Mira's POV
My legs quiver in fear. I swallow hard, forcing myself to maintain a blank expression, no matter how loudly my mind screams at me to run.
"Anton is really a bastard," Rowan smirks, his voice laced with amusement. The others exchange knowing looks, their lips curling into faint smiles, as if they've already agreed upon some sinister plan.
"That's my father!" I shoot them a sharp glare, my heart pounding in my chest. If only they knew what I truly planned. I wasn't here to beg or accept my fate. No—I was going to avenge my mother's death. I was going to reclaim my life, my freedom.
I would get close to my father and enjoy every luxury the Moon Goddess had fated for me. Then, when the time was right, I'd tear him apart.
"A father that sold you to the brothers you want to rip apart?" Lucian runs his fingers through his hair, his voice calm yet accusing.
My mouth falls open in shock. How did they know?
"You're an open book, Mira." They scoff in unison, eyes scanning my face like they're reading every thought flashing through my mind.
Heat rises to my cheeks. I hadn't meant to be so transparent.
Their eyes roam my body, intense and filled with a hunger I can't ignore. Yet, something about Kai and Damien is different. They're holding back. Resisting. But why?
"Her transparent expression will make tonight even more interesting," one of them mutters. I can't tell who. My thoughts are too clouded, racing between panic and escape plans.
I consider my options. There's a sixty percent chance I can make it if I leap off the window. A reckless move, but better than whatever they have planned.
"I'm not going to have anything to do with any of you tonight," I declare, my voice firm despite the way my chest rises and falls with anxiety.
Rowan's lips curl into a cruel smirk. "Are you trying to run, little pup? Where's that feisty stubborn girl from earlier? This would be a good time for her to show herself."
"This is her first time, Rowan. Don't scare her," Damien scoffs, his gaze still locked onto me.
Lucian sighs, stepping forward. "I'll do something I never do with women—give you an option." His voice is calm, but the weight behind it makes my breath hitch. "Do you want us all at once, or should we take our time?"
My stomach clenches.
"None of the above." My feet move instinctively, taking quick backward steps toward my only escape route.
"That's not how things work here, mate."
Mate.
My wolf stirs inside me, purring in excitement. No. No, not now. I quickly avert my gaze, forcing myself to suppress the feeling.
"You feel it, don't you?" Lucian's voice drops lower, almost coaxing. "Our wolves long for each other. Fighting it will only put you in danger. Embracing it will make you who you were meant to be."
"I don't have a wolf," I snap, gripping the rail behind me.
"Yet," he corrects smoothly. "We all felt the bond. Do you really think a weak human could have drawn our interest?"
I don't have time to argue. My back hits the cold railing, and I whip my head around. The drop is staggering.
I swallow hard. There's no way I'd survive that fall. If I had a wolf, I'd heal within a week. But without one?
"Is this your grand escape plan?" Rowan muses. "How disappointing. I was hoping for something more… entertaining."
"There's nothing to see," I bite back, clenching my fists.
"Oh, there will be."
In a blink, he's in front of me, trapping me between the railing and his massive frame.
"You're scaring me," I whisper. My pulse thunders in my ears.
"This is what you do to us, Mira. The effect you have on us." His voice is thick with something dangerous.
I can't breathe. The air between us is charged, suffocating.
"Take off your clothes."
My body freezes.
"Slowly," he instructs, his voice leaving no room for argument.
My fingers tremble as they reach for the hem of my dress. I want to resist, but my body betrays me, moving against my will.
The fabric falls to the ground, pooling at my feet.
"Good girl."
Lucian gestures toward the bed. "Get the basket."
My brows furrow in confusion, but I obey, placing it onto the bed. When I lift the lid, my blood runs cold.
Inside are silk ribbons, gold-plated cuffs, and bottles of unfamiliar liquids.
I take a sharp step back.
"We're taking her at once," Damien blurts, his control slipping.
"No." Rowan's voice is strained. "We won't mark her tonight. But we need to prepare her."
Kai, the one I distrust the most, finally speaks. "If we don't do something, we're all going to lose control soon."
My heart hammers.
Rowan's hand grips my chin roughly, tilting my face as if searching for something. He lowers his face, his eyes locked onto mine, and suddenly, his lips crash against mine.
His tongue forces its way inside, tasting me, dominating me.
I squirm, trying to push him away, but he's too strong.
He tastes like hot mint and fire.
I hate that my body reacts.
"Open her legs, Rowan."
No. No. No.
His hand slides down my thigh, forcing them apart.
"Rowan," Damien growls, a warning laced in his voice.
Rowan finally pulls away. My lips throb from the bruising kiss.
"This is sweet torture," he whispers. "Be prepared."
Then, he slides it in.
A gasp rips through me as an instant, foreign pleasure floods my body.
I bite my lip, refusing to give them the satisfaction of a sound.
Rowan leans down, his lips brushing against my ear. "Do you really want to stay silent, little pup? I can guarantee you'll regret it."
His hand snakes up my body, finding my nipple. He squeezes, hard.
A yelp escapes my lips before I can stop it.