The Unloved Luna

Trent sneers before knocking out the kind soul who tried to save me. It's as if the universe curses everyone who shows me mercy; the world would be much better without me. Trent doesn't take long to throw me into a stone cellar. 'This is it,' I say to my wolf. He'll use us and then get rid of us. He'll have the decency to put me out of my misery. Metal chains bind me for the second time tonight. The only distinction is that these are made of silver. "What's fun without a little pain?" Trent laughs as silver burns my skin. I'm still in wolf form, but I must change soon. "Let's get this party started, shall we?" Trent grabs my face with one hand and squeezes so hard that another bruise forms. When he yanks on my fur, it's too much for my body to bear, and I revert to human form. "You have a lot of scars; what kind of whorehouse were you from?" he jokes. Tears well up in my eyes as I realize my body is completely exposed and at his mercy. Even though this isn't the first time I've been in a situation like this, I'm fairly certain it will be the last thing I do before I die. "Stop," I mumble helplessly as he pulls out a knife. He drags the sharp blade down my arm, occasionally changing the pressure on my skin. I try bracing myself, but it doesn't help. You'd think this wouldn't be a problem after years of abuse. I thought that was the end of it before he took me, but I was very wrong. This sadistic man unbuckles his belt, strikes me in the head with the metal portion, and then turns around to retrieve a real whip. "Stop. Please stop!" I sob as it falls again on my back. I end up begging him to kill me right now. A ferocious growl cuts off my tormentor's words, "Shut up, you-" I whimper and close my eyes in response to the loud noise. A growl like that can only come from someone with a lot of power; it can't be good for me. The chains are broken a split second later, and powerful arms engulf me. My rescuer growls, "Mate." Xavier POV When I'm alerted about a female rogue, I run alongside my Beta on the border of our territory. "I'll go down to the cells; you go, scout, where she was discovered," I tell Brad via mind link. I'm about a mile from my destination when I notice an incredible smell. I don't hesitate to follow it, leading me to the cells. 'Come on! Please hurry!'My wolf orders cheerfully. I follow his instructions, but when I arrive at the source of the odor, I find one of my fighters torturing a girl. In a rage, I let out a ferocious growl and snapped his neck. The beauty in front of me is bleeding profusely on the dirty floor. Did Trent do everything? When I yank her chains off, blood splatters all over my hands. "Mate," I growl, clutching her naked body. I don't even notice the scars on her body; all I can think about is keeping her alive. She is still conscious but unaware of what is happening around her. As I sprint towards the pack hospital, her breath comes out of her short pants. "Sweetheart, keep your eyes open," I tell her. The hospital is within walking distance. When I storm through the doors, I order everyone to assist the poor girl in my arms. No one dares ask who she is or why I brought her here; they should know better. When I try to follow them into the operating room, a nurse tells me, "Alpha, you have to stay out here and wait." "I need to be in there." "Alpha, I'm sorry, but you'll slow the doctors down." That's all it takes for me to remain put. **** (after a week) Beep. Beep. Beep. That's the only sound that lets me know she's still alive. My friend won't be able to walk alone with four broken ribs, a broken wrist, a fractured leg, and a broken ankle. Gauze wraps around her shoulders and back, where most of the bleeding occurred. I haven't left her side since I brought her home. I've been sleeping in uncomfortable hospital chairs while holding her tiny hand; I want to be beside her when she wakes up today. I haven't seen her eyes yet, but I'm sure they're as innocent as the rest of her. There's something strangely familiar about this girl that I can't place. I learned that she had endured years of abuse because of her weight and scars, not all of which were Trent's fault. The doctors said they didn't know my friend's age, but her weight was unhealthy. Seventy-six pounds isn't even half of my weight. A sniffle jolts me out of my reverie. I look at my friend's face and watch her baby-blue eyes slowly open. "You're awake," I try to say, but only grumble. She doesn't open her mouth to speak; instead, she looks at me with fear. "I-I'm sorry for g-going i-into your t-territory," she stammers, the heart monitor beeping louder in the background. "Just kill me already," she begs, bracing herself for a punch. "Why would I do that?" I ask, puzzled and hurt. I'm unsure what makes her think I'd hurt one of my friends. "Everyone wants to. P-please make it quick." "I brought you here, and you're my mate." I lean forward to caress her cheek as a caring gesture, but she flinches away before I can touch her. As my friend begins to panic, the heart monitor beeps faster and faster. A nurse rushes into the room and begins speaking to her. "Take some deep breaths; your body won't be able to handle any more injections." It takes her ten minutes to calm down completely. Holding her hand would have helped, but it had the opposite effect. "I'm not going to hurt you, sweetheart," I say quietly, keeping my voice from becoming too loud. It's bad enough that she's afraid of me; I must be careful not to scare her further. "You're going to reject me, they said," she says quietly. "I would never reject you. I just found you," I say, "and who told you that?" My question is one to which she will wait to respond. "What's your name?" I inquire, shifting the subject. "Char-Charisse Belle." I recognize her. "My name is Xavier Ryan," I say, almost reaching to take her hand. I extend my hand, expecting her to shake it, but she never does. She stares at my hand as if it were a trap. "R-Ryan? You're an Alpha." Charisse grips the bedsheets by the sides. With a nod, I confirm, "Of the Moon Shadow Pack." I sit next to the hospital bed and gaze down at her. "Don't be afraid of me; I won't hurt you," I say quietly. After a few seconds of shamelessly inspecting her facial features, I've been straining her neck by forcing her to lie flat on the bed. I frown as I press a button to allow Charisse to sit up, seeing her terrified expression. "Why am I here?" she muffles. "Because you're hurt." "But why did you take me here?" she asks innocently, peering up at me. "Why wouldn't I? As your mate, it's my job to protect you." "No one's ever been nice to me." My frown deepens as she responds. "What exactly do you mean?" "My old pack, even the Omegas, despised me; they hit and starved me," Charisse explains. I immediately regret my growl when she flinches and shields herself with her arms. I move my hands up to her forearms and gently guide them away from her face, holding her elbows. Her eyes are closed tight until I place light kisses on each of her knuckles. "Where are the sparks coming from?" she asks, her eyes welling up. "You feel sparks because we're mates; that's why it's good when I do this," I say as I lean in and kiss Charisse's baby-soft lips. My actions take her aback, but instead of resisting or freaking out, she kisses back just a little.

