Chapter 2 The Aphrodisiac

Ellie's POV:

So, there I was, all tied up by William and crammed into the trunk of some car, heading who-knows-where. The space was so tight, I had to curl up like a pretzel. The rough car mat and the constant bumps were like a bad massage on my wounds. I bit my lip, trying to keep the pain at bay.

The air in the trunk was getting thinner, and I felt like I was gonna pass out. Everything was pitch black.

I couldn't wrap my head around why this was happening. I thought, 'I just wanted to be a nobody, studying at the academy. Seriously, what did I do to deserve this? Where the hell is William, that psycho, taking me? Am I really supposed to hook up with some random dude? No freaking way!'

I kept twisting my wrists, using my nails to rub against the rope, trying to Houdini my way out of there. Facing this nightmare, I knew I had to rely on myself. But no matter how hard I tried, even with my nails splitting, I couldn't break free from that damn rope. Man, I really hated not being a werewolf!

Suddenly, a beam of light hit me, and my eyes, used to the dark, squinted in reflex. Before I could even figure out what was going on, someone grabbed my arm and yanked me out of the trunk like I was yesterday's garbage.

I hit the ground, covered in dirt and dust, looking like a total mess.

"Ellie, you better take good care of Aelros," William sneered, yanking me up by my hair. "Here's a little gift for your first night together."

He pinched my neck and shoved a bottle filled with some weird potion towards my mouth.

"No!" I had no clue what was in that bottle, but my gut screamed it was bad news. William wasn't exactly known for his kindness.

"You don't get to say no," William said coldly. My resistance totally pissed him off, and he slapped me hard.

The pain was so intense, I felt dizzy, and before I could even react, William forced my mouth open. The bitter, nasty liquid went down my throat, and I tried to push William's arm away, clawing at his fingers gripping my neck. But it was useless.

After the last drop of that gross potion was swallowed, William tossed me to the ground like trash, wiping his hands with a handkerchief from his pocket, like he'd touched something filthy.

My stomach started churning and burning. Was it poison? I tried to make myself puke, but it didn't work.

Aelros Martinez's POV:

Being the first son of the Silvermoon Pack's Alpha, today was supposed to be my big transformation day. On this special day, I should've been the star, soaking up all the blessings and expectations of the tribe. But nope, everyone was all about my brother William.

I was used to this cold shoulder; in this Pack, it felt like I was a mistake. All because my mom was just an ordinary human woman.

William came over to rub it in. Surrounded by his cronies, he strutted towards me, eyes full of disdain and malice, his voice sharp and grating, "Aelros, you poor wretch! Look at your transformation ceremony. Has anyone even noticed you? I really don't get why a lowly bastard like you even gets a ceremony."

People around us pointed and whispered, their faces full of contempt. I glared at him and sneered, "William, you're just jealous I transformed before you. You waste of space."

His face twisted with anger, and he shouted, "Jealous of you? You, a lowly human-blooded bastard, what's there to envy? If it weren't for your pathetic human mother seducing my father while he was drunk, you wouldn't even exist! A bastard like you will never earn the Silvermoon Pack's recognition."

With that, he lifted a glass of wine and splashed it at me. I dodged, but a few drops still hit me. The crowd burst into laughter, looking at me like I was some kind of joke.

"William, don't treat your brother like that. We're family." William's mom, Sophia Martinez, walked over. She handed me a piece of clothing, her eyes full of mockery. "Aelros, today is your transformation day. Try to act like a gentleman."

I knew Sophia was just keeping up appearances, not for my sake. Everyone in the Pack looked down on me, the bastard born of a human.

I clenched my fists, anger boiling inside me, but I kept my cool.

At that moment, my father, Joseph Martinez, stood by, not saying a word to reprimand William. In fact, he looked at William with approval.

I was used to his favoritism. I walked up to the altar, feeling the disdainful and suspicious gazes of everyone. But William wouldn't let up. "You impure-blooded bastard, get off the altar!"

I couldn't take it anymore. My muscles tensed, veins bulging like an enraged beast. I dodged William's punch easily and delivered a swift elbow to his back. Grabbing his collar, I hurled him through the air. He hit the ground hard, dust flying up as he writhed and cried out, echoing through the ceremony.

I scanned William's followers with icy eyes, my glare keeping them at bay.

Seeing this, William's face turned pale. I shouted, "William, you worthless scum! In this Pack, strength is what matters."

William clutched his chest, spitting blood, and yelled, "You bastard! How dare you lay hands on me?"

I looked at him with contempt. "I'll show you who the real strong one is."

I moved in on William, lifting him high, ready to strike. But suddenly, a wave of intense pain surged through my body, like a powerful force colliding inside me, making it almost impossible to stand.

William noticed my pain and smirked again. He laughed arrogantly. "Aelros, enjoying the taste of the witch's potion?"

It hit me then—the wine William splashed on me and the clothes Sophia draped over me. They had drugged me!

"William, you poor wretch! Is playing dirty the only trick you have left?" I glared at him fiercely, feeling the wolf's fangs starting to ache. My body ached to lunge forward and tear him apart.

"Stop struggling, Aelros. Let's enjoy the show. The potion I got from the witch is already taking effect." He continued, his face full of smug satisfaction.

"I will tear you to pieces!" I roared.

"That's a good thing," William laughed even more exaggeratedly. "It will turn you into a wild beast craving for mating."

Then he waved his hand and ordered, "Bring me the gift I prepared for Aelros' transformation day."

Someone brought a woman. Her hair was a mess, her eyes swollen, and her face covered in bruises and scars. Her clothes were torn in several places, revealing bruised skin. A rag gagged her mouth, allowing only muffled whimpers, and her body trembled uncontrollably. Her eyes were filled with fear and despair, and she shook her head in refusal.

"She's just a waste who can't transform into a wolf, perfect for a mongrel like you!" William spat viciously.

I endured the pain, shouting with all my might, "William, take this woman and leave! Right now!"

The intense pain and burning sensation in my body made it impossible to think straight. I could feel my body undergoing a transformation.

William looked at me smugly, his eyes full of anticipation, as if he could already see me making a fool of myself. "Enjoy this bitch, little mongrel!"

It felt like a thousand knives were cutting through every inch of my skin; I could even hear my bones twisting and deforming.

I could no longer see William's twisted face. All I could feel was a surge of heat, a strong desire to pounce on this unfamiliar woman wildly.

I wanted to mate with her right now!