the halls.

Sylus's study was empty, the faint scent of parchment and aged whiskey lingering in the air. No trace of him. I glanced towards the guards station nearby, their eyes darting away the moment I met their gaze. Not a single guard would tell me where he had gone.

Frustrated, I descended from the palace into the fields. The midday sun did little to warm me, a chill settled beneath my skin, fed by the stares that followed my every move.

Dozens of eyes. Whispers drifting toward me.

"She's a weak Luna," one maid whispered, her voice thin and sharp.

"I heard her father sold her out..." Another voice drifted behind me.

Their words sliced deeper than I wanted to admit. My throat tightened, but I kept my head high and pretended not to hear. Still, confronting gossip wasn't my purpose. I needed to find Sylus, to speak with him about what had happened with Aria. She was his sister, and whatever actions I took, I wanted him to know first.

The palace loomed behind me now, its shadow reaching across the field. My steps carried me toward the far wing, the one place most dared not to speak of aloud.

The slaughter room.

Even In my old pack, they had whispered of it --- a place where bones turned to dust and screams faded into the void. The air grew thicker as I neared, tinged with rust and something darker.

But two guards stood at the door, blocking the entrance. Broad, armored, eyes cold. As I stepped forward, their gaze locked onto me, bodies tensing as if I were the threat.

As I tried to move in having heard Sylus voice from within, a strong arm blocked me.

"You can't go in, my lady. Alpha's orders".

I blinked, heart sinking.

"Why?... I need to speak with him"

"I'm sorry, you can't." The guards hands hovered near their sword like they'd slice me into pieces If I try to force my way in.

I swallowed hard, my throat tight.

"Okay..." My voice was a whisper now.

Turning, I took a shaky step away. But then...a low, guttural growl rumbled from behind the heavy oak door. My heart thudded hard against my ribs, the growl wasn't Sylus's.

Heat flushed through me, Curiosity sparked. Who or what is in there?.

As the guards assumed I had left, I spun darting past them and flung the door open.

And what I saw made my breath catch.

My heart stopped.

I stood frozen, my eyes wide in shock.