Turn of the Moon (Royal Shifters #1)(51)

“Why are you so stubborn?”

“Maybe I get it from my real parents,” I spat.

Huffing, she finished unwrapping me and threw the blanket on the ground. When she got a good look at my body, her eyes flashed. “What the hell happened?”

I looked down and found a messy bite mark on my breast. “It’s the work of your future son-in-law. You must be so proud to know that each and every night, he’ll be forcing himself on me. He’s already informed me that he likes it when I scream in pain. It should make it fun for me, you know, to be a baby factory for your pack.” Walking past her, I stepped into the warm water and sank down into it. Whatever was in it couldn’t be any worse than what awaited me once Kade was ready.

Kneeling down beside me, she soaked the washcloth in the water and rubbed it over my skin. “I didn’t know it was going to be like that. I thought in time you’d grow to love Kade, just like I did with your father.”

My head snapped and I glared at her. “My father was Marrock Storm.”

Releasing a heavy sigh, she lowered her gaze. “I’m sorry. Just like I did with Darius.”

“This is all bullshit and you know it. I have a true mate. This isn’t the way to bring back magic to our packs. By forcing me to do this, it’s only going to cause destruction. One way or another, I will get out of here, even if I have to take my own life. I refuse to be a slave.”

She finished washing me up and helped me out of the water. I knew without a doubt that whatever happened with Kade, I would rather die than have to bow down to him. The light blue dress my mother helped me in was long and silky, but I didn’t see the use in it. It was going to get ripped to shreds once Kade had his way with me.

Through the hole in the ceiling, the moon was almost at its apex. My wolf clawed at me from the inside, desperate to get out. She was trapped just like I was. The weight of the necklace around my neck was a constant reminder of my weakness. With tears in her eyes, Annika brushed my hair and put it up, decorating it with tiny blue flowers that matched my dress. She touched me with tender hands just like she did when I was a child. Even though she deceived me, I had no doubt that she loved me. I could see it in her eyes.

“You’re so beautiful,” she murmured.

Eyes burning, I grabbed her hands, clasping them with mine. It was the last time I would ever see her. “Whatever happens, I want you to know that I forgive you. You weren’t the one who killed my parents, Rollin did. There was never a time I went without because you always made sure I was happy, even when I wanted to go to college.”

A small smile splayed across her lips. “You have no idea what it means to me to hear you say that.”

“All right, it’s time,” Maret called.

I glanced one more time at Annika and kissed her on the cheek. She pulled me into her arms and I closed my eyes, breathing in her lavender scent. “Thank you for loving me.”

She stepped back, brows furrowed. “Why are you saying this?”

Maret took my arm and ushered me toward the door. “Enough talk, Kade’s ready for her.”

Giving her one last look over my shoulder, I smiled and let the tears fall freely down my cheeks. “Goodbye, Mother.”

Everything moved in slow motion at that point. I couldn’t seem to grasp what was happening because everything went too fast. The sound of my mother’s growl echoed in my ears just a mere second before I was knocked to the ground. My head hit the side of the stone temple and everything went fuzzy. I could hear the sound of Maret’s screams and the ripping of flesh. When I was able to focus, Maret’s blood was all over the temple, her body torn to shreds. I gasped when I found not just one, but three wolves standing guard over me.

“Tyla?”

The large, gray wolf stared back at me, baring her teeth in a large grin. The wolf beside her was Micah. If they had gotten inside the wall, then that meant Ryker was there too. My mother shifted and tore the necklace off my body. The second it was gone, not only did my strength return, but my memories came back as well.

I remembered everything about my parents and what happened the night of the attack. My siblings and I were playing Monopoly in my room when my mother burst in and told us to run. Micah had come to get Faith, but Sebastian was with my parents. I didn’t know where my brother was, so I had no choice but to go alone. Before I could get out of the house, Maret’s magic struck.

I had no clue who I was or what was going on. I just knew I had to run. Then, every single moment with Ryker appeared; from the time he found me in the woods, to the time I had to leave him to go to the Northern pack. We were inseparable and I loved him even then.

“You remember,” Ryker murmured in my mind. I could feel him again.

“Where are you? Tyla and Micah are here.”

He flashed an image in my mind of a group of wolves closing in on him. “We ran into some trouble. I promise I’ll find you.”

“Bailey, snap out of it. We need to get you out of here. Go with your friends.” Annika grabbed my hands and helped me up, pushing me out the door.

“I remember everything.”

Tyla and Micah ran out of the temple, growling their impatience. Howls erupted all around us and I knew we didn’t have much time. Annika ignored it all and brushed a hand down my cheek. “Cherish those memories, my dear Bailey. Maybe one day you’ll cherish the ones of us. Now go.”