Liam

I watched helplessly as Gavin roughly forced himself on Azalea. This was wrong. We had a deal, and this was never supposed to happen.

“You are a monster! Stop this now!” I screamed. I heard Azalea crying, begging me to intervene. Gavin had waited until she was vulnerable again, exploiting her earlier words.

He ignored my pleas until he was finished. He rolled off the bed, composed himself, and then faced her as he redressed. “It’s done. She’ll smell like us now. You only need to mark her so no other man can take her.”

“She’ll never be ours now. You’re an idiot. She’ll leave and never speak to me again.”

He dismissed me, maintaining control. He walked to the door, glancing back at our still-crying mate. Curled in a ball on the bed, her sobs were so violent it sounded as if she were struggling to breathe.

“You’re just going to leave her?!”

Ignoring me, he strode from the room. Gavin was always rougher than I was, but this was unforgivable. He met Lily and Damien in the hallway.

“Where’s Azalea?” Lily asked, her voice laced with concern. Gavin smirked.

“What did you do, Liam?” Damien’s voice was dangerously low.

“What needed to be done,” Gavin snarled. Lily screamed, understanding at the same time Damien lunged at us. Lily ran to the bedroom without waiting to see if Gavin would stop her. Gavin growled as Damien’s fist connected with my jaw. There was a sickening crunch, and spots filled my vision. Gavin momentarily relinquished control, allowing me to take over. I fell to the ground, panting.

I touched my jaw gingerly, spitting out blood before looking at Damien. He was breathing heavily, trying to control his wolf.

“Damien, it’s me,” I said, trying to reassure him. “I couldn’t stop him,” I admitted, ashamed. He slowly calmed down.

“You fucked up,” he finally said, stepping over me and heading toward the bedroom. I knew it.

Azalea

I awoke in a warm bath. It took a moment to orient myself. Looking up, I saw Damien gently lowering me into the water. My eyes widened.

“Shhh, it’s okay. Azalea, he isn’t here,” Lily said from beside him.

A towel covered me. Lily had preserved what little dignity remained. Once Damien was sure I wouldn’t slip, he left, leaving Lily with me. Tears silently fell as I looked into her kind face.

“He-he…” I couldn’t speak.

“Shhh, shhh. I know. Oh, sweetheart, I am so sorry. We had no idea,” she said, ashamed. I curled into a fetal position, sobbing uncontrollably. Lily gently sponged my back, careful not to touch me directly.

She was clearly unsure what to do, but I couldn’t be strong. Gavin had hurt me, and Liam hadn’t stopped him.

“What can we do?” Lily finally asked softly.

After calming myself, I whispered, “I want to g-go home.”

After a moment, she said, “Give me a minute.” She left. I examined my arms: dark purple bruises encircled my wrists.

Lily returned. “Damien will drive you back to the inn. You don’t have to stay here.” I nodded, still staring at my wrists.

“Would you like help getting out?” she asked hesitantly. The water had grown cold.

I nodded. She smiled weakly, using a towel to help me stand. My legs were weak, and I felt sore. She helped me from the tub and wrapped me in a large towel.

We slowly went to the bedroom. I avoided the bed. She led me to the closet to help me dress.

“Let’s find something warm,” she said. I indicated my half-packed suitcase. She located some clothes and offered undergarments.

“I can go…” she began. I shook my head; being alone was more frightening than being seen naked. She nodded and turned away, continuing to search for warm clothes.

I put on the underwear and bra. She handed me leggings and a t-shirt.

“I’ll get your clothes; why don’t you get your things from the bathroom?” she suggested. I nodded, numb. In the bathroom, I retrieved my things and saw the blood-tinged water in the tub. More tears flowed. Back in the bedroom, Lily waited with my bag open.

“Here,” she said, offering a sweatshirt. I recoiled, recognizing it. She realized her mistake, tossing it on the couch. “I’ll find you something of mine.” I packed my things. Lily grabbed my bag. “Ready?” she asked. I nodded.

In the living room, Damien stood by the door with a thick sweatshirt, handing it to Lily and taking my suitcase. Lily gave me the sweatshirt. Liam sat nearby, his face bruised and eyes red, holding an ice pack to his jaw. I walked to Damien.

“Ready?” he asked gently. I nodded. I didn’t look back at Liam as I followed Damien and Lily outside to his car. Damien placed my bag in the back as Lily helped me into the passenger seat.

“Thank you, and I’m sorry,” I told Lily.

She hugged me tightly. “No, we’re sorry. So sorry, Azalea. I hope this isn’t the last I see you,” she said sadly.

“It won’t be,” I said, managing a small smile. Damien got in, and Lily closed my door. As we drove away, she hugged herself. About five minutes later, I heard a mournful wolf howl. Tears streamed down my face.

“I should have stopped him,” Damien said quietly. I shook my head. “No, you are my Luna, and I failed to protect you. I will be forever sorry, Azalea.”

“It was never going to work,” I replied. My body felt heavy. Damien turned up the heat. I fell asleep before I got car sick.

Later

I awoke in strong arms. I heard a familiar voice.

“Where the hell is that nitwit Alpha?” an old man said.

“There were some problems. Where does she sleep?” Damien replied.

“Out back. What problems? I’ve been tolerating these flea-brained wolves; you owe me some answers, you wer-bear!”

Damien growled. I kept my eyes closed. He was carrying me through the inn, the old man hobbling behind.

“I don’t owe you an explanation. If she wishes to tell you, she will. But she’ll have extra protection, and that’s not a request.”

“Wait a minute. You’re putting more wolves here?” the old man exclaimed.

“She’s our Luna. Until she’s ready to come to the packhouse, she’ll need protection here.”

The old man huffed. “Does she know this?”

“I will find a way to tell her.”

“And what about her foolish mate? Why isn’t he here?”

“I told you, there were problems. Now help me unlock her apartment or go away.”

The old man found my spare key and unlocked my door. Damien carried me inside.

“Tell your Alpha he owes me answers in the morning,” the old man said before Damien shut the door with his foot. Damien laid me on my bed, covering me with a blanket.

I peeked open my eyes. He sat in a chair. “Sleep, Luna. I won’t let any harm come to you,” he said softly.

“Damien, you don’t have to stay. Go back to your mate,” I whispered. He shook his head.

“He didn’t tell you. I’ll explain everything tomorrow, and you can decide what you want to do.” I nodded, too tired to argue. I fell asleep.