Chapter 33: No Way Out

Chapter 33: Chapter 33: No Way Out Even with the mask, she knew it was him. She could feel it. His body was tense, his jaw tight. His eyes locked on the Alpha. “I said,” Zayn growled, “let her go.” The alpha scoffed, not moving. “She’s mine for the night.” “No, she’s not.” “I don’t see your mark on her.” “She’s mine,” Zayn said coldly, stepping between Lily and the Alpha. The Alpha blinked, then gave a lazy grin. “Yours?” he laughed. “But you just got here.” Zayn didn’t blink. “She’s my personal sex slave.” Lily froze. The words punched her in the gut. She couldn’t move, could barely breathe. The Alpha raised an eyebrow. “Oh don’t be so selfish! We should share her-.” “No.” That one word carried so much weight. Zayn glared at him, forcing the other Alpha to backdown with an awkward laugh. He stepped away, hands raised in surrender. “Let’s go.” She didn’t fight him. She followed, dazed, eyes wide and blank. They weaved through the dancing wolves, past tables and drunk laughter, and the heavy scent of heat and sex. She could hardly breathe. Her hand jerked suddenly. Zayn looked down. She was trying to pull away, and her hand trembled in his grasp. He let go. “What’s wrong with you?” he muttered. “You are so prickly—” But she was already backing away, her chest rising too fast. Her eyes darted left, right, behind him. There was nowhere to run, nowhere to hide. Her breath caught in her throat. Her lips parted as she struggled to inhale, to steady herself. She gripped her bandaged arm with one hand, nails digging into her skin. “Lily?” Zayn’s voice was cautious. She shook her head violently. Her body rocked slightly, panic taking over. He stepped closer. She let out a choked sound, more sob than breath. Then another. Her body trembled, shoulders shaking as she tried to wave him off, but her hands wouldn’t stop shaking. Zayn stepped forward, frowning. “Stop that, will you.” He reached for her arm, but the moment his hand came close, she flinched hard and backed away as if he burned her. Her back hit the tree behind her and tears filled her eyes. Her lips moved, but no sound came—just silent, panicked gasps. Zayn froze, staring at her. His jaw clenched. So that’s what it was. She couldn’t even stand his touch. Like she was disgusted by him. “Right,” he muttered under his breath, backing off. “Got it.” He stepped away, the cold settling back in his chest. She sank to the ground, clutching her knees to her chest. Her whole body shook. She couldn’t breathe. Couldn’t think. The lights felt too bright. The music was too loud. The scent was too much. Her dress itched like it was made of needles. She shook her head and covered her ears. Her breathing was still erratic. Memories swirled in her head. Last year’s and other years’ full moon dance. The screams. The girl who didn’t come back. The blood on the floor. The laughter. The orgies. Nothing good ever happened at full moon dances. It was a display of depravity. Zayn stood a few feet away from her, keeping an eye on her. Lily curled up under the tree like she was trying to disappear into the dirt. She hadn’t looked at him once since he let go of her hand. Not once. And he couldn’t blame her. “She probably hates me,” he muttered under his breath, gripping the wine glass tighter. “She must think I’m just like them.” He saw the way her shoulders trembled. The way her hands kept twitching, like she wanted to claw out of her own skin. And even though she said nothing, her silence screamed louder than words ever could. Guilt settled into his gut. “Zayn, here you are. I was wondering where you’d wandered off to,” came a purring voice behind him. Zayn turned his head. Victoria. Dressed in red silk that left little to the imagination, her golden mask perched delicately over her eyes, lips painted blood-wine red. She pressed up against him, trailing a finger down his bare chest. She looped her arm around his. “Come. Let’s go somewhere quiet. I’ve been patient all night.” She tugged gently, leading him away. He let her. His hand still held the glass of wine. His eyes flicked once more toward Lily before Victoria turned his head with her touch. “She’ll be fine,” Victoria whispered. Just as she said that— Pain exploded in his chest. Zayn gasped. The wine glass slipped from his hand and shattered against the ground, red liquid splashed across his feet. He staggered back, clutching