Chapter 72 Cruel Torture
1193words
My mind was running wild. This couldn't be real, could it? How had I not recognized them both before? The signs were all there, scattered like stars in the sky.
"D-did you initiate the rogue attack?" I spat out. The memory of the attack alone made me shudder in fear. I couldn't erase the sound of the marbled wolf's canines ripping my skin apart. It was part of me now, for better or worse. I had cheated death once, but I wasn't sure I'd get another chance.
Beverly picked up a long knife that nearly resembled a sword, pricking her finger on the sharp edge. "Oh no, sweetheart," she said like I was an idiot for asking such an obvious question, "that was just luck." I could tell the knife was made of silver by the way she jolted back when her skin made contact with the blade. She placed her finger in her mouth and quickly sucked on it. The prick had instantly stitched up, thanks to her shifter healing abilities.
Asher moved behind Beverly and wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her close. He took in a whiff of her scent, and judging by how he melted into her, I could see his wolf side was calming. He seemed hesitant somehow. You would think they were a cute couple if it weren't for the darkness that seeped from both of them.
I tried to pull on the silver cuffs swelling the skin around my wrists, tugging just lightly enough to gauge how difficult it would be to break free.
No dice. They were already clasped tightly, and with the swelling, I realized I had no chance.
Beverly stalked toward me, the glint of light nearly blinding me as it bounced off the blade. "Here's the problem, Addie—that's what Jaxon calls you, right?" She cocked her head like she was criticizing me.
My eyes narrowed, and I dared not speak. I watched her next moves closely, nervous about the sumo sword she held so casually.
"There's no doubt I would've ripped your throat out at the challenge. But you just had to go and get yourself marked by an Alpha. I mean, I probably wouldn't have had many issues still killing you for the Luna position, but with the Alpha mark, you never really know what you might pull out of your ass next. If the pack saw me even slightly struggle, they could get concerned. Where's the magic in that?" she scoffed.
My eyes darted to Asher for a moment. He had returned to that small table with the candle and picked up a syringe, filling it from a vial labeled "wolfsbane." Wolfsbane?! That must be how they easily sedated me. It only made sense. Wolfsbane was banned from many packs; even a drop too much could kill a shifter instantly.
Beverly must have noticed I was watching her mate fill the needle because, when she stepped forward, she used the knife to rip down my shirt. I couldn't hold in the screams from the cut under my breasts and down my abdomen.
"Fuck! You're nothing but a traitor to the Alpha!" I shrieked, still feeling my skin sizzle where it touched the silver.
A sinister smile formed on Beverly's face. "To the Alpha?" she scoffed. "Oh, to be young and naïve again." She brushed the silver knife along the side of my jaw. The pain alone felt like my soul was leaving my body. "I think you mean your Alpha is the traitor to his mate... me. He's nothing without me. He'll figure that out soon enough when I make sure he ends up a dirty rogue."
Beverly's eyes suddenly widened; she froze in front of me. "Aughhhh," she moaned and moved to place the knife on the table where Asher was filling the syringe. She leaned over and whispered something barely audible to him. I tried to focus my hearing, but all I could catch was, "gotta go."
She gave me one last glance before throwing her denim jacket on and disappearing up the steps.
"You know he's got the entire pack out looking for you... you might just kill him yourself when he feels the mate bond crack in half," Asher said with a dark grin.
He may have only said it so I'd feel bad for the trouble I'd caused the pack, but he confirmed one valuable thing: Alpha Jaxon knew I was missing.
I hadn't thought about what would happen to my mate much. I was so desperate to get out of here and back to my father in one piece. "Please, Asher, my dad isn't doing well. I watched him flatline with my own eyes. Just let me take care of him, and I'll willingly reject Jaxon and step down as Luna in return. I never wanted to be some stupid Luna anyway!" I begged. Asher ignored me and continued working at the table.
Water pooled in my eyes, but I blinked past the tears. Begging and dwelling wouldn't get me out of here. I was stronger than this, deep down—at least that's what I kept telling myself. Maybe Jaxon's mother was right. Maybe I was stronger than I gave myself credit for.
I tried to tug on the chains again, desperate to come up with some idea to escape. Asher still ignored me, working as if I wasn't there. I steadied my breathing and called for my wolf to take control. I knew Jaxon's mother told me to keep my wolf hidden until the right time, but this seemed like a damn good time to me. I wouldn't get out of here without my wolf's help.
I closed my eyes and focused on my red fur and long claws. I felt uneasy since I couldn't shift.
Asher scowled. "You're determined, I'll give you that. But no matter how hard you try, these silver cuffs suppress your wolf. Just relax, little Luna. This will all be over in a few hours."
He paced toward me and proudly held up the syringe he'd filled. "This will hold you over until Beverly gets back. Seems she's been summoned by Alpha Jaxon. They actually think they have a lead. You know, Beverly was right. This is like taking candy from a pup."
I screamed as if I were being murdered in cold blood, hopeless, as he stabbed the needle and injected the wolfsbane into my arm.
I fell over, unable to steady my body as it collapsed, lying limp on the dirty mattress. The room began to spin like the worst hangover I'd ever had. I swallowed hard and fought to suppress the bile creeping up my throat. My heartbeat grew shallow in my chest. Thump... thump... thump... This was it. This must have been the slow, painful death everyone feared.
My wolf nowhere to be found.
Asher knelt down and stared deep into my eyes. "It's too bad my wolf only craves my mate because I would've enjoyed stuffing my cock into that mouth," he whispered, cupping my cheek.
Those were the last words I heard before complete darkness swallowed me—cold, still, and brutal darkness.
