Forsaken Lunas Revenge

Nyla's POV

     The Moon Festival. A joyful night for the pack. A terrible night for me.

The Silver Dawn wolves howled with delight as the bonfire roared, flames licking at the sky. My wrists were tied behind my back, and my knees sank into the chilly courtyard stone. The members of the silk-draped pack danced and laughed, their golden goblets pouring wine like blood on the floor.

I was banned from drinking. I was banned from dancing. I was hardly permitted to be here.

"Take her forward."

His voice was like a blade slashing through the air. Killian Alpha. My friend. My tormentor.

I was pulled through the ground toward the raised surface by two warriors who grabbed me by the arms. Whispers slithered through the crowd like snakes as it split.

"She is so pitiful."

"A slave? A partner? Surely the Moon Goddess is blind.

"He ought to simply murder her and move on."

I gritted my teeth and willed myself not to tremble. I wouldn't allow them to see how afraid I am.

Killian was taller and stronger than me, and his tunic's silver embroidery gleamed in the moonlight. His ice-blue eyes conveyed no warmth, only cruelty.

I should have loathed him.

But the mate link wrapped around my heart like a noose, tightening with every breath. I wanted him to see me-to acknowledge me as his.

He drew closer, his aroma of pine and frost overwhelming my senses. My wolf moaned.

Then he said something.

"This girl is worthless," he declared in a loud, authoritative voice. Feeble. Beneath me.

There was laughter. I tasted blood when I bit my lip hard.

I would not weep. Not in this place. Not in their presence.

Astrid looped her arm through Killian's and purred, "Say it." Her green gown shimmered as her lips curved in enjoyment. She was aware that she had already won.

Killian turned back to me, his countenance opaque.

The tie between us burned, a needy beast inside me, fighting for acknowledgment.

Instead, he raised his chin and delivered the words that devastated me.

"I, Alpha Killian of Silver Dawn, reject you as my mate."

A breath.

Then pain-blinding, searing pain. Not only was it physical, but my wolf was screaming in pain and my soul was being torn apart. My body jerked forward as my nails dug into the soil as I gasped.

The pack roared with laughter.

Killian didn't flinch at all.

With all of my last rebellion, I jerked my head up and looked him in the eye.

I snarled, "I don't accept your rejection."

The audience fell silent. For an instant, even Killian's grin wavered.

His eyes clouded then.

The initial strikes were delivered from behind.

I fell to the ground after a large boot struck my back. I felt a burst of pain.

One of the warriors grumbled, "Filthy rogue."

Another kick, to my ribs this time. My eyes blurred as I choked on a scream.