Chapter 2
I pushed against his chest and struggled to stand on my own, "Go. This is my family matter."
Kane took off his black suit jacket and draped it over my shoulders, "Wait for me.
"If anyone touches a hair on your head, I'll slaughter the entire Manhan gang."
Kane left the church with his men.
The doors closed again.
Arthur released Annabelle and walked toward me step by step.
He raised his hand and slapped me hard across the face.
The blow knocked me to the floor.
He said, "Impressive.
"You even managed to hook up with that mad dog from the underground casino.
"Too bad he can't save you now."
He turned to the enforcers, "Drag her away.
"Chain her up with silver.
"No food or water without my permission."
Two hulking enforcers came over and seized my arms from both sides.
I did not struggle. I let them drag me out of the church.
Annabelle leaned in Arthur's arms and gave me a smug smile.
The enforcers dragged me into a dark, damp dungeon.
They shoved me onto the waterlogged floor.
Heavy pure silver chains snapped around my wrists and ankles.
The silver touched my skin with a sizzling burn.
I clenched my teeth and did not scream.
The cell door slammed shut.
In the darkness, only the torches on the wall kept burning.
*****
The dungeon was freezing.
My wedding dress was soaked with filthy water and clung tightly to my body.
The silver chains around my wrists kept eating into my skin.
I leaned against the cold wall and tried to awaken the wolf spirit inside me.
There was no response.
The trauma of the broken mating bond, combined with the suppression of the silver, had forced my wolf spirit into a deep sleep.
The click of high heels on stone came from the corridor.
The cell door opened.
Annabelle walked in wearing a gorgeous silk gown.
She held a black leather whip in her hand, "My dear little sister.
"How are you enjoying the accommodations?"
I raised my head and looked at her coldly, "What exactly do you want?"
Annabelle stopped in front of me and looked down with a smug smile, "What do I want?
"I'm taking back what belongs to me."
She raised the whip and lashed it hard across my shoulder.
The barbs on the whip tore through my wedding dress and bit into my skin.
A muffled groan escaped me as my body shook violently.
She said, "You were always smarter than me. More gifted than me.
"Why?
"I'm the firstborn daughter of this family!"
She swung the whip again, striking my thigh.
She added, "I ran from the wedding on purpose so you would take my place at the altar.
"I knew the Moon Goddess mark would appear during the vows.
"I wanted Arthur to reject you in front of everyone.
"I wanted you to taste what it feels like to be abandoned by your fated mate."
I spat out a mouthful of bloody saliva, "You're pathetic.
"You need dirty tricks like this just to prove you're worth something."
My words enraged Annabelle.
She whipped me wildly, blow after blow falling across my body.
She asked, "I'm pathetic?
"You're lying here like a dog. What right do you have to call me pathetic?"
Footsteps sounded outside the cell.
Arthur walked in.
When he saw me covered in blood, his steps faltered.
Annabelle immediately dropped the whip and threw herself into Arthur's arms, "Arthur, she insulted me.
"She said I don't deserve you and that I never should have come back."
Arthur wrapped an arm around Annabelle's waist and patted her back soothingly, "Don't waste your breath on a vicious woman like her."