CHAPTER TWO

Alpha Ramirez watched as the tears clouded in her eyes again, and he felt the corner of his lips turn up in a cold smile. The poor female did not yet know what she was in for, if it took a simple kiss to make her cry. He wondered how much she would whimper when he finally marked her entire body as his in the part of the mating ceremony that allowed him to make love to his possession, his new mate.

According to the traditions of the moonlight rite, the winning male was supposed to make love to his new mate out there in the open, in front of everyone, to prove that she now belonged to him. No one still insisted on keeping to that part of the rite, but Ramirez wanted to see the embarrassment that would fill those innocent clear blue eyes when he stripped off her clothes in front of everyone.

He stared at her, every inch of her body. She was very lovely, worth the fight. Her long curly hair was jet black, darker than a moonless night, and her heart shaped face was beautifully colored with the blush that rose up to her cheeks. He could tell that that night was the first time she had been kissed, he could almost taste her inexperience on her lips.

Ramirez was surprised at how jealous he had felt as the other males who had their fights before him had kissed her. They should never have. She was his, his to kiss, his to torment. He was the one that should have taught her how to kiss for the first time.

And so, he punished her for those kisses she gave the other males, even though he knew it wasn’t her fault. He had first shown her what it was like to be kissed with love, then he had punished her with those same lips, wickedly enjoy the her pain.

Her bow shaped lips were still swollen from his kisses, and slightly bruised. The white she wore radiated her innocence, her beauty. She would fit perfectly into his plans for revenge, but first, he needed to break her.

He watched those lips of hers mouth a prayer to the moon goddess, then he turned to face his opponent, a cold smile at the corner of his mouth. The Beta was a fool for thinking he could win an Alpha. Ramirez knew that even deep down, the female knew he was going to win the Beta. She would hope though, hope that the Beta with his gentle voice and soft kisses win, and then he’d dash her hope by wining.

The whistle was blown, and the Beta charged at him with full force, claws bared. Ramirez laughed as he allowed the Beta to sink his claws into him and throw him to the floor. He wanted to play with the male a little before finally wining him, that way, he would get the female’s hopes up, before crashing them to the ground. He couldn’t wait to break her.

The crowd cheered for the Beta, and he charged at Ramirez again, as Ramirez got to his feet. Again, the Alpha let the beta have his way, a perverse pleasure cuddling at the pit of his stomach as he saw his own blood run freely from the wound the Beta had inflicted.

His eyes sought out the female, and he was surprised to see the pain in her eyes, the pain she felt for what was being done to him. He had expected her to be cheering with the rest of the crowd, after all, she wanted the Beta to win so that she could be loved by her mate. It was the same pain Ramirez had seen in her eyes when she looked at him and felt his pain. For the first time, he was intrigued. He had never known a female who cared for him. Why would she feel hurt at his own pain when he had already told her he would not treat her well if he became her mate?

He pushed the thought of those innocent blue eyes away and focused on the Beta, the part of him that cared for innocent vulnerable females was long dead. To prove that point, he should simply take her, out there in the open. Draw his pleasure from her flesh even as she cried to him, begging him to stop. He was a monster, the sooner everyone accepted that, the better for them.

He circled the Beta now, a perverse smile at the corner of his lips. He waited until the male exposed his claws again, before he cut them in his hand, smiling as the sharp edges cut into his palm, making him bleed.

Ramirez waited until he held the Beta’s green eyes with his own silver grey’s, before he snapped the claws out of the Beta’s hands.

The Beta’s cry of anguish filled the air as Ramirez carelessly flung the claws away. Werewolves could not grow back their claws, and so the Beta would remain without claws in his right hand forever. It would probably get him demoted to an Omega, or maybe kicked out of his pack, his life was ruined forever.

Ramirez smiled at the look of shock on the female’s face, as the whole crowed that gathered hushed at the sight of the Beta writhing in pain. He gave a cold laugh as he was declared winner, and new mate of the beautiful female tied up on the stake. By now, she knew what she had gotten herself into – or what her parents had gotten her into. What he had done to the Beta was a small thing called compared to what he had planned for her. He was going to ruin her in ways she could not even begin to imagine.

