Page 20 of The Alpha’s Forced Rejected Mate (Silverlight Valley Alphas #1)

Luna paced the small cabin bedroom for what felt like the hundredth time. She had taken off her boots, and her sock-covered feet wore an invisible path into the worn hardwood floor.

He’d be safe.

He had come back last time without incident, so she had felt safe enough to take off her boots and tights and now wore only his oversized black T-shirt.

But this second wave had started over an hour ago.

He should have returned by now. She paused at the window and pulled aside the curtain’s edge to get a look. She saw only darkness and the sporadic flare of what must have been an explosion.

What if he was hurt?

Luna let the curtain drop back in place and started pacing again. She hated feeling powerless and imprisoned while others fought.

Another explosion rocked the compound, closer this time. Luna gripped the edge of the small desk to steady herself as dust shook free from the ceiling.

This wasn’t normal. The last one barely took fifteen minutes to handle; Dominic had returned from the previous attack within moments, barely winded.

She sensed that something had gone horribly wrong this time.

Luna paused her pacing and closed her eyes, attempting to concentrate on the magic tendrils that had resurfaced inside of her since the binding ceremony.

If she could simply get in touch with him, she could check on him, feel if he’s okay…

She extended her awareness outward, searching for that distinct energy signature that belonged solely to him.

Nothing.

Either he was too far away, or something was blocking their connection.

Or he was…

No. None of those options settled well in her stomach.

A noise outside the cabin door snapped her eyes open. Footsteps, heavy and purposeful. Relief flooded through her.

She said, “Dominic,” and started to head for the door. She hesitated with her hand halfway to the doorknob. A warning from her magic sent a chill down her spine.

Something didn’t feel right when the energy signature got closer to the cabin entrance.

Demon.

Luna backed away from the door; she could no longer find her knife. In her confidence, she had dropped it when she took off her boots.

She looked between the bedside lamp and the chair, trying to pick which one she should throw.

The knob on the door shook. Then a low and sickly-sweet voice called out, “I know you’re in there, little witch. Don’t worry, I shall be quick, but not painless. Open the door.”

Luna’s back hit the far wall. “Go away,” she said, her voice steadier than she expected.

A deep chuckle responded. “That’s not how this works.”

Wood splinters flew across the room as the door broke inward with a thunderous crack.

Luna felt tiny pieces bury themselves in her forearm as she threw her arm up to protect her face.

With its human disguise nearly flawless but for the strange glint in its black eyes, the demon entered the broken entryway.

It wore the body of a man, but the demon’s possession had twisted his features into something cruel and hungry.

“There you are,” it purred, lips stretching into a smile that showed too many teeth. “Xavier will be so pleased when I bring him your head.”

Luna’s fingers tingled with power. The magic swirled just beneath her skin, begging for release.

Now or never.

She thrust her hand forward, visualizing her power as a battering ram. A pulse of blue energy shot from her palm, hitting the demon square in the chest. It staggered backward, surprised, but then that terrible smile returned.

“Is that all?” it mocked, brushing at its chest as if swatting away a fly. “Xavier said you were powerful. I’m disappointed.

“My turn.” The demon lunged, moving across the room faster than Luna could follow, its hand closing around her throat, lifting her until her toes barely touched the floor, and she clawed at its wrist as her airway constricted.

She grabbed the bedside lamp, yanking it off the wall and throwing it at the demon’s head.

It caught the lamp with inhuman speed, crushing the ceramic base in its grip.

Focus. Use your power.

Luna used her free hand to place her palm directly over the demon’s heart on its chest. She pictured light, clean, pure light, pouring into the thing from her. The monster let out a blood-curdling scream and let her go.

Luna collapsed to her knees, gasping for breath. She looked up at the creature’s skin, which was now red.

“You bitch,” the demon’s eyes flashed with demonic fury. “This is going to be fun.”

The demon bounced back fast, and caught Luna by the hair, jerked her head back before she could get away, and pulled her across the floor with it.

Pain shot up her scalp, but that wasn’t all. The demon flung her against the wall, and her head struck the wooden paneling, stars bursting behind her eyes. Dazed, she sagged to the ground.

Get up. Get up NOW.