Xavier's Pov "You feel sparks because we're mates; that's why it's good when I do this," I add as I lean in and kiss Charisse's baby-soft lips. My actions take her aback, but instead of resisting or freaking out, she kisses back just a little. Our kiss was brief, but it couldn't have been better; knowing that she kissed back a little reassures me that I could have a great connection with her. I notice her bright crimson cheeks as I back away from her. "We're friends," I confirm. Charisse nods and turns away shyly. "Look at me," I say as I take both of her hands in mine. "I don't want to pressure you into doing anything. We'll take things slowly, okay?" She nods again in agreement but does not open her mouth to respond. "Ah, you're awake." A few moments later, Doctor Simpson arrives. "When will Charisse be discharged?" I want to get right to the point. "After you finish these papers, Alpha," he says, offering me a packet and some tablets before walking away. After skimming over the questions, I realize I need to learn more of the answers. I only have the name and the date. I asked, "How old are you, baby?" "I don't know." "Do you happen to know when your birthday is?" She sighs and shakes her head. "I forgot many things when my old pack beat me," she says. I keep my gaze fixed on the pen and abstain from striking anything. "Do you have any relatives?" Or whether you were born in your previous pack or not?" "I know I had parents and possibly a big brother." But I know nothing else about my life," she says quietly. "We can do a blood test if you're okay with it--to see if we can find a relative and get more information about you." I propose. Charisse blinks and then looks at the IVs hooked on her body. "You don't have to do that for me; I don't want to waste any more of your time," she says, declining the offer. Was I wasting my time? Even though I can't sense her feelings, she wants to learn more about herself. It's clear from all the medication and support she needs that she's been abused and starved for years. "Doc, can we do a blood test to get more information on Charisse?" I ask. "I'm sorry, Alpha, but she won't be able to handle any more blood loss," he says, but his tone betrays his apathy. 'Shit's about to get real,' muses my wolf. I rise and indicate for Dr. Simpson to join me in the corridor. I don't want my flatmate to hear me doing this, so I go a few rooms down. "Why in the hell are you lying to me?" I ask in a disturbingly calm tone. He looks at me. "Answer me when I ask you a question!" I demand that you throw him against the wall by the neck. "She could perform a blood test, Alpha." Please forgive me," he begs forgiveness. "If you commit another offense against my mate, I will personally kill you." I threaten to release him. I hurry back to Charisse with one last peek. How dare a shifter oppose his Alpha in such a way; if it hadn't been for the fact that he was treating my mate, I would've killed him. I still want to murder him. "Shit." When I smell Brad inside my friend's hospital room, I mutter. "Merda." I hear him cuss, his Italian origins showing through. 'Who is this?' he says, peering at Charisse over the mind link. 'This is my pal. 'Stop looking at her.' I growl. 'How come she looks so familiar?' he wonders. Stop gazing at her, you moron! 'What exactly do you mean? 'She just awoke.' 'She looks like an older version of my sister,' he replies, fists clenched. He had a younger sister who was abducted when he was seven. His parents looked for him for five years, but Brad never gave up; I even gave him time off work to do so. Brad Belle, Charisse Belle, hold on a second. Their surnames are not of Italian origin, but they were raised in an Italian-style environment. "Charisse, didn't you say you had a brother?" I consulted with my colleague. "I think so; I don't remember that much," she says. "How about his name? Do you know your brother's name?" Brad inquires eagerly. She was taken by whichever pack she came from if he and Charisse were siblings. "B-Francis, Stephen, something beginning with a B." "It's possible that this is his. This could be my sister." Brad mutters as he runs his fingers over his hair. My best buddy and mate are most likely siblings, but there's only one way to find out: a blood test. "Did I do something wrong?" Charisse inquires, her face concerned. Her heart monitor beeps faster as she nervously fidgets with the hospital blanket. "No, darling. We believe you and Brad are linked." I say this in an attempt to calm her down. It's reasonable for Luna to feel concerned about her packmates, but believing she's the source is quite another. "Here." Brad offers Charisse a cup of water, and I realize how dry her throat must be. "Thank you." She gently holds the cup as if it were the most valuable object in the world. "Doctor Simpson said you requested a blood test, Alpha?" "Yes, Brad is going to do it as well." Finding out if they're related will be faster if they both do the blood test. "These are only for her appetite and to relieve pain." "The Luna may feel dizzy and hungry, but it's best if you don't force her to eat more than she can handle," advises the nurse. "Is there anything I should be cautious of?" "Just don't put too much pressure on her bones or do anything violent in her presence." We discovered a lot of tension and mental trauma when we did a brain scan." I nod and return my gaze to Charisse. She'd been sleeping for a few hours and wasn't awake when we discovered she and Brad were related. He assured me he would let her get used to me before taking on the big brother role. "No way, no how. "It won't happen again," she mutters in her sleep. I gently shake her shoulder to wake her, but it is ineffective. I shake her harder as her arms move to cover her head. She blinks open her eyes and glances around the room, perplexed and panting. "It was just a dream, and you're safe with me." I coo, clutching her close. All IVs had been removed earlier, and I had spent the last few hours filling out paperwork and asking nurses questions. "We can go home now," I inform Charisse. Her reaction breaks my heart. "I don't have a place to call home." "Your home is with me," I say. "Really?" "I'm not giving you up now that I've finally found you."

