His Bitter Luna

Shadow Woods

Samantha

"Wake up, Samantha," Dmitry's harsh tone startles me awake.

I open my eyes, and he is hovering over me, already fully dressed. My entire body is in pain from last night. "What?" I mutter.

"Get your lazy ass up and dressed," He barks. "We leave in half an hour."

I slowly rise and try not to let out how much my lower body hurts. Aria whimpers in my head. 'Since when did you become so whiny? I thought you wanted your mate, too.'

'Not like this,' she responds.

I stumble into the small bathroom and examine the mark on my neck. It's stark red with a vicious wolf peering out. I sigh as I relieve myself and clean myself up. I notice my bags sitting by the bed. I pull out a pair of sweatpants to wear.

"No," Dmitry growls. He snatches the pants from me and rips them in half. "No Luna of mine will dress like trash."

"But- "

"Find something better," He snarls.

"But- "I try to protest, but he grabs my chin roughly and gets in my face.

"Find something better," he says in a deeper, darker tone.

I stiffen and nod. "Yes, sir."

A crooked smile works its way onto his face as he lets me go, "That's a girl." He slaps my ass, and I cry out. "Oh, you will get used to it."

I try not to cry as I dig through my bags. I only brought a few things with me. "Will I be able to retrieve my things from home?"

"No," Dmitry barks. "You will have new things."

I sigh as I dig out the only other pair of pants I have and put them on, along with a flowery blouse. Dmitry watches me the entire time. "Is this alright?"

"No, but it's all you have, so it will have to do," He responds.

I brush my red hair and put on some light makeup.

"You are done, right?" Dmitry asks, and I nod. "Let's go then," He grabs my hand and pulls me out of the room.

"My stuff," I protest.

"I said no old stuff. You are to forget your past, as I am your only future," He explains.

I fight the tears welling up as we leave the room.

"Call your parents so you can say goodbye," he says.

"Will I be able to call them when we get to Shadow Woods?" I ask.

"We'll see," He responds.

"I want to meet my nephew, too," I say. "My brother's mate is due to give birth any- "

"Shut up," He barks with a raised hand. "I am the only one you need to focus on now."

I sigh and look at the ground. 'Mom, Dad,' I mind link my parents. 'Dmitry and I are leaving.'

'Now?' My father responds.

'Yes,' I reply.

'We'll be right down,' he says.

We get outside, and a black limo awaits us as another large male approaches Dmitry.

"She's pretty, Dmitry," He smiles at me, and Dmitry growls fiercely.

"You have your own mate, Jarrod," Dmitry huffs. He turns to me, "This is my Beta, Jarrod Beck."

I glance at Dmitry.

"You may speak with him," He permits me.

"I am Samantha," I say to Jarrod in a robotic tone.

"I heard, Samantha Wheeler," Jarrod nods. "I hope you will like it at Shadow Woods." I can't get over how friendly and warm Jarrod seems compared to Dmitry.

"Sam," My mother calls out, and I turn to her and fly into her arms. I let out my tears as she held me tight. "What's wrong, baby?" She whispers.

'I don't want to go,' I mind link her. I feel a hand on my back and know it's my father. "Daddy," I cry.

"What did he do to you?" Dad asks as he looks at my neck. "Alpha Volkov, may I speak with you?"

"No," Dmitry snarls. "We have to get home now."

"You better not have hurt my daughter," Dad growls.

"She is not hurt. She just became a woman," Dmitry says.

I release my mother and throw my arms around my father. I sob into his chest for a moment.

"Samantha," Dad touches my back. 'You can reject Dmitry if you wish.'

I look at Dmitry, and he has a smile on his face. There is a huge part of me who wants to reject him. I take a deep breath and release my father. "I, Samantha Arlene- "

Dmitry grabs me and puts his hand over my mouth, "If you reject me, I will destroy your father's pack." He says while dragging me towards his limo. "It's time to go."

"Bye," I wave to my parents. I see Lydia coming toward us with her parents and new mate. "Wait, I have to say goodbye to-, "I am interrupted when Dmitry tosses me into the limo and slams the door. I look out the window at my best friend. 'I love you, Lydia,' I mind link her.

'Sam,' She calls.

The limo speeds away, and I can only watch my family and best friend disappear. More tears fall as I huddle against the door.

"Stop crying," Dmitry growls. "My Luna must be strong."

I sniffle and look out the window. The ride is long, and I fall asleep.

"Wake up, Samantha," Dmitry roughly shakes me. "We are here."

I open my eyes and look out the window. We are in front of a grand mansion that looks like an old southern-style plantation house, only bigger. I slide out of the limo, and Dmitry takes my arm. He is almost gentle as he walks me towards the people waiting for us.

We stopped before two older people. One looks exactly like Dmitry, so I assume that is his father.

"Samantha Wheeler," the older man greets me. "I am Kostya Volkov," he says in a thicker Russian accent. "Dmitry's father and former alpha of Shadow Woods."

I smile at him.

"You may speak to my father," Dmitry says.

"Hello, Kostya," I say.

Kostya smiles warmly, "Welcome to our pack. I am glad my son's mate comes from two strong alpha lines."

I just smile, "Thank you."

The woman with blonde hair beside Kostya holds her hand out to me. "I am Tatiana Volkov, Dmitry's mother," she smiles warmly. "Dmitry told me you were beautiful, but I didn't realize you would be this beautiful." She takes my hand. "Isn't she beautiful, Kostya?" Her accent is lighter than her mate's. "That red hair," Tatiana ran her hand through it.

"Mama," Dmitry mutters and pulls me back. We move down the line to a beautiful blonde woman who looks livingly at Dmitry. “This is my sister, Arina Volkov.”

A small smile appears on Arina's face as she looks at Dmitry, "I think I prefer Cassandra."

"Cassandra is not my mate," Dmitry barks.

I say nothing as I am pulled along. Beta Jarrod is standing with a group.

"You remember my beta, Jarrod," Dmitry says.

Jarrod holds his hand out, and I shake it, "This is my mate, Kara," He gestures to a smiling brown-haired woman. "And our son Lawson," He points to a young pup. "Then you have my parents, Darnell and Alison, then my sister Cassandra."

Cassandra gives me a cold, hard stare. She has brown hair and brown eyes. "You?" She glances at Dmitry, "Dmitry," she tries to throw her arms around him.

"No," Dmitry barks.

Cassandra glares at me but says nothing as Dmitry pulls me to another group. I look back at her and get a cold chill, sensing she will be trouble.

"And finally, my gamma Curtis Walsh," Dmitry nods at a blonde-haired man.

"Hello, Samantha," Curtis nods at me and holds a woman's hand. "This is my mate Lisa and our pups Troy and Hanna."

"Nice to meet you all," I say.

"Mama," Dmitry calls to his mother. "Take Samantha to my room and help her dress for tonight's ceremony."

"Ceremony?" I ask.

"Yes, you will become my Luna tonight," He smiles.

Like a fool, I melt into his brief moment of warmth. "So, soon," I say.

"I don't waste time," Dmitry leans to kiss my cheek. "Do not disappoint me," He whispers coldly in my ear.