135- The Bite of Defiance
POV Lunara Grimwald:
“At least I don’t chase people down and force them to stay with me,” I spat, licking the blood on my teeth. “I have enough self-respect not to stoop that low.”
Kellan cleared his throat loudly.
“Alessio, my son, she cannot talk back to you like that. You’re an alpha and future leader of the packs—everyone must respect you, especially your female.” He huffed. “Break her teeth. Maybe then she’ll shut up.”
Alessio looked at me—then punched me a third time.
My legs buckled. I fell to the floor, the left side of my face throbbing, the taste of blood heavy on my tongue.
“She’ll get ugly without teeth. I can’t do that,” he objected, staring down at me.
“You need to do something.”
I pressed my trembling palms to the cold floor, swallowing nausea. My vision blurred; one eye had already begun to swell. I didn’t need a mirror to know my cheeks were bruising.
And yet—even broken, bleeding, barely standing—I still hated them with every breath I took… and still loved Edric with every beat of my heart.
I stared at Alessio’s shins, curled in on myself, afraid he would kick me. My claws lengthened involuntarily, as did my fangs. I didn’t understand what was happening, but I knew my wolf was reacting somehow.
Then, before I could control it, I lunged at Alessio and sank my teeth into his thigh, tearing skin and drawing blood. He screamed and grabbed my hair, yanking me upward.
“You bitch!” he roared, jaw clenched with pain.
He dragged me by the hair out of the house, pulling me with brutal force. My knees scraped against the floor, and my scalp burned like fire. A few pack members nearby stopped to watch, bearing witness to my public humiliation.
I didn’t cry. I didn’t beg.
I grabbed the hand tangled in my hair, trying to lessen the pain. I stumbled after him on unsteady feet, trying not to drag my knees and injure myself further.
“You’re staying in one of the barns. You want to act like a whore? Then you’ll be treated like one.”
“Anywhere, as long as it’s far away from you, you fucking bastard!” I hissed.
He dragged me through part of the village on purpose, just so everyone could see him humiliate and dominate me. He threw me to the ground with force.
“I’m not going to rip your teeth out, Lunara, but I will rip out your tongue.” He kicked my face with his heavy boots, splitting my lips and bruising my nose.
I squeezed my eyes shut and let the tears spill down, streaking my blood-stained cheeks.
This was not the life I wanted. It wasn’t even close to decent. I could not spend the rest of my days like this—beaten, humiliated, stripped of everything. Alessio would rape me to get his heirs, beat me whenever I disobeyed, and dominate me whenever he pleased. I would be nothing but a womb to breed litters and a punching bag.
I felt sorry for Elowen, but… death was my only salvation. I would not live the next four hundred years like this. I refused.
“This is what happens when a bitch disobeys in this pack!” he shouted, pointing at me sprawled on the ground. “Females, know your place and preserve yourselves.”
I sat up on my knees despite the pain. With blurred vision and a throbbing face, I lifted my chin and stared at him, letting the blood drip freely and stain my clothes.
I was fueled by pure hatred. Death was inevitable.
I wanted him to remove the mark and free Edric. Then I would finish the rest myself.
I had nothing left to lose, so I might as well enjoy what little remained.
“Do you know why your mother needed a lover?” I asked, raising my voice so everyone nearby could hear.
“What the hell are you talking about?” he snarled, veins bulging on his neck and his face reddening. His fangs flashed between parted lips—he was about to lose control completely. Perfect.
A vicious laugh burst from my cut lips.
“She needed a lover because your father has a small dick—just like you!” I spat, laughing even louder. “It wasn’t until I was with Edric that I realized this… anomaly of yours. Must be genetic, you know? A family defect.”
Alessio punched me again.
I fell backward onto the ground, my head hitting with a thud.
“Enough, Lunara! You’re going to serve as entertainment for my pack.”
“As long as they have bigger dicks than yours!” I shot back.
And I would keep answering every insult, keep humiliating him in front of his wolves, until he finally lost control and ended my life—freeing me from his constant presence.
With a growl, he lifted his leg and struck my face with his heavy boot. Agonizing pain exploded through me.
And then—darkness.