I help her carefully leave the bed and place the crutches under her arms. She's stable when I stand back and let her carry her weight but falls when she tries to walk with the crutches. I'm holding her body and keeping it from collapsing. "You okay?" she asks, nodding. I carry her bridal gown out of the hospital, one arm beneath her knees and the other supporting her back. "Whose shirt is this?" she wonders, fiddling with the hem. "It's mine," I say. The physicians gave me the option of dressing Charisse in a revealing hospital gown or one of my shirts; the decision seemed simple. She doesn't object to being in my arms and rests her head on my chest. I pull the seat belt over Charisse in my black 2015 Chevrolet Camaro and try to fix it so it isn't choking her. "This is a copy of all of your information," I tell her as I hand her the stack of documents. She is completely focused on it for the entire twenty-minute vehicle ride. "So you're saying I have a big brother?" "Yes." "Who-Who is he?" she asks, her voice stuttering as if she hadn't spoken in a while. "That's Brad; he was in the room earlier." "Does he have a rank in the pack?" she wonders, knowing that only someone of high rank would enter Alpha's mate's room. "He's both my Beta and my best friend." "We're right here," I say as I enter my driveway. I don't spend time opening the door for Charisse and carrying her bridal gown again. She exhales, finally feeling the sparks when the numbing drug wears off. "Do you mind sharing a room with me?" Or do you prefer to remain on your own?" I request that the front door be opened. My house isn't a mansion, but it's also not a little dwelling. It contains six bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a pool in the backyard. "I get to stay in a room?" she asks, her eyes are bright. "Of course, where else would you sleep?" says the narrator. "Alpha, l-let me stay in the attic if I were g-good." They did not force her to stay in the attic. She speaks to her old pack as if she were merely an object or a pet. That means there could have been a worse place for my friend to live. "So, is it my room or a different room?" "It doesn't matter," she says quietly, her hands on her lap. It's my room. I'm relieved I'll be sharing a room with my flatmate. Sharing a bed is unlikely to happen nowadays, but it is understandable. My wolf and I are both enraged that one of our pack members tried to take advantage of her, and we wish he could have died more terribly. A whimper jolts me out of my reverie. She has curled herself into a ball and is hiding her head. What occurred? 'You were growling,' sneers my wolf. Charisse's POV I brace myself, expecting someone to whack me; a growl always meant I was about to get smacked. 'Mate won't hurt us,' my wolf promises. I'm not at all at ease. Xavier Ryan is known to be harsh and violent, which makes me very nervous. It's a lot to take in, especially since I've finally discovered who I am and have a brother. Alpha James claimed that my family sold me to him as a pack enslaved person. My recollection becomes blank when I try to recall anything before age nine. There are also some memory gaps between the ages of ten and however old I am today. 'Seventeen,' says my wolf. When she says that, I almost smile; I've never known my age or anything other than my name. "Are you all right, baby?" I apologize for growling." Xavier expresses regret. When someone else speaks it, the word sorry seems strange. "I'm perfectly fine," I say. He sits on his bed beside me, his hand on my waist. "Are you hungry?" That was the first time anyone had ever asked me that question. 'Make me food' or 'I bet you're hungry' has always been the response. I shake my head and gently decline him. "Sandwich or pasta?" he inquires. "I'm not in the mood for h-hungry." He suggests, "I could make you a turkey sandwich." Is it possible that I'm talking out loud or that I'm not opening my mouth? "I'm not hungry," I repeat, slowing my speech so I don't stutter. Xavier furrows his brows and examines my petite frame. He inquires, "When was the last time you ate?" "Summertime," I mumble about not knowing what month it is. I haven't gotten any food or drink since the summer; it's now autumn. I can tell Xavier is clenching his fist to avoid breaking things. He presses me on him and inhales my scent deeply. I try not to move because I'm frightened of what he'll do to me if I do. Hitting, slapping, or perhaps worse. 'Mate won't do that,' says my wolf. 'How did you find out?' I inquire of her. She is the only one with whom I can open up. His grip on me is tightening as he shakes with wrath. They would have bruised significantly more without the brace around my ribs. I try to get closer to his chest while avoiding his arms. "X-Xavier, you're hurting me." I let out a breath. I press my face against his hard chest when I feel his claws elongate. As I repeat my words one more time, my breathing becomes labored. "Xavier, please let me go." This time he hears me. The pressure is immediately relieved from my torso, and I stare up at Xavier. "Oh, goddess!" I'm genuinely sorry, darling." "Does it hurt?" he inquires, clearly concerned. For what seems like the hundredth time today, I shake my head. "I'm so sorry," he says again, "I swear I didn't mean to hurt you." I move out of his lap and take a seat across from him. "You have a nice soft bed." I'm talking about feeling the cotton cloth. Alpha James' bed isn't this comfortable; I never got to sleep on it, but I did touch it while cleaning his mansion. Xavier says, "I'm glad you like it." "Why don't you shower, and I'll make us some food?" he suggests. He turns around and gets some bags to cover my cast with. It doesn't take me long to put them on. Another anecdote is figuring out how to operate his nice shower with one hand and one foot. (She has a shattered wrist, a fractured left leg, and a broken ankle.)

