Their forced luna
Chapter 49

Amanda

The instant our bubble landed on solid ground it popped. I darted forward but Aren grabbed my arm, hauling me back against him. I struggled, pushing against him with my free hand. My wolf was almost asleep. She was there but the more I called to her, the farther away she seemed to be. "Let me go," I screamed at him.

If I followed him into that castle I might not be coming out.

"Alessa," he scolded, his fingers tightened around my upper arm, his fingernails digging into my skin. "You're not being a good girl."

I shuddered. It wasn't the same kind of delicious shiver that worked its way through my body like when one of my mates said it. No, this was pure terror. I whimpered deep in my throat, eyes darting around. The forest all around us was dark and red-eyed creatures stared back at me. Wicked cackles and cries rose in volume almost drowning out every other sound.

"Silence!" Aren roared at the forest. The trees swayed with his scream and the shrieks went quiet like a mute button had been pushed. The crimson eyes still studied me, but they had fallen silent.

Tears burned my eyes. If I had gotten away, I'd have ran into whatever those things were. My heart raced. There had to be a way to break free.

"Alessa, it's time to accept your new life." Aren's hand moved up, arm wrapping around my shoulders and bringing me close to his body again. "Come on, Love. You're mine now, this will go easier when you accept it."

"I'm not your anything," I snarled at him, trying to push him away from me again. But this time he didn't let me go. His grip tightened more. "I'll never submit to you."

He didn't answer but forced us forward step by step into the black yawning gate of the castle. The instant my foot landed on the stone interior the forest behind me exploded in mocking laughter.

Aren nodded to a young maid to the side of the door. Her long brown hair was done in two braided pigtails that almost touched the ground. But that wasn't what really grabbed my attention about her. This woman wasn't a wolf at all. I sniffed, tilting my head as I tried to place the strange scent.

Aren chuckled and snapped his fingers. The maid closed the doors then dropped to all fours. He grabbed her chin and lifted it so I could see into the pale green eyes. "This isn't a Luna, but I still wanted her and the Goddess told me to take her. This is my sweet Mitsi." He turned her head side to side and she stayed still, letting him do whatever he wanted to do. "She's the first cat shifter I've collected. She is one of your sisters as well, even if she's not allowed to be with the others."

Mitsi swallowed hard and her eyes darted away.

Aren's smile faded. "Mitsi," he growled, his grip on her chin tightened and she squeaked. "Do you need some time alone to remember what your place is here? Do not think that because you are carrying a child of mine that I will allow you to be naughty."

I wanted to throw up. But... Maybe in a sick twisted way this would be for the best. It might protect my mates and their future in any case. Once I'd gotten that problem out of the way I'd replace a way to return to them, to beg for forgiveness.

Mitsi meowed desperately as Aren continued to squeeze until his nails drew blood. "Master," she panted. "Welcome home. I missed you so much. I'm ready to serve you anytime you need."

Aren let her go and smacked her cheek hard enough to make a popping sound. "You'll serve me whenever I want, I don't care if you're ready or not. The rest was good enough. Take Alessa here to her quarters and get her prepared for dinner." He glanced over at me, eyes flickering over my appearance, judging me. "The red velvet, I want her nipples barely covered. I like the look of her breasts. Skip the bra and underwear. I want to know what's waiting for me when I've finished all my commitments and I can spend time with my latest bride."

A full-body shudder worked its way through me. Could I really go through with letting this thing touch me? He was handsome, sure, but his nature made me sick to my stomach.

Mitsi scrambled to her feet, bobbing in a bow to him before grabbing my hand and dragging me after her. "Right away, Master," she chirped. Her slightly extended belly wobbled from side to side as she glanced back and tugged at me. "Please, hurry, Sister."

Sister? Bile stung the back of my throat. "My name is Amanda," I corrected her.

She leaned over checking behind me and let out a little sigh, her shoulders sagging. "Amanda, that's pretty. Is that your original name?" she pulled me down a long hallway and into one of the many doors lining it. The room was different shades of red between clothing and furniture. I wrinkled my nose. "Don't worry, you won't be staying here. This is just one of the ready rooms. There's a dorm that the Lunas all stay in but you can only get together at certain times, and only after you've been trained. After you belong to him, you get reduced to that pen and he comes and takes whoever he wants whenever he wants."

"It doesn't sound like you're that trained either," I observed.

She paled. "Please, don't tell him," she begged. Her small hand went to her small bump. "This is the only reason that I haven't been torn apart. Usually cat shifters are hunted down. This child is keeping me alive for now but if it was known I'm still resisting..." she trailed off and shook her head.

"I won't tell," I promised, taking her hand. She gave me a small smile.

I didn't know how I would escape when it came to it. But, I'd decided one thing. I wasn't about to go alone. I'd make sure that Mitsi wasn't lying to me, and also see if there was anyone else that wanted freedom like her, and then we'd escape this hell.