Chapter 1: Running to Town

Luna's POV:

I rise slowly from the bed I'm lying in. My head is pounding, and my body feels like it's been ripped in two. I stand in the doorway to my private bathroom, looking in the mirror at my bruised and beaten body. There are fresh bruises on top of old ones, and the corner of my lip is bleeding. I live in a small town in Wisconsin with the Connery family. They took me in when I was in my third year of college. I moved abroad with my parents after high school to study business. In my third year, I had to move due to financial issues after my parents died, and the Connerys took me in so I could finish school. I finished my last year of school in the states, but I still haven't been able to leave. I've managed to keep my inheritance a secret from the Connerys for fear of what might happen if Samael finds out. I'm 22, and like me, the Connerys aren't normal. They are werewolves, or wolves as we call ourselves, and they have deep connections in the area.

My mother was a witch, and my father was a demon; somewhere down the ancestral line, only showing up once every so many generations, were some wolves. I am blessed to be all three, if you can call it a blessing. Being part wolf means that the Connerys' eldest son, Samael, thinks he owns me despite me not being his destined mate. Samael has a younger brother named Seth, and although he also doesn't have a mate, he is much kinder to me than Samael. Samael is the Alpha of the pack, and like his fur, his heart is black. He is merciless. He uses me and my body as he wants, when he wants, with no regard for my pleas for him to stop. Then other days, he parades me around, showing me off like he's the luckiest man alive. My head and my heart are in chaos as I quietly clean myself up and get dressed. This has been my hell for over a year, and I wonder if I will ever escape.

There are clans all across the globe, and we are all supposed to work in unison to maintain the code. The code is a list of laws and guidelines all creatures must follow. And contrary to popular belief, demons, witches, and wolves aren't evil creatures to be feared. Demons and witches work very closely together to make sure that peace remains in the mortal realm. Most people fear us or pretend we don't exist so they can go on living their lives blindly. But there are those who are very aware of our existence, and they help us in maintaining the mortal peace. Wolves are mostly in charge of bringing the creatures that break the code to justice; therefore, most of them study law or have integrated themselves into law enforcement roles. Once an offending creature is caught, they have to stand trial before the high counsel. The high counsel is a group of various demons, witches, and wolves that were handpicked by the gods long ago. Many of the offending creatures who face trial are never seen or heard from again, although there are rumors that they get sent back as humans, having lost all their magical abilities.

Then there are those that, like the Connerys, own several towns or cities; their pack or clan is in charge of making sure peace is maintained within their regions only, contributing very little to the others. There is only one main law within the code that, if broken, will cause someone to be cast out, stripped of their strengths and powers, and potentially executed if they are caught breaking it. You shall not use your strengths or powers (demonic or the latter) to harm or kill an innocent, whether they be mortal or mythical, as the humans like to call us.

Of course, for a man like Samael, this means nothing. He tends to make up his own rules, with little regard to the code. Most everyone in the pack is afraid of Samael, and they refuse to speak of his wrongdoings. He managed to find a way to bind certain magical and demonic powers that I possess, only allowing me to use them for certain things, like clothes and toiletries to cover my bruises, or when he wants me to use them for him somehow. On one of the few occasions I managed to break his bind and use my powers in his presence—when he had pushed me too far—he threw a substance into my eyes, killing my powers, and then he brutally beat me. Whatever he uses to dampen my powers and render them useless when he is around leaves me helpless to defend myself against him when he beats and abuses me or finds his way into my bed at night.

I suddenly hear a faint knock on my bedroom door. I quickly snap my fingers, and every bruise and wound vanishes. When I open the door, I find Seth waiting on the other side.

"Hey, there's going to be a party later tonight downtown, and Paul and I were wondering if you'd be interested in going," he said as his brown eyes avoided my face.

Seth always tried to get me out of the house after his brother had his way with me. It was like a silent apology for not being able to save me.

"What time?" I ask.

"We're leaving around 8, but Paul and I were going to go into town for a bit. Do you want to come along?" Seth replies.

"Ok. Let's go now," I say as I grab my wallet and head outside with Seth to Paul's car.

We all pile in and head to the diner in town for a light lunch before shopping.

"So, how are things at home?" Paul asks before taking a bit of his food.

"They're fine." I reply Seth quickly looks out the window avoiding the question and Paul's knowing glance.

"Why do you tolerate him?" Paul asks through gritted teeth.

"There are other mates who would treat you better and be gentler with you," Paul continues.

"I don't really have a choice. I'm pretty much held against my will, and anyone who challenges him ends up beaten half to death or actually dead," I reply flatly.

"Well, maybe he will change and show you the love you deserve, like he used to. If he grows up first," Paul replies, trying to sound hopeful.

I quickly finish my meal and stand up.

"Well, I'm going to run over to the store and pick up a few things." I wave goodbye, not listening to their protests about the situation at home.

I quickly make my way to the shop a few doors down from the diner, and upon entering, I am greeted with a friendly and familiar hello.

"Hello, Luna! It's so good to see you!" Mrs. Connery greets me cheerfully.

"Yes. I needed to pick some things up for the house today," I reply with a smile.

"Well, just get what you need, dear. It's on the house, as usual," she replies.

I smile warmly at her. Mr. and Mrs. Connery own one of many stores in the area. Though their eldest son is ruthless and cold, they are kind and friendly. They also have no idea about their eldest son's misdoings, as they stay in town most of the time, leaving Samael free to do as he wishes. Mrs. Connery lets me get things that are needed for the house free of charge. They fell on hard times soon after I got here, and since I'm a witch, I used a little magic to help them through. When Samael lets me, I can easily use my magic to acquire the things we need, but there's something about being in the outside world and feeling like I'm somewhat normal that I like, and Mrs. Connery humors me in my wanting normalcy.

I have a wide variety of powers from all aspects of my witch, demon, and wolf ancestry. I am able to blink, a power I inherited from my father that allows me to travel quickly from place to place. I can also move things or create things with a simple snap of my fingers, which I inherited from my mother's witch side. And being able to move at lightning speed is one of the many perks of being a wolf. There are several other abilities I possess but haven't mastered because I've never had to use them and haven't had proper training. I can brew potions and cast spells if I have the right tools, but I haven't practiced much since graduating thanks to Samael.

I quickly browse the isles, gathering the necessary items before heading to the front. Mrs. Connery bags the items with a smile, and I head on my way.

"Thanks, Mrs. Connery!" I say cheerfully as I walk out the door.

I head back to where Paul parked his car and see him and Seth already waiting. We all get back into the car and head back to the Connery house. The ride back is quiet and slightly uncomfortable. I feel as if there's a weight sitting on my chest, getting heavier and heavier the closer we get to the house. Once Paul parks the car in the drive, I get out and run inside, feeling a sense of dread come over me. Seth and Paul are at my heels, and as soon as the big wooden door closes behind us, I hear a voice that sends shivers down my spine.