Beneath the Broken Moon: Part One: Shifter/Vampire Romance Read Online Free PDF Page B

but she was afraid of enraging him further. So she stood there, waiting like a servant.
    “Fine, go to her,” Father said after a long stretch of silence.
    Mother knelt beside me, carefully pulling me into her arms. Her smile held regret and sadness, and I didn’t have to wonder why. She hated the way Father treated me. At least one of my parents cared. I loathed that once I left, she’d have to continue to deal with how he treated her. Werewolf society didn’t allow for divorce; we mated for life.
    Mother carried me upstairs, then nestled me into bed. She brushed my hair back from my face and sighed. “How did you get hurt, my dear?”
    “Honestly, the Cazador shot me with their silver bullets. I managed to lose them. I was bleeding heavily, then I passed out.” That was pretty close to the truth, too. I covered my mouth with a hand, stifling a yawn. “I’m not sure what happened after I passed out.” Also true.
    Mother shook her head sadly. “You know that story doesn’t please your father. I find it hard to believe myself. Are you certain you don’t know who helped you? If anything, tell me so I can thank them. I’m glad someone took care of you.”
    I smiled but refused to answer.
    “You should have stuck closer to your cousin. You’re there to protect one another. Soon you’ll have a new home and a great privilege amongst your people. Your father doesn’t want you to mess up that opportunity.” Mother shrugged her shoulders in a dainty bounce. “You get some rest, and I’ll be back once the doctor gets here.” She stood and walked out of my bedroom, shutting the door behind her.
    The smile slid from my face, and I leaned my head back. Why was everyone going on about how wonderful being an Alpha Queen would be? I didn’t want the chore of shooting out babies in a loveless relationship. I’d seen the horrors of arranged relationships in the example my parents provided. Male werewolves were known for their atrocious tempers. Who said I wouldn’t be paired with someone who resembled Father? I didn’t want that kind of life.
    I wanted love and respect. Was that too much to ask?

CHAPTER SIX
     
    Chandra
    I bit my lip hard and stayed as still as I could in the high-back chair Aunt Katarina had occupied moments before. Uncle William’s temper was on a very short fuse, and I didn’t want to risk his wrath, especially not when it was overblown like this.
    I wished I hadn’t been left downstairs alone with him. Fear tickled the back of my throat. Sometimes he excited me when he got all Alpha-male, but other times he held such violence inside him that it was better to stay out of his way. Right now was the latter.
    He normally didn’t hit Aunt Katarina, much less do what he did to Carmela, in front of everyone. We all knew he abused behind closed doors; now his rage was out in the open. This could set a horrible precedent.
    His gaze swung in my direction, and I couldn’t breathe. Heat burned my skin, and I fidgeted with the hem of my skirt. He narrowed his eyes as he stalked toward me, his arms crossed. He stared me down as he had Carmela.
    “I guess you were telling the truth, but I know you’re hiding something.”
    My eyes widened before I could control my reaction. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I told you everything,” I said, my voice breathy even to my own ears.
    He fisted his meaty hand around my upper arm, yanking me from the chair. “Don’t play coy with me, little girl. I brought you into this household. If you don’t want to go back on the streets where Katarina’s sister left you, you’ll do as I say.”
    Adrenaline pumped through my veins. Those words ripped through me, leaving me raw. Pain radiated from my arm, but it was nothing compared to the hurt in my heart. He stomped toward the stairs up to my bedroom, dragging me with him.
    I’d taken his rough treatment, but only because I yearned for something better. However, the thrill of Uncle William had