Chapter 7 Chap Six

• I can't believe I'm being treated like this! Damon actually made me watch him eat his food, and when he was done, he just ordered his men to take me back to his room! Now I'm starving, and my stomach is growling in protest.
• What is he up to? Does he really expect me to follow all his damn rules? Am I just here to be his slave? Damn it, I need to come up with a plan to escape as soon as possible! I won't survive long if this keeps up.
• I stopped pacing when I heard noises on the balcony. My eyebrows knitted together as I moved closer to investigate. I opened the glass door and was shocked to see a group of people standing in formation outside the palace. What are they doing?
• They were lined up like soldiers, with Stone standing in front of them, saying something I couldn't make out from this distance. My eyes widened in sheer disbelief when Stone raised his right arm, and the men transformed into... wolves!
• "Oh my God..." I whispered, suddenly struggling to breathe. I stumbled back, watching the wolves run wild, my limbs trembling and my hands clammy. What the hell was that? Damon had told me they were wolves, but seeing it with my own eyes shook me to my core.
• "Is it clear to you now, Athena?" Damon's voice startled me from behind. My throat felt tight as I turned to face him, his cold eyes fixed on me. I still couldn't wrap my head around all this—it felt like a nightmare.
• And I don't understand what's happening to me. I can't accept any of it.
• "This is your life now. I am the Alpha of this kingdom, and you will be their Luna... their queen," he said, slowly approaching me. My lips parted as I tried to process his words. Queen? Is this some kind of sick joke? I was just dancing, and now I'm a queen? Damn it! Is someone playing tricks on me? Or is this my punishment for defying my mom?
• "You can't go back because this is your home. You have to accept it, Athena." His voice was firm. Tears welled up in my eyes, and I glared at him in pure anger. He didn't even flinch at my furious gaze!
• "If I can't go back... then let me stay with my mother! I want her with me! Where is she?!" I screamed. If this really is my fate, I only want my mom. I need her with me.
• "That's all I'm asking, Damon," I said, my voice steely. He clenched his jaw. "She's safe, but I can't let her stay here. She committed a crime, and it's against our rules," he replied coldly, turning to leave. But I couldn't let him go—not while I still had unfinished business with him!
• "To hell with your rules! I hate you! You're ruthless! I'll never be your Luna or the damn queen of this stupid kingdom! I swear you'll regret this! You'll regret keeping me here, you stupid Alpha!" I screamed at the top of my lungs before storming off. With nowhere else to go, I locked myself in the bathroom.
• There, I cried my heart out. I missed my mom. I missed the world I used to know. I hate it here. And damn that Alpha! He won't have me! I'll find a way out of this, and I'll take my mom with me—we'll disappear without a trace!
• I cried until I fell asleep in the bathroom. At some point, I felt someone carrying me, but I was too exhausted to wake up until I felt the soft mattress beneath me. I didn't know how long I'd slept, but when I woke up, I saw the dark sky through the window.
• I sighed heavily, staring at the crumpled blanket covering me. I vaguely remembered someone carrying me, but I had no idea who it was—probably one of Damon's servants.
• I got out of bed just as the door opened. It was the housekeeper, the same girl who had brought me the dress that morning.
• "Ma'am... it's time for dinner," she said politely. I nodded and went into the walk-in closet to change clothes. I hadn't eaten anything, and I was starving. I couldn't risk angering Damon again, or I'd go hungry! I chose a floral-sleeved dress—not my style, but it would have to do for now.
• "This way, ma'am," the girl guided me to the dining room. I stayed silent, feeling drained by everything that had happened. Damon was already seated comfortably in his usual spot at the head of the table, while I sat to his right. A servant pulled out a chair for me.
• "Let's eat," Damon announced once I was seated. I almost rolled my eyes—just hearing his voice irritated me. I quietly loaded my plate with food, making sure there wasn't an inch of empty space. I could feel the servants and Damon watching me, but I didn't care. I was hungry, and it was Damon's fault!
• Without a care for their stares, I ate like I was in the middle of a battle, stuffing my mouth with food as fast as I could. I didn't even bother with utensils—they'd only slow me down.
• "Athena..." Damon called out. I pretended not to hear him. What does he want now?
• I kept eating until my plate was clean. Satisfied, I wiped my lips with a napkin and glanced at Damon, who was shamelessly staring at me. I frowned at him.
• "What?" I snapped, rolling my eyes. "Why? Do you have a problem with the way I eat? It's your fault I'm starving!" I said, annoyed. His expression didn't change. What is he, a robot? He's really getting under my skin!
• "You need to be ready tomorrow," he said, ignoring my rant. Tomorrow? What, is he planning to starve me again?
• "If you're trying to starve me to death, go ahead! I'll be glad to meet my end!" I retorted sarcastically. His forehead creased, and his jaw tightened. Is he finally pissed? Good—I want to see him show some emotion!
• "No. We're getting married tomorrow," he declared. My eyes widened in shock. What the hell?! I shot up from my seat, hitting the table in my fury.
• "Are you fucking kidding me?!" I yelled. He glared at me—he didn't like my outburst, I could tell. It was written all over his face.
• "Lower your voice, Athena," he said, trying to stay patient. But no! I won't obey him!
• "No! Didn't I tell you I don't want to be your Luna or the queen of this stupid kingdom?! And damn it, I don't want to get married! I'm only 18, you bastard!" I screamed and stormed out. The servants moved aside, startled by my outburst. I didn't know where I was going, but it was my chance to escape! Without thinking, I ran toward the palace's entrance hall. I could feel their eyes on me.
• The guards tensed up as I approached, but before I could reach the large double doors, someone grabbed my arm and hoisted me over their shoulder like a sack of rice! And I knew exactly who it was! I knew!
• "Damn you, Damon! Put me down!" I pounded on his back. Damn it, I'm staring right at his ass! He said nothing, just kept walking wherever he was taking me. I tried to struggle, but his grip was too strong—there was nothing I could do!
• "I said, put me down, you bastard!" I screamed, but instead of letting me go, he threw me onto his bed. In one swift move, I felt my hands being locked in... chains!
• "WHAT THE HELL IS THIS?!" I screamed, my voice echoing in the room. Damn it! There's a chain on his bed! He grabbed my chin, forcing me to look into his eyes. Those beautiful brown eyes were as cold and serious as ever. If he was irritated, he was hiding it well.
• "You can't escape from me... Athena," he whispered, his words dripping with menace.