Alpha Ramirez! That was what he was called. Lily watched in shock as he was declared, she had genuinely thought the Beta was winning. But that was stupid of her, how could she think a mere Beta could win such an Alpha. She had a feeling that if Ramirez fought a hundred Alphas, he was still going to win.

What kind of male possessed such strength, to be able to snap off another male’s claws that easily! And he had been ruthless enough to do so even though he knew it would destroy the male forever. How heartless was he going to be with her?

Lily felt her heart skip a beat as she remembered a long forgotten part of the moonlight rite, the part where the winner would strip the female he was mated to, in front of everyone and sleep with her right there in front of the crowd!

She shook her head, even as a deep fear squeezed her heart. It was not possible – he could not, would not be that heartless. Her eyes went up to his at the same moment he turned to look at her, so that once again, her clear blue eyes where pinned by his silver grey ones. She saw in that moment that he knew what she was thinking, about the love making part of the moonlight rite. Alpha Ramirez smiled coldly and stepped forward to claim his prize, and Lily froze in fear, a fear that was mirrored in her innocent eyes. The Alpha met to strip her in front of everyone and claim her, right there.

CHAPTER THREE

Alpha Ramirez stepped even closer, and Lily shuddered. Her eyes sought out her father, to beg him, plead with him to take her away from the stake and the entire rite, but she couldn’t find him. He probably left immediately she was tied securely to the stake.

Her eyes shot back to the Alpha as he stepped closer. For some reason, she could feel a tinge of excitement under the fear. What would it feel like to be made love to by such a powerful male body. Then she thought of the look in his eyes as he had snapped the Beta’s claws, maiming him for life, she thought of the lack of gentleness in his touch, in his kisses.

“What is your name little one?” his voice was soft, almost gentle, it gave Lily the courage she needed to answer.

“Lily – Lily of Garar pack.”

He smiled. “Lily of Garar pack, you are officially my mate now, a Luna. Do you know what that means?”

Lily shook her head as he stepped even closer. She didn’t know anything about being a Luna. Her mother was a rejected former Luna, and her father’s new Luna never allowed Lily to come near her.

The Alpha stepped closer, and Lily wished she could step back. He was so close now, she could touch him if she just lifted a hand – but her hands were tied. Unable to stare into his eyes, Lily caught herself staring at his broad chest as he lifted a gentle finger to stroke her cheek

“So vulnerable – so innocent,” his voice was barely a whisper.

Why was he being gentle! Lily could not understand what kind of male was gentle one minute, and then rough the next. Again, she felt tears threaten at her wide blue eyes. She would have preferred if he remain harsh with her, at least then, she would know what to expect. It was very easy for her to let down the little defenses she had when he was gentle, and then, she knew he would strike.

As though he read her mind, he laughed out loud. “Your defenses mean nothing were my assault is little one. I want to break you, destroy you until you are nothing but my puppet, a mere plaything, that’s only when I would be able to use you for what I want.”

Lily shivered slightly. The white dress Hilda had dressed her with was sleeveless, and open at the throat to expose her slender long neck and the tops of her breast. In the nights chilly air, it was unbearable. But it was not the whether that made Lily shiver, it was the coldness in her new mate’s heart.

“Why are you doing this? What do you hope to gain?” Her voice sounded pathetic even to her own ears, but Lily forced herself to look into the Alpha’s eyes. It was there again, the pain lodged deep in those silver greys. She wished she could bring him comfort, take his pain away – then his expression hardened, and there was nothing but heartless in his eyes now.

“Why am I doing this? That’s easy, because I can. Dear sweet Lily, you would find that in this world of ours, wolves do things simply because they can. What do I hope to gain, you ask, again that’s easy. Revenge!” He brought his hand up to her hair and loosened the twists Hilda had taken pains to put in place. Her long black hair tumbled in waves down her shoulder, making her look even more lovely.

“You look better like this, with your hair free in the wind. I should name you windflower, so vulnerable, yet so beautiful.” With a simple flex of his muscles, he cut the ropes that bound her to the stake, and Lily was grateful when he pulled her into his arms.

His lips sought hers then, and this time, it was not a kiss of punishment, or the gentle kiss of a stranger, it was a lovers kiss. Hot, ardent. For the first time, Lily was completely caught in the moment.

The crowd cheered as she threw her arms around his neck, drawing him closer, holding him to herself. He was her mate, she would have this forever.

