Three
1105 Words
In Liam's arms, we navigated through the dense forest, escaping the haunting scene behind us.
The sensation of his warm touch against my skin sent tingles coursing through my body, momentarily distracting me from the intense pain radiating from my wounds. Blood trickled down my spine from the deep gashes, and black spots continued to dance across my vision.
"Where is your village?" Liam's voice boomed, breaking through the haze of pain. My hands hung limply at my sides as I weakly gestured in a vague direction, my thoughts muddled and disconnected.
With a determined stride, Liam set off, his pack members trailing closely behind. Their puzzled expressions betrayed their confusion and concern, exchanged glances revealing their uncertainty.
"Emily!" My mother's frantic cry pierced through the air as we reached my house. Liam's grip tightened around me, eliciting a hiss of pain as his fingertips brushed against my bare, wounded back.
"What have you done to her!?" My father's voice thundered, resonating with fury and worry. Though my eyes remained closed, I could envision the steely resolve etched on his face.
"She needs your pack's doctor immediately," Liam replied calmly, his tone firm, yet tinged with displeasure at my father's tone.
"Yes, that much is obvious! Give her to me and get the hell out of our territory!" My father's rage erupted, his hands reaching for me in a futile attempt to wrench me from Liam's arms, but Liam's hold remained unyielding, his grip tightening protectively around me.
"I would advise you to watch your tone with me. You wouldn't want to see me upset," Liam hissed, his voice laced with a warning edge.
"Look at what has happened to my daughter because of you! She didn't ask for this, and she certainly didn't want to become your Luna!" My father's accusations fueled Liam's anger, his entire being trembling with fury, his temperature rising.
As the heat radiated off him, mingling with his musky scent, I felt a wave of dizziness wash over me. Liam appeared puzzled, raising an eyebrow at my father as if contemplating a response.
"Alpha, the pack doctor is here," Piper's voice broke through the tense standoff, her expression etched with concern as she approached us, ready to tend to my wounds.
"Bring her inside," Piper stated firmly, striding past us and into my house.
Gently, I was lowered onto our small couch, my back exposed. Piper, my mother, my father, Liam, and his pack members crowded around me, their brows furrowed with concern.
"I need a bucket of water and a clean cloth," Piper ordered, swiftly rummaging through her medical kit.
I clenched my eyes shut, bracing myself for the impending pain. Liam crouched in front of me, brushing the sweat-dampened hair from my face with gentle fingers. I met his gaze with a glare, uncertain of how to feel.
He was responsible for this. I was in agony because of him, yet I knew he hadn't chosen me for the event; that had been his Beta's doing.
"Alpha Liam, I believe it's time for you to leave," a voice cut through the tension. Alpha Michael emerged from the crowd, his expression marked by sadness.
"You've brought an end to the event. There's no reason for you to remain," Alpha Michael's voice held a hint of bitterness, tinged with regret for not being able to prevent the ordeal and sorrow for the suffering inflicted upon one of his pack members' daughters.
"I am not leaving," Liam declared, rising to his feet and crossing his arms, his stance intimidating.
I hissed in pain as Piper delicately wiped the blood from my back with a damp cloth. Gritting my teeth, I buried my face into the couch to muffle any screams of agony.
"The event is over. You've caused enough harm here. Leave my territory," Alpha Michael commanded. I sensed Liam's frustration, imagining him biting his lip in conflict, torn between his loyalty and the Alpha's order.
"I'll return. I'll check on her in a day or so to ensure she's alright," Liam's voice echoed through the room before the door slammed shut. The absence of his presence brought a brief respite from the tension that had engulfed us.
As Piper continued to tend to my wounds, I lifted my head, trying to ignore the searing pain. Alpha Michael's gaze met mine, his expression filled with regret as he ran his fingers through his graying hair.
"I can't apologize enough, Emily. I was powerless to stop it. The Dark Night is an ancient tradition, and while it's condemned by many, some packs still adhere to it. I couldn't refuse to participate," Alpha Michael expressed, his voice heavy with remorse.
I forced a smile, not wanting Michael to carry the burden of guilt for something beyond his control. "It's not your fault," I reassured him, though the pain in my voice betrayed the truth of the ordeal I had endured.
"No, it's not. It's his fault!" My father's voice boomed, his frustration evident as he gestured wildly.
"What made him stop the event? He orchestrated all of this only to halt it for no reason! Emily endured all this pain for nothing. Michael, he shouldn't be allowed back onto this territory!" My father's anger surged, his gaze challenging Alpha Michael.
Michael shook his head solemnly. "If he chooses to return, he must announce himself. But if he doesn't, and we attack, we'd stand no chance against his larger pack. We'd be vastly outnumbered."
"Why is he coming back, Emily?" My mother's calm voice cut through the tension as she crouched before me, her touch gentle as she stroked my hair. There was a glint in her eye, hinting at knowledge I wasn't ready to confront. I sighed, dropping my gaze.
"No, no he's not!" My mother's wail filled the room as she buried her face in her hands, recoiling from me when I reached out.
"No, Emily, tell me!" Her voice trembled with desperation, urging me to reveal the truth.
I chewed nervously on my lip, grappling with the weight of my revelation. My parents wouldn't stand for this. They wouldn't allow me to be mated to someone as monstrous as him, to leave with him and join his pack, to become their Luna.
But did I even want that? An emptiness gnawed at my chest in Liam's absence. I longed for his return, yet felt relief at his departure. He was twisted, to subject us to such cruelty. His hunger for power was all-consuming.
He sought a strong female to stand by his side. Was I that woman?
"Yes, he's my mate,"
- Writer
