― Oh, fuck...

Moon squirmed as she, in a vain attempt, tried to scratch her itching finger.

― Why is it so itchy?! Fuck, I’m tired of this bullshit…

― So am I. ― Noira said.

― Why is this so itchy?! ― she said as she scrubbed her hand in the headboard, trying to get rid of the feeling.

― Were you bitten by an insect?

― Don’t think so… This is bothering me…

― Oh, well, I’m still here, so… not so bad of a situation, right? ― Noira says, clearly annoyed. ― Oh, that little son of a bitch is coming…

Moon then sees the door opening and Archie coming toward her, and after dismissing his men, it seems to her that he locked the bedroom door.

There are no windows, and Noira keeps herself alert and tries to take control of the situation to the maximum. Who knows, the metal collar might fail its purpose and she’ll be able to get out. But Moon is convinced that it will not be necessary.

― Let's see how far your petulance goes… ― Archie says, coming near her and slowly taking off her shoes. His hands travel her legs as he climbs the bed, making her shiver in fear. ― Fortunately, for you, the deal is to deliver you alive. But that doesn't mean I can't have fun with you…

Moon grunts, trying to stop him.

― Even if you scream, we're too far from any living soul...And you’re still unmarked, which means… you’re more sensitive than ever to the touch of alphas. ― Archie says unbuttoning her pants. ― It's a shame I can't mark you and prevent you from having a chance with whoever you’re destined to... If, you even have one…

Moon pulls her knees one to the other, trying to prevent his following actions.

― I'm sure Caelan won't mind if I use you a little bit, right? ― Archie says as he undresses, grinning widely. ― It'll be our little secret…

― Get away from me, you sick bastard! ― Moon screams, feeling ever so powerless.

Archie rips her shirt and caresses her whole body, taking a longer on her breasts; Moon doesn’t stop moving, yelling louder each time. He then lowers his hands and unbutton her pants; she manages to hit him with her knees, which leaves him angrier. When he recovers his balance, a big crashing sound in the hall distracts him from Moon.

― What the fuck was that...? ― he exclaims, leaving her and walking toward the door.

All kinds of noises are heard behind the bedroom door until an excruciating silence takes over. For the first time in her life, Moon is afraid.

Afraid of this man named Caelan.

Afraid of whatever is coming towards her at the moment.

To his luck, Archie turns away seconds before the door flies open and shows just one man, panting, eyes red in indescribable anger. Although the information about vampires was few, Moon knew that the state in which Gray found himself was… uncontrollable.

Archie is a coward but does not get easily intimidated; he growls while slowly walking backward, preparing himself to shift. 

When he’s about to, Gray gets in front of him and punches him onto the wall; his arms slowly suffocate him. With much effort, Archie manages to kick his stomach and runs away the second Gray stumbles back. Archie knew his strength wasn’t a match to the vampire.

Gray steadied his balance, and turned around, looking for Moon.

The minute their eyes lock, he hesitates.

― Gray… Get me out of here, please.

He takes one step, and then another, before crumbling to the bed, with his head hung low. As carefully as he could, he tried to free her from the metal collar. His hands shake, he starts getting nervous and then he calls for someone.

It’s Griffin.

Griffin walks slowly, his arm dripping blood and his leg hurts as well. He drops his body to the bed, smiles at her, and hesitates to touch her; Gray hurries him up.

He reaches for his pocket, looking for something.

A set of keys.

After a few tries, he finally opens the collar. He then starts to release her from the chains that are holding her arms and legs.

― Griffin… Go ahead us. ― Gray says, his voice hoarse.

Griffin’s drags his body through the corridor.

Gray gets up and extends his hand, waiting for her to grab it.

When her hand touches him, they hear Griffin screaming in the distance, a loud noise of something heavy falling to the ground, and then, just pure silence.

Their heads turn to the door, hands still hanging in the air.

In the middle of the corridor, a tall and slim figure stands, holding what looks like a gun toward them; before they can even react, the mysterious figure shoots and a dart pierces Gray’s neck. It’s only a second before he falls to the ground.

Moon feels his pain throughout her whole body, and instinctively tries to reach him when she’s also pierced by a dart, but, somehow she doesn’t fall to the ground; instead, she feels, slowly, getting paralyzed.

― No, no, no… ― the man waves his index finger at her. ― That’s… disappointing, my dear. Why are you trying to run away from me? ― the man speaks softly.

He then leaned on the door frame, smiling at her.

― Hello there, Moon. I’m Caelan and it’s such a pleasure to finally meet you. ― the blonde guy says with a voice so soft that gives Moon goosebumps.

― Moon. ― Noira says with urgency in her voice.

― I know. ― Moon says, getting up, with a particular difficulty.

― Know what, dear? ― Caelan smiles. ― Should we play a little bit? I’ll tell you what, let’s race against each other... And, as the gentleman I am, I’ll let you go first. A thirty-second advantage, what do you think? ― he loosens up his black tie and gets away from the door frame, now leaning on her left wall. His expression darkens, as he gets more serious. ― Go.

Moon didn’t think twice as she ran, as fast as she could.

― Why not use your powers? ― Noira asks when they finally see the outside.

The sun is rising and it makes no difference as Moon can’t figure out where they are.

― Whatever he injected in me with that damn dart, is surely preventing me from using my powers… like they’re dormant. ― Moon yells as she runs toward what seems like a forest.

She keeps running, stepping on dried leaves, rocks, jumping branches, and logs on the way until she comes to a stop. In front of her, a big clearing, showered with the sunlight.

From where she stood, she could see three paths. Without thinking much, she ran forward.

But right before she could reach the middle path, she felt a substantial impact on her left side and she was thrown, powerfully, against a tree.

With probably a broken rib, Moon tried hard to fight the pain and get up, but her body refused to do so. Caelan appeared in his dark gray trench coat, kneeling in front of her.

― I’m sorry, dear, but sometimes a little force is needed. ― the man gently caressed her cheeks, cleaning her face dirtied with a little mud. ― You are so perfect. And I need you to know how sorry I am for this…

Before she could even react, Caelan had injected a violet liquid into her neck. She felt the liquid slowly running through her body. It was painful. Like it was made of thousands of microneedles.

Taking her in his arms, the man got up and started walking back.

He couldn’t wait any longer, excited to not only introduce her to his family as well as make her his partner.

Looking tenderly at Moon’s fainted body, Caelan smiled.

― Shall we, my dear?