His hands wandered all over her body, stirring primal heat in her belly. So this was what it meant to be wanted? She was so cut in the moment, she did not notice when he brought his hands up to the top of her dress and tore it into two, she only knew that she wanted his mouth on the flesh he had exposed.

Before she could get too impatient, he pressed his lips to her exposed flesh, drawing a moan from her with a kiss so painfully arousing, Lily feared her body was on fire.

His hands tore open the rest of her dress, and it was only when it pooled at her feet that Lily knew the Alpha had stripped her out in the public. The entire crowd was deathly quiet, and Lily couldn’t even bare to look up as her cheeks stained pink with embarrassment, but the Alpha wasn’t done with her yet.

He pulled her nude body tighter to his fully clad one, and pressed his lips to the pulse beating at her neck. “You forget too easily sweetheart. Remember I told you I was going to break you. I had thought I would enjoy doing that, but you make it too easy.”

Lily whimpered, then moaned as he pressed another kiss to the same spot. “Please . . .” her voice was too shaky, and she thought he had not heard her, but then he laughed.

“You would need to be a little more specific my little beauty. Please what then? ‘please, claim me right here in front of the crowd?’ ‘Please stop bringing me exquisite pleasure with your kisses,: or even ‘please return me to my Papa who by the way doesn’t want me, he had to give me up at a moonlight rite’ which is it little one?”

He was toying with her now, and Lily knew that no matter what answer she gave him, he was going to do what he wanted to do. “Please, have some dignity. I am your mate, shaming me I front of everyone wouldn’t be nice.”

The Alpha burst out laughing at that. “You must be a very slow learner, or you’d know that I’m never nice.”

Lily nodded, but she noticed that he had used his big body to shield her from the rest of the crowd, so that it was only he that saw her naked.

Alpha Ramirez stared into those trusting blue eyes, staring up at him in their childish bravery. Even he was not that cruel, he could not hurt her while she was still this innocent. He needed to corrupt her a bit before he broke her. He laughed at his own thoughts. Who would have thought he had anything like a conscience. He was going to watch out for her, he had only just met her, and already, she had him rethinking his actions.

Striping off his shirt, he draped it around her shoulders and heard her draw in a shaky breath as those blue eyes turned up to him in gratitude. She was so small, the shirt came down to her knees, totally covering her nakedness, then she did something he did not expect. She threw her arms around him in an affectionate hug. “Thank you,” she said simply as she pressed a chaste kiss to his cheek.

Ramirez felt something constrict in his chest. If he was not careful, it was this naïve female with innocent face and wild blue eyes who was going to break through his defenses and get to him. A part of him wanted to get to know her, the real her, that sweet naïve creature that was not tainted by the wicked world – but then, he had a mission, and she was only a mere pawn in his game of thrones.

“Come, my Luna, your new home awaits,” he said sarcastically, expecting her to shiver in fear, but to his surprise, Lily slipped her little hand into his big one so trustingly, as though she had forgotten everything he had said about breaking her. Show the female a little kindness, and she was already trusting. . . it was hilarious!

Together, they walked hand in hand till they got into the limo that waited to take them to Ramirez’s pack, and to his home. Lily sucked in a deep breath at the thought of her uncertain future, and yet, even with all the fear, Lily could not help hope that she would make her mate, the Alpha Ramirez fall in love with her, just as she had already fallen for him.

The memory of the battle came crashing back as Lily stirred from her slumber. She felt disorientated, her mind swimming in confusion as she tried to comprehend her surroundings.

She had no idea how she had gotten there. The last thing she could remember was entering the Limo amidst the inquisitive glares from the Pack meme

The room was unfamiliar, the bedsheets crisp and cool against her skin, and she could hear distant murmurs and a gentle rumbling beneath her.

But she was more focused on the pain that throbbed in her head, a nagging reminder of the fight and the moments leading up to her unconsciousness. The image of Ramirez, the Alpha, slashing off the beta's claws with frightening precision, and the blood-curdling screams of the onlookers, still echoed in her mind.

As she tried to piece together what happened, the door to her room creaked open, and she could see the outline of a tall figure entering. The Alpha's deep voice boomed, startling her.

"Good. You're awake." She felt her heart race as she realized she was in the presence of her captor. She couldn't comprehend why he had taken her, and what this strange place was.

