The Alpha's Unexpected Luna

SOMA

Tension thickens the air. But Mason's shock only lasts a few seconds before he speaks again.

"I mean no disrespect, Your Highness," Mason mutters. "But surely the Alpha princes of Shadowspire are not above being apologetic when they wrong their subjects... unless there's a separate set of laws, which the elites live by."

"You're quite cheeky for a servant," Kade murmurs.

His eyes shine brightly with mischief as he smacks Mason's cheeks twice. He's baiting him, and it works.

"I'm not a servant," Mason growls.

There is another collective gasp. I react faster this time. "Mason," I say in a weak voice, trying to drag him away before this escalates. "Please. Let's go. They-"

A scream cuts me off. I stagger as Mason doubles over in pain, both hands clutching his stomach. Brynne towers over him, his fist ready for another punch.

How are they so fast?

As he aims for Mason's stomach, I blurt, "Wait. He didn't mean it."

His attention doesn't waver from Mason. "What was that?" he asks in a voice cold enough to cut glass. With one sweep of his leg, he knocks Mason off his feet and straddles him before he can recover or fight back. The first punch has blood flying out of Mason's lips. "Say that again. I dare you."

"No. Please, stop." I rush toward him, but strong pairs of arms grab me, forcing me to stay down against my will. "He didn't mean any of it. He's sorry."

"Hush, girl. He can speak for himself," Kade says as Brynne continues to pummel Mason. "Can't he, Tris?"

Tristan grunts, but their hold on my arm doesn't slacken.

"Let me go," I beg. I thrash against their grip, voice breaking. My stomach twists as blood spills from Mason's lips and nose. "Please. He's going to kill him."

"If he doesn't know his place, then he's better off dead."

I don't know which of the brothers said that, but Brynne's fists continue to fly, fury radiating off him. It's clear he wants Mason dead.

Mason groans beneath him. His hands rise and fall back before he can summon the strength to fight back.

"Please," I choke out, tears blurring my vision. "Please. I'll do anything. Just stop, please. Please don't kill him."

Brynne finally looks up, and a cruel, satisfied smirk stretches across his face. "Anything?"

"Anything."

"Well, well, well," Brynne says, rising to his feet with eerie calm. He gives Mason's limp body one last kick and turns to me. "At least one of you knows when to beg."

The weight of his stare travels down my body, and I struggle not to shiver. He sends his brothers a look. They let go of me, and I fall on my ass. The moment I attempt to move, he cuts me a look that freezes me in place. I remain on the grass, forcing myself to stay still.

"Anything," Brynne murmurs, as if testing the word. But I know better. He doesn't have good plans for me. Mason disobeyed him in public, and he'll make him pay at all costs, even if it means ending my life. "Take off your dress."

"What?" I breathe.

He throws Mason a sadistic smile, silently hinting at what will happen if I don't act fast. "You heard me. Now."

A lump builds in my throat. But all it takes is one look at Mason's bloody face for my shaky hands to move. I've been humiliated countless times in the past. I'm not new to being forced to feel like worthless scum, but this... this is different. Even my crazy cousins have never stooped this low. They limit it to private spaces.

As I reach for the hem of my dress, a pathetic sound flies out of Mason's lips. Brynne moves, and I shout, "Wait. I'm taking it off." The crown prince pauses, his foot inching dangerously close to Mason's crotch. Tears prickle at the corners of my eyes. "I'm on it."

It takes a few deep breaths, but I tug it over my head and hold it to my chest to protect what little is left of my decency. Murmurs sound behind me as my naked, scarred body comes into view. Multiple eyes bore into my back, and I shrink into myself, my head drooping.

The cold air bites against my skin, making me shiver. But it's nothing compared to the cold in my heart.

I hate them.

I hate every single one of them, but what choice do I have?

Kade steps forward and yanks the dress from my grip, tossing it to the grass like it's a piece of rag. My hands immediately go over my breasts, but Brynne snarls.

"Hands down," Brynne commands. "On your knees."

The murmurs grow louder. I want to believe they all disapprove of the prince's method, but I know better. They must be enjoying this. Pushing myself up, I sink to my knees and place my hands on my thighs. Brynne spreads out his arms, circling me like a hunter about to hunt his prey.

"Oh, don't look away. She's giving us a show." His voice hardens, daring anyone else to disobey him. "Tristan, will you be so kind as to help her boyfriend up? There's no way he's missing this view."

Tristan hesitates for a brief second, which makes hope flare dangerously in my chest. In a flash, he crouches behind Mason to force his head upward. I avoid his gaze, shame and disgust curling low in my belly. The most important thing is that my best friend will live. I can't afford to let the only friend I have die over something that's my fault. Hopefully, they'll still pay his wage.

"Can we go now?" I whisper.

"Is that the right way to address your prince?" Kade asks.

"My apologies. Can we go now, Your Highness?"

Brynne stops in front of me, his finger curling under my jaw. Rage bubbles in my chest as Mason's blood coats my skin and his knuckles, but the only thing I can do is seethe silently.

"Not yet," he says.

Our eyes hold briefly, and chills race down my spine. Brynne steps back to flash his bloody hands, clicking his tongue like he didn't bring that upon himself.

"Look how dirty my hands are from touching your filthy boyfriend. They need cleaning," he tells me. "Be a good girlfriend and do what is needed."

Kade mentioned a towel earlier, but standing means more people will see me. I reach for my dress, but as soon as my fingers close around it, Brynne tuts in disapproval.

"No," he tells me. "Use your tongue."

A sob catches in my throat, and my head sags. I'm so tired of pretending to be strong when I'm nothing more than a pathetic omega.

"Please. I beg you." My forehead drops to the grass. I bow once, then again, and again, not minding the sharp pain in my temple. "Show kindness, Your Highness."

"Use. Your. Tongue."

Mason groans in protest, and Tristan responds with a slap to his face. My stomach bottoms out. It's now or never. Pulling myself back up, I shut my eyes, afraid Brynne will make me open them so I can witness my humiliation, but he doesn't.

Mouth open, I push my tongue out, ready to drag the tip over Brynne's bloodied knuckles. But when I angle forward for better reach, there's nothing, only cool air.

My body tips as I'm thrown off balance. I lurch forward, catching myself with both hands before my face hits the grass.

Laughter breaks out around me, and my eyes slowly open. Brynne is no longer at my front. He's on my left now.

"Such a dog," the crown prince spits. The laughter grows louder, and he barks out the word: "Again."

Mason makes a sound, or maybe I imagined it. But I keep my eyes open, determined to end this fast.

"Keep your eyes closed. It's more fun that way," Brynne tells me. I know this is a game to him, but it still hurts to be treated this way. Like less than nothing. My eyes shut, and my insides shrivel when he adds, "These inconsequential vermin need to know what absolute power and domination looks like."

For the second time, I open my mouth, but before I can perform the degrading act, a sultry voice cuts through the backyard.

"What is going on here?"