“How could I not be worried? I don’t even understand what’s happening,” I cry out.

Masen grabs my chin and looks right in my face. “You want to know what they did?” He chafes and squeezes harder. “They marked your whole room up. They fucking jacked off in your room and left their seed everywhere!” He explodes right in my face. I whine from the pressure of his fingers and the severe way he’s speaking to me. I close my eyes close to tears. He releases my chin, and I instantly turn my back to him and walk away.

“Michael, I’m really not feeling well. Would you please take me hom— to, could I maybe visit with Nicole? If she’s not busy or Sniffer.”

“Beta.” The demand for obedience rings clear. “You may take my Mate, your Luna, to our home. Do not leave until I arrive. If she wishes to have guests, they will come to her! Do you understand?” My head falls. How can he treat me like I’ve done something wrong?

“Yes... Alpha,” Michael grates. I wait for him to lead. I don’t see the truck from the other day, so I’m not sure where he’s parked.

Michael opens my door, and I get in without a word or backward glance at Masen. I know he’s upset but was that really necessary.

Regret beats at me. I know it’s his. Feeling it lessens the hurt, but he still lashed out at me out of anger. I’m sorry, baby. I hear in my head, making me gasp right before we pull out of the lot. It’s not okay. I won’t pretend it is, but I do get a small thrill, knowing I heard his thoughts for the first time.

When we return to the house, Michael asks if I’d like to call Nicole to come for a visit. I decline. She doesn’t need to run here because I’ve had a bad morning. “I think I’ll just hang out, maybe read a bit. I’ve got some laundry to do. Why don’t you go on home? I’m sorry we pulled you away this morning.”

“I need to stay, Luna.”

I nod my head. “You’re right, sorry. Can I get you anything?” He shakes his head no. I go to Masen’s room, tempted to look for another laundry room in the giant house. I don’t really feel like hanging out in that closet right now.

I hadn’t let myself think about what was done to my house, but now, I can’t seem to stop. I don’t understand why they would do something like that, especially in a group. A trickle of fear runs down my spine when I think about not getting away. Have they done this to others? I know I won’t be returning to school until they are caught. This seems so trivial considering I don’t know if they hurt somebody else.

I’ve finished two loads of laundry and distracted myself with a book when I decide I need some food and to make a list of what I’ll need. When I enter the kitchen, I don’t see Michael so I scan the fridge and freezer and grab a piece of paper to start a grocery list.