Chapter 4 A Night Of Torment

• [Dorothy]
• The intimate sound of moans and groans only grew louder, alternately with a few vulgar talks and obscenities in between. They were loud enough to identify who they were through their voices. I feel the discomfort in my chest and slight churning in my stomach as my gaze falls on the small window. If there’s a consolation, this time, the pain is not as intense as the first one.
• I tried calling River once again, but all I got was radio silence.
• I spent the whole night pacing inside my room. The room seemed soundproof, and I couldn’t hear the intimate exchange from the next door anymore. Still, it didn’t spare me from the chest pain and emotional distress.
• As my heartbeat gradually slowed, which I assumed coincided with Brohan and Charlotte’s intimacy for the night, I glanced at the wall clock before releasing an exasperated groan. It was four in the morning. How could they be this shameless?
• Feeling exhausted, I lay on my bed and quickly fell into deep sleep.
• I woke up the following day with a buzzing headache. I opened my eyes and absentmindedly stared at the ceiling. Perhaps due to lack of proper sleep, I felt lightheaded, and my mind was blank.
• Soft, hurried knocks brought me back to the present. I hurriedly got up and opened the door, only to see Charlotte standing outside with a smirk plastered all over her face. She waved her hand as if we were the closest friends, “Hi, Luna. Did you sleep well last night?” she giggled while throwing a knowing smile. “I came to apologize. You know I can’t stop him in the middle; he’s a beast,” she snorted before chuckling. “But don’t worry, he only does that with me. You will sleep well when he is doing it with the other girls if you know what I mean,” she added as if I had asked for the extra information.
• I nodded my head slightly before giving her a curt reply, “It’s okay. I understand. If there’s nothing else, then I will freshen up now.” I swiftly closed the door while maintaining an unreadable expression before she could say anything. I was not in a mood to entertain shameless taunting first thing in the morning.
• I could hear the thumping of her foot before fading into the distance. I can't stop a satisfied grin from spreading with the thought. She must be the bed warmer, but I am the future Luna. If, in the future, Brohan finally rejects our mate bond and takes Charlotte as his chosen mate, I will not object, and hopefully, Alpha Jaxson won't take it against me either. On second thought, even if he does, being a rogue may be better than enduring the torment of my mate and his bedwarmers every night.
• After changing into a fresh set of clothes, I went down for breakfast. Today, I will ask Nanny Adel to take me to Luna Amelia. I already met Alpha Mateo, and though I have heard a lot of rumors about their estranged relationship, I still prefer fulfilling my duty as their son’s mate and future Luna of the Golden Summit Pack. After all, their relationship is none of my concern.
• My hands are sweating, and I rub them on the sleeves of my cardigan as I wait for the door to open. I have been standing here for a few minutes. Nanny Adel told me that Luna Amelia usually takes a few minutes to open the door to her house since her room is on the second floor. Aside from the Omegas, who come daily to clean the house and cook her meals, Luna Amelia stays alone in the expansive ten-bedroom bungalow.
• I am nervous. I don’t know why. I heard that Luna was soft-hearted and virtuous. Despite the occasional anxiety attacks, she does her Luna duties diligently. If there is someone who can train me for my future tasks, it must be her.
• After what felt like hours, the door swung open, and a dignified-looking middle-aged woman came into view. Her expression was unreadable, and her stance intimidating. I steeled myself, swallowing the lump in my throat, bowed my head, and recited the introduction speech I had been rehearsing in my mind on my way here, “Luna, my name is Dorothy. I came yesterday evening from the Blood Rose Pack, and I am Brohan’s mate.”
• Just as the last word escaped my mouth, I saw her flinch but quickly returned to her usual indifference. She looked behind me before stepping aside, stretching her hand as an invitation to come in.
• After entering the house, Luna Amelia closed the door and pointed me to the sofa. Now, I’m anxious. Why is she not talking? Is she also having a speech impediment? Doesn’t she want to talk to me? Is she currently having bouts with anxiety? As I started listing all the possibilities in my mind, I saw her smile gently and said, “Have a seat, child. Would you like to have tea?” Her voice was gentle, and her tone was like a sing-song melody that tickled the insides of my ears.
• “Allow me to prepare it, Luna.” I offered. I couldn’t bear the thought of being served by the Luna herself. But her following words have taken me aback. “Do you know where the tea is?” Her voice was cold and apathetic. Dang, how did I not think about it?
• I felt like an ice-cold bucket of water was poured on me, and my mouth suddenly felt dry. I started to panic internally when she burst into laughter.
• “Silly girl, did I scare you? I was joking. Come on, let’s make tea together,” she signaled, pointing her head in a specific direction—I assume the kitchen. I walked behind her in silence as I tried to calm my nerves, repeatedly chanting, “It will be okay. "
• My first meeting with Luna Amelia was eventful. Contrary to the rumors circulating in the region, she was rather focused and highly analytical. No wonder the pack was on a constant rise. She introduced me to the system she created to monitor the progress of business collaborations with other neighboring packs. She was in charge of business strategies and implementation while Alpha Mateo monitored its progress, with a hint of intimidation to ensure success.
• By the time I returned to the packhouse, it was already late in the evening. Luna asked me to come to her house every day for Luna's training in the next few weeks, and I’m more than happy to oblige.
• When I entered my room, everything was pitch black. I sniffed the air. Someone was here, or could it be that they were still inside? I couldn’t tell for sure; River had not come out from hiding since last night, so my senses were nothing more than that of a human. She was deeply hurt by Brohan’s betrayal of the mate bond.
• I thought of switching on the light, but a firm hand grabbed me by the wrist, pinning me against the wall while covering my mouth with another, silencing my shock before any sound could escape my mouth.
• I tried to resist, but the person’s grip was as solid as a rock. I felt the person’s breath travel from my ear before it lowered on my neck to what seemed like sniffing my scent. Just then, I felt something hard poking in my stomach, and I panicked with dark anticipation. I quickly lifted my leg in an attempt to kick between his thighs when he suddenly released his hold, almost at the same time as he pressed the light switch on. I gasped.
• “Alpha?”