Angelise's POV
The moment Azrael left, my knees gave out. I hit the floor hard, the cold wood biting into my exposed skin. I tried to pull my torn dress off the floor, my fingers shaking so violently I couldn't even grip the fabric.
Breathe. Just breathe.
But I couldn't.
It felt like invisible hands were strangling me, squeezing tighter and tighter. His voice, his grip, the table—it all replayed in my head. Tears blurred my vision, my nails digging into my own arms just to feel something other than the ghost of him. I was mad at myself, the way I felt helpless against him, the way I couldn't even…
"Lisa!" A strong pair of arms wrapped around me.
It was Liliana. My maid, my best friend, my sister in everything but blood. She was my late nanny's granddaughter. After her death, she continued her duties of taking care of me.
If she had arrived even a second late, Azrael would have…
"Lily…" I cried, clutching her tightly.
"Shh." Liliana gently patted my back. "I am here now… You're safe…" she consoled me, her voice calming my nerves.
"He…" My voice cracked. "He tried to-"
"Sam told me everything," Liliana muttered. "I swear, I'll kill that bastard!"
But she didn't have such powers, nor did I. Only my father might stand against Azrael. He was away on a business trip and would return to my funeral, maybe. I thought, dread filling my chest.
Liliana broke the hug. Taking out her coat, she wrapped it around me. "Run to my grandmother's cottage." She said, her voice firm. "I've already informed Beta Nathaniel. He'll be back soon."
"But he'll catch me, Lily!" My body trembled violently. Azrael had made it quite clear, and worse, Liliana might end up losing her head for helping me.
"I'll castrate him if I have to, Lisa!" Liliana snapped, and I knew she wasn't joking. This woman would go crazy when it came to me. "That bastard will never touch you again."
I hugged her tightly, tears spilling out again. "You were right about him," I murmured, recalling her constant warnings.
Liliana never liked Azrael, and when he suddenly started treating me like I was the love of his life, she'd grown suspicious. I had argued that it was the mate bond, but it turns out I was a fool. A big fool.
"We don't have time to curse him," Liliana replied, breaking the hug. "Hurry now!"
I nodded, standing up with her support. But before I could reach the window, the doors slammed open.
"She isn't going anywhere."
It was Luna Beatrice and my stepmother, Camilla. Amber walked behind them, her lips curled into a smirk.
Luna Beatrice entered first, as she always did—graceful, composed, silver-streaked hair falling neatly over her shoulders. Camilla followed, her eyes gleaming with wicked satisfaction.
"You're running away after a small argument?" Camilla sneered at me. "I wonder how you will handle your Luna duties."
"Argument?" I scoffed in disbelief. "He tried to-"
"R*pe you?" Camilla finished, having heard everything from her daughter. With a smirk, she continued, "It's not r*pe if it's your fated mate, honey."
"This bitch!" Liliana cursed, but Luna Beatrice cut in smoothly.
"She is right. It's common for Alphas to take out their anger on their mates." Stepping closer to me, she added, "It's our duty to bear it, dear. For him, for the pack."
I breathed out loud, disgust boiling in my chest.
"I will never do such duties." I snapped. "You can find another mate for your son. Someone who is willing to tolerate all his shit. " I added, glancing at Amber.
"I told you, Luna," Camilla said, glaring at me. "This attitude of hers will only destroy our pack. You can never groom her to be like you."
"I don't want to be like her." I snapped. Looking at Beatrice, I continued, "I can never tolerate abuse or my husband bringing home a new mistress every week."
Luna Beatrice's eyes widened in shock. Then-
Slap.
She slapped me, her eyes dark with rage. Blood dripped at the edge of my mouth, but I kept staring at her. Everyone knew of Alpha Kendrick's affairs, but none dared to speak. I challenged her today, not out of spite but to escape her son.
Whenever someone angered her, Saint Luna Beatrice would lock them in the church, making them read bible loudly until the next sunrise. And I desperately hoped she'd drag and lock me up, at least until my father returned.
"All Alphas have mistresses." Camilla was quick to speak, attempting to console her Luna. Sneering at me, she added, "Don't forget your mother was one too."
And that's the reason I hated them. They broke marriages, but their children, like me, had to bear the consequences.
"Lock her up, Luna. She needs to learn her lesson." Camilla suggested, and for once, I was grateful toward her.
"No." Beatrice's voice was cold. When I looked at her in shock, she continued, "I will leave my son to deal with her."
"Guards!" She called, and her men stormed inside. "Take her maid to the basement. And," turning to me, she added, "Escort our Luna-To-be to her room. Make sure she doesn't escape until my son arrives."
"No!" Liliana screamed, but two men dragged her out like a sack of potatoes. Luna Beatrice glanced at me one last time before walking out.
Camilla stepped in front of me. Patting my shoulder, she said, "Apologize to him, sweetie. He might go easy on you." She smirked and turned to leave.
Amber chuckled. "Good luck, sis." She said, before following her mother.
I watched as everyone left the room. Three guards remained, their hawk-like eyes fixed on me. Oh, I was doomed for sure!
———
[An hour later]
A maid had come to wash me and clad me in a thin night gown. I refused, but she pleaded, saying it was Luna's orders. But I knew it was my stepmother's idea.
I sat before the mirror, two guards standing at the door, watching me keenly.
"Can you open the window? It's suffocating here." I asked the maid with a small smile. She was hesitant but nodded, walking toward the window.
Once she was away, I opened the drawer, my eyes catching something.
"Alpha Azrael is here." The guard outside declared. Quickly, I curled my hair into a bun and slid a hairpin inside.
Azrael entered the room, his eyes falling on me. Our gaze locked in the mirror, and I could sense he was still burning with fury.
"Leave," he ordered. The maid and guards scurried out.
The door shut behind them. Silence filled the room. My heart rammed against my chest. His touch still lingered on my body, fresh like an infection. My body shook violently with every step he took toward me.
I stood up from my chair and turned around to face him, my eyes fixed on the ground. Tears spilled down my cheeks as he stopped in front of me. My soft sobs echoed in the room. I dared not look up, my hands clasped tightly, like a servant afraid of their master.
"I am sorry." Before he could speak, I continued, "I am really sorry, Azrael. I shouldn't have hit you."
He frowned, but I cut him again. "It's… It's just that I cannot see you with anyone else." Looking up at him, I added, "Maybe I was angry because I love you."
Shock filled his eyes. Sniffling, I stepped closer and hugged him. "I love you, Azrael. I cannot live without you."
Azrael stood frozen, too stunned to speak. He'd expected me to lash out, try running, but not this.
My heart beat so loudly I could hear it in my ears. Silence stretched for seconds, frightening me. Then, his hands wrapped around me, embracing me tightly. Relief washed over me.
"It's fine," he murmured. "I can understand."
"Promise me you won't do it again." Breaking the hug, I pouted. "If I see another woman with you, I might kill her."
Azrael chuckled out loud. "I promise, Sweetheart." Cupping my cheeks, he added softly, "You will be the only woman to bear my pups."
I smiled, a blush creeping into my cheeks. My eyes flickered to his lips. I gulped nervously, staring at him. Hesitantly, I leaned forward and captured his lips.
Azrael was stunned again. I had initiated a kiss for the first time. But he quickly kissed me back, his lips crashing against mine hungrily. His hand gripped my waist. I moaned against his lips, making him forget everything but me.
Slowly, my hand reached for the hairpin in my bun. My hair fell loose and then-
"Argh!"
I stabbed him with the hairpin.
Azrael staggered back, horror filling his face. Blood stained his trousers, the sword-shaped silver hairpin gleaming between his thighs.
Yes, I stabbed his… p*nis
"You crazy bitch!" Azrael cursed, pain paling his face.
"Stand still, Sweetheart." I mocked, moving toward the window. "One wrong movement and forget about bearing pups in this lifetime."
"Call the healer! Now!" He yelled in panic.
With a smirk, I flipped him off and jumped out of the window.