A wave of fear rushed through me.
“No. Unlock this door right now.”
“I am not here to kill you,” the driver said. His voice was low but familiar. “I just need something from you.”
Recognition hit me.
“Are you Jude? One of Johan’s new warriors?” I said.
He flinched, then sighed and removed the mask.
“Alright, Miss Jessica. Try not to panic. After I retrieve what I was sent for, you will be released. Just cooperate and nothing will happen to you.”
My wolf became restless. I felt dread tightening around my chest.
“What do you want from me?” I whispered.
Jude swallowed.
“Luna Suzette is the Alpha’s treasured one now. Becoming the Alchemist was her dream. You ruined it. The Alpha cannot stand seeing her hurt, so he ordered me to break your right hand.”
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. Suzette wanted to break my right hand?
But then, Suzette had already nearly killed me during torture ten years ago, so it made sense that hurting me again was natural to her if she needed to.
“You have my word you will survive,” Jude said. “But once your right hand is gone, you will never draw or create formulas again.”
A shiver ran down my spine. I felt both terror and a deep, raw anger at how completely powerless I was at this moment.
Suzette’s POV
I paced around my hospital room like a wolf trapped behind glass.
A rogue had taken me hostage. A filthy, unhinged mutt who smelled like death and garbage.
And after all that, after I was nearly killed, Johan still left me behind. He left me while I was shaking and furious, while my wolf was ready to tear someone’s throat out.
Yet, he chose to walk away for Jessica.
The more I replayed it, the more the anger simmered in my chest like boiling tar. If I saw Jessica right now, I would hurt her. I did not even know how far I would go, but my claws twitched under my skin just thinking about her smug, delicate little face.
The door opened. Johan walked in with a frustrated expression.
I ran to him and threw myself into his arms before he could even say a word.
I clung to him, burying my face against his chest. “I thought you were not coming back. I thought you were choosing her again. Johan, please understand. I have been patient all this time. I know my rights as your mate and your Luna. Yet I still let that woman stay in your life.”
He cupped the back of my head with one warm hand. “You know the reason, love. I promised to take care of her after she was hurt.” His voice dipped. “Hurt by you.”
I coughed lightly and looked away. “That was years ago.”
“I know. And that is why I am trying to fix everything. I am convincing her to hand over her formulas so the brand goes to you. Everything I do is for you, Suzette. Just be patient.”
The word patient sliced straight through me. That was all anyone ever asked from me. Be patient. Be understanding. Be kind. Be accommodating. Be the good Luna. The perfect mate. The calm one, even while I burned inside.
“What else can I do?” My voice cracked with frustration. “I love you so much that even when you are with her, I am trying so hard not to break. But I am glad you have not marked her. Not once in ten years. You never marked her.”
He froze. For the first time, his eyes flickered in a way I had never seen before. Surprise. Or was it guilt? Or regret?
Before I could push further, a knock came.
“Alpha, I have the report about the rogue who attacked the Luna.”
Johan straightened. “Come in, Jude.”
Jude stepped inside. Newly graduated warrior. Young, strong, a little nervous around me so his eyes darted down immediately.
“Report,” Johan ordered.
“The rogue who attacked Luna had a wife who died in a car crash last year. She was your mate’s resemblance. Ever since, he has been fixated on women who look like her.”
Johan nodded with a cold expression. “Now that I know his history, have someone dispatch him and throw him in the pit.”
Jude bowed. “Yes, Alpha.”
As soon as Jude left, I melted back into Johan’s chest.
This time, I pressed my body against him with intention. I slid my fingers up his sides, soft and slow, feeling the way he stiffened at my touch.
“No one will disturb us here,” I whispered, letting my lips brush his neck. “Can we do it?”
His hands shot down and wrapped around my wrists, pulling me away. Not harsh, but firm.
“Suzette, the doctor said no heavy activity. You are still weak. Do not push yourself.”
My smile vanished.
“But I want you. It has been so long since”
“When you are better. I promise.”
The promise felt empty.
Johan moved toward the small pantry. “I am starving. I will prepare something for us.”
I smiled sweetly even though my wolf was snarling inside.
As soon as he turned his back, my expression twisted. My claws pressed painfully under my nails.
He did not want to sleep with me anymore. Everything was Jessica’s fault.
I was Johan’s mate. I was the Luna of the Vale Pack. Yet that woman still had a corner in his heart. A corner I wanted to burn. She had already taken so much. My father. Now my mate.
Jessica always took whatever I loved. Always.
She probably used her stupid talent as an alchemist to cling to Johan. She was still living in his villa. Still making perfumes for him. Still playing innocent while seducing him with her perfect little bottles.
And sooner or later, she would steal him for good.
A cold spark shot through my mind. If Jessica’s hands were ruined, she would never make perfume again. She would have nothing to offer. She would lose everything she used to charm Johan.
I would destroy Jessica. Completely.
When Johan returned with a tray of soup and fruit, I put on my cutest smile.
“Come. Let’s eat so I can recover fast.”
We ate in silence at first. Then I tugged on his sleeve lightly.
“Johan, you are always busy. I get scared staying alone here. Can I have some bodyguards?”
He nodded. “Sure. I will assign Jude to you. He has a few capable men.”
“Thank you.” I touched his arm. “You are the best.”
He left for his weekly council meeting an hour later. Before he stepped out, Jude was already standing outside my door.
The moment Johan disappeared down the hall, my smile dropped like a mask hitting the floor.
“Jude,” I called.
He stepped in and before he could even close the door fully, I ripped my hospital gown and threw myself at him. His eyes went wide. He froze like a man about to be executed.
I snapped a photo instantly. The flash lit the whole room.
“Luna, what are you doing?” Jude stuttered.
I shoved him back and glared. “If you do not follow my orders, I will send this photo to Johan and tell him you tried to assault me. What do you think he will do to you?”
His face drained of all color. He dropped to his knees.
“Please, Luna. Don’t do it. I still want to live.”
My smile curled slowly. “Do what I say and you will enjoy a good life.”
“Yes, Luna. I await your orders.”
I fixed my gown calmly.
“Watch Jessica. The moment she is alone, grab her. I want her right hand destroyed. She will never lift a pencil again.”
Jude flinched. “But Jessica knows me. She will recognize me.”
I held up the photo. “If Johan learns about this, you will die like the rogue who attacked me.”
Cold sweat dripped down his face. His jaw tightened. He knew he had no way out.
“Alright. I will do it. Just don’t ruin me.”
“I want results within days.”
“Yes, Luna.”
Jude left with his head low.
Jessica’s POV
More Kickass Werewolf Reads
Dive into our collection of free werewolf romance novels—where fierce Alphas, daring heroines, and heart-stopping twists await. Every story burns with forbidden desire, loyalty, and destiny. Don’t wait—here’s a world where love bites hard and nothing is stronger than the call of the mate.
Leave a Reply