Chapter 5 The taste is off

Recap:

"M-Marcus..." she murmured, and I realized she must be dreaming. I approached her quietly, smiling as I heard her soft snore. She was so cute. Suddenly, my heart started to race, and I placed my hand over my chest. Without thinking, I quickly closed her door and made my way back to my own room.

"What the hell just happened?" I muttered to myself, lying down on my bed. I felt my chest again, still pounding.

"You need to sleep, Marcus! You're just tired," I scolded myself, closing my eyes. That's it – I was just exhausted.

Anya's P.O.V.

I woke up to a knock at my door. I got up, grabbed my robe, and opened it.

"Oh, it's you, L.A." I said, and she gave me a warm smile.

"It's time to eat, Luna," she said.

I blinked, still half asleep. "What time is it?"

"It's already noon, Luna. You missed breakfast," she replied.

I stared at her in surprise. Had I really slept that long and missed breakfast? Wow.

"Really? Okay, I'll get ready. Wait for me in the kitchen," I said. She smiled and nodded before leaving.

I closed the door and went to take a shower, but my mind kept wandering back to last night. Was it just a dream, or did Marcus really visit me in my room? I shook my head. No, he wouldn't do that. He doesn't care about me. Suddenly, my chest tightened again, and I touched it, feeling that familiar ache. I tried to shake it off and finished my shower.

Once I dressed, I went downstairs and straight to the kitchen.

"Where's Marcus?" I asked, sitting down beside L.A.

"He's in the underground prison. Michael said they captured the spy," she answered.

I froze mid-bite.

"I need to go there. Do you know where the underground prison is?" I asked urgently.

She lowered her gaze, not answering.

"L.A!" I called, my voice rising. She shifted uncomfortably.

"L.A, please. Come with me," I pleaded, holding her hand. She sighed but stood up with a faint smile.

"Let's go," she said.

I smiled back and gave her a tight hug.

"Thank you, L.A," I said sincerely.

We slipped out of the pack house, avoiding the guards outside. We ran and ran until L.A suddenly stopped.

"We're here, Luna," she said.

"Thanks, L.A. Go back to the pack house now," I told her, and she was taken aback.

"But Luna..." she stammered.

"I'll take care of it. I don't want you to get caught in Marcus's anger. Please, go back," I urged.

She hesitated, but after a moment, she nodded and ran back. I was alone now. I opened the door and saw the path ahead.

Suddenly, I heard a man screaming in pain.

"Where is he hiding!? Where!?" Marcus's voice shouted angrily.

I peeked inside and saw a bloodied man, tied up and sitting helplessly. He smirked despite his condition.

"I won't tell you," he said defiantly.

Marcus hit him hard, causing the man to scream in agony.

"Still not talking?" Marcus asked coldly.

The man shook his head.

"Kill him," Marcus ordered, his voice emotionless.

I turned away quickly. I couldn't bear to watch them kill someone.

"What are you doing here?" Marcus's voice rang out, and I froze. He had spotted me.

"I-I..." I stammered.

Marcus grabbed my arm tightly, and I winced as pain shot through me. My previous bruise on that arm was still healing, but now it was going to get worse.

"Who told you you could come here?" he barked at me, his voice full of fury.

I flinched at his tone.

"M-Marcus..." I whispered, barely audible.

"Leave, Anya. While I can still control myself, go back to the pack house," he said, his voice calm but strained.

I shook my head. I wasn't leaving him here. His expression darkened, and before I could react, he slapped me hard across the face. The impact sent me to the floor, and I cried out in pain.

"Who told you to disrespect your Alpha?" Marcus's voice was cold and seething with anger as he grabbed my neck. I tried to pry his hand off, but I was too weak.

"N-no one..." I gasped, struggling for air.

"Don't act tough, Anya. You're here because I need you. My wolf needs you," he snapped, his tone harsh.

"M-Marcus, p-please... s-s-top..." I pleaded, my voice weak.

The pressure on my throat increased, and I started to black out.

"Shit, Marcus! You're going to kill her!" I heard Michael shout in panic.

Marcus's grip loosened, and I gasped for breath, but before I could recover, everything went dark.

Marcus's P.O.V.

"Shit, Marcus! You're going to kill her!" Michael's voice brought me back to reality. I let go of Anya immediately, and Michael rushed to help her, but she passed out.

"F*ck! What the hell is wrong with you?" Michael snapped at me, his voice laced with frustration.

I shot him a glare, then carefully lifted Anya into my arms.

"You deal with this, Michael. Get rid of the body," I ordered coldly.

I glanced at Anya's unconscious form and gently brushed the hair away from her face. I had no idea what had happened to me. One moment, everything was fine, and then that rogue set me off, clouding my judgment. I'd hurt her. Her pleas... her cries. Damn it.

I ran back to the pack house as fast as I could.

"Move!" I commanded the guards as I approached the entrance. They quickly stepped aside when they saw me holding our unconscious Luna.

I kicked the door open and made my way to Anya's room, laying her gently on her bed.

"F*ck!" I cursed when I saw the bruises on her arms. My gaze drifted to her neck, where the marks from my hands were starting to show. My chest tightened painfully.

I reached out and caressed her face, but I quickly turned away and walked out of her room.

"L.A, come here and treat Anya's wounds," I ordered.

What have I done? What have I done to her?