Chapter 4 4

Lorien POV

“The Goddess made a mistake. You are a mistake.” Rhael’s voice was a snarl above me, each word a blade carving through my skin. Fire raged in my veins, coiling so hot and sharp it bent my body inward. I couldn’t even lift my head. White sparks flared behind my eyes as I squeezed them shut, trying to block out the pain.

“Stop,” I moaned, but he didn’t stop.

“You’re nothing but a worthless Omega. You’ll never be my Luna.” His tone had sunk low and threatening, a predator’s growl as he stepped closer.

“Stop…” I whimpered again, my voice breaking on the word.

“Accept it,” he demanded. Had my wolf still been with me had she not retreated into grief I might have given him what he wanted: my surrender, my consent to his rejection. Instead, I just clung to the soil, drowning in agony, unable to speak.

“Accept it,” he barked again, louder this time, desperation creeping into his voice. “I won’t be chained to you for the rest of my life. Accept the rejection, Omega!”

My fingers dug into the soft earth. My elbow buckled, and I barely caught myself before a brutal kick slammed into my shoulder, throwing me onto my side.

“Your future Alpha gave you an order!” Maeryn’s snarl cut across the clearing like a whip. Her foot came down hard on my hand, her weight pressing until I felt the bones threaten to snap. Another scream tore itself from my lungs.

“Stop!” I sobbed, curling into myself, cradling my injured hand against my burning chest. “Please!”

I wasn’t begging him. I was begging the Goddess. Begging for an end before I lost my wolf completely. She was already slipping, her soul shredded by the breaking bond, and I knew most wolves didn’t survive that.

“You’re pathetic,” Maeryn hissed with disgust, grinding the toe of her shoe into the dirt before flicking it up at me. It hit my face; I flinched but kept my eyes shut. Her shadow fell over me as she closed in. Fingers fisted into my hair, yanking my head from the ground.

“I’m going to destroy you. You should never have touched my man,” she spat, slamming my head back into the earth. “Say the words, Lorien!” she demanded, jerking my head up again.

For the first time in my miserable life, I fought back. My foot lashed out, catching her knee. Maeryn stumbled back with a feral growl. So much for her threats thinking I’d submit after she promised to kill me once I complied. She wasn’t pretending to be stupid. She was.

I staggered to my feet, bile rising as wave after wave of agony burned through me.

“Enough!” Rhael’s voice cut through, and Maeryn bowed her head instantly in submission.

I turned toward him, my body curled inward, arms wrapped around my torso as if I could hold myself together.

“Accept the rejection!” Rhael roared. Another stabbing pain tore through my chest. His eyes flickered black, his wolf surfacing. I cried out, and for a heartbeat his expression softened. He stepped forward, his wolf in control now.

My breath hitched as he raised a hand toward me. I wanted to lean into it, even as my body stayed taut with pain. He was so close—one touch away and I hated myself for craving it.

“Please don’t do this,” I whispered, my voice splintering.

The moment the plea left me, he stilled. The black in his eyes vanished, Rhael’s control snapping back into place. My heart crashed to my stomach. Then he lunged, his hand clamping around my throat.

My hands flew up in panic, clawing at his wrist. My nails scored the back of his hand, but he lifted me effortlessly off the ground. My chest burned, my toes stretching down for the earth.

“I gave you an order,” he growled. I dug my nails deeper, puncturing his skin as I fought for air.

Movement at the back door of the pack house caught his attention. The sound of warriors starting their day drifted across the yard.

Rhael’s grip tightened, holding me in place as he glanced over his shoulder.

“I can’t be seen with you,” he snarled, voice low and cold. “This isn’t over, Lorien. You will accept my rejection or I’ll see you rotting in the dungeon for the rest of your pathetic life.”

His fingers lingered another second before he let go. I crumpled to the ground, clutching my throat, wheezing as air rasped back into my lungs.

“You’ll say nothing of this,” Rhael ordered. His voice was iron, unyielding. “That goes for both of you. If either of you breathes a word, I’ll have your heads.”

My forehead pressed into the dirt. My breathing slowed, but the ache in my chest only grew sharper with every step he took away from me.