Chapter 2 Former master

ZEPHYRA'S POV

"Relax," Van whispers to me as he puts me down.

But how can I? Every bone in me latches onto itself, draining blood, dragging me back to every forceful moment Zade had with me.

I can't act like I wasn't a slave under him for sixteen years.

"They're already married," Ronah bites out.

"Legally and in front of witnesses."

Everyone around us shifts their gaze between the old woman, Van, and me. My grip loosen on Van but he kisses my lips in assurance causing the woman to grind her teeth, then Zade speaks up.

"She's a rogue and doesn't have a wolf. "

his voice barely a whisper.

"How is a Homelin family member a rogue?" Van questions calmly, though my heart pounds. They’ll all find out I'm a slave and what he did.

Was Zephyra. Was a slave.

"She lied to you. She can't be a Homelin family member. Since childhood, she's been my..." Zade's voice cracks as he glares at Van.

"Your what, wolf?" In two strides, Van moved us closer.

Though he's still about seven feet away. Zade falls silent.

"You can't make false accusation against an Alpha on a chosen day" The priest chastise, causing Zade to glare my way.

Naville, few soldiers, and Ronah move threateningly towards Zade and the old woman.

I suddenly feel heavy, so I unknot the flare skirt of my wedding dress, leaving me in a knee length gown

"You won't go anywhere near my sister, EVER." Ronah's voice is sharp with fury.

The old woman mutters something causing the tables around to shake

The crowd screams, some scattering.

Van rolls his blazing fingertip at the woman and she clutches her neck, writhing in pain.

He circles his hand as he steps towards them, immediately fire surrounds Zade and the woman.

'His power is so cool. He's my role model!' Cat purrs jubilantly.

But my mouth falls open.

This is nothing like the man who hesitated to touch me, who sat by my door every night because I was scared of men.

This man, with fire blazing at his fingertips and heat in every step, is a stranger.

Finally, Van reaches them, grabs Zade, and lifts him into the sky.

"You can't call her a slave, Zade! Slavery was abolished over a decade ago" Van's voice spread through the garden

Zade's face twists with rage, his feet flailing like a child's in the air.

"But you need a warning not to repeat this," he raises his other hand

"You won't do that, Alpha Evander Arnauld."

We turn towards the voice, Van's grip still on Zade's neck.

An elderly man, short, with a cat beside him.

'I'm changing my name. I look nothing like that,' Cat grumbles.

"He's one of the council elders. Don't worry too much," Naville murmured, but my blood stopped flowing.

The councils are omegas who handle legal wolf issue.

The audience part for him as he steps closer

"Elder Morrigan " the priest greets him which he ignores

"Let him go, Alpha Van." Morrigan's voice is quietly authoritative

"He crashed my wedding, with false claims against my wife." Van thunders

"False claims?" The elder's eyes scanned me with a sneer, and I bow my head. Sad that I've brought my troubles to these people

Van's father step beside me

"You're in front of war, young lady. Face it with dignity," He commands with the smoothness and fervor of a lion.

I obey.

"Alpha Zade already told me the girl's origin," the elder snarls bitterly, pointing his stick at me

"A discarded orphan who was given grace by the Astrid household."

"The first and only mate of this worthless rogue is Alpha Zade," the old woman adds.

Ronah signals soldiers to tie her up, but the Elder commands

"You'll let her go." Four of the soldiers fly away, smashed against the wall by the Elder’s stick

Let me out

We don't know how to shift Cat. Stop wrestling

"You've repaid good with evil, Alpha Evander, and taken the wrong woman when a perfect Luna was prepared for you. The council won't stand for this."

Van gnash his teeth then chuckles before looking up at Zade

"Is this why you didn't fight me? Because you trust in him?"

He's right. Zade's face wrinkles with a taunting smile.

In a surge of rage, he toss Zade behind the elder like a discarded toy.

"ALPHA EVANDER!" Van ignores the elder scream as he walk towards him. He extends his hand, his nails lengthening, and in one swift swipe, he slashed the leg of the Elder's cat.

Screams erupt in the garden where my wedding took place just minutes ago. The cat hisses in pain.

The Elder raises his cane, but in one stride, Van snaps it into two

"Now you have an issue with me," his voice chilly, staring into the Elder's eyes with a calm that contrasts the elder's fury.

"I have an issue with HOUSE ARNAULD! You lots ignore rules and act like you're better than us!" the Elder screams.

He should relax. His body's getting closer to the ground CAT!

"TAKE MY LINEAGE OUT OF YOUR MOUTH," Van's father warns with a guttural voice, stepping between his son and the Elder.

I watch in awe, seeing what a family should be.

Naville takes my hand, leading me to stand beside her father. Ronah joins us. A hand slips around my waist: Van.

The soldiers stand up to form a fierce line behind us.

I look around me and almost choke on tears. We look like warriors. Like family.

It's called Pack, Zephyra This isn't time to act smart, Cat.

"Leave! They have a wedding to consummate,"

I think I like your father-in-law, Zephyra Same here, Cat.

"She's a tainted, useless rogue!" Zade screams from afar.

"Say one more word about my sister," Ronah snarls, starting toward him, but Naville locks her hand into his, stopping him.

I move away from Van's hold, ashamed of causing this family stress, but Van pulls me close and claims my lips.

Yes! Show him who Zeph belongs to Cat cheers, and I blush into Van's mouth.

The kiss is powerful but brief. He breaks it, pulling me closer.

"She's mine. Mine! You disgrace to the wolf line." Van snarls at Zade who strides angrily towards us

Van's grip tightens on my waist, and he whispers

"Watch. This is for you, Zephyra." With one long release of power, he slashes Zade's right knee.

The council, old woman, and the audience scream as blood splatters the floor.

"That's for insulting my Lunara. I'll be back with punishments for the abuse."

The elder stares at me with tightened eyes and jaw, I watch his pupils sweep over me in calculated recognition.

"Lunara? A Luna with priestess power?"

The Priest question, looking at me with admiration

The elder's grip tighten on his broken cane then he scoffs

"She's barely a wolf."

"One more insult towards my wife, Morrigan!" The Elder's teeth ground as he kept his glare on Van, neither of them looking away.

Such fine name for wicked man

The air around us turn chilly then the elder speaks, breaking the eye lock.

"The wolf-chasing sanction... Let your 'Lunara' prove herself there.." The remaining audience gasps.

"Do you know what's wolf chasing sanction, cat?

Naville’s scream drown out my attention

"She doesn't even have her wolf"

Zade and the old woman's faces brighten.

'She have me!' We've never shifted Cat.

She paces at the front of my mind but I ignore her tantrum

"You'll resort to killing a young girl because of your stomach!" Ronah snarls, the elder's eyes blaze.

He hit a nerve.

"She's nothing but a tainted timid whore!"

Elder Morrigan retort and my heart sinks

A loud scream erupts from me as I feel sharp, blinding pain.

I see Van move toward me

Another roar tears from my throat—Cat’s roar, physically mine.Every scream multiplies in my head

"HE RAPED ME! I'M NOT A WHORE!"