Luna opened her eyes groggily to see the demon moving toward her, now holding her knife. The blade shone strangely in the cabin’s low light. With all the strength she could muster, she raised her hand once again. This time, the magic struck in a violent, erratic outburst.

The desk chair toppled, and a nearby glass of water shattered—but the demon merely sidestepped the wave of energy. She had been getting better with her magic, but panicking now, she felt useless.

“A witch without training,” it mocked. “What can you do with all that power?”

The demon squatted down and traced her face with the knife. Warm blood dripped down Luna’s skin. The demon muttered, its breath hot against her ear, “I wonder if your mate will still want you when I’m done carving up this pretty face.”

Luna spat in its face.

The devil twisted his face in anger. It lifted the knife, and as it arced toward her throat, the walls of the hut shook with a bone-chilling roar. A huge dark figure sped through the shattered doorway as the monster turned.

It was Dominic in his wolf form. He struck the demon so hard that they both went through the wall on the other side.

Luna’s palm flew to her throat, where the knife had almost struck its mark, and she gasped. She could see Dominic’s wolf form tearing into the demon with fierce rage through the ragged hole in the wall. The demon retaliated by slicing Dominic’s flank with its knife.

Luna cried out as she saw blood darken his midnight-black fur, but the wolf didn’t slow. If anything, the wound seemed to fuel his rage.

She pushed herself to her feet, leaning against the wall. She could see through foggy vision that the demon had successfully knocked Dominic back and was now standing, displaying erratic movements. Its fingertips crackled with dark electricity.

“Dominic!” Luna shouted.

Her voice caused the wolf’s ears to perk up, but he continued to stare at the demon. Slowly, he walked around it, muscles hunched beneath the silver marks on his back, poised to attack.

Luna knew she had to help. Gathering her magic once more, the power built within her, less chaotic this time, more focused, now that her mate was close. She directed it toward the knife in the demon’s hand.

In a moment, the blade was red-hot. As its palm burnt, the demon let out a howl and dropped the sword. Dominic launched his attack without hesitation.

He clamped his enormous jaws around the demon’s throat. The body of the demon became limp, and there was a painful crunch. It sank and sizzled to a black mold on the ground.

In the faint light, Dominic’s naked body gleamed with blood and perspiration as he transformed back into a human. With fatigue sweeping over her, Luna slumped against the wall. She was exhausted from using so much magic in such a short period of time.

In a flash, Dominic was behind her, his big hands cupping her face in an unexpectedly tender way. He looked her over for injuries and said, “Are you hurt?” He stared at the gash on her cheek, and she could see barely contained fury in his eyes.

Even though her voice rasped horribly from her wounded throat, she managed to say, “I’m okay. You’re bleeding.”

He shook his head, dismissing his own injuries. “It isn’t anything. I heal fast. We must leave. Right now.”

“What’s going on out there?” Luna asked, putting on a pair of sweatpants from a drawer.

“Xavier knows. He sent demons straight for you while he kept me and the others occupied,” he said in a matter-of-fact tone as he shoved supplies and clothing into a duffel bag.

Luna’s blood ran cold. “He knows about us? About what we saw during the ritual?”

“He suspects that part, but he knows for sure that your power isn’t bound.” Dominic tossed her a hooded sweatshirt. “Put this on. We need to blend in once we’re off compound grounds.”

She winced as she pulled the sweatshirt over her head. “What about the others? Your squad?”

“They’re not affected, that much I have confirmed. Adrian’s covering our escape. Marcus and Kieran are leading the defense on the south side.” Dominic strapped on a holster containing what looked like a silver dagger. “Roman’s doing what he does best, creating havoc.”

Luna zipped up the sweatshirt, noting how it hung loose. Everything of his seemed to swallow her. “And then what? We just run?”

“We have a safe house.” Dominic checked the windows before returning to her side. He passed her boots. “Only the alphas know about it. We’ll regroup there, figure out our next move.”

She pulled on the boots, lacing them quickly. “And what is our next move? We can’t hide forever.”

He scowled and slung the duffle over his shoulder, saying, “One problem at a time.” He walked to the broken doorway and looked from left to right. “The coast is temporarily clear. Remain close to me.”

