You Wouldn't Dare

CHAPTER 5 - KHAOS

I released her wrists from the rope, and she immediately snuggled me. I froze as her warm body pressed against mine, her     hand resting against my heart, feeling it's erratic beating. My wolf howled his contentment and settled down, finally stopping his demands to take her, show her who’s in charge and dominate every part of her.

I didn’t know what  to do. Violet sighed in contentment and I panicked. I didn’t do love and affection; I didn’t know how to handle it. I had    never experienced someone so happy to be in my company. I allowed no one to stay a moment longer          than necessary after s*x.

With a shake of my head, I shoved her away  from  me, ignoring the small pang of regret that squeezed in my chest. It was    too much. All my life I had been well versed in keeping everyone at arm’s length, to let no one get close to me. Never had I  been given an ounce of kindness that I hadn’t paid for - usually with my own blood. Even after all these years, I could still     hear the pathetic sounds of myself as I begged for mercy. I saw myself cowered in the corner, my arms over my head, protecting my face as I cried out my anguish, begging forgiveness for crimes I never committed.

I slid off the bed and pulled on my trousers, looking at her beautiful face as she frowned. I had to do this. Growing closer to her would cause us both nothing but pain and misery.

“Did I do something wrong?” She asked softly, covering her body  with the blankets.

“No. We had s*x, sort of. It’s done. I don’t need you clinging to me.”  I muttered, refusing to acknowledge the small  stab of pain I got when the hurt flared up in her eyes. “Get dressed, we have places to be. Your little act of disobedience has     already made me late.” With  that I stormed out of the room, hating myself for ruining the moment, for not knowing how   to be happy, for never having prepared myself for having a mate and knowing how to treat  them as they deserved. I was    messed up, loved by no one and that’s how I would stay. I wouldn’t let her get in my head and break down the wall I had built for my own protection.

I couldn’t.

                                                                                                                    VIOLET        

My heart shattered into a thousand pieces when he looked at me like that, his eyes so cold and unfeeling. I thought we had    turned a corner, but it was just s*x to him.

Why was I even shocked by this?  I knew his reputation; he discarded women the moment he got what he wanted from them, and I was an i***t for allowing myself to believe that he would treat me any better. As the old saying went, fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice...

I was feeling more foolish and shamed than  I had ever  been before.

I should have remembered last night, remembered how easy it was for him to detach himself. s*x meant nothing to him    and everything to me. I was a virgin, and he had an unbroken stream of women behind him. The differences between us were glaringly obvious in the light of the day, but last night I had been so swept up in the moment. I had been so ready to give    in to the natural calling of the mating bond, drowning in the new emotions running through me. I forgot everything I had    heard, ignored the warnings that came with the rumours and I gave in.

I may have been his mate, but I would never be his equal. I knew that now.

Left  with no other choice but to get dressed into the spare clothes, I quickly threw them on and looked at myself in distaste. Goddess knows who they   belonged to, I just prayed none of his previous girlfriends had ever worn these before me, but     given the array  of sizes and styles, I doubted it. They were in his room for  a reason.

An unhappy thought played around the corners of my mind, telling me that mates were not all I made them out to be, especially this mating.

I swore to myself that I would not be like my parents, unhappily mated but stayed together for the sake of their appearances. I would much rather be alone than unhappy. More than anything, I wanted a partner; I didn’t want to become a s*x slave to this vicious warrior who cared for no one but himself.

Khaos came back fifteen minutes later, checking me over from head to toe and nodding slightly, as though I had passed some unspoken test of his. I straightened my spine, ready for the battle that was ahead.

“Ready?” He asked, not at all surprising me with his rough, indifferent tone.

I let out a heavy sigh, “where are we going?”

“Out.”

“Out where?”

“Business. I clearly can’t trust you to be left on your own, and so from this moment on, you will never again leave my     eyesight. I’ll know where you are, every minute of the day.”

I rolled my eyes,  “get a grip. Anyone would think I had run away and left you to chase me. I was exactly where you left me, locked away in your packhouse. Or have you forgotten that?”

“I don’t have time for this, Violet. Get your s**t together, we need  to leave.”

“And I need  to eat, Khaos. Or do you expect me to starve on top of everything else?”

