Had I lucked out by falling out of the window? Would I die when I hit the ground?
I grunted as I landed on a flower bed. Nope. No death, just a lot of pain.
Above me, I saw Beta Grant looking out of the window. “Luna Bowen, are you okay?!” He called.
“No, I’m alive!” I yelled back.
“Just stay there!”
Well I had nowhere else to go.
I saw some pack members staring at me strangely. I gave them a weak wave as Beta Grant came running towards me. He lifted me up, carryinging me bridal style. Fitting considering what I was wearing.
“Why are you such a klutz?” He demanded as he quickly made his way back into the house. “You could have died! Which I’m sure is what you wanted.”
“At least it wasn’t on purpose this time.” I laughed.
“It’s not funny!”
“What happened?” Alpha Ronan ran over to us.
“The window,” I informed him.
“You actually jumped out of it?!”
“She tripped,” Beta Grant stated. “Over the dress.”
He handed me over to Alpha Ronan who ran me to our room as though I was dying. I was gently set on the bed.
“Where does it hurt?” He asked.
“My wrist, but it’s healing.” I assured him.
He brought my swollen wrist to his lips and kissed it. “Did that help?”
“Tell him yes,” Basia ordered.
“Yes…yes it did.” I smiled. “Thank you.”
“You look beautiful…however I don’t think that’s the right dress.”
“It wasn’t my favorite either.”
Alpha Ronan smiled. “Then let’s find you the right one.”
--
The right dress was finally found. It was beautiful, but still not enough to make me excited. At least I would look pretty on one of the worst days of my entire life.
I stared at the ceiling that night, praying for the chandelier above the bed to fall and crush Alpha Ronan and me in our sleep. He stirred in his sleep, tightening his grip on me. I tried to scoot over, but his hold was ironclad.
I sighed, thinking about Ewan once again. I missed him more than anything. He should be the man I was in bed with. We should be making love to each other right now and whispering how much we loved one another. And then he would wrap his arms around me as I fell asleep while promising I was more beautiful than the moon.
I wondered if he could see me from the other side. If he was proud of me for trying to push through without him or if he hated seeing me in bed with another man.
--
My future mother in law had sad eyes.
I was meeting Ronan’s parents and I couldn’t help but notice how dead his mother, Trisha’s eyes looked. She also looked sorry for me. When the men started talking, she pulled me to the side.
“How are you dear?” She asked.
“Lovely,” I smiled.
“How are you really?”
For some odd reason I felt I could be honest with her at that moment. “Miserable. Terrified. Your son is…he’s used to always getting his way, isn’t he?”
She nodded. “He’s the Alpha, of course he is. Has he hurt you?”
“He’s been a little rough.”
“He gets that from his father.” She whispered. “Bowen, the best advice I can give you is to make him as happy as you possibly can. Only cry when you’re alone, always smile in his presence, take the word ‘no’ out of your vocabulary.”
“That doesn’t sound like a way to live,” I breathed.
“No, but it is a way to survive.” Trisha smiled sadly. “Unless…”
“Unless what?”
“Everyone will be so busy and occupied for the wedding tonight. And you won’t have to sleep with Ronan considering he can’t see the bride before the wedding. I suppose if you were to disappear…”
“Well I wouldn’t be able to just walk out the front door.” I pointed out.
“No, but you could walk out of the side door in the kitchen. It’s the only door that’s never guarded and if someone could keep anyone from going anywhere near there…well it’s a direct path to the forest.”
I studied her. Was this a test? Did Alpha Ronan put his mother up to this to see if I would run? I decided no. She looked so terrified for me and her eyes were burning into mine with worry. She wanted me to get away.
I at least had to try.
I nodded. “That is…a good thing to know. I may have to test the theory of if that would work.”
She squeezed my hands. “May the Moon Goddess be with you.”
I kind of hoped she wasn’t. She’d done nothing but screw me over this week.
Alpha Ronan walked over to me and kissed my cheek. “Do you realize you are the envy of every woman here?”
I looked around and saw that he was kind of right. I was getting many glares from the women in the room. If only they knew I would switch places with them in a heartbeat.
“Are you the envy of every man?” I asked.
“I should be. I’m set to marry the most beautiful woman I’ve ever laid eyes on.”
I thought about what Trisha said and smiled. “Then we are both extremely lucky aren’t we?”
I hesitated for a moment before kissing him. He seemed caught off guard but kissed me back eagerly.
“Bowen, you seem…different.”
“I had a talk with your mother and she made me realize that I have to be a better woman for you. I’m supposed to make you happy. That’s my job as Luna.”
It was almost adorable the way his eyes lit up. “You’re willing to try? That-um that means a lot to me, Bowen. I really do think you and I can be very happy together. We can put the past behind us and move forward.”
“If that’s what you want, that’s what we’ll do, darling.”
He put his mouth next to my ear. “I like hearing you call me that. Say that when I’m inside of you tomorrow night.”
I wanted to gag, but I swallowed it down and drank champagne. “Whatever you want…darling.”
Alpha Ronan kissed me again, powerfully, causing everyone around us to cheer.
It reminded me of my wedding night when everyone was so happy for Ewan and me. But this was different. I didn’t think anyone was genuinely happy for us, I think they felt they had to be.
Alpha Ronan went to briefly talk business with some pack members and I was left alone.
“You’re up to something,” A voice from behind me accused.
It was Beta Grant.
“Don’t know what you mean. I’m doing what you said and keeping your brother happy.”
