Chapter 20

Warning: This chapter contains strong sexual situations, explicit language, and triggering subjects, including abuse. Reader discretion is advised.

Duncan and Adira moved back into the pack house right after Adira’s Luna ceremony. All day, Duncan felt uneasy, as if he were being watched, though no one was there. The sensation unsettled his wolf, Apollo, as well. Duncan mind- linked Marco, “Can you come to the office for a bit?”

He stepped into the hallway to meet Marco, still unable to shake the feeling of being observed. As Marco approached, Duncan linked him again, “Act normal. Do you feel like you’re being watched?”

“Yes, I thought it was just me,” Marco replied.

“We need to check the security system for a possible hack,” Duncan instructed. “Go over everything, but keep it discreet. I don’t want to tip off our peeping tom.”

They parted ways. Duncan headed to his bedroom to check for unauthorized cameras. If the security system was compromised, that was one issue, but hidden cameras in private spaces would point to a traitor in their midst. In the bedroom, he pretended to search for a misplaced item and quickly spotted a camera with a full view of the room. He grabbed his keys, left, and mind- linked Marco with the discovery.

Outside, Duncan and Marco discussed the situation, determined to uncover the spy.

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Meanwhile, Lily sat in a chair, waiting. She no longer cared about much; years of anger toward her traitorous parents had hardened her. A faint click sounded, and the King entered the room. She hadn’t expected someone of his rank—perhaps a lower official, but not the King himself.

He sat across from her, silent, staring into her eyes. Lily felt a strange drowsiness, though she remained awake. Her wolf, Zinnia, surged forward, pushing Lily’s consciousness aside. The King’s voice entered Zinnia’s mind: “It’s time to share everything. I want the whole story. If you hold back or lie, there will be pain.”

Zinnia spoke without hesitation. “My name is Zinnia, Lily’s wolf. We were born into the Rising Moon pack. Things were fine until our first shift at fourteen. That’s when the Alpha took an interest in Lily. He forced her into disgusting sexual acts.”

“I fought back once—bit him—and we were lashed five times for it. It wasn’t the last time. When pain stopped controlling us, the Alpha targeted our friends. He sent pictures of them in their bedrooms, even in the shower, making it clear he’d harm them if we didn’t comply.”

“He stalked us, loitering outside school windows and picking up our friends, pretending to be kind. Our parents called it an honor to be chosen by the Alpha. Lily took the worst of it. She changed after he used her to lure her friend Anne, forcing us to watch what they called Anne’s ‘breaking-in ceremony.’ Lily was never the same. She stopped speaking to me, consumed by anger and hate.”

Zinnia paused, the memories heavy. “We found happiness briefly when we met our mates, Leo and Zach, from the North Moon pack. Leo was a beta, nearly done with his training. We kept our bond secret for six months, planning to leave together. But we were spied on. When Alpha Michael learned of our plan, he lost it.”

“They stormed our room, shot us with darts, and we woke up naked, tied to chairs. Alpha Michael and two others circled Leo. He and Zach didn’t break under their intimidation. But then…”

Zinnia faltered. The King pressed, “What did they do, Zinnia?”

Lily and Zinnia doubled over in pain. “Please, don’t make us relive it,” Zinnia begged.

“I’m sorry, but you must tell me everything,” the King insisted.

“They beat Leo, punching and kicking. We couldn’t shift. Alpha Michael took a knife and said Leo looked at what wasn’t his. He… he cut out Leo’s eyes. Then his lips and tongue for kissing me, his ears for listening, his hands for touching me, and finally his genitals. They threw each part at my feet. I screamed, but it was like I wasn’t there.”

Lily’s voice emerged, a whisper. “They gagged me and turned my chair to face what was left of Leo. They left me with his body for two days as he bled out.”

“After that, we felt nothing. Alpha Michael raped us, used us to find virgins for him—first in our pack, then others, even rogues. I defied him once, refusing to deliver a baby to a pedophile scientist. I left the child with another pack in the night. He also forced me to deliver drugs and guns to humans, sometimes sending me as a ‘reward’ to his men.”

“When the Prince visited, I was his toy. He made me wear a silver mini skirt with no underwear and tassel pasties. He’d drop things to make me bend over, exposing myself. I stood by his bed, holding a towel, while he abused children—girls and boys. He was especially excited by the boys…”

The King roared, “STOP!”

“Zinnia, tell me about this prince. Who is he? What’s his name?”

Zinnia’s voice held no deceit. “Are you sure you want to know?”

“NOW!”

“It was your son, Prince Adam. He’s one of the benefactors of the whole operation.”