My tortured Luna

Chapter 12

Sleep never came. I lay on my back, staring at the ceiling while the moon slowly crept across the window. My body refused to relax. Every muscle felt tight beneath my skin, as though they were waiting for something.

For an order.

For a fight.

For pain.

I turned onto my side.

Then my back.

Then my stomach. The sheets tangled around my legs until I finally threw them aside with an irritated sigh.

You should sleep. Sia's voice was barely louder than a whisper.

I'm trying.

I know.

I rubbed my eyes before sitting up. My body wasn't tired. My mind wasn't racing. Everything inside me simply... Wanted to move.

Jack had never allowed us to sleep unless we'd earned it. Every day began with training and ended with training. If we weren't fighting, we were running. If we weren't running, we were carrying weights until our arms gave out. Rest had never been something we were given. It was something we collapsed into.

I need to train. Sia didn't answer. She didn't have to. She knew I was right. I quietly pulled on a pair of black leggings and a loose T-shirt before slipping out of my suite. The palace was almost silent at this hour. A few lamps illuminated the corridors, casting long shadows across the marble floor. The night guards nodded politely as I passed, never stopping me, never questioning where I was going.

I still wasn't used to that. No permission. No escort. No orders. Just... Freedom. The training hall stood exactly as I'd left it earlier that day. Empty. Or so I thought. I wrapped my hands before stepping onto the mat. My muscles relaxed almost immediately as I began moving through familiar combinations. Jab. Cross. Elbow. Knee. Turn. Again. Faster. The ache behind my eyes faded with every strike until all I could hear was my own breathing and the dull thud of leather against leather.

For the first time all day... My body finally felt quiet. The heavy doors behind me suddenly opened. Laughter echoed through the hall. I instinctively spun around. Five men walked inside, carrying duffel bags over their shoulders, their clothes covered in dirt and dried blood. None of it belonged to them. One of them stopped the moment he noticed me.

"Well..." He looked over his shoulder at the others.

"Looks like we're not alone." Another grinned.

"I thought everyone sensible was asleep." None of them looked dangerous. They looked tired. One had his arm wrapped in a fresh bandage. Another limped slightly as he walked. They couldn't have been much older than twenty-five. Still...

My pulse quickened. I'd never seen any of them before.

"Didn't mean to interrupt." The tallest of them lifted both hands with an easy smile.

"We just got back from Black Ridge."

"The rogue attack." Another dropped his bag onto the floor with a groan.

"Three days sleeping on rocks. I'd kill for a shower." The others laughed. I remained perfectly still. Their eyes drifted towards the heavy bag swinging gently behind me.

"You train alone?" one of them asked. I nodded once.

"That's impressive." Another smiled.

"Not many people choose this place at midnight." I took a slow step backwards. No one noticed. At least... Not yet. I forced myself to breathe. One punch. Another. The leather bag swung gently back and forth beneath my hands while the young wolves spread out across the training hall behind me. They'd stopped paying attention to me now. Their conversation drifted through the room in broken pieces while they unpacked their bags and wrapped their hands.

"I still can't believe it."

"What?"

"The King." I froze for the briefest second before forcing myself to throw another punch.

"What about him?"

"He actually found his mate." A couple of them laughed.

"I thought he'd stay single forever."

"So did I." Another voice spoke up.

"I heard she's been here for weeks."

"I heard she's beautiful."

"No..." The youngest of them shook his head.

"I heard she was when they found her." Silence. Then someone sighed.

"My Alpha told us what happened." Another punch.

"He said she'd been kept as a slave." My breathing slowed.

"Apparently... she's really traumatized."

"I heard she's terrified of men."

"They say she barely leaves her room."

"I feel sorry for her."

"So do I." Another silence settled between them.

"I can't imagine what someone must've done to her." Neither could I. I squeezed my eyes shut for a second before hitting the bag again. Harder.

"I heard the King hasn't left her side."

