Chapter 4. Heat

Kindness is often mistaken as fragility while viciousness as an insignia of strength.

Love runs the world …trust builds it, love is unconditional but trust is sparse.

Never challenge an Alpha, the unspoken rule or if you do, make sure he takes his last breaths in your feet.

Persephone was always aware of the consequences of her actions. Hurting your mate was considered as the highest crime…the punishment – trial and death.

Running with the children late at night the sky seemed to glow with the celestial glimmers.

Their steps came to an abrupt halt as all five children stared doe-eyed toward a beautiful clearing leading to a path, lit with thousands of fireflies, sacred blue lilies adorned the small stream running nearby.

A beautiful sight which seemed to calm the hearts of the younglings.

“You have to run with all your might, that’s the Alpha’s house in front of you … kids, don’t look back no matter what happens…now just run.”

She kissed them farewell as they had reached their destination – the border of the Shadow pack, the Alpha was alerted, he was a kind being, so was the Luna…they didn’t have a child…the children will be safe.

As she saw them sprinting toward their destination after hugging her tightly she took off in another direction, now shifting into her wolf…a unique one.

The rustling of leaves could be clearly heard and the predatory aura surrounding her increased to folds – the pack warriors.

***

Persephone’s POV

All eyes were on me glaring accusingly, they didn’t save the children nor they wanted me to. They knew a child was being harmed and still chose to keep quiet…

Be merciful.

Alpha Adrian stalked menacingly toward me, gripping my chin with one hand his other one yanked my hair behind roughly producing a burning sensation on my scalp.

“Do you accept your wrongdoings?” I saw his bandages and gave a bone chilling smile.

“Yes, except it was NOT wrong.”

“I will teach you a lesson which you will remember till your death, I will break you and you will willingly surrender to me, you will fucking LEARN your place. THROW THIS MUTT IN DUNGEON!!!”

I watched as no one came forward, no words spoken in my defense as two men extended their hands to take me there.

I looked up, raising my head for the first time in the last hour since I was being held, both of them flinched back when I met their stare – an unvoiced command.

Adrian’s hand held me in a vice grip as he began dragging me to the cell when suddenly a sharp burn stabbed in my stomach. I froze and doubled in pain as my hands held his unconsciously.

I looked up at him when he gave me an all knowing malicious grin…he knew…he knew I was going to be in heat.

I howled with discomfort and pain as he threw me inside the cellar… red scorching heat submerging me, blisters started forming on my skin.

“You will learn, mutt, till then enjoy.”

I lay there limp with no sounds escaping me as fire seemed to burn my insides.

A strong gust of wind from the small window above caressed my cheek, whirling around me…serenity, peace. It felt like my body seemed to forget all about my mat-

Another wave of anguish ripped through my stomach, my body curling into the fetus position.

“MY LORD!” I screamed as tears poured down my eyes but this pain was different, it seemed to originate from my heart…my mate was touching someone else.

It was extremely painful for a mate to bear their other half touching someone else when they have already met but this monster purposefully did it in my heat.

Lord! He was having sex with another. Tears of vulnerability fell silently from my eyes…wait what was that…My heat was not over neither had that cheater of a man had stopped his revolting deed.

My heart clenched as it became warm, placid, feeling…loved? Was that even possible?

It almost felt like someone was sharing my sorrows, taking my sufferings upon their own self, a surge of energy started flowing through my body with the wind caressing my soft curls… I thanked the goddess shaking my head at the stupid thought of someone doing it to me.

I lay there basking in the warmth and protection that the breeze seemed to carry with it, petrichor – the smell of rainy soil filled my lungs rejuvenating my broken spirit.

Time seemed to flow smoothly…it almost felt like my soul was searching for this.

***

I was standing in front of the magnanimous gathering of wolves – the Black Moon pack with Adrian sitting on the stage with some officials.

“Persephone, you harmed your mate, now is your only chance to accept your mistake.”

Adrian smirked as he watched me with the eyes of a predator, I scanned the pack members…no regrets, no mercy.

Release the beast.

“You may speak, Persephone.” Adrian ordered.

“I, Persephone Rya, reject you, Alpha Adrian Black, as my mate.”