“But why?”
“Your mother gave me some excellent advice.” I smiled. “She’s a very wise woman.”
Beta Grant squinted at me. “You better not have something up your sleeves.”
“Impossible. I doubt anything Alpha Ronan will pick out for me to wear will have sleeves anyways.”
--
I waited until the clock read three in the morning before I started quietly packing. I was in the room all the way down the hall from Alpha Ronan’s, near the staircase.
I swung my bag over my shoulder, holding onto my shoes tightly. I would wait to put them on until I was outside to minimize noise.
Slowly, I opened the door and poked my head out. No one there. I took the stairs one at a time at snail speed, determined not to wake a single soul.
Finally I reached the bottom and hunched over as I swiftly made my way to the kitchen. Trisha had been right. I didn’t hear or see a single soul.
I got a little lost on the way to the kitchen, but finally found my way. I crept across the dark kitchen without a sound. I stopped at the door. On the other side was freedom. I didn’t know where I’d go or what I’d do, but what I did know is that I would be free.
As my hand touched the doorknob, the light flicked on and I heard a voice from behind me.
“And where do you think you’re going?”
Well, I was caught now.
“Shit!” I hissed slowly turning around.There was Beta Grant glaring at me with his arms crossed. “I knew you were up to something. What the hell do you think you’re doing?”“Trying to escape and not kill myself. That’s growth, right?”“I thought you said you had a good talk with my mom,”“I did! This is what she suggested I do! You think I came up with this by myself? She wants me to escape. She doesn’t want me to have the life she does.”Beta Grant gulped. “She said that?”“Not in so many words,
I slowly walked out of the bathroom.Alpha Ronan’s eyes lit up upon seeing me. He was wearing nothing but briefs. His abs looked incredible and his bulge was prominent. I might be in for a wild ride tonight.He held out his hand to me and I took it, letting him pull me to him. He kissed me powerfully, wrapping his arms around me.While I wasn’t a virgin, I still wasn’t sure how to do this with anyone other than Ewan. I wasn’t sure where to put my hands and if Alpha Ronan even wanted to be touched. This was too nerve wracking.Alpha Ronan gently grabbed my hands and put them against his torso. His abs were immaculate. They were perfect and hard. He guided my hand even lower into his briefs, making me grab him.
I didn’t even get to pack my suitcase.Ronan insisted he had a better idea about what I should wear for our week-long honeymoon. I worried there wouldn’t be much in the way of clothing.“Be downstairs in five minutes, Bowen!” Ronan called. “We’re running late.”“Okay darling!” I responded.“And make sure your hair is down, I like it better that way!”“Yes my love!”I grumbled as I yanked the scrunchie out of my hair and watched as my curls tumbled down. Ewan liked my hair down better too, but he would have never told me how to wear it.
“What are you doing here?!” I screamed, scrambling for my towel.“This is my room!” He shot back.“But why would you come here, knowing I was showering?”“I thought you were done, the water wasn’t on when I came in! I didn’t know you would try to seduce me.”“Oh don’t flatter yourself, I thought it was Ronan. I was going to make him…happier.”Beta Grant laughed. “Oh you learn quickly, don’t you? You’re going to use sex to keep his temper at bay. Not a bad idea. He always was a more physical person.”“Whatever, can you get out so I can put clothes on?” I question
I groaned as I opened my eyes and lifted my head.I was in a mostly empty room that was lit dimly. I tried to move my arms and legs but they were tied to a chair.“Help!” I yelled. “Someone help me!”“Ah, she’s awake,” Reed’s voice came from behind me.He and another large man now stood in front of me. “Wow you really did want to tie me up,” I shook my head.“What can I say? I’m a straightforward guy.” Reed chuckled.“Do you know who my husband is?”“Alpha Ronan. We’re more than aware.” The other guy
“Ronan!” I cried. “Help me!”Ronan changed forms quickly. His silver wolf looked furious and ready to kill, but didn’t make a move. I realized he was waiting for Reed and Dirk to change forms too. His confidence was insanely attractive.The moment Reed and Dirk turned into their white and brown wolves, Ronan attacked. The sound of yelps and barks echoed through the room as Beta Grant entered the room and ran over to me.“Shit! Luna Bowen, are you okay?” He gently pulled me up. He actually looked concerned for me.“They wanted information that I didn’t have,” I gulped.“It’s okay, you’re okay now.” He brought me to his h
I had been married to Ronan for three months.I had to admit I didn’t hate it that much. When we came back from our honeymoon, we were totally infatuated with each other. I was more than ready to be his Luna and support him.The best part about all of this was that I hadn’t made Ronan mad once since coming back. Things were kind of perfect.Except for Beta Grant of course.I swear he was even meaner to me now than when I first met him. He was rude and blunt and didn’t treat me like a sister or a Luna. He’s the worst.“Morning, beautiful,” Ronan came up behind me and kissed my cheek as I was doing my hair one morning.
I looked up at him in horror.Beta Grant had been right and I hated it more than anything.“Don’t ever speak to me like that again, do you understand?” He spat before stomping out of the room.I wasn’t sure how long I was on the floor before I heard a voice causing me to jump.“Why are you on the floor?” I looked up and saw Beta Grant, whose face fell when he saw me. “What happened to your face?”“I didn’t fake it well enough,” I answered shakily.“Fuck, he hit you?” He helped me up. “God, Bowen, I told you-”“Please save m