Chapter 3%
Rebecca’s POV
The Bloodmoon Club pulsed with music and the scent of sweat and heat, thick in the air like a storm about to break, My heart felt heavier with every beat, and no amount of flaming whiskey could quiet the howl clawing at my insides. The world spun around me in reds and silvers–lights, bodies, smoke–but all I could see was them.
a silent fortress beside her–Maurine. She leaned in with There, in the VIP booth, stood Lucas. My wolf knight. His tall frame towered like a › flirtatious whisper, her fingers grazing the edge of his jaw, and I saw it–his stoic expression faltering, his ears reddening. A blush. A real
My grip tightened around the glass in my hand until it cracked.
downed the last of my drink and pushed my way to the dance floor, letting the music drown out the growl in my throat. My red dress clung to me like war paint, bold and brazen, daring anyone to approach me. And they did. A group of young wolves–rich pups, drunk on Jower and liquor–surrounded me like flies to blood. One tried to slide his hand down my waist!
‘Back Off,” I snarled.S
They laughed. One got too close. I bared my fangs, but the burn of liquor dulled my reaction time. “Lucas!” I barked, voice sharp and furious.
t took less than a breath. The crowd parted like prey sensing a predator, Lucas stormed toward me, wolf aura rippling off his body, sowerful and commanding. The boys shrank back, some even bowing slightly before fleeing
‘Oh, I thought you wouldn’t even bother,” I hissed, not thankful–furious. “You looked so busy I thought you forgot your real duty. Or were jou just waiting for your real Luna to give the order?”
His eyes darkened. “I didn’t see them-”
You saw Maurine. That’s all that mattered.”
“No,” I cut in, stepping close, my breath brushing his cheek. “You didn’t want to. You saw
He stiffened, glancing away, “You’ve had too much to drink.
Пlaughed bitterly “Better that way.”
He didn’t answer. But before I could throw another insult, a scream shattered the air
Then chaos came.
A blood–curdling shriek rose above the music, followed by a storm of panic. Fangs flashed, claws unsheathed. Screams echoed across the club. Wolves shifted mid–step, tearing out of clothes as they answered the instinctive call to protect and fight.
Vampire hoodlums. The dangerous kind. The ones even lower Alphas fear recently.
I tumed sharply, my wolf ready to break through my skin, but not fast enough. I saw him shift–Lucas–his massive white–gray wolf crashing into a vampire..
But not for me. He was shielding Maurine.
Again.
i barely had time to brace before I felt it–a blur of movement, too fast. A vampire. He appeared in front of me, and I swung wildly, claws ou. We clashed–fangs to fang, claw to claw. I got a swipe to his face, but he was faster. Stronger. I snarled, tried to lunge, but he dodged and sank his fangs into my shoulder.
The pain.
It was like fire laced with death. I screamed as his poison coursed through me, burning every nerve. I tried to push him off, claws scraping his arm, but he let go on his own–satisfied–and vanished into the chaos.!
My knees buckled
The club was a warzone. Wolves clashing with vampires, blood splattering walls and floors. I saw Lucas. He was tearing through three vampires at once… still by Maurine’s side.
And then-
My eyes glowed. My wolf surged–but not out of strength. It was something strange. I didn’t know.!!
Suddenly, my body collapsed, and dakmess claimed mel
I woke to the sterile scent of antiseptic and the faint beep of monitors. My shoulder throbbed like it had been torn open–because it had.”
But I was… awake??
Why? I had heard stories–vampire hoodlums didn’t just attack. They poisoned. Their fangs caused deep, cursed sleep. The same venom that put Alpha Maximus Thane into his years–long slumber.
Why was I not gone? Why wasn’t | cursed?!
Before I could sit up, a sound caught my ears. A muffled voice. Then another. I turned my head slowly toward the glass wall of the recovery room.
There they were. Maurine, Crying. In his arms.
Lucas held her like something precious. Stroking her back, his voice gentle. Soft. The way he never spoke to me.?
“I never should’ve gone to the club,” she whimpered. “It’s my fault she got hurt.“}
“No.” Lucas murmured. “You didn’t know. I should’ve protected you both.”
She looked up at him with big, wat eyes. “Why… why did you protect me? Why not her?“x
8:11 AM
She looked up at him with big, wet eyes. “Why… why did you protect me? Why not her?“”
His voice cracked. “Because…. I lo—“X
Before he could finish what he was about to say, a loud crash sounded..
The vase beside my bed hit the ground, shards scattering. Lucas’s head snapped toward me. Maurine gasped and rushed into the room.
“Rebecca!” she cried, eyes wide with fake relief. “You’re awake! Oh thank the goddess, I was so worried–“%
“Save it.” My voice was a blade. “With you here, being an eyesore, how could I possibly get better?”
Her face crumbled. She ran from the room sobbing. Meanwhile, Lucas stayed.
“I didn’t have time-” he began.
“You had time to save her,” I snapped. “You always have time for her.”
–
The day of my discharge, I walked into the study. My shoulder bandaged. My body stiff. My fury–a volcano behind glass.
He stood when I entered.
“Kneel.”
Lucas flinched. But he knew. Oh, he knew.
“You failed your duty as my wolf knight. You know death is the only payment for that as per the oath you swore, right?” I asked him seriously. “But I won’t take your life, Lucas. A punishment is more befitting, don’t you agree?”
He hesitated–but then nodded. And knelt.8
An Alpha. On his knees, I wanted to laugh bitterly. With his status, he could just simply walk away instead of offering me his dignity. And yet, he chose to stay. He chose to be punished and humiliated instead because it was the only way to keep Maurine close.
“TII take it,” he muttered. “If that’s what it takes.”
“You’ll really doing anything…” i uttered, voice trembling. That was how much he loved her.8
He looked away. And that was when I raised my clawed hand
However, before my claws could land on his skin, the door burst open.
“Stop!” Maurine screamed, hurling herself between us. “Punish me! He didn’t do anything wrong, sister!” “Move, Maurine.”
“Nor
Lucas tried to pull her away, but she wouldn’t budge.
“I said move!” I screamed in so much anger. Why he heck was she acting like a freaking hero now?
She didn’t move, and that was when my wolf snapped
I slashed, ane blood flew in an instant
The next thing I knew, Maurine screamed and fell, arms tom open.
Lucas caught her, roaring, his wolf rippling just under his skin. He looked up at me with eyes so cold, so filled with hatred, it froze m soul.
Then he carried her out. Not a word. Not a glance back.
The door slammed,
And I stood there claws bloodied, fists clenched, the pain in my palm nothing compared to the gaping wound in my chest.
