Hellfired

Her Demon Rune

There were two kinds of people in this world. Werewolf and Summoner. One could transform into a wolf, and the other could summon a demon.

Arien was neither.

Born from a werewolf father and mother, her inability to shift into her wolf form was widely known within Grimcrest Pack. It brought shame to her little family, and she was constantly being bullied because of it. The Soul Mark that appeared on the area between her shoulder and neck was proof that she was, indeed, a werewolf, despite many questions about her origin.

Oh yes, the Soul Mark she shared with Rayven totally brought rage out of him. Fortunately, he wasn't the only one who detested their forced bond. Although, now, no one denied her werewolf identity.

There was no way she was a Summoner.

That brought back to where Arien was currently in the spotlight, where the most important people of the pack gathered. All eyes turned to her as she tried to cover her bruise-covered hand. Even so, there was no denying that everyone saw the single black line stretching on her forearm.

Torben, the retired alpha, broke the tense silence first. "Are you a Summoner?"

Arien vehemently shook her head, and a jumble of words stumbled over her tongue, "N-no, no way! I don't- I'm not a Sum- you know that's imposs–"

"Who's your parents, my dear?" Torben quipped, sending a look at Lorean to search the names she supplied with his tablet.

Grimcrest Pack was one of the big packs in the US. Most of the pack's members came from the army, the entertainment industry, and various business backgrounds. The lower tier members were mostly office workers and teachers, but Grimcrest Pack had to keep a good record of its members due to its increasing number.

Therefore, the pack had its own database. It was basically the less fancy version of Google containing the pack's information. Every member had access to it, but with varying degrees of searchable information.

For example, Rayven was the ultimate key of the database. He basically could get every information in it. The second-highest person with access was his closest beta. However, being the Alpha's mate didn't change her access key.

On the other hand, Lorean's search for her parents' information was forced to end abruptly. "I can't find anything, sir."

"Dig deeper." Torben said, impatiently waiting while sending a distrustful glare towards her.

Arien tried to make herself appear small, but the only way to succeed was to press herself against Rayven's bigger frame. She'd rather be dead than do it voluntarily. Perhaps.

Lorean's frown became apparent. "I don't have access anymore, sir." He closed his tablet before turning to the Alpha and accusingly said, "Either you block my access or deliberately hide the fact that she's a Summoner."

"Like I have time to do it." Rayven easily answered, not defending himself enough. But Arien knew he did nothing to her file. She was not a Summoner in the first place.

A c***k resounded as Mr. Wet-pants whipped his leather belt in the air. "She can't be a werewolf."

"She has the Soul Mark and is Rayven's fated mate," Lorean stated the truth.

"Then explain that."

They looked at her again. "I don't know what it is. It appeared a few hours before."

No one was convinced.

"I'm not lying. I don't even know–"

"Silence!"

Arien shut her mouth, staring wide-eyed at the Alpha sitting far too close to her right. A shiver ran through her spine, prickling cold at her skin. Rayven didn't need a reason to beat her, but now, with this unexplained line, Arien feared what else he would do to her in their privacy.

He stood up, looking around the room with narrowed eyes, soundlessly threatening all werewolves. "This is none of your concern. I'll handle it myself."

They were about to leave the room, but Torben stopped them. "Let me take a look."

Rayven didn't say anything but didn't outright reject the retired alpha's request anyway. Arien gingerly stepped closer to Torben, cautiously presenting her bruise-covered hand. It was the worst time to feel conscious of one's body.

After a full minute of silence, Torben opened his mouth. "I have never seen a Demon Rune like this. I don't know if this is even one."

"What do you mean, sir?" Lorean was the first to ask.

"You know all Demon Rune is how a demon's name is spelled, written from the inner forearm to the wrist. But, this is just a horizontal stroke." Torben stared right at her eyes. "Have you tried to summon a demon?"

Arien shook her head. "I'm not sure it's a Demon Rune."

"A visit to the Demon Database Center is a must. Maybe someone in the record has this kind of rune too. If there is one, then we'll know you're not a werewolf."

The threat dripped from the retired alpha's mouth like velvet. She'd be treated like a betrayer; the death sentence was her next stop.

"But–"

"It's the only way." This time, Torben sent a critical eye at Rayven. "Unless you two have a kid. a werewolf kid, then you can be spared."

Arien couldn't believe this.

"Actually, it's why I want to talk to you in the first place, Rayven." The retired alpha continued, despite her horrified look. "As the Alpha, having an heir is a must. Even though every member of the pack can be a candidate, being the previous Alpha's kid is a big start. Don't take it lightly. You can be replaced easily if you don't heed my warning. Besides, if you don't have a child with your mate, her well-being can be in danger."

Rayven didn't retort immediately, but she knew he was furious under his calm exterior.

It was bad.

Because the next thing they were dismissed, Rayven led her back to the private chamber, where they were alone together. She knew what came next. It wasn't that rare to happen.

The Alpha looked at her as if she was the prey. Indeed, she was. But Arien would fight back. She could take his beating and harsh words, but not to–

"You heard him," Rayven said, sounding like her death sentence.

With her curled fists, Arien defiantly narrowed her blue eyes at him. "I will not let you."

"You sell yourself too high. Your mere presence disgusts me."

"Then let me go."

"Do you really want to die that much?"

"Let. Me. Go."

A strong hand gripped her jaws. She couldn't evade even if she wanted to. "Listen here, you little b***h. Don't think I will gladly do it. If that geezer didn't force me, I'd feed you to the wilds any second!"

Hearing his harsh words was nothing new, and neither was the treat. For a fearsome Alpha of the Grimcrest Pack, Rayven often barks without biting. It was enough if she was a mere pack member or an outsider. But, having stayed with him and being exposed to his verbal abuse on a daily basis, the effect was minimal now.

Arien ignored him, opting to sit by the open window sill again, lamenting silently. But, again, a strong grip snatched her arm, pulling her back to him.

"Don't ignore me!"

Her blue eyes blurred, clouded by tears, and she refused to let go. "What else do you want me to do?"

"You're twenty five tonight. Do you really want me to spell it out for you?"

There. One single tear fell down stubbornly. Wetting her unusually powdered cheek.

"I will not mate with you."

Rayven was red-faced with anger. His other hand shot up to her neck, pushing until her back was against the great wall of their bedroom. "It's a mate or die situation, do you understand?!"

Ariens smaller hand tugged at his bulging forearm as her mouth was forced open due to his tightened grip. Her lungs demanded air, but she only had the blood thrumming in her ears. Loud, as anything else, started fading away.

He didn't let go.

"–se- plea … help–"