Augustus

It was just a flash when my eyes damped as the scene before me etched a harsh and brutal image I could never forget. When my body jerked violently, my sobs were squeezed by his hand over my mouth whilst I felt hot flames of fire licking against my skin. My body jerked again as I felt his arms circling and wrapping around my waist and my flesh pushed up against his.

"Tell me what I want to hear, blossom."

His hot breath rasped against my skin I felt burning sensations erupting through my veins. Confining my legs securely around his waist, my body jerked again. I felt him so deep inside me, I could feel him in my stomach. I let out a strangled wail of both pain and ecstasy as his fingers dug into my sides.

Sweat dripped down our naked flesh, I couldn't tell if it was from the fire surrounding us or the intense way he was molding my skin to his accordance.

I felt his claws drag down my back as he pumped deeper. A terrorized scream rippled through me as his heterochromatic orbs held mine in a captivating aura whilst he violently slapped my backside.

I hated this male.

"Look, Katarina. See what you made me do." I shut my lids tightly, I couldn't look at the mangled body of the wolf who tried to help me. Guilt that the poor soul no longer could be his family only for the reason that he wanted me to escape the clutches of the monster moon had cursed me with as a mate.

He chuckled darkly against the nape of my neck as his thrusts become deeper and slower. His fingers itched as he ran them over my face.

"You're mine, blossom. And no matter how far you run, I will always find you. You're mine, my female."

I jerked suddenly as I gasped and my eyes widened as I looked around. Beads of sweat trickled down my face and armpits whilst I couldn't help paranoia to get out of my mind. Calming my raging heartbeats, I tried to tell myself that it was a dream. A false hope. Rather a memory that had cared into my mind like a nightmare.

Looking around, I found myself in the same hospital room. The brightness of the walls was now shielded by the darkness of night. And only sound was coming from the heart monitor connected to my finger.

I was safe.

I convinced myself.

Taking a deep calming breath, I closed my eyes again. This time instead of sleep, his heterochromatic eyes flashed through my mind and I jerked open them. I wasn't going to get any sleep tonight, I contemplated. Even though my wounds now had started to heal gradually but certainly, I think what would I do next.

I couldn't stay in this pack longer for I had a dilemma that Xerxes would soon find me but I had nowhere to go. I had to compile my plan accordingly. I just hope he could never find me. I had suffered enough from his hands to even think about spending any more time with the barbaric male.

For now, the best course of action was to just go with the flow. I'd have a roof over my head, a shelter, and probably even food to eat. I just needed to spend a few days here till I figure out what to do next.

****

I looked anxiously at my reflection. My nervousness turned into anxiousness from exposing my bruised flesh to some strangers to the deep neckline of the white floral dress. The fabric felt delicate and soft under my hands. I looked nothing like the woman I was months ago. The skin looked damaged, the subtle purplish-blue stains over my skin made me look damaged, my hairs had lost their shine and deep dark bags rested under my eyes.

I swallowed hard stared down at the dress.

It would be fine. They were just a few bruises, nothing more. They were nothing.

I was nothing.

Yet my heart couldn't stop racing in panic.

I could hear Augustus and James talking about my medications and health just outside the bathroom door as he gave me privacy to change into clothes before showing me the packhouse, where I would make my stay for a few days.

I was wide awake when James came in to check up on me. My vitals were good and the inflammation of my wounds now had diminished. I was good to move, he told.

Augustus was soon to come and was glad to know that I was doing fine before he gave me the dress he brought for me from his sister's closet so that I could feel revivified and move into the packhouse.

It was considerate of him.

I sighed again.

Just a few more days.

I reminded myself as my fingers wrapped around the doorknob and I twisted it.

"Her wolf seems to be in hibernati-"

Both men stopped talking as they grasped my presence among them. Now that I was out of my little privacy circle, I felt more embarrassed about my bruises and the indecent look I supported. I couldn't look up to meet their gazes for I knew their eyes were solely on me. On my bruises.

There was a sudden shift in the air. Something seemed.....distant.

I looked up from the dress I was wearing, I realized the feeling of wrong was coming from the heavy silence that had blanketed the room.

My eyes regarded two males, as one of them gasped audibly while the other slowly stepped towards me. His green eyes lacked any warmth he showered me with yesterday. They were locked on me.

On my neck.

I swallowed.

They were just bruises.

His eyes left a burst of color on my caramel skin as he slowly walked toward me. An unfamiliar fear rose within my chest. What if he finds me undeserving to reside in his pack? What if he finds me revolting and just kicks me out? Where would I go?

My tongue darted out. I had to say something to ease this eerie silence. It was nothing. Nothing. Nothing. I was the one with bruises. And as instinct, I backed as Augustus stepped nearer. It was scary. He looked scary. More intimidating. My heel collided with the bathroom door. My heart raced. My eyes remained on him as he stayed on my neck.

"Who did this to you?" He raised a steady hand, his thumb brushed over the length and he pushed my chin up, exposing my neck farther.

"I-It's just.....I fell." I swept my tongue over my lips. Why was I lying? And why did I find the need to answer him urgently?

His brows furrowed, a mocking curl of lips as he shook his head. "I detest liars, cupcake."

His thumb pressed into the bruised flesh harder and winced at the pain that flared.

His eyes gradually met mine.

"Katarina," His voice was hard. I swallowed at the shiver of fear his Alpha tone sent up my spine as his eyes drilled into mine. "Tell me, who did this?" He didn't ask this time. He commanded.