Page 177 of Bred

"Rowan is on his way home right now!" I screamed, fear making my voice crack.

Suddenly, my left eye stung and watered, followed by the distinct taste of blood in my mouth.

It took far too long to realize Luca had slapped me, and I was now on the floor. I closed my eyes and screamed through my mating bond, begging Rowan to come home. His intense power pulsed through me, letting me know he was on his way.

Luca grabbed my upper arm, squeezing tight as he forced me to my feet. His anger was so thick it made my hands shake uncontrollably as he crowded me against the wall.

Unable to stop my body from submitting to him, I displayed the back of my neck. "What do you want?" I whispered, hating how weak and small I was.

"I just wanted to see you." He stepped even closer, pressing his nose into my hair.

Keeping my eyes down, I whispered, "I kept my promise. I didn't say anything. I—"

Luca growled, cutting me off. "I don't give a shit about that." He squeezed my upper arms tight. "Do you have any idea how bad you've fucked me up?"

Shaking my head, I didn't understand. "I didn't…" my voice slipped away, a high-pitched whine taking its place. I was so confused.

"You've destroyed me." He fisted my hair, jerking my head back, forcing me to look at him. His face was twisted with so much rage. "That day in the forest, when you tempted me. Until that moment, I was normal. I was happy." He smiled. The expression was pained and forced. "I wanted to be a guard like my dad and have a family. All the normal shit younglings are supposed to want. But since the second I scented you, it fucked with my wolf so thoroughly, it broke me.Youbroke me. Even when I lost the position at the packhouse, all I could think about was you."

He wrapped a clawed hand around my neck and squeezed, watching my face with rapt attention. Then he whispered so softly I almost didn't hear him, "Nothing else in my life matters. Only you. We are fated, Lily."

Shock stole my ability to think properly. "No," I whispered.

"We are," he said as if stating a fact. "I have thought about you and dreamt about you countless times in the last ten years. Every girl I have kissed has fallen short compared to you. They didn't taste as sweet or feel as soft." He slowly traced my mating bite, then he brushed his thumb right over it, sending a thick wave of nausea through my body.

And I lost it.

I screamed and snarled, bashing my fists against his chest, neck, and arms. He didn't even flinch. He was a statue of terror, growing roots in my house and in my head.

He would forever torment me.

"You belong to me," he growled, tightening his grip on my throat.

"Fuck you!" I screamed as loud as I could, my wolf snarling and snapping within me. "I don't belong to you! I am Rowan's mate. I'm carrying his pup! And if you ever come near me again, I will kill you!"

Another sharp slap to my cheek made my head spin, and my throat tightened, spit flooding my mouth. Forcing myself to focus, I settled my feet, then swung my knee up as hard and fast as I could, hitting him directly in the balls.

Luca doubled over, grunting hard. I stumbled back, desperately looking for a way to escape. A deep, guttural noise rattled from Luca's heaving chest. He panted hard as he forced himself to look up at me. His eyes were bright red, and his long fangs were fully distended.

I was trapped.

Placing my hands over my stomach, I squared my shoulders, ready to fight with everything I had…even though I already knew it would be a losing battle.

A dark figure appeared in the doorway, and I let out a deep breath of relief.

Rowan's eyes locked on Luca's back, and I swore my mate doubled in size. Rowan was a mass of muscle and rage. He looked so terrifying I was almost scared to move. He roared, and I cringed, covering my ears. Luca spun, facing my mate.

Both alphas crouched to attack, and I dropped to the floor, pushing myself under the bed. The vicious sound of fists on flesh and pained grunts filled the room. I trembled, curling into myself.

My heartbeat pounded in my temples, and snot poured down my face as I sobbed. Cradling my stomach, I prayed to the Moon, begging her to help Rowan. I sucked down a painful gust of air, then froze, realizing the fighting had stopped.

I brushed my hair out of my face, shocked to see several pairs of feet in my bedroom. Two alphas were being dragged out of the room, several pairs of feet following them. Someone stepped up to the end of the bed, then they kneeled.

I hissed, growling low in my throat. I didn't want to see anyone but Rowan.

"Lily?" Nix's familiar voice drifted toward me, and I instantly relaxed. He settled onto his hands and knees, and his dark eyes framed by messy brown hair came into view. "It's safe to come out, omega."

Desperately needing to see my mate, I grabbed Nix's outstretched hand, letting him pull me out from under the bed. I stayed close to him as we walked through the house and out the front door.