Charisse's Pov I pause in front of the stairs, unsure of how I'm supposed to descend. I smell like Xavier because I used his shampoo and body wash, and I'm wearing his boxers and shirt. Sitting down, I place my crutches by my side and hurry down the stairs like a toddler, butt-scooting each step. 'This is fun,' my wolf says, grinning. Inside my head, I see her as a wolf, complete with paws. One of my crutches falls and tumbles to the ground as I near the foot of the steps. Xavier appears at my side in an instant. "Are you okay?" he inquires. I nod and allow him to assist me in standing. "Why were you trying to go down the stairs?" "You told me I should meet you in the kitchen." I sigh. "I meant for you to call me when you were finished showering," he adds gently as he picks me up. He carries me the last distance to the kitchen. On the dining table are two dishes containing sandwiches. Xavier places me in a chair and brings a plate closer to me. The sandwich looks delicious, but I feel guilty knowing I'll toss over half of it. After ten minutes, I can only eat half of a sandwich while Xavier has finished two. "I'm full." I shove the plate away, whispering. "Just one more bite?" Xavier insists. My head shakes. I know I'm wasting food and that others need it more than I do, but I can't eat it. He groans and sets the plates up. "Baby, the doctors said you should try to eat." "I know; my old pack doctor said the same thing." "Have you been trying?" he inquires. I shake my head once more. "Alpha wouldn't let anyone give me food, but people would occasionally sneak in some meals for me," I respond. Xavier glares at the wall but shows no other symptoms of rage. "Brad wants to see you tomorrow; if you want to wait, I can tell him to reschedule," he says. "I'll see him again tomorrow." He's my only source of heat as we make our way up to what I believe is his bedroom. My clothing is large on me, but they're not warm, and it appears to be quite cold in the house. "These should help you fall asleep." Xavier gives me medication and a water bottle to help me swallow it. The medicine's effects begin swiftly, adding to my fatigue. Xavier leaves me in his bed and goes into the bathroom to change. It's not king-size; it's much, much larger. He will probably make me sleep beside him; I hope my dreams aren't too awful tonight. My shirtless comrade is the last thing I see before I pass out. An evil voice sneers, "No one will want you after I'm done with you." This is the third time this has happened today; the warriors are all worried and rely on me for relief. "Listen to me when I'm talking to you!" I gaze at Beta Shawn, knowing he despises it when I stare at him in the eyes. They can torture me, but they can't make me submit. I know I pushed him too far when I heard a snap. I end up coughing and choking on my blood as I try to stand up with my elbows. "I said to bend over!" "Wake up, Charisse. You have a bad dream." My eyes open, and I move away from the figure before me. "I'm not going to hurt you; it was just a dream." Xavier reaches out for me. I let him swoop me into his lap and bury my face in his naked chest. "I don't want to go back." I tremble at the prospect of returning to Red Stone. "Don't worry; I'll be right there for you." Looking around the naturally lit room, I realize it's already morning. It's around noon. 'Best night ever,' says my wolf. I mentally concur with her. That was the longest we'd ever slept, and we almost didn't have a nightmare the entire time. So, what should I do now? Normally, I'd begin preparing breakfast for everyone. "Do you want to eat breakfast?" Xavier inquires, placing his hands on my waist. My head shakes. The movement hurts my head, but I attempt to ignore it. "Are you sure?" In answer, I nod. "How was your night's sleep?" "Good, you have a soft bed," I say softly. Compared to where I used to sleep, the soft material and bouncy mattresses. Alpha James was kind enough to offer me an old couch cushion to rest my head on at night; I had to labor for it for a few months, but the pillow made sleeping more pleasant. "You're supposed to take this every morning for two weeks." Xavier hands me a small white pill and a water bottle. It's as if I ate an entire gummy bear. A laugh perplexes me. "You like gummy bears?" Oh. I must have said it aloud. "One of the pill's side effects is the inability to express yourself," he explains. I extended my hand for him to place the bottle in. Each morning, take one unit by mouth. The following side effects may occur: speaking of thoughts, openness, and numbness of hurts. "How about we play a game where I ask you a question, and you answer it?" Xavier proposes. "What's your favorite candy?" he asks first. I don't recall much about candy other than that it was high in sugar. I had it maybe two years ago when a tiny child stealthily sent a small bag to my attic. "They're gummy bears. "What age are you?" "Twenty-one." That means we're four years apart in age. I would like to know if Brad and I are the same age. "Brad and I are both twenty-one; however, I am six months older." Xavier declares triumphantly. He somewhat expands his chest, and I imagine how he'd look as an ape. "What kind of food do you like?" he inquires. "I don't know," I say, shrugging. "Anything that makes me happy." "Do you have hair gel on?" I fight the overpowering want to stroke his hair. 'Do it, and I bet you five dollars. It's soft,' says my wolf. 'You don't have any money,' I say. 'What you have is mine.' 'But neither do I have any money.' 'And what is your point?' "Are you talking to your wolf?" Xavier inquires. 'It's not fair! He didn't respond to our inquiry!' My wolf accused me. "Yes." 'CHEATER!' she yells, making me cringe. "What's wrong?" Xavier inquires anxiously. 'He's done it again!' "My wolf is acting strangely," I observe. 'I'm as strange as you are. What does C-H-E-A-T-E-R stand for? Cheater!!!' She yells.

