Page 3 of Unbelievable Faith
Chapter 2
“Hello, love.”
Luna fought to hide her disgust when Maddox called her that. She wasn’t sure why he did it. He didn’t love her. She didn’t think he knew how to love anyone, or anything, except maybe himself. But he called her by the endearment all the time and it always, always sent a shudder of revulsion throughher.
He was coming closer to her now and her wolf shrank inside of her. Clawed deeper, wanting to get as far away from this man she saw as a threat as possible. Luna didn’t budge though. She didn’t blink or recoil. She kept her eyes on his and her face blank of the hatred she felt forhim.
It wouldn’t do to let him see it now. He’d use it against her. He’d hurt her for daring to defy him in front of his lackeys. Worse, he might hurt Maya or Nova and she was only doing this to keep them safe. So she didn’t react, not even when he reached forward and tugged at a loose strand of hair that had fallen in herface.
“Are you ready for the ceremony?” His voice was smooth, rich and arrogant with the knowledge that he was getting what hewanted.
She gave a small dip of her chin, as close to a nod as she couldmanage.
Maddox only snorted and gave her hair another tug before releasing her and flicking his fingers as if wiping away something distasteful, “No. You’re not. But you will be. We’ll get you all cleaned up first. We can’t have the pack seeing you like this. I need you clean, bright and shiny like the princess you are if they’re going to believe you’re doing this for the rightreasons.”
Luna grit her teeth but said nothing. The right reasons? Saving her sisters was theonlyreason. He was certifiably insane if he thought anyone in the pack would believe she was doing this out of some misplaced sense of love or devotion. Her nails dug into her palms where she clenched her fists so that she didn’t lash out as he confirmed everything she should have seen from thebeginning.
He wanted her last name. He wanted her standing in the pack. He had absolutely no use for her outside ofthat.
He’d kept her chained in the basement. Barely fed. Unable to turn because of the silver cuffs that burned her skin. She was weak and dirty, her clothes ripped from her attempts to break free. He’d had her brought upstairs let his lackeys see her at her worst, probably to show off his power. But he wouldn’t want the rest of the pack to see how badly he’d treatedher.
“Cleaned up?” Her throat was tight and raw, hoarse from disuse, but she couldn't seem to stop herself from yearning for what he wasoffering.
A shower, clean clothes, a toothbrush and mouthwash. They’d become the things she fantasized about late at night all alone in the basement. She couldn’t remember the last time she was allowed to shower and the promise of hot water seemed far too good to betrue.
One side of his mouth tipped upwards knowingly but he glanced over her shoulder, “Terrance, go get Sasha.” His gaze flicked back to her, “She’ll stay with you while you shower and dress for theceremony.”
“But…” She’d been hoping he would leave her alone, not wanting the other men to see her. She should have known Sasha Devlin would be on his side. That female was an evil bitch that had hated her for years. Why the hell didn’t he just mate Sasha and leave Luna the hellalone?
“Sorry, love, but I don’t trust you not to do something stupid if I leave you to your own devices.” He smirked and tugged her hair again, a gesture she now realized was meant to be playful, affectionate even, “Sasha will help you with anything you need and she’ll relay it to me if you try anything. Don’t try anything, Luna. I don’t want to have to hurt you or your sisters on our weddingnight.”
Her stomach roiled at the words. Wedding. Night. She’d agreed to do the mating ceremony and he wanted it done as soon as possible despite the tradition of waiting until a new moon. He wanted to seal his claim on her. In a matter of hours, when the moon was as high as it could get in the sky, she’d have to stand beneath it and abandon everything she’d ever believed in, lie about her intention to honor and respect her new mate, even as she bound herself to him and made himfamily.
Family.
A thought hit her and she clung to it desperately. Her sisters, it had been so long since she saw her sisters. Maybe, just maybe, she could convince him to let her see them now. So she could check on them, talk to them, maybe even find a way to get them out ofhere…
Luna swallowed despite her dry throat, “Maddox, may I… may I ask to have my sisters with me? They’re the only family I have left and, as you said, it’s my wedding night. They should be here with me to help pin my hair and put on my dress.” She saw his eyes narrow suspiciously so she rushed on, “It’s tradition for the younger females to help the bride prepare for her wedding night. Consider it a show of good faith? Our family, welcoming you into ittonight.”
The lies made her tongue feel heavy but she didn’t dare blink. He was staring at her and she could practically see his mind working behind his intensely dark eyes. Pros and cons, whether she would try to escape, how it would look to the pack if he refused her this tradition. Finally, his lips thinned into a frown and he sighedheavily.
“Anything for you love.” He motioned over her shoulder again, “Andre, retrieve Nova. Bryan, Russell, Lamar, you three go and get Maya. If she gives you any trouble, tell her that her sister has requested her presence at ourwedding.”
Luna winced. Three Enforcers to get Maya? Oh, her sister must have been hell on wheels to warrant that kind of muscle. Her heart ached at the thought of anyone hurting her headstrong teenage sister and she quickly turned to face the men that had been charged with bringing herhere.
“Tell her I said to use honey, notvinegar.”
One of the men snuffled, “Cookingrecipes?”
She rolled her eyes at the idiot, “Just do it. She knows what it means and she’ll come, willingly, without putting up afight.”
“Well, that would be fuckin’ nice.” One of the other men that she recognized as Russell muttered under hisbreath.
“Go on then.” Maddox dismissed his men with a wave, “Bring the girls here and do it quick.” As the men filed out of the room, Maddox twisted a hand in the back of her hair and pulled her ear close to his mouth, “If this is some sort of scheme to get your sisters away from me, I’ll make you pay for it, Luna. You’re mine. This pack is mine. And after tonight, your family legacy will be all minetoo.”
She winced at the pain that shot through her skull, “It’s not a scheme. I just… just want to see mysisters.”
“Sasha is still staying with you so don’t bother trying to escape.” His fist tightened and she could hear the smile in his voice when he continued, “She hates you. Did you know that? Can’t stand that the whole pack adores you just for being born a DeLuca, not when you’re a lowly submissive Beta. She’d kill you and take your spot in a heartbeat if she thought I’d let her get away withit.”
