Page 21 of Crystal Luna

His eyes fell on the gym, where he saw Rayan enter through the side door with a deep mischievous grin. From what Marvin told Heath, Velora was in there right now. His stomach twisted, and he got a gnawing feeling that he should check on her.

His feet moved of their own accord. It wasn’t that he didn’t trust his men with her, but his gut told him he should keep an eye on whatever was about to happen. He entered through the side door, quietly and swiftly closing it behind him.

Velora was pinned beneath Rayan, his hand around her throat and his murderous eyes on hers.

Heath’s muscles tensed, his body vibrating as he took a step towards the two of them. He was about to step in and break them up when he felt Marvin’s mind push against his.

‘Not yet.’

Heath’s eyes darted to the corner where Marvin stood and watched. Though Heath didn’t like it one bit, he forced himself to keep his distance.

“With all the effort Marvin puts into you, I thought I would see at least something. But it seems you’re just hopeless.”

Rayan’s words cut like a knife and Heath didn’t like it.

‘He wants to try and push her buttons. He thinks if he hits the right one, she might explode and show her true strength,’ Marvin explained, though he didn’t seem too confident about that plan.

‘Why would you agree to that? You’ll just break her,’ Heath growled.

‘I have a theory on how she’s survived for so long. It dawned on me last night after I left you.’

‘You believe her wolf protects her and now you want to see how?’

‘Yes, Alpha.’

Heath still didn't like it but stood back and watched as Rayan straightened to his full height, sneering down at Velora who struggled to get back to her feet.

“Maybe I should drag you back to where you came from. I’m sure your pack would gladly take you back. Maybe they’ll even give me a reward.”

Velora’s heart raced as she stood before Rayan, her face losing all its colour.

“I’m sure I could have you back to them before anyone even misses you. You’re just using us anyway—you don’t give anything in return.”

‘He’s going too far!’ Heath growled, poised to step in.

‘Just far enough. Look at her nails.’

Heath forced his eyes down. Her hands slowly formed into claws, but she was far too focused—or terrified—of Rayan to notice it.

“You’re just one more useless mouth to feed.”

Rayan leaned in, and Velora struck. Her fist sliced through the air, colliding with Rayan’s nose. With a bone grinding sound, Rayan’s nose shattered and blood splattered over his shirt.

For a second, Rayan seemed to have forgotten the role he was supposed to be playing, but before Velora could notice, he retaliated.

“Bitch!” he cursed as she ducked and let her fist slam into his stomach.

Her eyes had turned dark, her teeth bared to reveal long, sharp canines. Heath had only seen a wolf in half-shift like that less than a handful of times. None of his warriors were able to do it.

With the sheer force of a single punch, Rayan tumbled back and fell on one knee. Velora pounced. One more hit split his eyebrow. That blow knocked him out, leaving Velora to stare down at what she’d done.

In the blink of an eye, she was right back to the small pup that Heath knew. Eyes wide, she fell to her knees next to Rayan. She reached out to touch him, but stopped just before she could.

Heath and Marvin rushed to her side. While Marvin checked on Rayan, Heath laid his hand on Velora’s lower back. She flinched under his touch, only just noting his presence.

“I-I didn’t….” she stammered, her eyes filling with tears and spilling down her chalk-coloured face. “I… I’m sorry.”

“It’s alright.” Heath took her hand in his in an attempt to soothe her. “You have nothing to fear.”

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