40- Marked and Mute
POV Lunara Grimwald:
I turned on my heels and began to walk away, speeding up. I heard my name called. I didn't answer; I kept wandering away.
I entered the forest and headed toward Edric's house. Alone, I started to run, needing to get to my room urgently. Tears were already overflowing, wetting my cheeks and dripping onto the collar of my shirt.
I pushed the front door hard, startling Nicoleta, who was setting the dining table. She looked at me and widened her eyes, perplexed.
"Miss Lunara, what happened?"
I shook my head and ran up the stairs. I went to my room and slammed the door shut. I went into the bathroom and leaned against the sink, letting the first sob escape.
I lifted my face, examining my reflection in the mirror. I was all covered in chocolate—both skin and clothes. My face was swollen from crying. The tears streaming down my cheeks left a trail through the dark smears of ganache that dirtied me.
A low growl resonated through my chest.
How could I have been so foolish to think his pack could respect and accept me when not even the alpha, my mated partner, acted like that?
I glanced at the mark on my neck, watching it in the mirror. The color of my eyes shifted, the emerald green becoming ever more vivid. I put my hand to the side of my neck, brushing the tips of my fingers over the injured skin.
Then I lost control—conscious, but unable to command the movements I made. My nails lengthened, turning into claws. I sank them into the skin, clenching my lips to stifle a scream. I dragged the claws, tearing skin and flesh, opening a hole in my neck.
More tears sprang forth.
My she-wolf was hurting me. She was hurting us because she wanted to remove the visible mark he had left on me. Because that mark was an affront.
A good alpha, a mated partner, took care of his female, providing everything needed to please and keep her happy. Edric did none of that. He betrayed me, humiliated me, and despised me.
Removing the visible mark wouldn't change the fact that we were mated, but his scent wouldn't pulse so strongly in me and I wouldn't flaunt his domination on my skin.
I raised my blood-stained fingers before burying them again and dragging my nails once more, tearing off a little more flesh, leaving it hanging. Blood gushed across my shoulder, staining my shirt and dripping onto the floor.
I trembled, swallowing the sob, the strangled cry of pain. My cheeks shone from the silent crying that flowed through my eyes.
She continued until the mark was no longer visible. Until my neck was mutilated. Until nothing of his domination over the two of us remained.
I blinked and my eyes returned to normal.
The pain hit me hard. I bit the back of my hand, breathing with difficulty, trying to control myself before Edric could sense that something was wrong. I slid down to the floor, my legs losing strength, and lay on the cold bathroom tiles.
I stayed there for a while. For so long that I barely noticed time passing, healing the physical wound as the emotional one pulsed with no sign of scabbing over.
I wanted and I would perform the ritual. I had had enough of the humiliation. Death would be a better solution than spending the rest of my days being despised.
And that decision was mine alone.
I didn't open the door when Nicoleta knocked earlier, informing me that Edric was waiting for me for a special dinner.
I took a shower, cleaned myself up, and put on the boldest dress I had in the wardrobe. It was a dark blue, with a deep neckline that revealed far more than good decorum allowed. The fabric clung to my body, accentuating each of my curves.
I smoothed my hair with the dryer, undoing the small waves it usually had naturally, and applied light makeup.
Everything I owned had been brought to me by Nicoleta, who cared for my well-being.
I faced my reflection in the mirror. My eyes were still swollen from crying, but I managed to soften their appearance well with makeup. My neck was torn, shining a vivid red as it slowly healed.
The bath hadn't been relaxing; it was more like a torture session. Every drop of soapy water or hot water that fell on the wound made my hairs stand on end and made me shudder.
I tossed my hair back, leaving my work of art on display.
Edric had a surprise for me. Excellent, because I had one for him too.
I took a deep breath, shrugged my shoulders, turned my back to the mirror, and walked with determined steps out of the room.
I slid my fingers along the banister as I descended the stairs. I felt warmth in my chest as I stepped onto the last stair. Edric was already waiting for me.
I lifted my jaw belligerently and advanced.
My steps faltered when I witnessed the scene unfolding before me, causing me to lose my composure.
The table had been set elegantly, with elaborate dishes and candelabra holding lit candles. Edric sat at the head, wearing a simple black linen short-sleeved shirt that clung to the muscles of his arms, accentuating them.
He looked at me with a mischievous glint in his eyes.
There would have been no problem with this dinner if it weren't for the fact that, on the sideboard next to the table, there were two decapitated heads.
All the blood drained from my face.