"You and your wolf have the same personality, Baby." The only difference between a person and their wolf is that the wolf side expresses itself more than the human side." Xavier informs me. So everything my wolf says is something I would say. "That's exactly right." Idiot drugs. "Are you wearing any hair gel?" I inquire about quieting my beast. "No. "Do you like being tickled?" "No," my voice blends with my wolf's as we answer the inquiry too quickly. Xavier lifts an eyebrow before teasing my sides with his fingers. Xavier's fingers continue to glide along my ribcage and belly button. His and my giggles are the only sounds in the room. There's no way he's not ticklish, so I move my hand to his neck and tickle him. "You aren't ticklish." With a frown, I say. "I'm not," you say, "but you are." When he returns to tickle me, my frown immediately turns into a smile. Looking at me, he replies, "You should smile more." My cheeks become hot, and I cover them with my hands. Xavier pulls his hands away from my face and pushes his lips against mine. It takes some time for me to grasp the situation, but I eventually return the kiss. My lips brush up against his, and I follow his lead- Ding, ding, ding! As the doorbell rings, Xavier groans in frustration. "That has to be Brad," he mutters as he pulls away. He groans once again as he looks at the bedroom door. When I hesitate to leave the bed, he asks, "What's wrong?" "What if he doesn't like me?" he wonders. "Brad likes almost everybody, plus you're his sister." "But I don't remember anything about him, and he might get mad at me." "He's not going to get angry, so let's get out of here before he steals the fridge." Xavier assists me in positioning my crutches and walks downstairs with me. "Where's Charisse?" Brad inquires. "She's right over here," Xavier says as he steps to the side. I do the same, half-hiding behind him. Brad frowns, and I stare up at him, terrified. He's one inch shorter than Xavier but still taller than 6'0. "Hi," I say hello quietly. "Hi." We enter the living room and take a seat on the couches. Xavier places me on his lap, and Brad sits across from us. "You have no idea how long I've been looking for you," he replies with a smile. "You looked for me?" "Our parents, too," he laments. I'm interested in what he's saying but don't ask any questions. "What's inside the bag?" Xavier inquires as he examines Brad's backpack. "Videos and candy." I pay more attention when candy is mentioned. Candy. Xavier carefully lifts me from his lap, places me on the couch, and rises. "Sweetheart, I'm just going to the kitchen." "I'll be right back," he adds as he turns around. I grab a cushion nearby and hug it. "I'm hoping these videos bring back some memories." I nod and observe Brad as he slides a disc into the media player. "This was when I was eight, and you were four," he says as he presses the play button. The video is set in a bedroom with three children. "Is that you, Xavier?" I inquire, my gaze fixed on the two boys on television. "You and me both." Little Brad and Xavier are enjoying a video game while munching on food. The girl who claims to be me is gently tiptoeing towards the snacks, trailed by a bag of marshmallows. When she trips, the toddler version of me says, "Hi." Both boys set their controllers down and turn around. Brad inquires, "Why are you here?" "Can I have some candy?" I inquired while seated Indian-style. "I've brought you some marshmallows," I add, showing the fluff bag. "Deal." Xavier and Brad promptly bring me a pouch of sour worms in exchange for the marshmallows. Pause. "Do you remember that?" Brad inquires. "No." "Not even the candy part?" My head shakes. "Do you have any questions you'd like answered?" 'Ooh, ooh, ask if he uses conditioner,' offers my wolf. 'No. That's bizarre.' "H-how'd I get to a different pack?" I ask. How did I wind myself in the clutches of Red Stone if I was born and raised in Lunar Blood territory? "You were abducted. A pack of wolves broke past the border where we spent the weekend. They invaded the neighborhood and seized prisoners; you were the only one who couldn't flee," he adds, running his hand through his hair. I was kidnapped. My family did not sell me, despite what everyone said. "Who in the hell told you that?!?" Brad snarls. The side effects are still present. "My old rucksack," I respond, cringing at his loud voice. "What's going on?" In an instant, Xavier is by my side. "Charisse's old pack fucking told her she'd been sold to them!" Sold." "Is this true?" I nod and go away from the two irate males. They have clenched fists and commanding postures. I don't know the big deal about being sold to another pack; isn't that the same as adoption? "Sweetheart, when a wolf is sold to another pack, they're sold as a slave," Xavier explains that he's noticed how I'm slowly moving away from him and Brad. He moves towards me, and I automatically flinch. My wolf growls at my actions and tells me to approach our mate more closely. "Are they the ones who have starved you?" Brad asks more calmly. I nod, my heart pounding louder with each passing second. "Don't believe anything those cretins told you," he commands. "Wait right here." Xavier kisses my forehead and exits the room hurriedly. I only need seven crashing sounds to know he's breaking something.

Charisse's POV Grrrrrrrr. 'Shift, I could open it for you,' says my wolf. I keep pulling the bag of chips but never open it. I hand the bag to Brad and watch as he easily unlocks it. "Try to finish this," he adds as he leads me to the game room, where Xavier awaits us. They pushed me to eat something earlier and are now attempting to persuade me to snack. While sitting on the couch, Brad laughs, "You're about to see me kick Xavier's ass at Halo." I was ready to do the same thing as my brother and sit next to him, but Xavier let out a low growl and pulled me towards him instead. "Eat," he grumbles, sitting crisscross with his legs on the outside of mine. I curl up against him, looking up at him, and insert the smallest potato chip I can find in my lips. It feels good to be fed and cared for, finally. Xavier and Brad have yet to hit me; all I have to do is do as they say and hope they don't turn out to be like the men in the Blue Stone Pack. Xavier's arms are squarely in front of me, clutching the X-Box controller and wrapping his arms around my body. Looking up, I notice his lips are slightly apart, and his tongue protrudes slightly. 'Does that imply he desires a chip?'My wolf inquires. I grab a potato chip from the medium-sized bag and place it in his mouth. "Why'd you do that?" he wonders as he chews on the chip. Was that anything I should have done? "Y-your tongue was sticking out," I say quietly. I watch him and Brad play for a bit, occasionally nibbling on a potato chip. "You barely ate." "I'm not hungry." He and Brad exchange glances but don't say anything else. I'm quite aware I'm underweight and have been trying to eat. It's only that I've gone years without eating and been considered overweight. Brad inquires, "Charisse, do you have any hobbies?" I sigh. "Favourite color?" I sigh. "You don't talk much, do you?" As I shake my head, Xavier laughs. "You two are opposites, and I wish Brad would stop talking." I shift my weight and wrap my arms around myself. It's quite cold. The sleeves on the shirt Xavier allowed me to wear practically reach my elbows, and the boxers extend past mid-thigh. It's still freezing outside. For warmth, I lean back and put my head against Xavier. It was quite cold. "Are you OK, baby? You're trembling." "Y-yeah." I stammer. He pauses the game and grabs a lovely blanket to put around me. "Thank you," I respond, extending one foot. Brad laughs, "You're still the same." "You always slept with one foot outside of the blanket." "How tall are you?" I inquire at random. "I'm 6'0," he says. "You're tall." "I'm 6'1," Xavier exclaims. "And you're a little taller." "That's what I was thinking," he mumbles, tenderly caressing my cheek. I burst out laughing. "No!" Brad yells, hurling a pillow at Xavier. He does, however, take care to shoot away from me. "No PDA. No lips on lips or lips on anything in front of me!" He shakes as he says, "Nasty." When Brad notices me laughing, he teases, "Ha, Charisse thinks I'm funnier than you." "No, she doesn't," Xavier says flatly. "Then explain to her that she stopped laughing when you started talking." All eyes are now on me. "Charisse, why'd the chicken cross the road?" Xavier inquires. "To get t-" "To get to the other side!" he exclaims, tickling my sides and making me laugh. Because of my ailments, laughing hurts, but I can tolerate it. The whip marks on my back are already numb. He ends his assault on my skin with one last laugh, "Ha." 