Gone
Sitting up, I pulled him onto my lap. His eyes were closed and his breathing was haggard. I wiped his bloodied hair from his face. I could feel the flesh of his back. The chunks were raw and fell in different directions.
“Shane?” I cried quietly.
“Get him out of here,” Father ordered.
“No, no, please. Fa—”
I was cut off as his boot landed across my cheek. I hunched forward and covered Shane’s face. Protecting what I could, I’d failed him. This was all my fault. The men’s footsteps drew nearer and my grip on Shane tightened. I wasn’t going to let them take him. Hands came at me in different directions and I bit, slapped, and headbutted each one until arms wrapped around my waist. I started screaming.
“No! No! Get off of me! Get away from me!”
Shane was pulled from my grasp. I was dragged to my feet. Unable to move as arms caged me in. I fought back with everything I had but I was no match for the elite warriors that guarded my father.
“Take him to the dungeons, I’ll be down to deal with him.”
“Yes, Alpha.”
They bowed their heads and I watched as the warriors dragged Shane from the room and I sobbed as his hair dragged along the floor. Once again, I was useless. My fears of being unable to do anything to protect the man I love had come true.
“Please, pick him up. You’re going down the stairs!” I cried out.
They didn’t listen to me. I watched as Shane disappeared outside of my door. The warrior holding me dropped me to my feet but didn’t move from behind me. The Beta and my father’s number one guard stood by Ava. I hated this. I couldn’t bear this. I couldn’t stand to stay here while they dragged Shane down to the dungeons. I looked at my father but before I could say anything his hand collided with my cheek. My head whipped back and I tasted blood. I didn’t move, didn’t care now that he had Shane. There was nothing I wouldn’t do to get him out of the dungeons. There was nothing I wouldn’t do to keep him alive. I turned to face my father and held his gaze.
“You have shamed me, your family, and your pack.”
“I’ve done nothing wrong.”
“You still think you’ve done nothing wrong even after we’ve caught you with a boy in your room?” Father growls.
“It wasn’t a boy. My mate was in my room. Not even you can oppose our union now that you’ve found out. He loves me and I love him. There’s nothing wrong with our union.”
“That pup is not your mate. Ethan is your mate!” Father roared.
“No, he is not! He’s who you have chosen for me. You are not the Goddess. Just because you choose him for me that doesn’t make him my mate! He’s not MY chosen and he’s not MY mate!”
I’ve done nothing wrong. There’s nothing wrong with what I’m saying. For once, I’m standing up for myself. For the first time in my life, I’m speaking the truth. I’m speaking my mind. I won’t be shamed for something that’s natural in our world.
“Your insolence will cost you. Ethan is your mate and what you’ve done tonight with that pup goes against our laws. Not only have you disobeyed me but you are impure! I pray that news of this doesn’t spread to Ethan.”
“What you are doing goes against our laws!” I scream. I don’t care about Ethan and I don’t care about what he thinks. “You don’t get to tell me who I’m to be with. The Goddess made him for me and I for him. What you are doing is selfish. You’re selling my soul, my future, my happiness for your own benefit!”
“I’ll do whatever the hell I please. What I say is law. What I say will come to pass. Your mate will arrive tomorrow and you will be accompanied by warriors until your departure. Your mate and union will be announced at the ball. You will leave with Ethan and I will be rid of you!” Father bellowed.
“I will do no such thing!” I screamed back.
“You will if you want that pup to live!” Father yelled in my face.
The words were knocked out of me as I stared into the face of the man who should have been on my side. He had cornered me and was forcing me into something I didn’t want. HE was forcing me into something I shouldn’t have to do for his own greedy selfish reasons. He knew I would follow his commands now that he had my mate’s life in his hands. If I so much as disobeyed him, Shane would die. He was going to barter my mate’s life for what he wanted.
“If I do what you say,” I choke. “If I do what you say, you’ll let him go?” I asked.
“If you do what I say, what you have always known you would have to do, your duty I’ll let him live,” Father spat. I bit my lip as the weight of his words settled. I would do whatever he wanted.
“If you let him go today, I’ll—”
“You don’t make the demands here. If I let him go you’ll just disobey me. I’ll let him go after you are mated and marked by your mate,” Father growled. “You are a disappointment. You are only useful if Ethan wants you. If he decides he doesn’t want you I’ll kill you myself,” Father spat.
I wanted to scream. Tears fell from my eyes and streamed down my cheeks as I looked at my father. The moon was shining, the glow filled the room. I was reluctant to accept, I didn’t want to, Goddess, I didn’t want to.
“I have your word?” I asked.
“You do. Do your duty Adealine and I’ll let the pup live.”
I nod. That was answer enough. Father didn’t say another word. He turned from me and his warriors followed after him. My sister stayed back. One warrior stood outside my room. Ava waited until the others were gone. I didn’t look at her. I sat on my bed and stared out the window.
“I told you this would happen. Now be a good girl and do as your told,” Ava said.
“Leave Ava, or I’ll kill you,” I murmured.
“Watch that temper of yours sister. I’m in charge of you. I could tell father whatever I want and he’ll listen to me. If I were you, I’d think twice before I speak. I think I deserve more respect,” Ava said smugly. I wanted nothing more than to pull her hair and push her out the window. I didn’t have any fight left in me right now. I sighed. I just wanted to be alone.
“I want to be alone.”
“It’s been an eventful night. I’ll take my leave, Sister. I’ll be here promptly in the morning. Ethan should be here around noon and we have much to prepare for.” I didn’t say anything, she turned from me and without another word she was gone.
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