She made a mental note of every gruesome thing she could think of- a torture house, some sort of cell and many other unspeakable places she could think of.

The darkness of the room closed in around Lily as she tried to curl up and escape the reach of Alpha Ramirez. But, with each step he took towards her, she felt herself shrinking away, until she was backed against the wall with nowhere else to go.

He stood before her, his tall frame towering over her, a wicked, smug smile playing on his lips. "You think you can escape me, my little dove? Think again." His silver grey eyes were cold and unyielding as he gazed down at her, his voice a low growl that sent shivers down her spine.

"I promise you, I will break you. I will strip away your defenses and make you mine, until you are nothing but a puppet, a mere plaything at my beck and call." Lily trembled as she felt the anger radiating from him, anger he had been holding in since who knows when.

"And when I'm done with you, you will know what it feels like to be at the mercy of someone like me. To feel my wrath, my power, and my control." Ramirez reached out, running a finger down her cheek, making her skin crawl.

"You may resist now, but in the end, you will succumb to my will. I am Alpha, I am in control, and you are mine to command." He leaned down, his lips inches from hers, his breath hot against her skin. "And when I'm done with you, Lily, you will thank me for breaking you."

As Alpha Ramirez trailed his nose down Lily's neckline, he inhaled her scent and reveled in the fear she exuded. Her skin was soft and supple, and he felt his body react to her closeness.

"Please don't hurt me!"

She begged him, but he merely chuckled in response. "Don't worry, my dear Lily," he murmured, his breath warm against her skin.

"I won't hurt you, not yet." But just as suddenly, his behavior changed from that of a predator to that of a friend. He pulled back and offered her a warm smile, causing Lily to feel incredibly confused. She didn't know whether to believe him or not, but the pain in his eyes was gone, replaced by a softness she had never seen before.

"Don't be afraid, Lily," he said, his voice soothing.

"I promise, I won't hurt you. Not if you cooperate." He caressed her cheek with the back of his hand, and she felt her body relax ever so slightly. "I'm going to teach you, show you how to be mine," he continued, his voice hushed.

"I'm going to break you, but it will be a slow and sensual process. You will learn to crave me, to beg for my touch. And then, when you're mine, I'll keep you forever." His words were like a dangerous threat and a lullaby at the same time, and Lily couldn't help but feel entranced. He was a dangerous predator, and yet, there was something about him that drew her in.

She was trapped, a frightened mouse in the clutches of a cat. Alpha Ramirez advanced, his wicked, smug smile sending shivers down her spine. She tried to scoot away from him, but there was nowhere to hide. He towered over her, his hand roaming her body, eliciting a whimper of fear from her lips.

And then he switched on the light, illuminating his face and causing her to shrink even further away. His eyes held an evil glint that promised pain and suffering. She was sure he would hurt her, maybe even kill her.

But then, he squinted at the light and she saw the surprise in his face. He looked around the room and she followed his gaze, shocked to see that she was in a beautiful room with elegant furnishings.

"Welcome to your new home," he said, backing away from her.

She nodded, still curled up on the bed. She was scared, but she couldn't help but be surprised by his sudden change in behavior. Was he really going to be so nice to her?

"Feel at home," he said with a smile, and then, to her surprise, he leaned down and kissed her cheek. "I will leave you to rest now."

She watched as he walked out the door, her mind in a whirl. How could he be so cruel one moment and so kind the next?

"I don't understand," she whispered to herself. "What do you want from me?"

But there was no answer, just the sound of the door closing behind him and the echo of his footsteps as he walked down the hall.

Lily stumbled towards the bathroom, her heart racing with fear and confusion. As she caught sight of herself in the mirror, she gasped. Her once pristine outfit was now torn and tattered, her hair disheveled, and her skin marred by bruises and scratches. The tears she had been holding back spilled down her cheeks as she took in the extent of the damage inflicted upon her.

Her lips were swollen from the rough treatment she had received, and her eyes were ringed with dark circles from all the crying she had done. The evidence of her suffering was all too clear, and she couldn't help but break down in sobs at the sight of herself.

She had been sold off like a horse, and subjected to who knows what. And now, here she was, locked in a room with a physco and a madman who seemed to switch from predator to friend in the blink of an eye, one who was bent on making her life a hell.