Chapter 11: Radulf is in rut
Melissa spent the entire day in the solitude of her chamber, her silence as heavy as the bruise on her cheek. The mark from the Luna Queen's harsh slap had darkened now.
A soft knock broke the quiet. "Luna, I've brought your evening tea," Pia announced as she entered, her voice gentle yet attentive.
Melissa set the hand mirror aside and hummed in acknowledgment. Pia's gaze quickly fell on the discolored mark on Melissa's face, her eyes widening in alarm.
"Luna, what happened to your face? Did your father…?" She trailed off, her voice faltering as she recalled the many times Melissa had borne the brunt of her father's temper—even after her marriage.
Melissa avoided her gaze. "Did you find out what happened to Radulf? He has suddenly refused to see me."
Pia hesitated, her concern deepening. "I have no idea, Luna. I tried asking Savio, but he ignored me," she admitted, frustration creeping into her tone. She quickly shifted back to her task, pouring a cup of tea for Melissa. "You should drink this before it gets cold."
Melissa reached for the teacup, her fingers brushing against its warmth. Pia offered a faint smile. "Enjoy your tea, Luna. I'll check on the Alpha once more," she promised before slipping out of the chamber.
Melissa hummed softly in response, raising the cup to her lips. She inhaled its soothing aroma, letting the warmth seep into her hands before taking a few sips.
She felt strange as if her vision was getting blurry. Melissa's hand trembled as she tried to place the cup on the saucer, but it fell to the floor, thus shattering into pieces. She tried to open her eyes, realizing something was odd with the tea, but her eyes gave up.
She fell on the couch, her breathing getting slower. Through her hazy vision, she saw a figure approaching her.
Nina stopped right in front of her and lowered herself on her knees.
"You?" Melissa managed to whisper. She tried to move, but her body remained paralyzed.
Nina smirked, her eyes glinting with malice. She leaned in closer, her tone dripping with venom. "Radulf is in rut. Now, I'll go to his chamber, and he will mate with me," she declared, her voice laced with triumph. "I told you I'd make sure to become his Luna."
Melissa's chest heaved as she tried to fight the haze clouding her mind, but her body refused to cooperate. Nina's hand moved to stroke Melissa's hair mockingly, her smirk widening.
"Have a good rest, Melissa," Nina added before she stood, leaving Melissa powerless on the couch.
Through her blurred vision, Melissa spotted the water jar sitting on the table. A glimmer of hope ignited in her as she mustered every ounce of her remaining strength to reach for it.
Her hand trembled violently as she finally grasped it, but in the process, a sharp piece of the shattered teacup cut into her foot. She winced in pain, but the sting was insignificant compared to her resolve.
No matter what but she couldn't let Nina to appear before Radulf when he was in the rut.
Her fingers fumbled with the lid, but she lacked the strength to unscrew it. Desperate, Melissa tilted the jar, letting the cold water spill over her head and cascade down her face. The cold water jolted her senses, forcing her eyes to widen as the drug's effect began to dissipate.
With her clear vision now, she quickly opened the lid and poured the remaining water over herself, letting the water revive her fully.
"Luna!" Pia's panicked voice echoed as she rushed into the room, her eyes widening at the sight. "What are you doing?"
"Where is Savio?" Melissa demanded, her wet hair clinging to her face.
Pia hesitated, clearly flustered. "He... he refused to tell me anything," she stammered.
Melissa stood, her movements deliberate despite the sting in her foot. Her eyes blazed with determination. "Alright. Let's go," she commanded.
Pia quickly fell in step behind her.
When Melissa and Pia reached Radulf's chamber, they didn't see Savio, but their eyes caught Nina slipping inside.
"Get a guard," Melissa commanded Pia before running toward the chamber herself. As Nina took a step to reach the innermost part of the chamber, Melissa grabbed her arm and yanked her back with a fierce grip.
Nina whirled around. "How did you wake up?" she asked, frowning, and pulled her arm free with a sharp yank.
Melissa knew she was no match for Nina's strength, but she stood firmly before her.
"You won't take advantage of my husband as long as I'm alive," Melissa declared.
Nina's lips curled into a cruel smirk. "Then I'll just have to kill you. No one will even care about your death—not even Radulf," she sneered before lunging at Melissa.
Melissa managed to dodge the first strike, but Nina's second attack was relentless. Her hand clamped tightly around Melissa's throat, forcing her against the wall.
"A weak, pathetic omega like you could never be Radulf's type. He hates you," Nina taunted, her voice dripping with malice.
Just as Melissa felt her strength slipping, Savio stormed in. With one swift motion, he pulled Nina away and restrained her.
"Take her away, Savio," Melissa ordered between gasps, her hands clutching her throat.
"No!" Nina screamed, struggling against Savio's grip, but he dragged her out of the chamber, leaving Melissa standing there, shaken but determined.
As she reached for the door knob to leave, a sudden force slammed the door shut with a loud thud. Melissa froze, her breath hitching as she felt a powerful presence behind her.
Radulf's body pressed against hers, his warmth overwhelming her senses. "Melissa," he murmured huskily into her ear, his lips brushing against her earlobe before placing a lingering kiss there.
"Radulf," Melissa whispered and tilted her head to look into his eyes. She wanted to apologize to him for not being able to understand the state he was in. But his next words astonished her.
"My mate," he whispered in a deep and possessive voice, which sent a shiver down her spine.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone