Revenge too soon
1196 Words
Ravenna's heart sank as Damien's cruel laughter echoed in the air. His gaze lingered on her with the same disdain he'd always had. She’d known him too long to believe his mockery was anything other than genuine.
“Looks like you’ve never heard of betrayal, huh?” Damien sneered, rising to his feet and circling both her and Damon like a predator toying with prey. “You think screwing him or claiming to be his mate is gonna make me jealous? That I’ll mark you out of spite?” He laughed bitterly. “Please. I’m far from jealous. Honestly, I’m thrilled for you both.”
He stepped away, addressing the crowd now gathered around them. “My mute, rejected brother here has challenged me to a duel.” A murmur rippled through the crowd, everyone too afraid to speak out loud. Damien raised a hand for silence. “And why? Because apparently, this one,” he gestured toward Ravenna, “is his mate. She denied him, but maybe it’s true. Maybe she stuck around because… well, I am far more handsome.”
The crowd burst into laughter, and Ravenna's face burned with shame.
"I’ve accepted the duel, but it won’t be tonight," Damien continued, a cruel smirk playing on his lips. "It’ll happen tomorrow at the mating ceremony. Whoever loses will be banished from the pack. Because, let’s face it, we need to know who the real Alpha is.”
As if on cue, the full moon appeared, and the wolves around her began to shift, bones cracking, fur sprouting. Ravenna’s heart raced in her chest. She was the only one left standing—her and the small children who were too young to shift.
“Moon Goddess, please,” she whispered, tears filling her eyes. “Don’t let this happen.” She prayed, but the moon’s power didn’t answer her plea. She remained a human, helpless and weak.
The night dragged on, and as the wolves shifted back to human form, Ravenna crumpled to the ground, her heart heavy with the same hopelessness that had haunted her for years. No change. No wolf. Nothing.
Damien’s voice broke through the chatter, silencing the crowd once again. “As pack law states, any wolf-less being…” He let the tension build. “...will become the pack’s plaything.”
Before he could finish, Diana—her so-called best friend—interrupted. “She’s not wolf-less. Her wolf is just weak.”
Relief washed over Ravenna. For a moment, she felt the weight lift, but that moment was fleeting.
“If you don’t believe me,” Diana continued, “call the Gamma. He can tell. Ravenna’s been my best friend for years. I’d know if she was wolf-less.”
The crowd, eager for drama, began to chant, “Call the Gamma!” And Damien, seeing no reason to deny the mob, waved his guards off to fetch him.
The Gamma arrived, giving Diana a brief nod of acknowledgment before turning to Ravenna. “Stand, lady,” he said, his voice heavy with pity. She did as she was told, her body trembling.
He handed her a claw to hold, and after a brief scan, his face hardened. “She’s wolf-less,” he muttered, barely loud enough for anyone to hear.
The crowd gasped, and Ravenna’s vision blurred with tears. The weight of her fate crashed down on her, suffocating her spirit.
Damien’s smirk returned, sharp and cutting. “I knew it. Useless, just like your mother.” He glanced at Damon, who stood helpless, his fists clenched in silent rage, but doing nothing.
As Damien walked away, Ravenna overheard a hushed conversation between the Gamma and Diana. "She’s primordial," the Gamma whispered, and Damon’s eyes widened in shock.
Damien’s voice thundered through the crowd once again, demanding attention. “I present to you the pack’s plaything!”
The crowd erupted in cheers, their bloodlust evident. Damien grinned, feeding off their energy. “If any of you are feeling angry or… bad in any way, well, she’s here for your entertainment.”
More cheers.
“But first,” he added, his tone darkening, “I’ll take her.”
Ravenna’s heart pounded in her chest as she was dragged toward the dungeon, humiliation burning in her veins. As they threw her inside, one of the guards sneered, “Don’t worry, sweetheart. After the Alpha’s done, we’ll take our turn.”
She lay on the cold, damp floor, her body aching from their rough treatment. When Damien finally entered, his steps were slow, deliberate, and she could smell the alcohol on his breath.
“Where’s that daughter of a w***e?” he slurred. He found her huddled in the corner and grinned as if he’d stumbled upon a delightful toy.
“You disgust me,” he spat, yanking her up by her hair. She winced but met his eyes, refusing to cower completely. “Why?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. “Why are you doing this? I thought we… I thought you loved me. When did being wolfless become such a crime?”
“Love?” He laughed, the sound empty and cruel. “I never loved you. I needed your father’s support to outmaneuver my mute brother and become Alpha. That’s all.”
“Then banish me,” she begged, tears streaming down her face. “Don’t make me face the duel. Just banish me.”
Damien’s eyes narrowed in surprise. “Banish you?” He chuckled. “Why? So you can run off to Damon? Is that it?”
“I don’t want to be here,” Ravenna snapped. “You already have a Luna! Do you have any idea how it feels seeing her, my supposed best friend, in your arms every day?”
Damien smirked. “You’ll stay. You’re still tied to Damon, whether you like it or not. Reject him, and I’ll make you my breeder. You’ll be better off that way.”
“Breeder?” Ravenna’s voice cracked with disgust. “That’s all I’m worth to you?”
His expression darkened. “Take off your clothes,” he commanded, voice low with threat. When she didn’t move, he sneered. “Do it, or the guards will have their turn.”
Ravenna’s mind raced, desperation clawing at her. Then, an idea sparked. She forced a smile and spoke softly. “Fine. For old times' sake, let’s do this in private.”
Damien raised an eyebrow but nodded. “Fine. Guards, wait outside.”
As soon as they left, Ravenna put her plan into motion. She undid her gown slowly, seductively. His gaze followed her every move, hunger filling his eyes.
She leaned in, her fingers wrapping around his trousers, pulling them down as his erection sprang free. His breathing quickened. “I’ve missed you,” he moaned.
Ravenna smirked. “So have I,” she whispered, her fingers tightening around him. His moans echoed in the dungeon, and just as he let his guard down completely, she yanked with all her strength and ran, away from the dungeon.
At least, he is impotent now," she thought, diving through the hallways void of guards.
- Writer
