the rejected luna/cursed mate

CHAPTER FIVE

Ethan lowered one hand and set it on my hips, sliding it up on my body until he reached my breast. His touch was gentle and to my horror, my body responded. A little shiver of lust rolled through me.

OH, hell no.

This was not going to happen. This was never going to happen. With all the force and courage I could muster, I lifted my leg and stomped hard on his foot.

Ethan howled as he backed away from me. I pushed past him and tried to run away but he was fast and he grabbed me, throwing an arm around my chest to pull me against him. I struggled to break free of his grip, but he held me tight.

Let me go, asshole I threw my elbow back, trying to hit his stomach. Ethan forced both my arms to my side, pinning me against him he knew I was no match for him so he pulled me even closer to him and I could feel his hardness pressing into me.

I knew wolf shifter had a practically insatiable s*x drive, but there were so many willing partners practically throwing themselves at him, I just don't understand why someone who hated me much go through all this trouble.

I felt his nose by my ear, his hot breath on my neck. He was painting and I wasn’t sure if he was in control or his wolf was. Whatever one that was happening, it wasn’t going to end well for me if I couldn’t get out of his grip.

Let me go, Ethan. Or I swear to the gods I will slit your throat in your sleep, I hissed, half kidding.

His large hands grabbed my chin and roughly forced my head to turn so I was facing him and after what felt like forever he said, You will be a ghost until the full moon. I don’t want to see your face. As soon as the magic lifts, you’re gone. If you stay, I will finish what I started.

He pushed me away and I stumbled forward, landing on the ground on my hands and knees. Shaking and terrified, I risked a glance behind me. When I realized I was alone, my shoulders slumped and I breathed a breath of relief.

I had no idea what just happened but I had no problem following his suggestion. It was already my plan anyway. Cursing myself for my weakness, I pushed myself to stand and brushed the dirt off my hands and knees. I wished I could fight back. I hated that I wasn’t strong enough to defend myself. It wasn’t fair being a human surrounded by these powerful creatures who could snap me in half without even trying. The sooner I could get away from all things magic, the better.

Getting home I was glad my mum was always in her room, I honestly didn't have the energy to deal with her right now, I have enough problems to deal with as it is, so I quietly went to my room and had a cold bath and retired to bed hoping to get a little rest.

Of course, I saw Ethan everywhere. In the halls, at the store, even walking down the f*****g street. As asked, I faded into the background, hiding behind other people and even once ducking behind a tree. It wasn’t like I was being stealthy, he saw me, but to his credit, he did his part to look away. And unless I was imagining things, he even distracted his friends a few times to keep them from seeing me.

None of it made sense. Years of being slammed into lockers in the hallway or being elbowed in the stomach for no reason left a mark. The broken noses, black eyes, and cracked ribs left behind were strong enough memories for me to take his warning seriously. Every time I hid, I felt like a failure and a weakling but I’d made it this far on little more than mother-f*****g moxie, and fleeing from a literal big bad wolf was s**t on my self-esteem.

But it was almost over.

The only thing keeping me going was that nobody knew I planned to attend a human college. I was on my way out of here by myself. Sure, my measly savings wouldn’t go far, but I’d figure it out. I was smart. Even if my teachers were too afraid to ever show kindness to me, they’d still teach me. Wolf Creed might be a magically hidden town, but the high school still printed off transcripts for me.

Surprisingly, I was a little sad when I left the school on Friday. I’d planned on leaving for as long as I could remember. Walking off the campus I’d attended school at for my entire memory was different. My chest tightened as the reality of leaving this behind struck me. It was a lot to process even if everything about wolf creed had been miserable.

Fighting against the unwelcome anxiety of starting over, I walked the familiar route toward the store. Another place I was leaving after tonight—no more stocking shelves or ringing up customers who glared at me and never said a word. However, I supposed those who pretended I didn’t exist were better than the ones who treated me like trash.

I could see a small crowd outside the store as I approached and decided the less time with others, the better. Turning, I walked towards the back of the store where the dumpsters and the back door were. Balling my hands into fists I fought back against the images flooding into my head from my encounter with Ethan.

Thankfully, the alley was empty and I was able to get into the store without issue. Backpack stashed, apron on, I clocked in for the last time. This time, flutters of anticipation and a feeling of glee surged through me. There it was. The exact emotion I was hoping for. I was going to be free of this place tomorrow. Thanks the gods.