Page 174 of His Fated Luna

"GET DOWN HERE, LEXIA!" Dad roared.

I flinched, turning to go to him.

Chapter 53

“The only thing worse than a boy who hates you: a boy that loves you.” ? Markus Zusak, The Book Thief

Rose's POV

Inside the room, I had nearly shouted myself hoarse and did my best to break the door open. It didn't work. The windows were sealed too tightly for me to escape, and the French windows were covered by an elaborate white wrought iron grill. I sank down, back sliding against the wall, feeling utterly defeated. At a loss for what to do, I tried mind-linking Aiden again and again. Nothing.

Finally, I mind-linked Dylan.

“We're on our way,”Dylan informed me.

“NO! Please, you have to stop him! He needs to wait and get his strength back!”I begged, trying to stop them.

“I’m sorry, but have you seen Aiden when his luna is threatened? He might just tear off my head for trying to reason with him. Are you OK? Alistair hasn't hurt you has he?”

“I’m fine...but Dylan you need to stop Aid–”

But Dylan linked out, blocking away the rest of my futile attempts.

The door banged open as Alistair entered, his lip curled into a cruel smirk when his eyes landed on me sitting on the floor in a corner.

"All you women are useless,” Alistair laughed. "You make your men weak," he sneered.

Two warriors entered behind Alistair. The old alpha jerked his head in my direction. Both men went to me, each grabbing an arm and hauling me up. My resolve hardened.

I am Luna of Bloodfire Phoenix Pack! And I wouldn't be caught off-guard again and freeze up like during the firework explosion. I could fight!

I'd partaken in self-defense classes after shifting my first time. Pulling from what Layla taught me, I neatly ducked under the men trying to keep a hold on my arms.Their feeble hold slipped. I elbowed the man on the right in the stomach, neatly twisting out from between them and delivering an effective kick behind the knees of the other man. Both were on the floor in minutes.

"Oh for pete's sake! She's a young girl!" Alistair yelled exasperatedly. "Stop being gentle with her, you morons!"

Alistair stomped over, kicking his men, with his big black boots, who were still trying to get their bearings. I shot an arm out to punch him, but Alistair caught my first in his hand and twisted. There was a sickening crunch and I screamed. He'd broken my wrist. It would heal. Broken joints and bones werenormal for wolves since it was a process of turning. But it hurt! And it was enough for Alistair's henchmen to firmly overpower me and this time, they didn't underestimate me .

I was unceremoniously dragged across the pack land to where the pack temple was situated. At least they hadn't tried to get me to turn. I couldn't turn anymore, and Alistair couldn't find out I was pregnant. If he wanted to rule our pack, he wouldn’t think twice about harming the heir. When we finally reached the temple, Lexia was there holding a pair of silver bracelets.

"Give them here, girl!" snarled Alistair, grabbing the bracelets from Lexia.

They found their way around my wrists soon enough. I cried out in pain. The cuffs were pure silver drenched in wolfsbane. I definitely wouldn't be able to turn now even if I could.

"Dad, whatever you're planning, it's not going to work. Aiden isn't going to leave her for me,” Lexia stated firmly. Her eyes landed on me apologetically. "And I wouldn't want him to be in a relationship with me that he was forced into. I want him to choose!' Lexia pleaded.

"This isn't about you!" Alistair yelled at his only daughter.

Lexia took a step back in fear and I noticed it instantly. What kind of father was Alister,yelling at his only daughter like this?

“Dad, what's wrong?You’ve never yelled at me like this before. You used to show your disdain towards me that I am not a son.But today there is something different in you, like you don't love me anymore and I am useless for you.”

Alistair inhaled deeply and looked at his daughter, looking a tad penitent for the first time. I was closely watching his expressions while trying to forget my own pain. "You should have left to go back to law school when I told you, Lexia. I didn't want you to have to see this."

"See what?" Aiden's dangerously low voice spoke as he stepped into the temple clearing. "See that you're a sorry piece ofshit who's been trying to kidnap my luna since the day she was born?"

I screamed his name, trying to struggle against the two men that held me. Tears streamed down my cheeks as I shook my head. He shouldn't have come!

Aiden cast a glance my way, warning me to stay back before focusing on Alistair again.