Imperial Moon [Complete]

Chapter Seven - Curse

Kat woke up, exhausted. She'd barely slept all night, worried about today's events.

Groggily, she forced herself into a hot shower and let the water run down her body.

She washed her hair in a trance. Unable to think about anything other than Cal. And danger. So much danger her skin prickled with it. She could taste it in the air.

She shut the water off and wrapped herself in a towel, drying her hair with another as she re-entered her room.

She felt him before she saw him. A surge of warmth that enveloped her just before his arms did.

He lifted her into the air and span her around, grinning.

"Someone's in a good mood this morning!" she laughed.

He dropped her to the floor and smiled, "I'm always in a good mood when I get to crack some skulls!"

Kat stared at him as he chuckled.

"I'm an Alpha! I can't help it!" he tickled her under the chin.

She yelped and punched him in the arm, her towel slipping off her hip.

His eyes followed the movement and she saw his expression change.

"What's that?" he demanded, fury in his voice.

He looked up at her, eyes dark with rage.

She couldn't breathe, the waves of anger making her feel like she would vomit. She had no idea what he was talking about.

"Wha- I- I d-don't understand."

He gripped her towel, opening it over her hip and displaying her huge crescent moon scar. In the harsh daylight it looked more monstrous than ever, clear teeth marks punctuating her skin.

He traced it with his finger. Drawing it from the top of her thigh, up over her hip and round to her buttock. He played dot to dot with the indents left from the Alpha who made them. His hands shook.

"Who did this to you?" he breathed, tormented.

"It happened a long time ago, I'm fine I-"

His eyes blazed at her, "Who did this to you?!" The power and madness in his voice forced Kat to submit.

"Alpha Konan, of ShadowClaw." she dropped her head, ashamed.

 His name! I said his name! Kat's heart rate spiked, a cold sweat shivered down her back.

Cal sucked in a deep breath.

"I should have known! The sadistic son of a bitch! This is why you fear them! He did this to you! TO YOU?! Why?!"

He pulled at his hair as he ranted, turning on her as he asked the question she wished he wouldn't.

She would have to lie, she knew. She couldn't tell him the truth, it would place him in too much danger.

She focussed on her breathing, her sweat glands.

"I got in his way, I guess. He took a bite out of me." she shrugged.

His shoulders were heaving. She could feel him trying to control himself, to no avail.

"I need a minute." he growled, touching her once on the cheek, before stalking out of the room.

In the moment his skin brushed with hers, she was on fire. She thought she could feel his rage before but, the minute he touched her, his feelings became her own. She burned with an anger she'd never felt, it all-consumed her. The power of him radiated from her, so much strength, so much violence. The moment it was there it was gone, with him.