nths

losing in. Lucia stood before Ryder, her breath catching in her throat. His piercing g

e deceptively soft. "All I ask is for you to give

to save herself from him. Nearly four years ago, she had willingly bound herself to this man,

red, hating the weakness in her o

pack healer says." His thumb caressed her cheek in a mockery of tenderness. "You

cage he had built around her. But the fear of his retaliation kept her

ords tasting like ash on her tong

you do, my love." His hand slid down her neck, his claws grazing her skin, drawing blood

nths

ran. Her lungs burned with each desperate breath, adrenaline the only thing propelling her forward. Just a

der catch her again. Not this time. The memory of his last attack still haunt

for Ryder's primal fury. A savage snarl echoed t

as c

oing to

ce over her shoulder, catching a glim

wind. But she knew her pleas would fall on deaf ears. He was a man

g force. Lucia's scream of pain was swallowed by the howling gale as he dragged her, stumbling

searching in vain for a way to escape, to avoid the punishment tha

oor behind them. Lucia cowered, trembling, as he advanced, his grey eyes gleam

d. "The only thing you're good for is your gene

d, his voice laced with contempt. "You exis

d, tears stin

tand and forcing her to meet his gaze. "You're mine, Lucia.

ween her lips, his grip on her throat tightening as she tried to stop

ths a

ow, her fingers trembling. She steeled herself, knowing that tonight would be the night she would fin

other, she ne

rey eyes glinting with a malicious hunger. "My sweet Luna," he purred, advancing upon her. "Y

outh bruisingly against hers. She fought the urge to gag at his sta

you don't have a choice." He shoved her backwards o

body, ripping her clothing away so he could force himself inside her, she seized the knife's handle, the metal biting into her palm. The i

room, every step laced with agony as the mate bond snapped, leaving her bro

ace. But she couldn't stop, not until she was free. Behind her, Ryd