He gave a harsh bark of laughter, “starve? You missed breakfast of your own accord. Had you opened the door  when I          asked you to, you’d have realised I was inviting you down for your first meal with the pack.  Not only did you embarrass the pair of us with your stupid games, but you also disrespected everyone here by refusing to meet them, to share the meal they had spent ages preparing for you.   Everyone was excited, Violet and you threw it in their  faces. I doubt they want  to see you right  now. We’ll  grab something on the way. Now move before I lose what little   patience I have  left.”

Tears pooled into my eyes as the penny dropped and I realise what  a fool I had been. Obviously the pack had wanted to meet their new Luna. And what did I do? Lock myself in the bedroom like a child, created drama and stress on my first    morning here. I felt like an i***t.

I kept my head  low, refusing to let Khaos see me crying, and crossed my arms over my chest. Without another word, I          walked out the door and fell in line behind  him, obeying his command for the first time with no argument. 

As it turned out, I did get to meet a few members of the pack today - although I can honestly say I would have happily gone  the rest of  my life never knowing these men existed. Khaos had taken me away from the packhouse and the surrounding village, away  from  the happy smiling faces, where the sounds of children screaming in happiness had filled the air. Instead, we were now on the outskirts of the pack lands where only the warriors and the guards lived. They were nasty, rude, bad-tempered, vile individuals. They were the roughest warriors Khaos had in his army and I just knew that today would involve a lot of bloodshed and a lot of death.

The air was thick with expectation. Everyone we passed seemed on edge, anxiously awaiting their orders.

As soon as we entered their quarters, the warriors all turned to look   at me, shooting me nasty, patronising glances as they   noticed I was standing meekly by Khaos’ side. Others eyed me up with lust written all over their  faces. I guess news of       my punishment had reached their ears, their thoughts were written in their eyes for all to see. Khaos gave them a         warning glare, ordered me to stay still by the door, to not move a muscle and went to speak to the largest of the men, whispering in hushed, quiet voices that meant to keep me out.

Well, what was new there? My whole life I had been kept out of anything that was important.

“You needn’t concern yourself with this, Violet, darling. It’s men’s stuff. Why don’t you see if  your mother needs help with   her hair?”

“Oh, Violet, you wouldn’t possibly be able to keep up with what we’re saying. Let your brother handle this. Why don’t  you read one of those romance novels I’m always buying you? Beautiful women like you need protecting, that’s what we’re here for.” 

My nails dug into the palms of my hands as my dad’s voice vibrated round my head. Moving packs was supposed to be my new start, my chance to prove myself and I’d be damned if I were  going to stay here and allow Khaos to treat me the same. Trying not to draw attention to myself, I shuffled closer to the two men.

I was straining so hard to listen that I didn’t see the wolf approach me, didn’t even register his presence until he laid a clammy hand on my arm.

“Well hello, beautiful. To what do we owe this pleasure?” I looked down at his hand that was stroking down my arm and shot him an icy glare.

“Take your hand off me. Please.” I muttered through clenched teeth, refusing to look in his direction and instead focusing       back on Khaos.

“Now come on, sugar. That’s not very friendly. I’m only trying to be polite.”

“Then be polite and do as I ask.”

“You’d think the future Luna,” he spat the word with disgust, “would be interested in getting to know her pack mates. I’d be      thrilled to show you a thing or two...” his voice  trailed off huskily as he moved closer to me, his breath hot on my neck. For     the first time,  I looked at his face, connecting with his eyes as I gave him a fake, megawatt smile that would have done my mother proud.

“I would love that. I may have a lesson or two of my own to show off as well. May I go first?” I leant into him, running my finger down his chest as I spoke. His breath quickened and he offered me what I can only assume he thought was a         sexy wink.

“Be my guest, Luna.” I continued to run my finger down his stomach, fiddling with the waistband of his jeans. I raised my     face to his, as though expecting his kiss and the minute he bent down to seal the connection with our mouths I lowered       my hand, extended my claws from my fingers and grabbed him between the legs.

“I’ll only say this once so learn it quick,” I  muttered as he gasped for breath and small  beads of perspiration sprouted on his forehead, “I will not be disrespected by you, by Khaos, or anyone else in this pack. The Moon Goddess picked me to become your Luna and you will recognise and respect that.” He squirmed and so I tightened my grip, feeling his flaccid d**k jerk in my palm as I sliced into the sensitive skin around his balls. “Do I make myself clear?” I released him and watched as he stumbled away from  me.

