Love Isn't Torture

Chapter One

10 Years Later

Somewhere in Black Moon castle, a grandfather clock ticks down to midnight. The oak wood heirloom still stands proud and tall as the day of its creation. Its clock face reads ten fifty-nine (10:59/22:59). The second hand rotated around to each Roman numeral. Once it came back to twelve (12), the clock chimed a simple tune for the eleven o’clock hour (11:00/23:00). Unlike when it struck noon or midnight (12:00 am/00:00). When the twelfth and twenty-fourth hours of the day are hit the grandfather clock dongs loudly enough to be heard throughout the castle.

Behind Black Moon castle within their prison dungeons were all their criminals and enemies from conquered territories. Some rotted to death while others awaited the end of their sentences. Those being held for interrogation were hung by their wrists, ankles, or even toes until the torture, the starvation, or worse wore them down. Men, women, and children alike were in these cells. Women who were pregnant and within their due date were taken care of until the baby was born. Afterward, they kept the child from the mother, patched her up, and put her in a cell too. So many new mothers wept and cursed the Black Moon pack for their neglect and cruelty. Some men did the same. Because none were safe from the guards’ games. Not even the prison Nightingale. On rare occasions, she’ll sing, or even whistle. It was always calming and soothing to hear. Almost healing.

Aprilia’s POV

As foretold, the Blue Moon crossed the night sky on the day of my eighteenth (18th) birthday. Its light would soon bathe me completely at midnight, the hour of my birth. It was so close to the Earth. I could feel my awakening power rising within me. But patience had to be exercised first. An important item was needed for the Awakening Ceremony. Focusing on my soul, I wove a protection and anti-detection spell over it before allowing it to leave my body. The circle beneath my body already protected it from both friend and foe on all planes. Alive and dead.

My soul moved quickly out of the prison to cross the terrain to Black Moon castle. Passing through the wall, I moved through the shadows to remain discreet. I couldn’t warrant capture or detection by an unknown enemy. Or worse, an unexpected ally. Hope is the greatest weapon against the desperate. For those with nothing to lose, it’s the most potent poison. I found the kitchen within minutes. I grabbed the items I needed: flour, sugar, salt, eggs, butter, vanilla extract, milk, and frosting. I brought it all back to my cell to begin the ritual.

The guards were all out getting drunk. The cell was unsupervised and vulnerable. If it wasn’t for the fact that everyone was weak from the beatings, torture, and r***. They would have attempted to break out right now. However, there were border guards on patrol duty around and within the territory itself. The timing had to be perfect. The ingredients multiplied and joined together according to her will as she sang softly. There were nearly forty-five minutes left til midnight.

The subtle fragrance of sweetness and warmth tickled the nostrils of the other prisoners. Even those who were normally inactive were roused by the curiously enticing scent. Confusion, disbelief, and recognition spread throughout the prison along with the chorus of hunger. One by one and floor by floor, each prisoner had a frosted cupcake appear on their faces. They were surprised and suspicious, and some were even delighted. Those who ate the cupcake without a second thought encouraged the others to do the same.

It was food. It was free. It was incredibly delicious and sated their hunger. Providing them with warmth within the frigid prison. This winter was rather harsh, but they had no way to protect themselves from the cold. The ability to transform was inhibited by the silver chains, shackles, and collars around the prisoners above my cell. The cupcakes will not just keep them warm, but provide some healing, comfort, and strength to them. It took thirty minutes to bake all those cupcakes while making sure no evidence was left behind.

Only fifteen (15) minutes were left before midnight (12:00 am/00:00). I continued with the ritual while making my cupcake.

“I, Aprilia Loraine, the only daughter and surviving child of the fifth Emperor and sixteenth Empress, the Queen of Wayguard. I am the seventh Empress of the Loraine empire and Queen of Wayguard. Despite the invasion of the Black Moon, my people stand and live free within the safety of new land. The Black Moon razed our lands, but not our homes. So long as we live and draw breath, Lorainians shall always be their home. Down to the very last atom. We shall always thrive and strive regardless of the environment and condition.”

This declaration and introduction were part of the ritual. My parents, the last Emperor and Empress, made sure to drill the ritual into me for such an occasion as this.

“I, Aprilia Loraine, hereby claim my birthright.”

My body was nearly fully covered by the light of the blue moon. Just a few minutes more to go.

“The legacies inherited by my blood. The power, the wisdom, the knowledge, the strength, and the inherent skills, aptitude, abilities, talents, and techniques from those who came before me. I, Aprilia Loraine, accept full responsibility and the drawbacks that come with every consequence of sin.”

I bowed my head low before the moon. The last minute was ticking away.

“Thank you for this blessing. I will grow and flourish from the strife and obstacles awaiting me. Blessings to thee, beloved Moon Goddess.”

Ten

Nine

Eight

Seven

The moon crept into full position.

