Luna on a Chain

Chapter Five

Morning came again—and once more, I was locked in the room.

My nerves were stretched to the limit. I wanted to smash something, break something. I couldn’t endure this anymore. If Maya wanted to be with him—fine. She was a grown woman; she’d handle it. Besides, the mate bond wouldn’t allow the Alpha to hurt her, so I could be calm about my friend. And if she ever decided to leave him, I would help her.

I walked over to the window and looked outside. I had nothing to do, so I watched the guards moving around the grounds. The window opened, and as soon as a guard passed beneath it, I made a desperate decision. Climbing onto the windowsill, I carefully placed my feet on a small ledge outside and jumped down with ease. My natural agility hadn’t gone anywhere.

Landing in soft grass, I decided to hide in the garden and reach the gate leading outside from there. Moving in short dashes, I barely made it to the exit—only to discover the gate was tightly locked.

“Damn it,” I cursed and kicked the gate.

No choice left—I’d have to climb the tall fence. Time was running out, so I rolled up my sleeves, grabbed the top, wedged my foot into a crack between the rough stones, and started pulling myself up. Suddenly my shirt snagged on something behind me and began to tear, but there was no time to turn around and deal with it. To hell with the shirt—I had plenty more.

I pulled myself up higher. The fabric ripped more decisively.

And then a menacing growl sounded behind me.

My heart stopped for a moment. Slowly turning my head, I saw a huge black wolf. Its teeth were sunk into my shirt, dragging me back down. Apparently, one of the guards had spotted me after all. Sighing, I lowered myself to the ground. The wolf released the shirt and sat back on its hind legs, waiting.

Before me stood a massive black beast, about five feet tall. We stared at each other without breaking eye contact.

“What do you want from me?” I said, crossing my arms.

The wolf turned its head toward the house and gave a slight nod. No way around it—I had to go back. Trying to go around him, I stepped left. He mirrored me and blocked the way again. I shot him a defiant look and darted to the right.

My mother always said never run from a wolf—he’d catch you anyway, and it would only be worse then.

A powerful shove to my back sent me crashing to the ground. Rolling through the grass, I ended up flat on my back. Damn mangy beast. And the way he looked at me—like an Olympic champion. He even placed his paw on my chest in a victorious pose.

Anger boiled in my veins.

“What more do you want, fleabag? Decided to roll me in the grass one last time?”

The wolf lowered its muzzle and began sniffing me. Its nose buried itself in my shirt and pressed against my pendant.

“What, you like it, fleabag?” I taunted. “Sorry, can’t give it to you—it’s a family heirloom.”

Either I imagined it, or the wolf just smiled.

Then hell broke loose.

His slobbery tongue started licking my face. I tried to shield myself with my hands, but it didn’t go as planned. He began licking my hands, my neck, then shoved his nose into my partially open shirt.

“You damn mutt!” I yelled and pressed hard against his forelegs from the side.

His legs buckled, and I drove my knee into him with all my strength—right under the tail. He yelped pitifully and jumped away. This wasn’t my first time fighting off a wolf; I knew the pressure points.

Not wasting a second, I sprang to my feet and ran back toward the house. The wolf stayed behind. And, like something straight out of a cliché, I ran straight into one of the guards. He gave me a stern look and escorted me back to my room.

As he left, I glanced back at the spot where the black beast had been just moments ago—but there was no trace of him.

Once alone, I rushed to scrub the disgusting wolf smell off myself. Tearing off my clothes, I tossed them into the small washing machine and stood under the water, dumping obscene amounts of soap and shampoo over myself.

I had to put on the bathrobe hanging on the bathroom door. Lying down on the bed, I finally realized how hungry I was. I’d been fed only once—and that was yesterday. If this kept up, I’d starve to death soon.

To distract myself from the hunger, I thought about what had just happened. I wondered who that wolf had been. I didn’t know why, but I had a strong feeling it was Maxim. His face had always looked far too sly and satisfied.

A knock on the door interrupted my thoughts.

“Come in,” I said.

Sitting up on the bed, I held my breath. I was ready to tell Max exactly what I thought of him. But it wasn’t him—it was Nina Sergeyevna. The kind woman smiled warmly.

“Kirill Miroslavovich asked me to feed you, and then escort you to him.”

She placed a tray on the table by the window and added as she returned to the door:

“Eat, dear. I’ll come back for you in half an hour.”

I attacked the food like I hadn’t eaten in ages. The plates were empty in no time. Nina Sergeyevna returned exactly when she promised. After checking the bathroom, I put on my clothes—rumpled and worn, but clean.

I entered the Alpha’s study. He stood by the window, lost in thought. Stroking his perfectly groomed beard, he turned to me. A flash of anger lit his eyes, sending chills down my spine.

“There’s a document on the desk. Sign it and get the hell out.”

I stepped closer, picked up the paper, and after reading the absurd text, smiled. The wolves were trying to buy me off with a couple of million. How generous. In exchange, I was to stay silent about everything I’d seen.

Folding the paper in half, I tore it once. Then again. And again. The scraps landed demonstratively on the desk.

“I don’t need your money.”

“Then what do you want?” he snapped angrily.

“I want to see Maya at least once a week. In return, I promise to stay silent and not interfere in your affairs.”

His eyes flashed. I thought he’d refuse—and that his dogs would tear me apart and dump me in the forest within seconds.

“Fine. You’ll meet on Saturdays. I’ll personally bring her to the café where she used to work,” he said reluctantly.

“Deal. So I’m free?”

“Yes. You can go.”

“You brought me here against my will,” I said, lifting my chin defiantly. “So be kind enough to return me to where you took me from.”