Tori’s POV
I contemplated what Sophia was saying. How I wished it wasn’t true.
My heart broke at the idea that he was marrying another. I had to admit that, even though he wasn’t my mate... He didn’t have to pick as his Luna.
I wanted more than anything to remain by his side. Even if I was nothing but a breeder, it was enough.
Rushing into a stall, I quickly relieved everything I had eaten for breakfast. I couldn’t hold anything down. Cold sweat beaded down the back of my neck, and uneasiness settled within .
“I think I need to go lay down...” I mumbled to myself, trying to get a grip.
If it didn’t get any better, I was going to have to go see Ava. I didn’t want Cayden to see sick.
After stepping out of the bathroom, I went outside to get so fresh air. As I walked at a steady pace, my thoughts fully occupied by the plans I had coming up, I failed to notice a figure quietly approaching from behind.
Suddenly, a searing pain exploded at the back of my head. Before I could even scream, my vision blurred and everything went black. The last thing I felt was my body going down as I crumpled to the ground.
When I ca to, my head was throbbing painfully, and I realized I was in a cramped, dark space. It took a mont to figure out that I was in the trunk of a car, my hands and feet bound tightly with rough rope that dug into my skin. Panic surged through as I struggled against my restraints, but it was futile.
After what felt like an eternity, the car finally ca to a halt, and the trunk lid was flung open. Harsh daylight stread in, blinding montarily. Rough hands grabbed and hauled out, dragging into what appeared to be an abandoned warehouse. The air was musty and filled with the sll of decay.
As my eyes adjusted to the dim light, I saw two burly n standing in front of , their faces obscured by ski masks.
"Who are you? What do you want?" I demanded, my voice trembling despite my efforts to sound brave.
One of them just laughed, a cold, nacing sound. "You should be more worried about who wants you dead," he sneered.
My heart dropped into my stomach. Who could possibly want dead? I racked my brain, but I couldn’t think of anyone with such a grudge against . I watched helplessly as the n paced back and forth, occasionally glancing at as if to make sure I was still there.
Hours passed, and I grew increasingly desperate. I tried to reason with them, pleaded with them to let go, but they remained unmoved. My throat was dry from shouting, and my body ached from being in the sa position for so long.
Just when I thought all hope was lost, I noticed a small window at the far end of the warehouse. It was high up, but it was my only chance. Summoning all my strength, I managed to wriggle free of my bonds. The n were distracted, talking amongst themselves, and didn’t notice creeping toward the window.
With a final burst of energy, I hopped onto a stack of crates and reached for the window ledge. My fingers grasped it just as one of the n turned around.
"Hey! Stop her!" he yelled, but it was too late. I hauled myself up and squeezed through the window, tumbling onto the ground outside.
I didn’t stop to catch my breath. I knew I must get away as fast as possible. I stumbled to my feet and started running, my legs weak and wobbly from exhaustion. And that’s when Sophia suddenly appeared in front of , her eyes filled with malice.
“Where do you think you’re going?” Sophia snarled, her voice dripping with venom.
Before I could even react, she rushed forward and gave a hard shove. Caught off guard, I lost my balance and tumbled to the ground. Instantly, a sharp pain shot through my abdon, and I clutched it instinctively, my face contorting in agony.
“Oh no, what have you done?” I exclaid in panic, my eyes widening. I was extrely terrified. The pain in my stomach was getting worse. “Leave alone. You’ve already hurt . Aren’t you afraid of being found out?” I managed to say, though still in a flustered state.
My heart pounded in my chest as I tried to scramble away from her, but the pain in my stomach made it nearly impossible. I could feel my strength waning, and despair began to creep in.
“I won’t let you off so easily. You’re a threat to my happiness,” Sophia spat.
Just when I thought things couldn’t get any worse and Sophia was about to lay another hand on , a figure rushed over.
Kas’ back shielded from Sophia, and I let out a shaky breath of relief, feeling a glimr of hope in the midst of this nightmare.
“Are you okay?” Kas asked urgently, turning to look at .
I nodded weakly, still clutching my stomach. “I think so, but it hurts.”
Kas glared at Sophia. “What the hell do you think you’re doing? Can’t you see she’s in pain?”
Sophia just laughed. “She deserves it. She’s been trying to steal my man.”
“You’re crazy,” Kas retorted. “She hasn’t done anything wrong.”
“I don’t care. She’s not going to get away with it,” Sophia said, her eyes narrowing.
“Let’s just get out of here,” I whispered to Kas.
Kas nodded. “Yeah, co on.” She helped up, and we started to make our way away from Sophia.
As we walked, I couldn’t help but clutch my stomach and groan. "Kas, what’s wrong with my stomach? What if it’s sothing serious?"