I turned away once more, looking for Khaos, who was no longer speaking to the large stranger. From the corner of  my eye, I saw the warrior quickly recover from my minor attack and pull himself up to his full height. His snout extended as he partially shifted in rage, shooting forward in a flash, his arm extended into claws aiming directly at my face.

I winced, shrinking back away from him and threw my hands up protectively. Just as he would have made contact, someone grabbed his arm, stopping him with ease.

Khaos stood unmoving, shielding my body with his, keeping the warrior from completing  his hit. The warrior strained against him; his eyes still trained on my face. Khaos gave him a small shove, discreetly pulling me behind him, keeping        his hand  wrapped around the warrior’s wrist, holding him in place.

“You do not touch her. Not now, not ever,” he ordered, venom dripping from every cold, menacing word he spoke. “She is        off-limits to everyone in this pack. Understood Beta?”

Beta?! This disgusting, foul creature was his Beta?! Wow. Off  to a fantastic start here, Violet. The Beta snatched his wrist  from Khaos’ grip and glared at me over his shoulder.

“Run it off, Morgan. That’s an order.” Morgan growled one last time in my direction before he spun around on the balls of       his feet and ran in the forest's direction.

Khaos turned my way and  I shrank back, expecting him to blow  up, to accuse me of antagonising the situation and disrespecting his Beta.

“I’m sorry,” he muttered so quietly I wasn’t sure I heard him correctly, “the wolves here... They’re... well, let’s just say they   don’t have the greatest attitude. There’s a reason there are few females around this area.  Those that are here are women        of a very particular nature and do not belong to one particular wolf.  Do you understand what I’m saying? You would do      well to stay away from the warriors’ grounds - you’ll find plenty of friends in the village.”

I was so astounded I could do nothing but nod, making a mental note to never, ever return here without Khaos.         

The shock of what happened finally kicked in and I hugged my arms around my chest as I shivered. Khaos raised his arm    as though he would put it around me and my heart skipped a beat.

He dropped his arm to his side, tightened his lips and walked away.

I should have known better.

He noticed my discomfort but still couldn’t find it in him to comfort me. I knew it was his own issues, but I couldn’t help but wonder what’s wrong with me? Was I the only wolf in the world whose mate could not stand to touch them outside the bedroom?

Just when I thought he would leave me to find my own way back,  he marched back to me and held out his hand, “coming?” I didn’t hesitate. I grasped his hand in mine and let him lead the way.

“Why have you brought me here?” I demanded. After a two-hour drive of pretty much silence, Khaos had brought me to       the Olympus pack. They were one of the closest allies of my mother’s pack, often extending their  hospitality to our wolves, hoping they would find mates amongst each other. I had taken many trips here with my mother, who had been treated as though she was royalty whenever she visited, often whisked away for high tea with delicate snacks and treats. It had all       been a ploy,  of course. Their Alpha had ensured that whilst they distracted her, I got to train. It was light training, the kind   that would leave no marks or bruising, but it was enoug to stop me growing lazy and  predictable should I ever find myself in danger.

“They have some information for me, little one. You need not know anything else.”

“I think I do. I have a lot of friends here, Khaos. The Olympus pack has always treated me with respect and dignity and I won’t see them harmed. What are you planning?”

“Don’t ask questions when you don’t want the answer. Come. We’re being rude.”

“No.” He glared down at me, eyes blazing, “I told you, I won’t have my friends hurt and I can tell that’s what you’re planning. Leave them alone Khaos, this pack does not border yours, you can’t use it for expansion, so what possible reason could you have for being here?” As I expected, he didn’t answer me. He clicked his fingers, signalling over two warriors. Before I could react, he flung me over his shoulder and deposited me down in the huge van that the other wolves had travelled in and    slammed the doors behind him.

“See that she doesn’t get out. Do not open these doors, do not talk to her, do not even so much asthink  about her. If I find    she has moved a muscle out of this van, I will personally slice you open and bathe in your entrails. Do I make myself clear?” I heard my guards mutter a respon and then the sound of a dozen wolves howling, their paws  thundering across the dirt.

I raged against the van doors, slamming my fists against them repeatedly, screaming at the warriors that they would regret it if they didn’t let me out.

“Settle down, princess. I like my head where it is, there’s not a chance you’re getting out of there,” one laughed. I howled my frustrations, cursing them with every kick and punch I gave but, as I had expected, they didn’t budge an inch and neither         did the doors. I threw myself to the floor and listened, waiting for the sounds of destruction that followed wherever Khaos went.