Two

One

Zero

I took a deep breath as I was fully bathed in the Blue Moon’s light. My body shimmered and lightly glowed as I came of age and awakened her powers. The prisoners all howled together a welcome celebration of my birthday. They may not have known why they did it, but their gratitude and appreciation were clear. That was all that truly mattered to me.

“Happy birthday, my brave, sweet child.”

The Moon Goddess’ voice was accompanied by a soft kiss placed on her head. I was surprised as well as happy and appreciative of her birthday wishes.

“Thank you so very much for the birthday wishes, beloved goddess.”

The night went on silently without further activity. Aprilia blew out the flame on her cupcake before eating it happily.

Gregorio’s POV

~ ~ ~ The following morning ~ ~ ~

A song in a language I didn't know greeted the rising sun. A chorus of harmonizing howls formed the melody. The music created a wonderful paradise in my mind. A paradise I only saw a few times as a child. Then once again, when I came of age. The dream was clearer than ever. Song continued from those strawberry lips that I had craved to kiss. Her moonlight skin and starlight eyes turned blue as the moon was at the height of her happiness. She was perfection. Her hair, body, and even her clothes. My goddess. My first and only love. My childhood. My-

Mate.

The sound of my wolf's voice stirred me from my reverie. My beast stalked around the edge of the forest within the shadows. Her eyes turned from me to him as she giggled at him. She bent down into the field of flowers to weave him a crown of wildflowers and four-leaf clovers. Our mate made one for me as well. She placed it on my head with a smile before fearlessly going over to my beast. He hid from her while growling. Warning her to stay away, to stay back. Our mate didn't listen and tackled him to the ground. A surprising feat that took us both off guard. Her laughter was magical. A fantastical sound of tiny chimes and bells. She nuzzled her face into the scruff of his fur while hugging my beast. The flower crown was still in her small hand.

"I love you, my darling," she smiled happily.

Those five words made us both shiver while our hearts skipped a beat and made us flustered. The only five words from the only person that could bring me peace and make me feel this thing called love. The only woman I would and will ever love. After their cuddle was over, he let her put the flower crown on his head. She lovingly held his muzzle in her hands before kissing his cheek. The dream began to fall away and fade away into smoke. I reached out to it.

"Wait!" I shouted.

I didn't want to leave. Not yet. I didn't want to return to the reality outside. She wasn't there. Only the Moon Goddess knew when she would visit him again. If she visited him again at all.

"Come back, please?!" I begged desperately.

Her eyes turned to me. Then her hand intertwined its fingers with mine as she appeared before me. Her free arm wrapped around her shoulder and neck. I smiled and released a shaky breath. Peace and security returned to me once more. I wrapped my free arm around her waist to keep her close to me. Staring into her blue eyes, I knew I was a man in love. A foolish man in love with his mate, his goddess. Her right hair combed through my dark hair before trailing over my facial hair. I felt my cheek heat up a little bit. I was embarrassed by and ashamed of my unkempt appearance.

'I need to shave,' I thought to myself.

"But I love your scruff, darling. No need to be ashamed and embarrassed," she told me.

Her fingers and their manicured nails ran through my thick, dark beard. It made me moan softly while partially closing my eyes in pleasure. I wanted to stay with her forever. Bathe in her radiant smile and loving touch. Forever.

"...gorio."

I was surprised to hear her say my name for the first time. It made me ecstatic and smile happily.

"Yes. Say it again. Clearly," I encouraged her.

"Gre...orio," her mouth moved, but the sound of my name kept getting disrupted.

"Again. Say it again," I ordered.

"Gregor...," she said once more. "Gregorio!"

"Yes. Yes. Say it again, my love," I smiled happily.

"Gregorio! Gregorio!" she cheered with a bright smile.

My heart was pounding so rapidly, and I was filled with warmth and fuzzy feelings. My smile spread across my face as I held her close to me. Our foreheads gently pressed against each other's and I felt like I was about to burst. Her hands embraced my face as we locked eyes with one another. Such love, happiness, and radiance. I could drown in the ocean of her eyes so long as she kept looking at me.

"I love you, my darling. My beloved heart," she smiled down at me with her heart in her eyes.

"I love you too-"

I was ripped from my paradise by the scream of a woman. My beast's growl filled my ears as we sprang into action. My senses were on high alert as my eyes scanned my bedchamber for enemies. Nothing was amiss, and my castle was operating as expected. The only discrepancy was the redhead beneath me who was struggling to breathe. I had strict rules for these whores, yet they continue to overstep their roles. My eyes traveled down to our joint bodies where I was still buried within her to the nut. Of course. I snapped her neck and then tossed her corpse outside the doors of my chambers.

"Burn even the ashes along with these sheets and pillows."

I closed the doors and went to scrub myself clean of the she-wolf. Then a thought occurred to me.

"Burn the mattress too!"