Kas squeezed my arm reassuringly. “Don’t worry. We’ll get you to a doctor right away. Everything will be okay.”
At this mont, another figure erged. Caroline rushed over hurriedly, her face flushed with anger as she saw in pain. Without a mont’s hesitation, she stord up to Sophia and slapped her hard across the face.
“How dare you hurt her like this?!” Caroline yelled furiously.
Sophia was stunned for a second, then her face twisted with rage. “Who do you think you’re talking to?!” Sophia screeched again, her voice shrill and piercing. “Who even are you? You think you can just co here and interfere?”
Caroline stood her ground, glaring at Sophia. “I’m the one who won’t stand by and watch you harm an innocent person. You should be ashad of yourself!”
Sophia sneered, clearly not intimidated. “You have no idea what you’re getting into.”
Caroline laughed, her laughter holding a sadistic note to it. Both Kas and I looked at her, and I watched as her eyes shifted into her wolf’s.
“I am Cayden’s sister, you halfwit. I can promise you that you will never be Luna. You may hold a title as his fiancée, but it’s only temporary. I will make your life a living hell for touching Tori and thinking you can insert yourself into our lives.”
Sophia’s shocked expression caught my eye. She looked as if she hadn’t expected Caroline to talk to her like that.
Her eyes fell on in a glare. Sophia was going to punish for making her look like a fool in front of Caroline.
“So, you’re the rebellious sister? Well, sorry that I didn’t realize who you were...but this is none of your business,” Sophia replied, trying to change her tune. “I was dealing with this thing, and as I am sure—”
“Shut the fuck up.” Caroline’s disgusted tone surprised as she rolled her eyes, a look of revulsion on her face. “You are f*cking pathetic. Kas, let’s take Tori to get looked at.”
I hesitated for a mont, not wanting to cause further problems. This was too much for , and the only thing I wanted was to go back to my room and hide away from the embarrassnt I felt. I had allowed myself to get caught by her on my own, and had no one to bla but myself.
“Tori,” Kas called softly, “let’s go take you to Ava.”
“Are you okay?” Caroline asked, leaning down toward , looking at the mark on my face. “Cayden is going to be pissed,” she mumbled, looking at Kas.
“I know, I know.” Kas sighed. “Don’t engage with Sophia. We can’t lose the alliance.”
Caroline rolled her eyes as I stood up. She followed us past Sophia.
“She isn’t leaving without apologizing to , Kas,” Sophia’s annoying voice called out once more.
I shook in fear, and the nausea I had felt rose up in again, making feel like I was going to be sick.
I heard another low growl, and I knew that it was Caroline, getting ready to step in between us once more.
I couldn’t allow conflict to arise because of . I was grateful that they were willing to fight soone for my sake, but I couldn’t allow an alliance the kingdom needed to break because of soone like .
I was no one, and if Cayden wanted Sophia, I couldn’t stop him.
“It’s ok,” I finally said, decisively walking past Caroline and Kas to stand in front of Sophia. Kas looked at with a shocked expression, while Caroline held curiosity in her eyes.
Stepping forward, I stood in front of Sophia, her smirk doing her no justice.
I was tired of people pushing around, and acting like they could do whatever they wanted. I didn’t care if they didn’t like or if they bore ill will toward .
I had been through worse in my life, and I was still standing.
“I apologize for the inconvenience this has caused you today, Sophia. If you are to marry him, then so be it—”
Her laughter caused to stop mid sentence.
“Oh, my goodness!” she squealed, clapping her hands together in front of her face. “How exciting it is to see you right where you deserve to be.”
“I wasn’t finished...” I said plainly, staring at her.
“Oh, by all ans, please finish. I am sure it will get better.”
“As I was saying...” I sighed. Then, a light went off in my head. “You may marry him, but just rember that it’s a business contract. It’s not because he actually likes you.”
Her eyes widened as she realized what I said, and I couldn’t help but feel victorious.
That was until the sharp sting of her hand connected with my face and sent tumbling over a chair next to and falling onto the floor.
Once again, stars spun in my vision, and the only clear image I got was of Caroline trying to get to Sophia and Kas holding her back.
I knew that I shouldn’t have said what I did, and perhaps I would get punished. But at that mont, I didn’t care.
I had done sothing I never had before–spoken without thinking.
I had let my emotions take control of , and for that, darkness slowly started clouding my eyes. My na rang in the distance, growing fainter by the mont.
I suddenly felt an unusual sensation in my body. Especially the pain in my lower abdon. It was much sharper than the kind of pain one would normally get from a simple fall. It was as if there was sothing tearing deep inside. Unconsciously, my hand drifted down to gently touch my stomach, a sense of unease creeping over .
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