his side. It wasn’t just pain—it was like fire clawing at his nerves from the inside. “Zayn?” Victoria grabbed his arm. “What’s wrong?” He didn’t answer. His vision blurred for a second, his pulse hammered in his ears. A sharp sting bloomed across his arm. Lily. His eyes snapped toward the tree, but she was gone. “Shit,” he muttered, straightening as best he could. Victoria followed his gaze, eyes narrowing. “Where are you going?” He forced a breath through clenched teeth. “We need to leave.” Her voice dropped, suddenly sultry again. “Oh? Finally ready to play?” He gave her a tight smile, his entire body still humming with pain. “Yeah,” he lied. “Let’s go somewhere... private.” Victoria smirked, taking his arm again. “Knew you’d come around.” They slipped away from the dance, leaving the noise, the lights, and the scent of sin behind. Lily stumbled through the edge of the garden, her legs unsteady, her vision blurred from the mixture of wine and whatever Victoria had forced down her throat earlier. Her body burned and ached in strange places—like it wanted something her mind was too afraid to name. She tried to focus. ‘Water,’ she thought. ‘I need water.’ Her throat was dry. Her mouth felt like cotton. She scanned the tables nearby, searching for anything that looked like water. Her hands were shaking as she picked up a glass. She sipped. The bitter taste hit her immediately. She gagged and spat it out, coughing, the alcohol burning her throat. “Careful, darling,” a deep voice said, amused. “That’s the good stuff.” Lily froze. ‘Zayn?’ The man in front of her was tall, with golden hair slicked back and a wolfish smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. His mask was elaborate, lined with jewels and silver trimming. She had seen those eyes before. The Alpha King. Her blood ran cold. He stepped closer. “Didn’t expect to see such a pretty little thing wandering alone.” She stepped back quickly, her hands going to the edges of her sheer dress, trying to pull it tighter. “Shy, are we?” he asked, amused. “You’re in the wrong party for that, sweetheart.” She shook her head and turned to leave, heart hammering. But his hand caught her arm. “Don’t be rude,” he said, still smiling. “We haven’t even been introduced.” She tugged, but he didn’t let go. Instead, his grip slipped lower, catching on the fabric at her side. And with a loud rip, the delicate dress began to tear. Lily gasped. The cool night air hit her bare skin like a slap. She scrambled to cover herself with her arms, face burning with shame. She couldn’t scream. Couldn’t call for help. All she could do was shake her head and back away, trying to hide. The Alpha King chuckled. “Don’t be shy, sweetheart. You look delicious..” She bumped into a table, nearly falling. He didn’t stop. “Don’t look so horrified,” he said, voice low and thick. “It’s the full moon, give in to your desires. I promise you, you’ll have a good time.” Her legs wouldn’t move. The drug’s effect on her mind had intensified. She craved for pleasure and she hated it . Hated how her limbs trembled. He stepped closer again, cupping her cheek to force her to meet his gaze, “What’s your name, sweetheart?” She bit her lip, unable to respond even if she wanted to. If the Alpha King knew exactly who she was, would he stop? “Too drunk?” he asked, tilting his head. “Even better.” His touch made the fire within her burn even brighter. She craved for it even more, going so far as to lean on him. He laughed. “Oh, I like that. You’re ready, aren’t you?” To him, she was just another toy for the night. She was barely holding it together. Her arms wrapped tighter around herself. Her breathing was ragged and shallow. ‘‘Stop,’ she mouthed, eyes wide. ‘Please don’t....’ But her body—drugged and burning—betrayed her, shivering under his touch. The Alpha King leaned in close, his breath hot against her ear. “Look at you... shaking already,” he whispered. His hand slid along her thigh, fingers brushing against her skin and leaving sparks of fire in its trail. She tried to twist away, but he grabbed her hip and held her still. “You’re made for this,” he murmured, his hand drifting lower. Just as his fingers reached the sensitive spot between her legs— Then— Ding! A sharp, clear ring echoed through the garden. Everyone paused. The Alpha King turned toward the sound, his expression darkening slightly. “Who the hell—”