'I like it,' says my wolf. 'Me, too.' I concur. While cleaning, I noticed people hanging out at Red Stone, but I was never one of them. It feels good. I also appreciate how Xavier allows me to spend time with my brother. Often, Alphas are overly protective of their mate and forbid any men from approaching her. Brad rushes up from the ground, placing the controller and his hands under the blanket and around my waist. "Hands above the blanket, Ryan!" he exclaims as he points at us. I clutch my palms and shrink even further against Xavier. My brother's yelling is frightening me. When Xavier returns his arms to their original position above the blanket, he says, "That's better." My wolf laments the loss of contact but does nothing about it. "So, when do you want to go shopping?" asks Xavier. My puzzled expression tells him I don't know what he's talking about. "For clothes, we could go to the mall and fill up half of the closet." I explain, "I don't have any money." "I'm paying." I don't like the idea of someone wasting their hard-earned money on me. I'm fine with old clothes; that's why we have washing machines, right? "How many clothes did you have before?" Brad inquires. "From the pack ladies; they had small clothes in storage and gave them to me when Alpha wasn't looking," I explain. "I swear I will find and kill your old Alpha." "You need to tell me the name of your old pack," Xavier continues, but I shake my head fiercely. "Why not?" "They shouldn't get away with abusing you!" Xavier's POV Charisse says quietly, "I don't want anyone to get hurt." Her former pack mistreated and malnourished her, and she didn't want them to suffer. I can tell she's compassionate and caring, but it doesn't mean she has to look after her old pack. "You realize I'll find out who they are sooner or later, right?" I want her to know that they'll receive what they deserve no matter what. She nods, tightening the blanket around her. "When do you get your cast off?" Brad inquires, abruptly changing the subject. "Three weeks for the boot, five weeks for the rest," I explain. Charisse was fast asleep when Dr. James told her how long she had to wear them. We're expected to return to the hospital in a week to get her stitches removed. She heals slower than the usual wolf, almost human-like, but her wolf powers are gradually improving with me nearby. "You want anything to drink, sweetheart?" I am still waiting for a response. Brad says, "She's sleeping." "Did you review the patrol plans yesterday?" "Yeah, I added three more wolves to sector seven to improve communications." "Anything else happens?" "We've got two rogues in here," he says. "How come they aren't dead?" Rogues are usually dealt with swiftly. Only enter Lunar Blood land if they intend to fight. Brad says, "They said they came to get someone." "Who?" "I don't know, but we could conduct some interrogation tomorrow." "I'll do the interrogation, and you'll stay with Charisse," I say. I want to be at her side, but if I don't let out my rage, I might take it out on the house--there's no way I'd hurt my friend, but I don't want her to be any more terrified of me than she already is. She should be terrified of me. "Shit. I have to cancel the search team," Brad says as he struggles to stand up. He bolts from the house, slamming the door behind him. What should I do now? I would be alone on a typical day, watching TV or assisting the search team with Brad. Now that my friend is beside me, I have nothing to do. I reach my feet and carry her bridal gown into our room to place her on the bed. She mumbles something about surfing on potato chips as I open the door. Despite the strange occurrences in her dream, she appears to be experiencing a dreadful dream. "Charisse," I murmur, attempting to rouse her. She's supposed to sleep a lot, but I don't want her to have nightmares when she does. "Hmm?" she asks as he gradually opens her eyes. "You had a bad dream again." "Oh." "Are you hungry?" I inquire, even though I already know the answer. She sighs and shakes her head. "Do you want anything?" she asks, which surprises me. "What?" "If you're hungry, I can cook something," she offers, looking at me in the eyes. "No, it's fine," I say dismissively. Charisse shouldn't be doing anything right now; she shouldn't be working at all. "Are you sure?" she asks. "I could bake you cookies or a cake." She sits up straight and leans on me like the mate bond is working on her. "I'm perfectly fine." I keep my gaze fixed on her while she fiddles with my hand. She appears to be innocent, but the black bruise beneath her eye, cut on her lip, and damaged jaw indicates that she has endured a lot of blows. Scars covered her skin when I first met her. Most people believe that shifters do not have them, although nearly everyone has at least one. Charisse has much more than usual; nonetheless, they will heal with time.

Scars fade and disappear when friends meet; my parents informed me when I was younger. "Are you cold?" I inquire. She sighs and shakes her head. How can I start a conversation if she doesn't respond verbally? "Do you want to go shopping tomorrow or the day after tomorrow?" She sighs. Is she frightened to speak up? She's happier and more open when we're simply messing about, but when we talk about her needs and herself, she's quieter than usual. "I need to do some office work; do you want to stay here or come with me?" I inquire. "Can I come with you?" I take her back in my arms and head to the office. This room was once a bedroom, but I made some changes. I should work at home rather than at the pack house or elsewhere. Charisse breaks the stillness by asking, "How long do you work every day?" 