Page 11 of The Alpha’s Forced Rejected Mate (Silverlight Valley Alphas #1)
Luna ran her shaking fingertips over the chains that held her wrists. The metal was unusually chilly against her flesh, as if taking the warmth straight out of her body. She’d spent the entire night attempting to remove them, but nothing worked.
“Damn it,” she muttered, falling exhausted on the bed.
The cabin—or, more appropriately, her prison—was finer than she had imagined a captive’s quarters to be.
The queen-sized bed was unexpectedly comfy, complete with a navy comforter and matching cushions.
The adjoining bathroom included fluffy towels and high-end toiletries.
It was almost as if they were attempting to make her feel at ease before taking away her power for good.
What a VIP cell.
Luna dressed in the clothing Dominic had given her after taking away her own—a soft gray sweater and black leggings that, strangely, fit her wonderfully. Her brown hair tumbled in tangled curls beyond her shoulders, eager for a wash.
She missed her natural silver color, but hiding had been necessary for survival.
This is why you should have minded your business, she thought, though she knew with the information they had already on her that they would have found her even if she no longer used her magic.
But she could have made their work harder.
The click of the lock made her freeze.
The door opened and Dominic’s imposing figure stepped in.
Luna backed away, her blue eyes narrowing. “Come to check if I’ve broken free yet?”
“No,” he replied, his steel-gray eyes scanning the room. One corner of his mouth quirked up. “Though I see you’ve been keeping yourself entertained.”
She crossed her arms over her chest defensively. “What do you expect? That I’d just sit here waiting for whatever sick ritual you’re planning?”
Dominic walked inside and closed the door behind him.
He carried a tray containing a steaming bowl of stew, fresh bread, and a glass of water.
Luna’s stomach growled, reminding her that she hadn’t eaten since the day before.
“You need to eat,” he remarked, placing the tray on the tiny table near the window.
Luna scoffed. “Why? So I can withstand whatever torment you have planned?”
“No one’s going to torture you.” Dominic seemed stung by the suggestion.
His presence made her skin tingle, and she loathed herself for it. “Eat your food,” he said, standing back. “You’ll need your strength.”
Luna’s stomach sank. “For what?”
“Change of plans,” he murmured, his countenance unreadable. “The binding ceremony will take place at sundown.”
Terror seized Luna’s chest.
“It’s just a ritual,” Dominic explained, but he refused to meet her gaze. “It will suppress your magic permanently.”
“You mean it will kill part of me?” she asked, feeling the blood drain from her face. “My magic is who I am.”
“Your magic is dangerous,” he replied. “The ritual is…necessary.”
Luna shook her head and backed away till her legs touched the edge of the bed. “No. I will not let you do this.”
“You don’t have a choice.” His voice carried a sense of finality that made her blood run cold.
“There’s always a choice, Dominic,” she responded, allowing her anger to overpower her dread. “You choose to betray me. Again.”
His face hardened. “I’m choosing to protect humanity.”
“From what?” Luna demanded. “From women who use their powers to help lost children find their mothers?”
“Your food will get cold,” he said, turning toward the door.
“I’m not hungry,” Luna lied, even as her stomach protested.
Dominic paused at the door, his broad shoulders tense. Without turning around, he said, “You should eat. And stop trying to escape. These walls are warded against magic, and there are guards outside. You’re only exhausting yourself.”
With that, he closed the door behind him and clicked the lock into place. Luna sank into the bed, tears of frustration welling up behind her eyelids. She refused to let them fall. Instead, she turned her emotion into determination and examined the cuffs once again.
Hours passed as Luna attempted all she could think of to get away.
She eventually succumbed to exhaustion and hunger, eating the now-cold stew and bread.
Just as she completed her last bite, the door opened again.
This time, it was not Dominic, but rather a tall, slender man with auburn hair and amber eyes.
He wore similar tactical gear to Dominic’s, but carried himself with a more relaxed demeanor.
“I’m Marcus,” he said, leaning against the doorframe. “Dominic asked me to check on you.”
Luna regarded him warily. “You mean make sure I haven’t escaped.”
Marcus’s lips quirked into a half-smile. “Something like that.” He looked at her for a moment. “You’re not what I expected.”
“What did you expect?” Luna inquired, fascinated despite herself.
“Someone more…visibly dangerous, I think.” He shrugged. “Not a curvy librarian with sad eyes.”
Luna snorted. “Sorry to disappoint.”
“Oh, I’m not disappointed,” Marcus tilted his head. “Just curious why Dom’s so rattled by you.”
