The Alpha’s Obsession, the Luna’s Rebellion

I struck Luneth with a strong kick.

She stumbled back in pain. No longer waste the chance, I caught her hair and gave her hard slaps in the face twice.

"Perfect. Now, it's time to deal with you for hiring someone to spy on me and took picture of me last night."

Luneth glanced at me with a grim expression, held her cheek and laughed. "So what? I just hired someone to take pictures of you. You know, you might be traded for a high price, Ayleth. I have been in a coma for three cycles and I just...."

A loud slap rang through the living chamber.

"Luneth, since you've been in a coma for three cycles, you seem to have forgotten the rules of the pack. Then, I will remind you how to behave today."

Her eyes burned with anger. She cried out and summoned the servants. "Are you just watching her bully me? Pin her down!"

I glanced at the servants coldly. "I am the Luna of this pack, Theros's mate. You should remember your place."

The servants froze, looking at me, then back at Luneth.

Luneth only smiled with pride and pulled her collar down to reveal the mark on her skin. "I spent the night with the Alpha. Now do you see who matters more to him?"

The servants rushed over, no longer doubt and pinned me to the ground.

Luneth stood over me and lifted her hand, but she did not strike.

Instead, a cold feeling spread beneath me as she raised the edge of my night robe and took several images.

She, then, ordered the servants to tie me to a chair, forcing me into different poses for her to capture.

If I fought back, a servant would slap me in the face.

Many slaps landed one after another. My body was bruised and my vision slowly blurred.

But it had only begun. Luneth watched me in pain, her face showing cruel delight.

"Only 50 so far. We need 100. Tie her to the post and force her to follow the poses from the pictures. Hurry up."

Just as the post done, they moved me to the bed.

The bed done, they dragged me to the moonlit flower bushes behind the pack den.

In the end, I lost track of how many places they forced me through.

As evening fell across the pack lands, Luneth completed her 100 shots and at last ordered them to release me.

I watched as she finished choosing the images and was about to send them.

I rushed forward, grabbing her and we fell into a fierce struggle. I would never let those images spread across the pack lands.

In the fight, the moon-scented candle on the table was knocked to the floor and the fine fur carpet caught fire at once.

Dark smoke filled the air and the den was soon burning on all sides.

I covered my mouth and nose, trying to crawl out, but a heavy beam fell and pinned me down.

Just then, Theros ran inside. He saw Luneth near the doorway and pulled her tightly into his arms.

I felt the flames burn my skin, pain spreading through my body as I cried out with all my strength. "Theros … please, save me.…"

Theros glanced at me with cold eyes, then turned away and walked out of the fire, carrying Luneth in his arms without a single look back.

I stared at his back as it disappeared into the smoke, my mind growing weak until darkness took me.

***

At the healer’s den.

It felt like my mind was waking, yet my eyes were too heavy to open.

The voices of the pack healers surrounded me.

"Alpha Grimvale, both of them require skin graft treatment, but only one healer can perform it now. Who do you choose to save first?"

The Alpha gave no response.

I struggled hard and at last forced my eyes open.

"Alpha Grimvale, your Luna suffers serious burns over fifty percent of her back. If she doesn't get the treatment soon, the burns on her back will scar her for life. So, I suggest you to save your Luna, Ayleth, first."

Luneth’s voice trembled. "Theros, my hand is burned, 3 centimeters long. It hurts. If it leaves a scar, how will I play the moon harp again?"

Theros drew in a deep breath. "Save Luneth first. I will find another way for my mate."

Tears slipped from my barely opened eyes and they slowly closed again. The last light within them faded.