Ava''s POV


    The footsteps grew louder, echoing off the stone walls. I exchanged a quick nce with


    Sophia, our newly established mindlink thrumming with remain. 24


    Now? Her mental voice trembled slightly.


    Not yet, I replied. Wait until they''re close enough.


    The iron door groaned open. Three wolves stepped inside, their faces half-hidden


    by shadows. I kept my breathing slow and steady, pretending unconsciousness while watching through barely-parted eyelids.


    "Still out cold," one of them grunted, kicking at the edge of my chain.


    ''Check them," another ordered. "Boss wants an update."


    Get ready, I sent to Sophia. When I say now, use the paste.


    The man closest to us leaned down, his breath hot on my face as he roughly grabbed my chin. "Hey pretty, wakey wakey


    NOW!


    Sophia''s fingers moved with surprising speed, smearing the moon silver paste onto her chains. I did the same, feeling instant relief as the burning sensation subsided. A surge of energy flooded back into my limbs, not full strength but enough.


    Before the wolf could react, I headbutted him with everything I had. The satisfying crunch of his nose breaking sent a jolt of savage pleasure through me. He stumbled backward, blood spraying.


    "What the- The second wolf barely got the words out before I was on him, using the chain between my wrists as a weapon, whipping it across his face.


    To my surprise, Sophia moved like water, twisting gracefully to knock the legs out from under the third attacker. Those delicate moves I''d seen at formal gatherings transformed into something deadly. Alpha blood ran true after all.


    "Back to back!" I shouted, positioning myself against her. "Don''t let them surround us!"


    "These bitches were ying possum!" one of them snarled, wiping blood from his face. "Get backup! NOW!"


    We formed a defensive circle, just like we''d been taught in Warrior Academy. Sophia''s breathing came quick and shallow, but her movements remained precise. I could feel sweat running down my back, the moon silver paste already starting to fade, my strength wavering.


    "Ava, your left!" Sophia warned through our link.


    I spun just in time to catch a wolf lunging for my throat, driving my knee into his


    stomach. He doubled over, but another took his ce. There were too many, and the silver was beginning to burn again.


    The door burst open as more wolves poured in-six, maybe eight


    more. My heart sank.


    ''I won''t let you touch her!" I snarled as two wolves grabbed for Sophia.


    "Take down the blonde first!" their leader shouted./She''s easier to handle!"


    Three wolves tackled Sophia to the ground, her golden hair fanning out across the filthy floor, mixing with dirt and blood. The sight m... something break


    inside me.


    "Get her the maximum dose!" one shouted. "Don''t let her wake up again!"


    I fought to reach her, but four wolves pinned me down, my face pressed against cold stone. All I could do was watch as they jabbed a needle into Sophia''s neck. Her body went rigid, then limp, eyes rolling back.


    “Ava.................... I''m..... sorry... She whispered before goingpletely still.


    Let her go, you worthless mutts! I screamed, thrashing against their hold. You''ll pay for thist


    Sophia''s face was so peaceful in unconsciousness, her lips moving slightly as if trying to form final words. Tell Father and Luens I lose them. The data shattered my heart into a thousand pieces. I''d promised to protect her, and I''d failed.


    "Look at that," one wolf sneered, "seeing her friend knocked out finally shut the warrior bitch


    "Shut up my ass!" I snarled, feeling my fingers brush against the small knife hidden in my boot-the emergency de every Shadow Creek warrior carried


    While they focused on Sophia, I seized my moment. With a single fluid movement, I pulled the de free and drove it deep into the nearest wolf''s thigh, twisting hard to ensure maximum damage. Blood spurted as I hit the femoral artery, his howl of agony music to my ears.


    "She stabbed me! Fuck! I''m bleeding out!'' he screamed, clutching at the wound as blood pumped between his fingers.


    The brief satisfaction vanished as fists and boots rained down on me. I curled into


    a protective ball, shielding my head and vital organs. Each breath Brought stabbing pain from what felt like broken ribs.


    "Enough!" The leader''s voice cut through the chaos. "The client wants her alive, you idiots!"


    "But she just killed Renn!" one protested.


    "Then Renn was weak, the leader replied coldly. "We have a job to finish."


    The beating stopped, leaving me gasping on the floor. I tasted blood, but refused


    to show weakness, ring up at them through swollen eyes.


    "What do we do with her?" one asked. "Another dose of moon venom?"


    The leader''s face split into a cruel smile. "I have a better idea." He reached into


    his jacket and pulled out a syringe filled with glowing red liquid.


    My blood ran cold. I knew what that was-Moon Heat. The most degrading punishment in wolf society, forcing females into artificial heat cycles.


    "Know what this is, warrior bitch?" he waved the syringe, eyes gleaming with malice.


    ''Don''t touch me!" I spat, thrashing against the hands holding me down.


    One wolf nted his boot on my stomach, pinning me in ce. "This is Moon Heat," the leader continued. "Royal families use it to punish disobedient females. Soon you''ll be begging us to take you."


    ''You spineless, honorless mutts," I hissed, fighting with renewed desperation.


    The leaderughed. "The client just wanted you dead, but I think we should have some fun first."


    I bucked and twisted as the needle approached my neck, but it was useless. The sharp sting as it pierced my skin was nothingpared to the horror of knowing what would follow.


    ''Hold her tight," the leader instructed. "This gets interesting fast."


    The initial sensation was a spreading warmth from the injection site, almost pleasantpared to the silver''s burn. Then came the heat-a sudden, overwhelming wave surging through my body, pooling low in my abdomen.


    I bit down on my lip until I tasted blood, trying to focus on the pain instead of the unwanted sensations building inside me. My vision'' taking on a reddish tinge. "Look, her scent''s already changing," one wolf/said, inhaling deeply. ''Sweeter now."


    1, everything


    The heat intensified, bing unbearable/1 clenched my thighs together, but that only worsened the ache. Sweat beaded on my skin as my temperature


    soared.


    213


    She''ll be begging soon, the leaderughed. "Proud warrior reduced to a whimpering mess.


    The worst part wasn''t the physical reaction-it was the rity of mind. Moon Teat didn''t cloud consciousness; it left you fully aware of your body''s betr Every humiliating response, every involuntary reaction-you experienced it all, helpless to stop it.


    Tears of rage and shame burned in my eyes as I fought against my own biology. The wolves'' faces swam before me, their mockingughter distant through the roaring in my ears.


    As the drug took stronger hold, one desperate thought kept me anchored: ke will find us. He has to.


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    Chapter Comments


    Mike


    im sorry... but if she is a warrior why isnt she going for kill shot? she is just going


    for incapacitating or midly injured, till thest bit...


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