'HECK YEAH!!!' SHE BEGAN THE CONVERSATION!!!!'My wolf applauds. "Three to six hours, depending on the day," I say, "and I do the papers a few weeks ahead." All I did for the first few months of being Alpha was paperwork to get ahead; now, I'm almost two months ahead in paperwork. "Xavier," I like how my name sounds in her tongue. "Your telephone is ringing." "Who is it?" She asks, picking up my phone and reading the caller ID's name. "It's Brad." He was just here; why disturb my friend and me? "Ignore it," I say, wishing my phone still had a decline option. "What if it's really important?" "He wouldn't mind if you linked me if it's important." "Brad called and left a message." "Ignore it." "He's been texting you... a lot." "Ignore it." I go over and turn off the ringer. Should I mute the whole thing? "Won't he get mad if you don't answer?" Charisse's expression tells me she's terrified of what will happen if I don't answer the phone. I hold the phone between us, pressing the answer button and putting it on the speaker. "Wow, I didn't expect you to respond," Brad exclaims. "Yeah, yeah, what exactly do you want?" "I'm not sure," he would say, shrugging. "Is Charisse awake?" he inquires. "Yeah... Wait, never mind," she said before falling asleep again. "What brought you here?" "The team was wondering when they'd finally see Charisse again." Because the search team mostly comprised people who knew her when she was younger, they spent a lot of time looking. "Probably at the ceremony or when I get them to be guards." "OK," he responds before hanging up the phone. Sometimes, I am not by Charisse's side, but she will still be protected somehow. Brad will undoubtedly be my first contact for the assignment, but I shall enlist my father's or Gamma's help if he is also unavailable. My mother will try to go shopping or do anything with my friend, and neither my father nor I will let them go alone. He will even dispatch guards to lurk from a distance when he feels the need. 'Send guards and trackers,' urges my wolf. Trackers? 'To track down anyone who attempts to flirt with my mate,' he explains. Excellent thought. Should I ask my mother to accompany Charisse shopping? Of course, I'll attend, but I'm not familiar with feminine stuff--but my mother will give me a big lecture about not telling her that I've found my mate. Should I contact her straight away? Should I call my father instead? 'Or we could nap,' my wolf says. He has the most brilliant ideas. After closing my laptop and putting up my documents, I lay down on the couch. Charisse is now lying beside me and in my arms, so I move her. Fortunately, the blanket is long enough to cover my body; not every blanket does. When Charisse curls up to my side, I close my eyes and smile as I fall asleep. *** (After one nap) Click. Click. Click. CLICK, CLICK, CLICK, CLICK. "What the hell is that?" I mutter as I open my eyes. "Xavier! Watch your language!" My mother warns as she puts her phone away. Was she photographing anything? "What's going on?" Charisse asks, waking up and emerging from beneath the blanket. "Charisse, this is my mother; Mom, this is my mate, Charisse," I say. Charisse sits up and says, "Hi." Mom gasps, "Oh my goddess!" and pulls her in for a hug. "I've been waiting to meet you!" She gives me a sneer before releasing her embrace on my mate. "What did I do?!?" I exclaim, clutching my companion close. "You were supposed to tell me when you found your soulmate." "I didn't have enough time-" "Yes, you did," she says, cutting me short. "Mo-." "I don't want to hear about it." "It's not even my fault-" She sobs, "You don't even love me!" Oh no. She's sobbing. Charisse furrows her brows and murmurs, "Xavier, you made your mum cry." She turns away from me and embraces my mother. I did nothing! "Uh... Mom?" I'm at a loss for words. "Can you get me a tissue?" she says, her eyes welling up. "I don't have any tissues," I explain. "If you loved me, you would have some!" She holds Charisse and sobs even more. "Do you want some toilet paper?" More sobbing. I get up and dash to the loo. Dad would murder me if he found out I made my mother weep. Charisse's POV "Are you OK, Mrs. Ryan?" I asked, massaging her back. I don't remember having parents, but I know you're not meant to make those who reared you cry. "Oh darling, I'm fine," she says, sitting up straight as if nothing had occurred. She giggles as she wipes her face with tissues from her purse. "I was faking it so that Xavier would leave the room." "By the way, my name is Eva," she says. "You don't talk much, do you?" "That's the same thing Brad said." "It's not a bad thing, honey. He and Xavier could learn a thing or two from you; all they do is talk." she chuckles. "Won't Xavier be back soon?" I inquire. Perhaps he needed help. "No, I hid all the toilet paper and towels while you two slept." "Really?" Eva shows me her phone and says, "I also drew a mustache on a picture I took of him." It shows Xavier asleep with a bright green mustache and unibrow. "Enough chit-chat. Have you two kissed yet?" she asks directly. I slowly nodded. "Well, then, tell me about it!" "Xavier kissed me on the first day I woke up." I begin. "I got scared when we were talking about being mates, and then he just leaned forward." "Have you done anything else?" "Last night, we slept in the same bed," I say. Eva's expression tells me she wants to hear more. "I tried to see if he's ticklish." "I meant if he does anything romantic." she chuckles. Oh. I shrug. "He just holds me a lot." "Mom, I couldn't believe you weren't crying," Xavier says as he walks into the room. "Were you faking?" he inquires. "Yes, now what's that?" Xavier asks, his right hand clutching both crutches and his left bottle. "Charisse's crutches and medication." Didn't I take my medications already? Is there anything else I should bring? He informs me, "It's for your back, sweetheart." "Oh, I'll put it on for you then," Eva replies as she stands up. She takes Xavier's bottle and crutches and assists me in getting used to them. "Mom, I was going to do it." "Well, I am. Charisse and I will have some girl time, and besides, you have work to do." Xavier gasps and swiftly crushes his lips against mine before retrieving his papers. Eva wraps her arm around me to support my weight; unfortunately, I can't even walk independently with crutches. Eva reads, "It says to wear sanitary gloves when applying and to massage the product into wounds lightly." "Will it hurt?" I inquire, concerned about the cream's potential for burning. "Just a little bit. Can you lift your shirt for me?" I hesitantly turn away from Eva and lift my shirt, exposing my back. As she gasps, tears well up in my eyes. "Oh, my goddess," she exhales as she examines my scars and sutures. "Who did this to you?" she speculates. "My old rucksack." "I'm so sorry," she says, pulling me in for another hug. "You don't deserve to be hurt like this." She takes care not to put any pressure on my back this time. Long whip wounds, medium knife cuts, and bruises cover my skin--it's just one of the reasons I dislike my appearance. Aside from the fact that my eyes don't sparkle like everyone else's and my hair isn't soft like everyone else's, my will to live has vanished. Maybe it was Alpha James' torture that made me like this, or maybe it was the misery I put on myself.

