AllFreeNovel
Share Us
The wolf turns and sprints into the woods, and before I even realize what I’m doing, I’m chasing after it. “Wait!”
This is dangerous—foolish to run off into the woods after some strange wolf that may or may not be who I think he is. I’ve heard stories of maidens who were lured by trickster Fae into the forests, and despite the warnings sounding in my head, my heart urges me to pursue.
It’s Malak. It has to be. I don’t know how I know this for sure, but I trust my instincts.
I only pray they are right. I don’t want to end up as a cautionary tale about women running off into the woods and being taken by some devious Otherworldly being with bad intent.
Racing out into the woods, my body struggles to drag in each labored breath. “This blasted corset,” I curse as I push through the woods. Each step making me more dizzy than the last.
The wolf is just up ahead, and I fear I cannot go any further without passing out. “Wait!” I cry out. “I cannot keep running like this.” I wheeze as I brace myself on a nearby tree trunk, my chest heaving with each ragged breath.
With my free hand, I try to reach back to loosen the knot of my corset, but the movement only makes everything feel even tighter than before. The world spins around me, and I stumble forward.
Strong arms catch me around the waist, and I blink up at a shadowy figure leaning over me.
“Luna.” My heart squeezes painfully in my chest at the familiar deep tone of Malak’s voice. Moonlight spears through the branches, illuminating his face in silver light.
My head is spinning, and I don’t know if this is real or not. With a trembling hand, I cup his cheek. “Is this a dream?” I barely manage.
“What is wrong?” His green eyes stare down at me in concern.
“My corset’s too tight,” I force the words past my lips. “It’s constricting my—”
The sound of ripping fabric fills the air as Malak slices the ribbon of my corset with his sharp claws. I draw in several deep, gulping breaths.
“Better?” he asks.
Confusion quickly overshadows my relief. “What are you doing here?”
“I came for you,” he says. “Just as I vowed that I would.”
I thought nothing could ever hurt me as much as his letter, but as he stands before me now, saying the words I dreamed of him saying so many times, my heart shatters all over again. Tears sting my eyes, as my hurt wars with anger. I push up to my feet. His strong hands are still wrapped around my waist as if to steady me, but I bat them away and step back from him.
“Luna, what is wrong?” he asks.
“What’s wrong?” I ask, unable to hide the bitter edge to my tone. “You told me to forget about you, Malak. And the last I heard you were engaged to the Princess of Ilanthos.” I gesture to him. “So, what are you doing here now? Why have you come?”
A traitorous tear slips down my cheek, but I quickly brush it away. I do not want to cry in front of him. Not now. “Why after all this time, Mal?”
His brow furrows deeply. “Because you are mine, Luna.”
Pain spears through me. A sob rises in my throat, but I quickly draw in a shaking breath, not wanting to appear pitiful or weak. This man broke my heart, and now he’s here claiming that he still wants me?
My corset starts to fall from my body, and my sadness is quickly replaced by raw anger. If anyone sees me like this, there will be a scandal for sure. My reputation will be ruined, as will any prospect of a respectable future. Malak hurt me before, and I’ll not let him ruin me.
Glaring at Malak, I hold my corset to my chest and bite my bottom lip to stop it from quivering. “I amnotyours.” I struggle to keep my voice even despite my pain and anger. “Youchosesomeone else. You made it very clear that you did not want me, Malak. So, donotcome here claiming that I am yours, becauseyoucastmeaside, remember?”
CHAPTER9
MALAK
Luna’s anger is a blade in my heart. I never stopped wanting her, but I could not allow my father to think that I did. “I lied to protect you,” I explain. “I had to. My father would have sent assassins to finish what his guards did not, if he knew what I felt for you. “Please, Luna, I—”
I stop as my gaze drops to the elegant curve of her neck. Devastation fills me. She has covered my mark with a thick layer of makeup, so that it is barely visible. How could she do such a thing? Marking is sacred—a sign of the unbreakable bond between mates.
“You covered my mark.” My nostrils flare as pain and anger build within me. “And you were dancing with another male.”
“Why do you care?” Anger burns in her eyes. “You are betrothed to the princess of Ilanthos. Or was that a lie too?”
