MORANA
"Two more days," he murmurs against my lips. "And nothing will ever keep you from me again."
We are standing in the creek valley behind the enchanted forest, right by the small lake in which I had tumbled off when I was 11.
I did not know how to swim and my breath was cutting off. I thought I was going to die there but when I opened my eyes, I saw him.
The 14-year old boy with hauntingly beautiful features and eyes that looked at me with sheer concern.
I hadn't known at that time that I was saved by Zacreus Acheron—the Alpha heir to the Blackbane pack, one who was prophesized to become one of the most powerful Alphas of Frostmere.
And when I came to know about his true identity? Nothing changed between us. If anything, we grew closer. He taught me how to swim, how to fight and he protected me everytime I met the slightest threat.
He is 21 now and in two days, I will be 18. And his.
It is unreal to me. So unreal that I don't dare to sleep at night, thinking that I might just wake up realizing it was all a dream.
"Mor…" Zacreus wraps a broad arm around my waist and pulls me in, "Are you not happy?"
He is so awfully tall that I have to distance myself from him to not crack my next while looking up at him, "I was just thinking... What if I am not your fated one? Who knows… maybe the moon goddess has someone else in store for me, hmm?"
I don't know if he sees the teasing glint in my eyes but his own eyes darken. Suddenly, the hint of softness is replaced by something dark and feral as his fingers pinch my chin.
"You are mine, my sweet girl. And all you get is me." Zacreus pulls me to him, his fingers sliding down my waist to my bottom.
He spanks it lightly, "Do you understand?"
I bite my bottom lips, feeling the heat in my body growing. I understand. I do. I can already feel the palpating connection between us. Yet, in the face of his question, I shake my head.
'Smack'
He spanks me harder before yanking me up in his arms. As my legs coil around his waist, a devious smirk tugs at his lips, "Say that again,'' He warns.
"I—"
All my words are swallowed by the ferocious kiss that descends on my lips. Our tongues entangle, our lips collide with a brutal force and fervent need.
Zacreus takes huge strides towards the Enchanted forest and pins me against a tall tree as he kiss me with the hunger of a starving man.
My hands coil around his neck and heat grows between my legs as I instinctively rub myself against his muscular stomach, slowly nudging my hips downwards.
"Fuck!" He curses harshly under his breath, and his hands shifts to the sleeve of my gown.
I freeze. All the blood drain from my face as my eyes snap open, horror zithering down my skin, "Wait… No…"
He halts, his jaws clenching with sheer restraint after whatever he sees on my face, "Did I scare you?"
I gulp, slowly shaking my head. And he kisses my chin, "I should be more patient with my sweet girl." He licks my earlobe, making me shudder by the sensation of it.
My anxiously beating heart calms down as I adjust my sleeves. But in doing so, the long sleeve of my gown slips, revealing the moonstone ring on my index finger.
As the moonlight cascades upon it, the ring suddenly sparkles with a soft glow around it. Rough and slender fingers curl around mine as Zacreus lifts my hand to his face, "Hmm… This…?"
I instinctively pull my hand back out of his grip. The movement is so urgent that we both freeze. I break the silence between us, "This was left by my mother, her only remaining belonging."
His eyes narrow at the abruptness in my actions as he looks at me like he knows I am hiding something. I immediately break the eye contact between us, my heart dropping.
But after a long while, he doesn't say another word. Nor does he ask another question. His lips descend on my neck where he presses a kiss. A kiss so gentle that the world won't believe that this man is that ruthless Alpha of the Blackbane pack that they have nightmares about.
Holding my hand, he walks me all the way out of the Enchanted Forest. He seems intent on walking me home and at the thought of the possible consequences, something twists in my stomach.
I halt in my tracks and turn to him, "Didn't you say you have a meeting tonight? Even Dad left for the meeting earlier…"
He curses under his breath, his jaws clenching and I can swear even that is attractive in my eyes. He looks at me deeply, and holds my hand, visibly reluctant to part.
"Just two days," I wink.
A feral glint gleams in his eyes, knocking the breath out of my chest. This man surely has some 'unscrupulous' plans for me. And it has started to excite me just as much as it makes me wonder.
With him gone, I head over to the Beta's residence. On the way, I lift the long sleeve of my dress and glance at the purplish bruises around my wrist that Zacreus almost saw earlier.
Growing up, my father was the only parent I had by my side. When I was young, I used to think he was the best father, and my ideal hero. But my delusion wore off in a few years when he started talking to me more with his belt, than his mouth.
Sometimes, it would be his hand too, or a chain, or whatever he saw fit to tame me. To teach me. To break me and make me docile. Everytime, I failed to act like an obedient doll, he would remind me of my place again.
A few days ago, I happened to participate in one of the pack training. When I returned home, my father stopped me, his eyes wandered to the drop of blood on my palm.
I hadn't even realized when I had gotten a small scratch. Before I could say another word, the Beta slapped me down. He got my hands and legs tied and locked me inside the room for two days.
More than a week had passed since that incident and I have been using priceless bottles of healing cream yet the marks have persisted for so long this time. Today happened to be the day when my father was supposed to leave for the pack meeting.
And the day when Zacreus returned from his mission.So, I took the opportunity to sneak out to meet him at our usual meeting place.
Reaching the Beta's residence, I take a half turn and enter through the backdoor. I barely manage to take a few steps before my father's voice thunders through the residence and a shiver crawls down my spine.
"Halt there!"
His voice slashes through the silence like a whip. My heart sinks.
He wasn't supposed to be home yet.