Charisse's POV "Have you and Xavier been on a date yet?" I explain, "I've only known him for two days." Surprisingly, Eva makes me feel at ease enough to speak freely. I don't feel the need to keep my ideas hidden from her. "It was eight years before you were taken," she corrects. "Did you know he used to have a crush on you? He stated that he was certain you were his mate." "Really?" I inquire. Normally, you can only recognize your mate once you shift for the first time. However, youngsters with Alpha, Beta, Gamma, or Delta blood tend to shift before age sixteen. I shifted into my wolf for the first time when I was around ten or twelve, somewhere in that range. "Xavier's wolf is stronger than any other Alpha's. His senses are even more acute than they should be, so he favored you so much." Eva elaborates. "I wish I could remember that," I mutter as I feel her latex-gloved hands on my back. "Your memories will gradually return, and your scars will fade." "I was abused as well," she claims. "You were?" "Yes. After declining to marry the Alpha of my previous pack, I was promoted to Omega." "I was ranked lower than the Omegas." I'll start."I wasn't even allowed to be called the pack enslaved person--Alpha said I didn't deserve a title." "I cooked, cleaned, did chores, and handled rogues-" "How do you deal with rogues?" I finally nodded, allowing some tears to fall. "If they were male, Alpha would have sent me out alone to force them to leave." T-the rogues took advantage of me and fled." "Oh, Charisse, I'm so sorry it happened to you! I can't image how badly you were handled." Eva dries my back before pulling me into her arms. "I-I-I can't go b-back." I keep my voice low. "What if they come looking for me?" Red Stone guys have a chance of escaping with me. They are unable to abuse anyone else since Alpha will not allow it. Furthermore, Lunar Blood and Red Stone are neighbors; the only land that separates them is unclaimed rogue territory that both packs are attempting to conquer. "Xavier can easily fight them off without an army, honey." Nobody will let them take you away." Eva states. I truly want to believe her. But Alpha James and Beta Matthews have me convinced that every time I open my eyes, I will be subjected to endless hours of torture and pain. They had broken me beyond repair. "W-what if he likes them?" What if Xavier treats me in the same manner?" "I know you think no one can save you, but Xavier has already done so." You'll realize the importance of friends sooner or later. Every second you spend at his side strengthens your bond; he already loves you." "They s-said th-th-that love d-doesn't d-doesn't exist for m-me." I stutter as I struggle to keep my breathing regular. Eva's POV With sympathy and grief, I glance at my son's classmate. Her account of her previous life is far worse than mine. Only the cruelest, vicious monster would assign rogues to a sweet teenage girl like Charisse. Even worse, they merely came to rape her and then left. If one rogue discovered that the Alpha of Charisse's old pack was sending her out alone and helpless, all rogues would come to use her. When I was her age, I thought that love didn't exist for me, but being told that directly takes it to another level. She was always happy and dreamed of meeting her soulmate. Many people would try to bring her down, but she ignored them and kept her head held high-the fact that she was terrified of almost everyone meant that the pack that kidnapped her did everything they could to break her. "Charisse, your old pack is incorrect. Everyone will fall in love and adore you the moment they meet you. Remember that most pack members knew you as a child, and everyone had been waiting for you to return." "I don't have a place to call home." Charisse murmurs. "Everyone has a place to live. Your home is here in Lunar Blood, with Brad and Xavier." Charisse's POV "We should go grocery shopping next week," Eva recommends using coconut butter lotion on my scars. According to her, if used daily, it lightens scars and marks. "No, it's okay-" "Do you know your bra size?" she asks, disregarding me. "No." "Raise your arms; I know how to measure," she says as she pulls out a measuring tape. I smelled Xavier five minutes after I found out my bra size. "Don't even think about coming in here, you spawn!" Eva dials. "Spawn?" I inquire quietly. "Because I pushed him out of me and gave him life, Xavier is my spawn." "Are both of you fully clothed?" he inquires. Eva does not respond. "Charisse, are you both dressed properly?" I nodded, then realized he couldn't see me. "Yes." I react, trying to be as loud and clear as possible. "Are there no razors out there?" "Isn't anyone shaving?" "No, nothing's out." Xavier walks directly toward me after opening the unlocked door. When he wraps an arm around my waist, I cringe at his tall, muscular body but relax. "You smell like cocoa butter," he says as he takes a whiff of me. "It's called cocoa butter lotion, stupid." Eva sighs and rolls her eyes. "Why did you come here?" Xavier requests that I sit on his lap. Eva makes silent eye contact with me and says, "You need to tell him." I trace lines on my wrist instinctively, slightly shaking my head. "I became bored. If your father phones, I'll be in Walmart." "Why didn't you just call Dad and tell him you were coming here?" Eva shrugs and says, "I didn't feel like it." The doorbell goes off. "He's got here." "Bye, Mom," Xavier grumbles and pecks my cheek. His lips are gentle, yet his facial stubble irritates my skin. "Are you hungry?" My head shakes. He hands me a little pill and adds, "These are supposed to make you eat more." Swallowing it, I wince as it slides down my parched throat. "How was your day at work?" I inquired, my hands in my lap. "Boring. "I don't have anything to do." "Xavier!" Eva yells from the basement. "Your father wants to see both you and Charisse!" Xavier mutters. He places crutches under my arms and grabs my waist to assist me in standing. "It's like I'm living with them again," he murmurs. "How's it going with your back?" "Does it still hurt?" My head shakes. "I can't feel it; it's numb." When we arrive downstairs, Eva and, I assume, Xavier's father is in the living room. When we take on his intimidating form, my wolf whimpers. Xavier is taller and intimidating, but I've seen his good side. "Son, why do you smell like a coconut?" inquires a deep male voice. "It's Charisse." Xavier moves his arm to make me visible. "Oh, goddess, it's you." The only feeling on his father's face is shock. He makes a stride forward, but I reflexively take a step back. He gives me a perplexed look, and I lower my head to gaze at the ground. The only difference between him and Xavier is their eye color and age: both are equally terrifying. "Charisse, don't you remember me?" That is the first question everyone asks me. My head shakes. "Well, then, we're going to leave." After a few moments of stillness, Eva says. "We should have dinner soon!" "Are you afraid of my dad?" Xavier inquires as to when they will go. I'm still determining whether or not to respond. He'll be upset because I'm not responding if I don't. But if I tell him the truth and say I'm terrified of his father, he might get angry and attack me. I could also lie and pretend I'm not afraid, but he'll catch me, and the penalty will be harsher. "Sweetheart, are you afraid of me, too?" he asks as I sit on the couch facing him. I nod slowly without looking at him in the eyes. I cringe and almost jump away from him when he lifts his hand at me. He appears both surprised and hurt by my behavior. "You thought I was going to hit you?" As I nod, tears well up in my eyes. Shifters are taught as children that their mates will love and protect them no matter what, but I'm terrified that mine will mistreat me just like everyone else. "I would never hit you, baby." That's something I've said before. I will never mistreat, abuse, or starve you." I bury my face in his chest and let the tears flow. They're soaking his shirt, but he doesn't seem to mind. "What else did they do to you?" There is one thing I haven't told Xavier yet. He is aware that they separated me from my family and friends, beat my childhood memories out of me, tormented, starved, and tortured me, yet, he is unaware that they also took my innocence. Red Stone robbed me of everything worthwhile. They ensured I had nothing, from my home to fundamental werewolf rights. "I don't w-want y-you to h-hate m-me." I sob. "I will never hate you, no matter what they did." I'm not upset with you, even if I appear to be. "I'll be angry at them," he says ahead of time. I take a long breath and murmur, "Th-they r-raped m-m-me."