Before Luna could respond, heavy footsteps approached, and Dominic loomed behind Marcus with a thunderous expression. “I said to check on her, not chat her up,” he growled, his voice low and threatening.
Marcus raised his hands in a mock surrender. “Just making conversation, boss.”
“Out,” Dominic said, and Marcus followed with a final questioning look at Luna.
Once Marcus was gone, Dominic entered the room, shutting the door behind him. The air between them crackled with tension.
“What was that about?” Luna asked, attempting to seem casual.
“Nothing,” Dominic replied curtly. He gazed at her empty plate. “Good. You ate.”
“Didn’t want to disappoint you,” she said sarcastically.
Dominic clenched his jaw. “This isn’t personal, Luna.”
“Oh, isn’t it?” Luna laughed at his sincere tone.
“I’m following orders,” he said, pacing the small room like a trapped animal. “The Council—”
“The Council can go to hell,” Luna interrupted, rising from the bed. “And you can take the next flight after them.”
Something in Dominic snapped. In two quick strides, he was in front of her.
Luna’s breath caught in her throat. This close, she could feel the heat radiating from his body.
“I think we both stopped caring about my feelings six years ago,” she whispered, her voice steadier than she felt.
“When you called me an abomination and kicked me out of the only home I ever knew. So you can cut the bullshit and stop pretending like you actually give a shit about me or my current situation.”
Pain flashed across his features, so briefly she almost missed it. “I did what I had to do.”
With a gentle yet scathing tone, Luna remarked, “You’re not the man I thought you were. You’re just another soldier who obeys orders without question, mindlessly.”
Dominic narrowed his gaze dangerously. “You have no idea what you’re talking about”
“Don’t I?” Luna challenged, suddenly tired of tiptoeing around what was happening.
“I am aware that your group hunts witches just like me. I am aware that you bind our powers by forcing us into marriages. I’m not sure why you never questioned it or considered the possibility that you might be on the wrong side. ”
Dominic released her abruptly, as if burned. “There is a lot you can’t understand.”
“Then make me!” Luna exclaimed, grabbing his wrist before he could retreat. The moment her skin touched his, a spark of magic jumped between them, and they both froze.
Dominic shook his head. “Get ready. We move you to the ritual chamber this evening.”
Luna’s heart sank. “Dominic, please. Don’t do this.”
“Get some sleep. Tonight will be…difficult.”
With that, he left, the door locking firmly behind him.
Luna sank onto the bed, her mind racing. She had less than twelve hours to figure out a way to escape, or she’d lose a part of her forever.
***
The time came too quickly. When Dominic came, accompanied by Marcus and another man—taller, with dark brown hair and striking green eyes—Luna was perched on the side of the bed, ostensibly calm despite the panic brewing in her stomach.
“It’s time,” Dominic stated, his voice devoid of any emotion.
Luna stood carefully, hoping they wouldn’t notice how terribly her legs shook. “And if I refuse?”
“That’s not an option,” the green-eyed man replied. His voice was scratchy, as if he rarely spoke.
“This is Kieran,” Dominic introduced. “He’ll be escorting us to the chamber.”
“Lucky me,” Luna muttered. “A full entourage for my execution.”
Dominic’s jaw tightened. “It’s not an execution.”
“It might as well be,” Luna shot back.
“Enough,” Dominic growled. “Let’s go.”
They led her through the cabin and outside.
The compound was larger than Luna had expected, with other cabins comparable to hers scattered around a central area. Beyond them stood a large stone building, ancient and menacing against the dawn sky.
Luna tripped, her legs still weakened by lack of sleep. Dominic gripped her arm and steadied her with a surprisingly gentle grip. “Keep moving,” he said, keeping his grasp on her arm, directing rather than forcing.
Luna became more anxious as they reached the stone edifice. She could feel the weight of ancient magic rising from the building, pressing on her skin like a suffocating cloud. Whatever ritual they had planned was based on ancient, potent magic—magic intended to bind and repress.
The interior of the temple was cool and shadowy, with flames casting spooky shadows on stone walls engraved with markings Luna didn’t know. They descended a spiral staircase, the air becoming colder with every step.
They went down the steps and entered a vast, circular room. The floor was inlaid with an intricate pattern of silver lines that formed a ritual circle. At the center stood a stone altar, its surface discolored with what appeared to be old bloodstains.
Luna froze at the threshold, horror gripping her limbs. “No,” she replied, backing up only to meet with Marcus’ firm chest. “I won’t do this.”