Chapter 1
-Mercy-
“Please! No! Dad!” I beg, but he turns away from me. He has hurt me in countless ways since I was born, and I have endured it all—the slaps, the cruel words, being left out in the cold, and being told that only if I can return on my own am I allowed back inside. He has denied me food and water, humiliated me, even tied me outside or locked me in my room. But I have accepted it. I’ve accepted it all, but not this.
I don’t want their touches, but he gives me to the others. To his fighters, anyone who wants me. He leaves me with them, lets them take turns with me, and all I can do is watch him walk away. I cry. I want it to stop, so I go numb. I don’t know what else to do but accept it, because if I fight, they will hurt me more.
I don’t know how long I lie on that bed. Time has blurred. I can’t move. I feel like I don’t even exist. It has gone quiet now. No more grunting or noise. I’m alone again, but I can’t do anything.
“Mercy!” A soft voice, one that always brings me comfort, reaches my ears. I whimper when I feel hands on my abused body, but these hands are different—welcome.
“No, no.” Taylor appears in my line of sight.
She has seen so much, but this is the first time she learns of the new torture I endure.
“What happened?” she asks softly, turning my face, but I can’t speak.
“Wait here,” she whispers, disappearing.
I hear water running. Then she returns with a wet cloth, wiping my face, and I feel her gently cleaning my body. I can’t thank her enough for being in my life. Without her, I would have died long ago.
“T-Taylor...” I whisper.
She moves into my line of sight again, and I begin crying uncontrollably.
“Please make it stop...”
“Mercy...” She cries too now.
“I can’t do this anymore.”
“We’ll find a way. We’ll get out of here. We agreed on it!”
“I can’t move...” I whisper.
“It will be okay. I’m right here. I promise, I’ll never leave you.”
“Just... make it stop.”
“I’m right here.”
She presses her forehead to mine, and I sigh in relief. Somehow, she always knows how to ease my pain. No one else can do it but her.
“Mercy?” A soft voice called out to me. I knew if I looked behind, I’d see Taylor. I knew she was naked. I had made love to my mate until she fell asleep, but I couldn’t sleep myself. I stood on the balcony, facing the forest behind our pack house. When I turned eighteen, I learned that Taylor and I were mates. She was a year older, and the moment we found out, neither of us hesitated to claim each other.
“You should sleep,” I said.
She walked up to me, wrapped her arms around my waist, and kissed my shoulder. I was wearing a thin robe, and I could feel her warmth through the material, her heavy breasts pressed against my back.
“You should too,” she whispered.
“I’m fine.”
“You always say that.”
I glanced over my shoulder, and she looked at me with a touch of accusation.
“I don’t know what else to say,” I replied.
“Just be honest with yourself.”
She gave me a small smile, and I returned it.
“I know you don’t like my plan,” I said.
“I think it’s dangerous. Is that what’s keeping you up?”
“No, it’s the same stuff.”
“Well, the nightmares we can’t fully stop, but you can still change your mind about this,” she said.
“No, I want to do it. It’s time to strike harder and bigger. They have a good relationship with the king,” I explained.
“Why it is so dangerous to attack them. They might not be a big pack, but they have strong connections.”
“It will prove my worth, Taylor,” I said, determined.
“It could kill you. All of us.”
“It won’t, but I need to show I’m not someone who breaks.”
Taylor sighed and positioned herself beside me, stroking my cheek. “Love, you mean more to me than anything in this world. You’ve survived so much brutality. Do you really think anyone sees you as weak?”
“I’m not done proving myself,” I said. “I need to show the alphas around here that I don’t break. For anyone.”
“They’re already terrified of you. You’ve taken down two alphas, and that’s not including your father, and those packs are ours. Why go for this one? They’re so far away.”
“I have to. I need to send a clear message. Do you see me on the council?”
“We used to be much smaller,” she said. “Besides, I’ve heard whispers about this Landon. We should be careful.”
“I need to do this first. It’ll strengthen us. We’ll make sure the king notices us, and soon we’ll have a voice too.”
Taylor sighed. I knew she hated my plan.
“You don’t have to be part of this.”
“I’m not leaving you. Ever,” she promised.
I smiled at her and pulled her closer, kissing her. I ran my fingers through her long blonde hair. I had cut mine short—so short it was like a boy’s. I hated having long hair. People complimented its waviness and softness, but I couldn’t stand it.
“I love you,” I whispered.
“I love you too.”
