Phoebe's POV
"You're staying put," Kevin snapped, yanking away the bag I'd packed. I was about to bolt when he stormed into my room and blocked my escape.
"Get away from me," I snarled, exhaustion weighing down every word. "Why won't you just leave me be?!"
"Never gonna happen. I made you a promise, remember?" That twisted grin spread across his face, and my whole body trembled with hopelessness.
I swung at him with both fists. "Get away! Just get away!" Fury consumed me.
What had I done to deserve this torture? What made him despise me so completely?
Kevin barely flinched at my weak attempts to hurt him. He grabbed my wrists effortlessly and slammed me back against the dresser.
Pain shot through me and I cried out, fighting to break free as he pinned both my hands above my head with one of his.
"You're not leaving, Phoebe. I won't let you."
"Why keep me here?! You despise me, and I despise you!"
His grin widened. "Because watching you suffer brings me joy. You're miserable here, and I love every second."
"You're sick! No wonder Viola ran from you!" Rage burned through me as I tried to knee him, but he pressed his entire body against mine, trapping me completely.
Being this close, I felt something that made my stomach turn—his arousal pressing against me.
He was getting off on this fight?
I couldn't wrap my head around it. Heat flooded my belly with disgust.
"Want to see real madness?" He dipped his head and dragged his tongue along my neck. "I made you another promise, didn't I?"
Then he repeated yesterday's threat word for word.
"The moment you're old enough, I'm going to destroy you completely."
He spun me around and shoved me toward the bed. The hunger in his gaze left no doubt about his intentions.
"Stop! What are you doing?!" I scrambled up, racing for the door, but he threw me back down easily.
"No! I don't want this!" My screams echoed through the house, but nobody came.
They heard my pleas for help, but they ignored them. They knew exactly who they'd have to face.
Even those who pitied me refused to get involved.
The consequences of crossing the future alpha weren't worth the risk.
My cries lasted for hours, continuing even after he finally left my room. The silent tears that followed seemed endless.
Time passed.
Today marked the ceremony where Alpha Sterling would step down, passing leadership of the Obsidian Claw pack to Kevin.
At a young age, he was young for an alpha, but Sterling was too old to continue, and Kevin had proven his capability to lead.
"Bloodmoon suits you," he drawled lazily, wiping blood from my lips where he'd bitten too hard.
I flinched when he stroked my cheek, then kissed my forehead before climbing out of bed.
Time as Kevin's toy had shattered my spirit completely. I barely spoke anymore. He'd kept his word. He'd broken me.
"Bring breakfast to my room. I want to eat before the ceremony." He gripped my chin, forcing me to meet his eyes. "Answer when I speak to you."
"Yes, alpha."
"Good girl." He leaned down and kissed me gently this time, his tongue sliding over the cut on my lip.
Then he left my bedroom to get ready. Today was huge for him, and last night's rough session with me had clearly improved his mood.
——
Perry's POV
Important guests filled the ceremony grounds, including the werewolf king himself.
When packs changed leadership, the king attended to legitimize the new alpha's claim.
Today followed tradition.
I sat on my throne at a young age, having claimed it years ago through bloodshed. I'd killed brothers who'd challenged me for the crown.
Beyond that, I'd eliminated my father's supporters who opposed me. My early years as ruler were soaked in blood. Countless people died by my hands.
Weekly, the palace reeked of burning flesh as I executed anyone who even breathed wrong in my presence.
This earned me the title of Mad King.
People whispered it was karma—that my cruelty cost me a destined mate.
Still, nobody dared make a sound around me. Every event I attended became subdued and tense.
My electric blue eyes were mesmerizing, but no one held my gaze longer than a heartbeat.
Currently, I sat with my royal warriors, positioned above the forty-two alphas from across the continent.
The ceremony proceeded without incident...
Until mid-speech, when something made me stop talking entirely. A woman in omega uniform caught my attention, her brown hair pinned up.
She stared right back at me.