"No." Another shook his head.

"Apparently he's doing the opposite."

"What?"

"Keeping his distance."

"Why would he do that?"

"I don't know." He shrugged. Someone let out a quiet breath.

"Poor girl." The words should have been comforting. Instead... My stomach twisted. They knew, everyone knew. Everyone knew I was broken. Everyone pitied me. Heat rushed to my face. Another laugh echoed through the hall. Not cruel. Not directed at me.

Just...Laughter. Jack's guards used to laugh too.

"No..." I whispered. The heavy bag blurred in front of me. The doors opened behind us.

"Dear Goddess..." Jayden's amused voice filled the room.

"Did none of you discover showers while you were away?" The young wolves burst into laughter.

"We've been hunting rogues!"

"I can smell that."

"Oh, shut up." Jayden grinned.

"I'm serious. You lot smell worse than the rogues." Someone threw a towel at him. He caught it effortlessly.

"I'll tell the King you assaulted his Beta."

"You'll do no such thing."

"He already likes me more than you."

"Liar." Their laughter echoed through the hall. Footsteps. One. Then another. Someone walked towards the weapon rack. Another moved to grab a water bottle. Closer and closer. None of them noticed, but I noticed all of it. Every step, every scent, every heartbeat.

"No..." I whispered again. Jayden turned his head.

"Sage?" His smile vanished instantly. I couldn't breathe. My heart slammed painfully against my ribs. The room grew smaller.

Too loud.

Too many voices.

Too many men.

Too close.

I stumbled backwards until my back hit the wall. My knees folded beneath me.

"No..." I pressed both hands over my ears.

"No... no..." Everything became noise.

"Sage." Jayden tried reaching me. I couldn't hear him. One of the young wolves instinctively stepped forward.

"I think she's—"

"Don't." Jayden's voice cracked through the room. The young wolf froze immediately.

"I wasn't going to touch her."

"I know." Jayden slowly lowered himself onto one knee several metres away.

"Sage." I couldn't stop shaking.

"Sage, look at me."

"I can't..." My voice broke.

"I can't..."

"You can." His voice remained calm.

"Just breathe with me." I tried. Goddess, I tried. But all I could hear was laughter. Chains, Jack.

"I'm sorry." The apology escaped before I realized I was speaking.

"I'm sorry." Another tear rolled down my face.

"I'm sorry."

"You've done nothing wrong." Jayden's voice was closer now. Not physically. Just... Steadier.

"You're safe."

"I'm sorry." The young wolves looked completely horrified.

"We didn't mean—"

"We're sorry."

"We weren't laughing at her."

"I know." Jayden never looked away from me.

"No..." I shook my head violently.

"They're not going to hurt you."

"They all say that." The words slipped out before I could stop them. Silence. Every wolf in the room went pale. Jayden closed his eyes for the briefest second. Then... His expression changed.

"Sage..." His voice was softer than before.

"Valens is coming."

"No!" I screamed.

"No!" The panic doubled instantly.

"He can't—" A deafening roar echoed through the palace. Not human. Wolf. Every young wolf in the room instinctively straightened. The doors slammed open so hard they crashed against the stone wall. Valens. His chest rose heavily, his eyes almost completely consumed by Cain's golden glow. Rage radiated from every inch of him as his gaze swept across the room.

For one terrifying second... I thought he'd come for me.

"No!" I scrambled backwards so violently my shoulder struck the wall.

"Please!" Every instinct screamed at me to run. To hide, to survive. Jayden didn't hesitate. He crossed the distance in two quick strides, carefully lifting me into his arms before I could fight him.

"I've got you." I buried my face against his shoulder, still shaking uncontrollably.

"Take her." Valens' voice was dangerously quiet. Jayden didn't argue. He turned and ran. The last thing I heard before the doors closed behind us... Was another roar. Not from fury. From fear. And somehow... That terrified me even more.