WARNING 🔞
"I won't hesitate to hand you over to my father. Even if I might lose in a fight against him, and even if my mother Eve is overthrown as Luna, you'll still be trapped in hell as Luna of the Moonshadow pack." — Arion
~~~
Lily's breath caught in her throat as Arion's grip tightened, his words a chilling reminder of the power he held over her.
The forcefulness of his actions and the cruelty of his proposition painted a grim picture of the reality she faced.
The dichotomy of his appearance—his striking handsomeness contrasted with his menacing demeanor—only added to the unsettling nature of the situation.
The image Arion painted was a haunting one, a choice between two horrors that twisted her stomach into knots.
Her defiance wavered as the weight of his ultimatum pressed down upon her. It was a twisted irony—his desire to avoid bloodshed by forcing her into an arrangement that could lead to her own psychological torment.
As their gazes locked, Lily felt a mixture of fear and anger bubbling within her. Her heart pounded against her chest, the raw emotions swirling in a tempest of conflict.
Arion's proximity, his grip on her, and the stark reality of her predicament all combined to create a tension that seemed ready to snap at any moment, leaving her teetering on the edge of an abyss of choices she never wanted to make.
"I won't hesitate to hand you over to my father. Even if I might lose in a fight against him, and even if my mother Eve is overthrown as Luna, you'll still be trapped in hell as Luna of the Moonshadow pack. Being my temporary imprint can't be that bad, huh?! In fact, this imprint contract benefits both of us. You can at least shed your pet status. I heard those lower-ranking werewolves mock you, though no one would dare touch you. But they taunt you day and night. Even in your sleep, you can't find peace."
Arion's words bore a twisted kind of logic, his proposition casting her fate as an almost merciful alternative to the bleak existence she had been enduring.
The idea that this arrangement could offer her an escape from the taunts and humiliation of her position as a "pet" had a seductive quality, despite the underlying control he sought to exert over her.
Lily's eyes widened in disbelief, her chest throbbing with surging emotions. She didn't like Arion or Xander, but... upon reflection, Arion was clearly a slightly better option than his father.
At least he wasn't directly involved in the death of her parents!
The conflicting emotions swirled within Lily, a tumultuous mix of resentment, defiance, and a reluctant recognition of the twisted choices she was presented with.
The realization that Arion's proposition offered a degree of relief from her current torment while distancing her from Xander's hands stained with her parents' blood was a bitter revelation.
Arion stepped back, and Lily fell into a thoughtful silence, contemplating the man's proposition. She didn't really have any other options, and returning to Xander's clutches would surely be the end of her.
"Just six months, right?" she finally said, locking her gaze onto Arion's. Her words carried a mix of resignation and a hint of determination—a concession that she might be able to endure this arrangement for a limited time.
"Yes. Six months, and you'll be free," Arion affirmed confidently.
The word 'free' sounded like a bitter lie to Lily's ears, but at least it meant she could escape Xander. Reluctantly, she nodded her head. "Alright, I accept your offer."
Arion grinned cruelly. "Good pet."
The man stepped closer, and Lily was taken aback when Arion, without preamble, pressed his lips against hers. She jerked, instinctively pushing Arion away. "What are you doing?!"
"What else? You need to be mine tonight before my father comes to attempt imprinting on you again," he stated matter-of-factly.
Lily's shock turned into a mixture of indignation and fury. Her heart raced as she processed the audacity of Arion's words and actions.
The intrusion of his kiss and his callous attitude left her reeling, a storm of emotions swirling within her.
The realization that the supposed "imprint mating contract" might involve more than she initially thought sent a jolt of anger through her veins.
"Does that mean I have to serve you in bed? Just like your father forced me to do yesterday?" Lily asked, her eyes welling up with tears.
For some reason, Arion gazed into Lily's bright blue eyes with a look of sadness. It was almost unbelievable for Lily.
"A foolish question!" Arion's response was curt. So cold, so heartless.
Lily's heart felt as though it was being squeezed in a vise. The emotions swirling within her were a chaotic mix of sorrow, anger, and a profound sense of violation.
The echoes of her parents' tragic deaths and the torment she had endured collided with the harsh reality of her current circumstances.
The words felt like a harsh slap across Lily's face. But Arion seemed unfazed, proceeding to kiss her once again.
His kiss was rushed, as if he couldn't contain himself any longer. His mouth pressed against Lily's with a rough urgency, devouring her lips hungrily.
Lily felt a mix of emotions surge within her—a combination of shock, anger, and a sense of violation.
The invasion of his kiss left her feeling trapped and powerless, her heart pounding against her chest as the reality of her situation crashed over her.
The abruptness and intensity of his actions only heightened her discomfort and resistance, reminding her that she was caught in a twisted dance with a man who wielded power over her, a man whose intentions remained enigmatic and whose advances she was determined to fend off.
Lily once again questioned her decision. "Was my choice right? Have I made a mistake? Am I just moving from one alpha's pet to another? At least Xander holds more power than Arion. Could I be making a wrong move?"
As Lily's mind raced with uncertainty, Arion pulled away momentarily, his gaze smoldering with passion.
Lily was once again taken aback as Arion tore her dress with a swift motion. His strong arms guided her to lie down on the bed, and then he crawled on top of her.