It didn’t take long. I could soon hear the screams kicking in, hundreds of wolves either howling in pain, begging for help,  or screaming at Khaos and his pack. Even inside the van, I could hear teeth ripping into flesh, of bodies crashing to the ground. I covered my ears with my hands, pressing them tightly against my head  to drown out the noise, but still, I heard the     shouts, the begs for mercy. I sobbed, thinking of all the damage Khaos was doing, the lives that had been lost because he had something to prove to the world.

I had no idea how much time passed, but the sounds soon quietened before stopping altogether.  I brought my knees up      to my chest and prayed to the Moon Goddess. I had seen the devastation Khaos had caused to my pack and that  had been a mission to pick up his mate. Whatever he had planned for the Olympus pack was motivated by pure evil. Khaos wouldn’t have allowed anyone to survive and so praying for their souls seemed the only thing I could do. The sounds of footprints crunching along the gravel had me tensing, a terrified scream escaping my throat as someone pulled open the doors to my     prison.

                                                                                                     KHAOS      

She looked broken, sitting there with her knees brought up to her chest, her face streaked with tears. She didn’t wait to       find out what had happened; she believed the worst because she thought the worst of me.

I knew I had done nothing to ease her fears and I knew it shouldn’t have hurt me as much as it did, but I couldn’t ignore          the tightness in my chest as she looked at me with venom in her eyes.

My plan had been to kill all the warriors in the Olympus pack,  to take their alpha and bring  him back to my pack. We set     the dungeons up for our captives, complete with various tools that would soon help us gain all the information we were  after. All that had changed the moment Violet had looked at me, trying her hardest not to show her fear. From the moment      I met her, she had been so genuine and open with her emotions, her feelings so easily read on her face. When she had told    me that these people were  her friends, I couldn’t bring myself to harm them. My growing love for her had saved them all. Most of the blood covering me was that of my own warriors as they raged against me, accusing me of being weak. Before we had even reached the Olympus pack, they had forced me to prove my strength as challenge after challenge from my own men came my way.

Why couldn’t she give me a chance? Why couldn’t she understand that all was not as it seemed?

She wasn’t the only one who had heard rumours and tales. I had heard all about her -  she was a doll. A beautiful, perfect doll with no substance behind her pretty face. She had nothing to offer, no thoughts and opinions of her own.  She spent her     days partaking in frivolous activities and shopping sprees. The Violet in front of me was nothing like I had heard. I had    given her the opportunity to show me the real her, why could she not offer me the same courtesy?

This is your destiny, Khaos. This is what you wanted; the entire world fearing you.

I hardened my gaze.  I had to listen to my inner  voice. If I gave Violet the chance, she would destroy me, just the way so       many had done  before her.

                                                                                               VIOLET 

Khaos stood there looking like a fierce soldier, his torso covered in blood. I jumped up and threw myself at him, my fist connecting with his jaw with a loud crack. The pain that jolted up my arm proved it was my own knuckles I had broken as       Khaos remained unharmed. He grabbed my wrist to inspect the damage and I wrenched it from his grasp, glaring at him.

“I want to go home. Please Khaos. If you have an ounce of decency, let me go. I can’t stand by your side and watch my friends get hurt! I don’t want to be known as the mate of a wolf that shows no mercy!” I sobbed and he sighed heavily.

“Stop being so f*****g dramatic. It looks worse than it is.”

“You’re a liar! I heard them screaming and begging!”

“They were  begging for me to save their Alpha, which I did - when he had told me what  I needed to know. He took a         little persuasion, hence all of this,”  he gestured to his torso, “but we got there in  the end. The other screams you heard were  from the damage my wolves caused and I assure you they received their punishment, I told them that no one was to get hurt.  I won’t lie to you, Violet. We’ve destroyed their entire pack, everything is currently burning or ripped apart, but they lost no lives. I promise you.”

“Do you think that makes it any better? They’ve lost their homes, their livelihood! You’ve destroyed everything they ever had and you think it’s okay because you spared a few lives? You should never have been there in the first place! You’re a monster! Why would the Moon Goddess pair me with you? I don’t live my life this way! What could he possibly have known that would have justified burning their pack to the ground?” I screamed in fright as he climbed completely in the van, closing the door behind him and leaving us in darkness.

“Sit down, little   one. I think it’s about time I told you the story of who I am. Maybe then, you might understand.”