Luna rose to her feet, ignoring the protest of her bruised body. “I can fight, you know. I’m not completely helpless.”

Dominic’s eyes flashed silver in the darkness. “I never said you were.” Then, almost grudgingly, he added, “That was quick thinking with the knife. Your magic is improving.”

Coming from him, it felt like high praise, but Luna tried not to let her pride show.

“Ready?” he asked, extending his hand toward her.

After a brief moment of hesitation, she took it. His hold was tight but not painful, his palm warm and rough against hers.

Outside, there was anarchy. The sky was illuminated by distant explosions, creating unsettling shadows across the facility. Inhuman screams and shouts reverberated through the shadows.

They could smell the smoke everywhere. Following the shadows, Dominic guided them around the cabins’ perimeter. Luna’s shorter legs had to work extra hard to keep up with his lengthy strides. She didn’t want to slow him down, sensing his urgency.

“This way,” Dominic murmured, guiding her to a fence opening that was hardly perceptible to the unaided eye. A figure emerged from behind a tree as they got closer. Dominic gave her a warning squeeze as Luna stiffened, power building at her fingertips.

“Marcus,” he acknowledged.

The commander with the auburn hair gave a somber nod. “I’d say you have precisely five minutes, because Xavier is concentrating on the main buildings.” His amber eyes flitted to Luna, taking in the cut on her cheek and her unkempt appearance. “Are you alright?”

“I’ll live,” she replied, surprised by his apparent concern.

Marcus turned back to Dominic. “Roman’s buying you time, but you need to move now. I’ve got a car waiting half a mile east.”

“What about you?” Dominic asked.

“I’ll maintain my cover,” Marcus said. “Xavier doesn’t suspect me yet. I’ll keep tabs on what’s happening here, feed you information when I can.” He handed Dominic a small device that looked like a pager. “Secure channel. Use it only in emergencies.”

Dominic tucked the device into his pocket. “Watch your back.”

Marcus’s mouth quirked in a humorless smile. “Always do.” His expression sobered as he looked between them. “Whatever this is, it’s bigger than we thought. Xavier’s rounded up three more witches.”

Luna’s stomach dropped. “What? More witches?”

“Brought in last night,” Marcus confirmed. “Locked up in the east wing.”

Luna felt a shiver go down her back. She recalled the vision she and Dominic had during the ceremony: demons assembling the abilities of witches and utilizing them to create a portal between worlds.

“We must set them free,” she declared right away.

Dominic tightened his hold on her hand. “No.”

“But—”

“If we’re dead, we can’t help them,” he interrupted in a firm voice. “Getting you to safety is our top priority right now.”

Marcus glanced over his shoulder. “Time’s up. Go.”

Dominic pulled Luna toward the gap in the fence.

She faltered in her steps, turning back to face Marcus. “Thank you,” she whispered softly.

He gave a single nod before vanishing into the darkness once more.

First, they had to go through the fence. Dominic held the chain link wide enough to allow Luna to pass through without getting her garments caught. Once across, they found themselves in the thick woodland that encircled the facility.

Dominic led her over fallen logs and through prickly underbrush with the assurance of someone who knew these woods well. His hand remained clasped around hers.

Luna’s thoughts kept returning to the other witches who had been taken prisoner, taken from their homes to participate in some evil ceremony—women like her. At last, when her voice could almost be heard above the crunch of pine needles under their boots, she murmured, “We can’t just leave them.”

Dominic didn’t slow down. “We won’t abandon them. We must first save ourselves. We wait even a minute longer…” he trailed off before adding, “You think I don’t give a damn, don’t you? That I am unaware of the stakes?”

“That’s not what I said.”

He turned to her and stopped suddenly. His features were severe, with sharp angles and shadows in the filtered moonlight that streamed through the canopy. “Then what are you saying?”

Luna met his gaze unflinchingly “That I can help. That we have a responsibility to those women.”

“And we will help them. But not tonight. Not like this.” His voice softened. “You nearly died back there, Luna.”

“So did you,” she countered.

He gave her a small smile. “I’ve nearly died many times. It’s part of the job,” Dominic continued quietly. “I promise we will come back for them.”

What if we’re too late?