Chapter 5

I jolted awake. Initially, I hoped for a fleeting moment that the events of yesterday were all a dream. Or more accurately, a nightmare. But, of course, they weren't.

I pulled myself upright from the floor, letting the blanket drape over my lower half. I had slept surprisingly well on the hardwood floor, already accustom to sleeping on uncomfortable surfaces. I spared a glance at the door. My heartbeat sped up, immediately noticing my dinner tray missing from where I had left it last night.

Someone had come in here while I was sleeping.

A quick scan over my body confirmed that nothing noticeable had changed during my slumber. There wasn't any new scratches or marks on my body that I didn't already have. It must have just been a member of the staff doing their job, but yet it still left an unsettling feeling in my tummy.

I don't know what to do. I am trapped in a locked room with no way out and no way to entertain myself. I sat with my back pressed against the wall for most of the day, keeping my eyes trained on the door. I don't know what I'm waiting for. I suppose anything at this point.

Knock, Knock, Knock

I knew it was the older woman before she opened the door, identifying the familiar scent. She stood by the threshold, holding a similar tray as yesterday. "Good morning, I have your meal." She didn't ask me this time before coming inside. She placed the tray in the identical place she had yesterday, moving to stand in front of me. "When you're done, you can leave it here. I'll be coming back soon to accompany you in getting cleaned up. The Alpha wishes to see you."

Immediately my eyes snapped up to meet hers. "The Alpha?" I squeaked; a bit ashamed at how timid my voice sounded.

"Yes," She gave me a grim smile, nodding her head. "Alpha Benji and Beta Alaric wish to see you and discuss the situation. I'll give you sometime to eat before we get started."

I waited until I heard the click of the door locking before I let out a lengthy breath. I continued to breathe through my anxiety until, suddenly, I let out a dry laugh. I couldn't stop the almost cynical laugh that escaped my lips. The way the woman had worded it - discussing the situation - made it seem as if we were to talk on pack business. When in fact, I was the situation.

What am I supposed to do? Apologize that they took over my pack, kidnapped me, and I just so happened to be mated to the Alpha? How inconvenient of me.

Somewhere in between wallowing in own self pity and thinking over my situation – as they so kindly liked to call it here – I scarfed down the meal given to me. It was a piece of fruit, a small breakfast sandwich, and another glass of water. I had eaten more in the past 24 hours then I usually got fed over the course of a week. At first, I was happy, but once my usually empty stomach was filled to the brim, I couldn't help but think of Gwen.

I had the sudden urge to hurl but managed to keep the food down. I didn't have a bathroom to go to, so I would just be upchucking all over my bedroom. Plus, I would feel selfish if I threw up – just a waste of food.

The knocks came quicker then I anticipated, with the older woman standing in my doorframe once again. "You can follow me, Miss." She called out, not moving from her spot by the door.

I slowly pulled myself up from my sitting position, trailing behind her. Something about the way she addressed me bothered me. She didn't address me like I was a prisoner kept in their dingy cells – which I am. And she didn't address me like a supposed Luna – which, apparently, I also am.

"Aria."

"Excuse me?" She faltered in her step, opening a door leading to a private bathroom. She looked at me hesitantly, her hand wrapped around the doorknob.

"Aria." I repeated, following her inside the door and letting it close with a thud. "My name is Aria. You don't have to keep calling me Miss."

Her crow-feet eyes analyzed me for a second, before she gave me a curt nod. "If you would prefer, Miss Aria." There was a click of the door locking before she gestured to the tub in the corner. "There should be everything you need there. When you are done you can change into this." She gestured to the clothes folded neatly on the top of the sink.

She took a few steps away from me after I acknowledged her instructions with a nod. Instead of walking out the door and giving me some privacy like I expected, she simply turned on her heel and faced the door away from me.

I sighed, diverting my gaze to the tile floor. I let the water run in the tub as I pulled the dirty clothes off my body. I wasn't trusted here – that much was made clear.

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"You look much better."

It wasn't the glowing compliment I would have preferred, but it was the truth. After scrubbing my body clean twice in the tub, I dressed myself in the clothes laid out for me. It was a simple pair of black cotton leggings and a grey oversized sweater. I used my fingers to comb through my soaking wet hair before I cleared my throat to let her know I was done.

"Thanks." I crinkled my nose, anxiously wringing my hands out in front of myself. I had always been a rather nervous person to begin with, so adding all of this on top of it wasn't helping my case. I tried my best to contain the constant need to bounce my leg in anticipation.

"You can follow me. Please do not stray."

She eyed me carefully before opening the door and beginning our journey through the hallway. The fact that she considered me a flight risk was laughable. If I were to run, it would be a suicide mission. There are guards at every corner, not to mention I am unfamiliar with the foreign land. But it doesn't matter. I have nowhere and no one to go to, even if I survived an escape.

We walked in silence the whole journey. As we made it further into the pack house, we started to pass more and more guards. I diverted my gaze to the ground, watching her feet in front of me to guide me. Pack houses were meant to be filled with exuberance and noise from pack members. This pack house was hollow and void of life. It was unsettling, to say the least.

We came to a halt at a set of double doors. On either side of the frame stood yet another set of guard wolves. "State your name, ranking, and business here."

"Belinda, guardian." The older women, now known as

Belinda, spoke her name and ranking in a rehearsed fashion as if it was second nature. "Beta Alaric requested I bring her here. She has pack business to discuss with the Alpha and Beta."

It made sense now that Belinda was catering to me. She wasn't a simple pack maid or servant – she was a guardian. Guardians were common in more rank focused packs. They were people with a natural inkling to care for others. They didn't have any specific skills when it came to healing, however, they usually care for sick or injured packmates.

The guard's eyes switched from Belinda's to my own, narrowing in suspicion. "State your name, ranking, and business here." He barked at me, keeping his eyes trained on my face.

I opened my mouth but faltered for a second, unsure of what to say. What even was my business here? Was my ranking from my former pack carried on over here?

Belinda was quick to answer for me, putting a warning hand on my shoulder. "She is not part of the pack. She is a guest." I crinkled my nose at the term she used to refer to me. Hostage or prisoner would have been more suited to describe my situation.

The guard held Belinda's stare for a moment, before giving a curt nod. "Adequate. You can wait outside for her." He took a step to the side opening one half of the double doors.

I couldn't see anyone in the room from my angle, but I could smell them. I knew he was in there. Despite all my natural urges to throw myself in there, I was rooted to the ground. My bare feet curled into the carpeted floor, attempting to secure myself into the spot. Maybe, just maybe, they would find some humanity and let me stay here.

But luck was never on my side. With a huff of irritation, Belinda gave my shoulders a shove, sending me stumbling inside. I have officially been betrayed by my so-called guardian.