Avery's POV
My brain refused to process what Lucian said. My body went totally rigid on the mattress, staring up at him blankly.
I had heard that word my entire life. Every wolf knew what it meant—the Moon Goddess's chosen pairing. I never imagined it would be used as a weapon.
“No,” I said, finally gaining my voice. I tried to twist my upper body away from him, ignoring the pain that ripped through my stitched abdomen. “No, you're lying. That's a lie.”
“Lie? To you?” He let out a dark, terrifying laugh that died abruptly in his throat. His hand remained on my chest, keeping me pinned down without even trying.
“You're lying!” I repeated, tears finally spilling down my eyelashes and wetting the pillow. “ You're just saying that to make me submit to you after what you did to me. You do
