Forbidden obsession: Claimed by my Mafia Stepdad

MOON WHISPERS

I had to run.

I slipped out of the penthouse at 2 a.m., heart pounding so hard I could hear it in my ears. The evidence against Viktor burned in my mind. I couldn't stay another night in his bed.

"Please let me get away," I whispered to the empty elevator. "Just this once."

The city streets swallowed me. I moved fast through alleys, clutching a small bag with stolen cash. Freedom felt so close.

Headlights pinned me against a wall.

"Going somewhere, princess?" Marco Rossi stepped out with three men. His smile was pure poison.

I backed up. "Stay away from me."

Marco grabbed me and slammed me against the brick. "Kane’s little pet thinks she can run. Cute."

I fought. I elbowed him hard. "Let go!"

One of the men punched me in the face. Pain exploded across my cheekbone. I tasted blood.

"Stop! Please!"

Marco pressed a knife to my throat. The blade bit cold against my skin. "Let’s see how Kane likes his toy used."

He ripped my shirt. Rough hands grabbed me everywhere. I screamed as another fist connected with my ribs.

"You’re nothing without him," Marco growled, pressing the knife harder. A trickle of blood ran down my neck. "Just a warm hole for the big bad don."

Tears streamed down my face. "I hate you. All of you."

They laughed. Another kick sent me crashing to the ground. I curled up, broken sobs tearing from my throat. This was how I would die. Beaten and used in a dirty alley.

A roar split the night.

Viktor appeared like a demon. His eyes glowed bright silver under the moonlight. His face looked wrong. Too sharp. Too feral.

"No one hurts what’s mine," he snarled, voice distorted.

He tore into the men like a storm. Bones snapped. Screams cut short. Marco tried to run but Viktor caught me by the throat and slammed me into the wall.

"You touched her." Viktor’s claws dug into Marco’s neck. "Big mistake."

I watched in horror as Viktor partially shifted. His muscles rippled unnaturally. Fangs flashed.

When it was over, Viktor turned to me. The glow in his eyes faded slightly. He dropped to his knees and pulled me into his arms.

"Aria. Baby, talk to me."

"It hurts," I sobbed, clutching his shirt. "Everywhere hurts. I just wanted to be free."

"I know. I know." He lifted me carefully. "You’re safe now. I’ve got you. Daddy’s here."

The drive back was silent except for my soft cries. Viktor held me the entire way, murmuring promises against my hair.

Back in the penthouse, he carried me straight to his bedroom. The full moon hung heavy in the sky outside the windows.

He laid me on the bed and stripped away my torn clothes with gentle hands. Every bruise made him curse.

"You’re so brave," he whispered. "So f*****g strong. But you don’t have to run from me."

"I'm scared of you," I admitted, voice breaking. "What you are."

Viktor climbed over me. His eyes still held that faint silver glow. "Don't be scared. Let me make it better."

He kissed me. Deep. Desperate. I kissed him back even though it hurt. The need was stronger than the pain.

"Please," I begged against my mouth. "Make me forget."

He entered me in one rough thrust. I cried out, nails digging into his back.

"Fight it all you want," he growled, hips moving hard, "but your body already knows who owns it."

I moaned. The pleasure mixed with pain in a twisted, perfect storm. The moon seemed to make him wilder. Stronger.

"Viktor," I gasped. "Too much. You’re too much."

"You can take it." He pinned my wrists above my head. "Take all of me. That’s my good girl."

Every thrust pushed me closer to the edge. I came hard, screaming his name. He followed with a deep groan, burying himself as deep as possible.

Afterward he held me close. His hands stroked my hair while I trembled in his arms.

"You’re mine," he whispered. "Moon and all."

He eventually rose to shower. The bathroom door clicked shut. Water started running.

I lay there for a moment, body sore but buzzing. Then I forced myself up. I needed more answers.

I found the hidden journal in his study drawer. Old pages. Handwritten notes.

My hands shook as I read.

"The curse takes everything. Only a pure-hearted woman can save the alpha from the beast."

And there, in clear writing:

"Thomas Frost had to die. He knew too much about the pack. The hit was necessary."

Tears fell onto the pages.

Viktor had ordered my parents’ death.

But the final line made my blood run cold.

"The chosen woman will break the curse. Or die trying."

The shower water stopped.

I clutched the journal to my chest, heart shattering all over again.

The monster who saved me tonight was the same one who destroyed my life.

And according to this book, I might be the only one who could save him in return.