Chapter 4 With a Stranger

• Caitlyn's POV:
• The weight pressed against me from behind, and my whole body tensed. I shut my eyes, hoping for an escape that wouldn't come.
• "Cait, come with me," he whispered. "I can give you everything. The best this world has. Whatever you want."
• "I have secrets. Things you'd never expect. I've never told anyone, but I'd tell you."
• "Cait, I'll wait. However long it takes."
• I used to dream that my mate would be the love of my life. I imagined Zephyr marking me, sharing my heart and soul, becoming mine forever.
• But now, I was no better than a piece of meat, sold to a stranger, treated like a dog.
• Tears fell, but the drugs coursing through me made my body betray my mind. Even as the man above me took what he wanted, my heart screamed for one name.
• Zephyr.
• Zephyr.
• Zephyr.
• The storm outside howled, rain lashing at the windows, but I could no longer tell when it had started or when it would end.
• The werewolf behind me took what he wanted, his movements rough and uncaring. When he finished, he tossed me aside like trash, not even sparing a glance. The door opened. Then it shut.
• I lay there, staring at nothing. I wasn't even sure if I was still breathing.
• The storm outside only grew stronger, yet it couldn't match the ruin inside me.
• From below, I heard Lillian laughing. It was a wild, greedy sound, full of delight at the deal she'd made.
• Her footsteps echoed up the stairs. The door flew open, and she crouched beside me, her eyes bright. "I didn't think your virginity would be worth a million and a half, Caitlyn. Guess I underestimated you."
• My eyes burned red, rage clawing at me, but I held back the urge to snap her neck. My voice cracked. "They ... "
• She cut me off, her voice dripping with fake kindness. "Don't worry, I'll keep your father safe. And your brother too. Zephyr, though ... well, he left Windwood Pack about half an hour ago."
• She stood, tossing something toward me with no care at all. "Before he left, he sent this. Said it was a reward for your help tonight."
• Clink.
• A small, round object rolled and stopped by my hand.
• When I saw it, the despair that had crushed me suddenly stirred into a violent storm.
• It was Zephyr's ring.
• The ring had once been part of a pair. Zephyr made sure of that, designing both with his own hands. They were unique, meant only for us.
• We made a vow the day we put them on. Once the rings were slipped onto our fingers, there was no going back. We couldn't take them off. Not ever. If either of us broke that promise, they would gain no forgiveness.
• I still wore mine. His was gone.
• The bond between us, already severed by my choice, was completely shattered now. The last thing tying us together had been cast aside.
• A sharp pain cut through my chest. My voice trembled as I asked, "Did he ... say anything else?"
• Lillian laughed, a cold, cruel sound. "He said you and that ring represent the foolishness of his past. He hopes wherever you go, you keep it with you for the rest of your life. Because, like you, the ring disgusts him."
• I disgust him.
• Not only did he regret loving me—he found me revolting.
• The bond between mates, once sacred, was nothing but a twisted joke now.
• Despair, like a shadow, crept over me. Darkness and pain followed, pulling me into a silent hell.
• Everything ahead of me—years filled with suffering—felt pointless.
• I gripped the ring tight in my hand. And then, without warning, I laughed. A hollow, broken laugh. As the sound left my lips, tears fell.
• Lillian looked at me as if I'd lost my mind. Her lip curled in disgust, and she turned, heading for the door.
• With all the strength I had left, I slammed my head against the corner of the table.
• The impact came with a sickening thud.
• Lillian spun around, her eyes wide, just in time to see blood pouring from my temple.
• "Someone help! She's trying to kill herself!" Her scream echoed through the room.
• My vision turned red. Everything blurred. Voices surrounded me, hands lifting me, carrying me somewhere. I felt needles prick my skin, and slowly, the bleeding stopped.
• But why?
• Why couldn't they let me die?
• Why wouldn't death come?
• Moon Goddess, why have you turned your back on me?