The Runt novel Chapter 26

I face my father tonight and I will lose. I'm barely strong enough to climb the stairs to my bedroom any more and more nights than not, sleep on the couch in my office.

The fight will not last long.

AJ has ensured I have kept 'fueling my engine' by eating properly but my training has been half-assed at best and deteriorating daily as I weakened. My father undoubtedly always knew what he wanted, just didn't know how to go about it until I came along with Penelope and an eagerness to please – even at the cost of my true mate's happiness.

And sanity.

Penelope is willingly in the state she's in rather than face the life she agreed to, in order to spare my life – what she doesn't know is that I'm going to die anyways. My father is going to win in the end regardless of her best intentions – he manipulated us both and will be the last man standing. I'd like to think he won't take advantage of her in her current capacity – but I'd be lying to myself if I honestly believed that. He's such a piece of shit, her not fighting back will only make it easier for him to rape her repeatedly.

And I won't be here to stop it.

I brought her here knowing full well that my father wouldn't approve of her but foolishly thinking I could change his mind. I'm so stupid! Then when he still wasn't convinced, I didn't stand up for her – not once. She had to have felt so alone, abandoned and isolated – some fucking mate I am. And now... the life she is facing... my Goddess – part of me wishes she had died rather than her becoming my father's fuck toy. The thought of it has made me vomit more than once, especially since I can't do anything to help her or change her future – because I won't be here to stop it.

Because I'm going to die tonight.

PENELOPE, DISTURBANCE

... -- ...

AJ, BEGGING

"Luna... I know Kace screwed up – in more ways than I would have dreamed possible," I try to joke, knowing full well that none of this is funny. My pathetic laughter dies abruptly in my throat, not even having the chance to be verbalized.

"Kace has always cowered under his father and making you Luna was no exception. Kace wants you as his mate and his Luna but when Alpha Michael had other plans, Kace completely folded," I confess disgustedly. Kace is my best friend but I'm embarrassed by how he behaved – especially since he is a grown man and an Alpha. Either you're in charge or you're not and in Kace's situation, he is clearly not and hasn't been for an extremely long time – if ever.

He needs to take control of his life once and for all and tonight could be the night – if he survives. His father will no longer be an issue and Kace will finally stand on his own two feet – whether he sinks, or swims will be up to him. I think he'll do great, if he's just given the chance... if he just takes the damn chance. Kace and Luna Penelope side-by-side could do amazing things – if she is willing to give him the chance to prove to her the type of man he truly is when he isn't under his father's thumb.

The guy I know and love.

PENELOPE, DISTURBED

- -...

Mate?