The Rebirth

CHAPTER FOUR

TALIA’S POV

Lord Orculus, the aged pack shaman, treaded softly until he stood before Mathias and bowed slightly, clenching and unclenching his fists in unrestrained anger.

"You mean, the Moon Goddess chose this—" he gestured toward me, "—for me?"

"Yes, she was chosen as your mate and the Luna of Blue Pack," he replied calmly.

"The Moon Goddess has always chosen what's best for us, so please, like our past Alphas, I implore you to follow her leading for the continuity of peace."

Mathias knew he was cornered. This was an obvious fact.

"Take her in," he commanded softly through gritted teeth after a long pause.

I was forced to shift back, exhausted and drained. Two of his guards led me, one on each side, to his house.

Someone covered me with a cloak from behind. I turned to see that it was Lord Orculus.

He had a gentle smile on his wizened face, which ignited a spark of hope in me. Maybe it wouldn't be all bad.

I was taken into the pack house and locked in an empty room.

After thinking and wondering about today’s events, it didn’t take long before my eyes closed in exhaustion.

My eyes flew open, and I sat up with a start.

Mathias was watching me from the door. He closed it gently and walked toward the mattress I was lying on.

"Pull off your clothes," he said, beginning to undress as he gave the command.

My hand involuntarily tightened at the opening of my cloak, pulling it close together.

Suddenly, he stopped undressing and looked hard at me. I squirmed under the power of his gaze.

Without saying another word, he joined me on the mattress, got closer than I was comfortable with, and took hold of my chin between his fingers.

"In case you've not noticed Reyna, I own you now,"

his hand dropped from my chin and drifted down to my hands still holding unto the cloak, the only piece of clothing I was wearing, for dear life.

He forcefully pulled it off me, I whimpered in fear as his hands squeezed hard at my breast.

He grunted in approval, before I could think further, I was flipped over on my stomach as I felt something hard invade me from behind.

I couldn't hold in the pain anymore and I screamed out in agony, it felt like forever before he finally pulled out and came all over me.

I was too weak to move and my voice had gone hoarse from all the screaming.

He pulled my hair off my face and tucked it behind my ear as he bent down to whisper.

"You're mine, mate—" He chuckled darkly

"— till death do us part.",

**************************************************

It's been four weeks living as Mathias mate, three weeks of relieving my nightmare.

I had it bad before, didn't know it could turn worse. Now I'm always living in constant fear, trying to blend in with the background whenever he's around.

He finds fault in literary everything and lashes out at the slightest provocation.

Either by locking me up or hitting me or sometimes if I was lucky both.

And this always comes after he has forced himself on me.

I'm an abused slave in his home but a respected Luna outside, even though I know most of it is pretense.

Someone slightly taller suddenly hugged me from behind and I was startled and winced in pain.

I noticed the familiar scent of cookies and rain and my body automatically relaxed.

"It's just me," she said laughing.

Her mood was infectious and got me smiling even before I turned.

"Thought you wouldn't be coming anymore,"

Vera smiled as she picked a carrot from the chopping board.

"Is that possible?"

I remember clearly the first day we met, there was a little get-together to be hosted by Mathias and I, and she asked to help sort out the dishes.

She was the only one who volunteered at that, we kind of gradually grew on each other after that.

She stopped by every day and kept me company till Mathias got home.

I was beginning to treat her like the younger sister I've always wanted and she looked out for me in turn.

"So, another injury?" she asked.

I played dumb to her question.

She came closer and cradled my hand between both of hers.

"Don't lie to me Talia, I saw you wince when I hugged you earlier," her soulful black eyes stared into mine.

"He hit you again?"

"No," I breathed out the lie through pain.

She sighed sadly. "I can always tell Lord Orculus, Mathias respects him,"

My head jerked up in alarm. "No Vera!"

It would only get worse.

That's why he never touched my face, nor my hands and legs, never any place visible.

His favorite part to inflict pain on is between my thighs where it can't be easily seen.

"Then would you continue to live like this?!" she shouted in frustration.

I smiled resignedly at her.

"It's my fate, Vera—"

I shrugged sadly, "—this is what the moon goddess chose for me," I stared wishfully at the peaceful scenery in my garden for a moment, before dropping my eyes down to continue with my task.

"Now I just have to finish preparing his meal before he gets back,"

We both know who he is and the consequences that would follow if supper isn't ready by the time he arrives.

"Let me help with that,"

"Thank you," I smiled gratefully.

Few minutes later the door opened and in walked Mathias just as I was setting the table.

"Welcome Alpha," Vera greeted with a bright smile on her face.

One would have thought she had a crush on him.

I bowed slightly.

He grunted and went upstairs to his room.

By the time he got down, I had already dished our meal and was in the kitchen, cleaning up.

Vera decided to join us for dinner, this wasn't new and surprisingly Mathias never complained.

I looked at Mathias as I walked gently to the dining.

He was calm today, too calm. His gaze never left me even as I settled and began to eat quietly.

Vera watched the both of us surreptitiously even as she took little bites of food.

The tension in the air was palpable, I kept praying to the moon goddess in my heart for nothing to go wrong.

I watched him drop his fork and immediately passed a cup of water to him.

He took it from me and lifted it to his mouth, suddenly without warning Mathias threw his glass cup at the wall close to my head, the fragments cutting into my skin.

He jerked up to his feet, knocking the chair to the floor, as he directed the fury in his gaze at me.

"You dare to poison me?"