After I’ve been washed and the bleeding slows I’m helped to my bed. Doctor James waits outside until he’s notified that he can come in. When he comes into the room, someone trails after him carrying equipment. Alpha had spoken to him about my body as if I hadn’t been here. I shouldn’t have expected anything less, and yet, the bar somehow he managed to surprise me.“Can you tell me what’s going on?” I asked. I had wanted to ask him before, but couldn’t. He quickly rushed out after Alpha left and I was left with the handmaidens. I was unsightly and it was unheard of for woman of high society to be seen in a state less than perfect. James clears his throat and comes to a stop beside me. The man behind him moves about getting everything set up. My mind has been racing since his discussion with Alpha earlier. I hadn’t said anything, I hadn’t been able to. I couldn’t find my voice in front of him after last night.“You haven’t figured it out?” James asked. I shook my head. “And no one has t
Things continued like this for a long time—a long time for me, but just a month for others. It didn’t sound like forever, it didn’t sound like an eternity, but it felt like it, it felt longer. Thirty-one more fucking days of answering to his demands, bruised lips, bruised body from stolen kisses, and long nights of wishing for death. After the incident that resulted in a miscarriage, Alpha was careful when he beat me. He made sure to avoid my stomach and torso.Thirty-one days of furtive fucking at a drop of a hat, forced kisses, and long nights of wishing he’d get tired of me. He liked touching and seeing me when he couldn’t sleep—which felt like it was every night—and I feared the sound of the door creaking open. I hated being forced to endure his presence and having to breathe the same air has him. Most nights when he came, he brought my sister, and she watched. He never stayed longer than the time he needed to fill me with his seed.I preferred it this way though. I liked that he
The doors opened and I walked through the dining hall. The smell of breakfast wafted through the air and the only person to greet me was Beta Odis. He stood to his feet and bowed while I made my way toward the table. A servant rushed forward and pulled out my chair for me. I sat down and someone placed a plate in front of me. Alpha always had guests, so when the doors opened I paid them no mind. Too busy was I with pushing the food around my plate.Two sets of footsteps made their way towards the table, but no one spoke, and no one greeted them. Lifting my head, I turned to my left and looked at the guests. One had silver hair and a shade of lavender eyes I’ve never seen before. The other guest, I knew. I knew her right away. I dropped my fork to the table and my stomach dropped. It couldn’t be, it didn’t make sense, there was no way that she was here right now.I looked around the table, my gaze stopping on Alpha. He sat in his seat, eating his foot as if he didn’t sense anything dif
AdeaLoud bells tolling are going off in my head as I close the door behind me. I know I shouldn’t, but I can’t stop now. My blood is pumping in my ears, my mind is screaming for me to throw the door open and return from where I came, but my heart… my heart is telling me I need to keep going. The idea that Mave is here doesn’t make sense. I have so many questions and I need answers.Shadows from the lanterns flickers across the walls as I head down the curved stairway. The guards are nowhere in sight and it feels as if my heart stops with every step I take. My body cries out, but I cannot be deterred. While I don’t know where she’s staying, I’m certain she cannot be far. I hold my breath as I get to the bottom of the stairway, slowing to a stop, I peer around the corner.When I realize no one is down there, I dart as fast as I can down the hallway, toward the small bridge that will take me to another flight of stairs. I’ve never been anywhere, but the main areas, the dining hall, the
My throat tightens and I feel as if all of the air is being sucked out of the hallway. The cold stone behind the painting causes a shiver to run down my back. I’m close to accepting my fate when he doesn’t move, knowing this might be the last time I ever leave my room when Alpha takes a deep breath.My eyes are as wide as saucers as I struggle to keep calm despite the panic that threatens to suffocate me. When his footsteps continue until they’re out of earshot, I let out a small breath of relief. I creep out from behind the drapes and walk towards the door. Cries can be heard on the other side. I grab the door handle and pull it open.“Alpha?” A female voice asked.“No,” I said as I moved into the room.She gasped as I came into view. My gaze darted around the room until they landed on the one bed by the window. The room was the same size as mine, but empty except for a chest for clothing. It was my turn to be shocked, when my eyes landed on the woman in bed. Naked with nothing but a
**CONTENT WARNING: This chapter contains suicidal thoughts that may be triggering to survivors.**Some time laterAdeaEvery day that passed could be the day he would throw my door open and save me. Every night that welcomed me could be the night that he charged the castle with his men. I looked at the mirror, but didn’t look at my face. I kept my eyes locked on my hair. The tension mixed with excitement buzzed through the air.I failed to remember how many days had passed since the night Alpha found me in his mate’s room. I vanquished the memories of that night and the nights that followed. Beta had been by my side. The moment I started to lean on him, Alpha… Alpha… No bad thoughts, no evil thoughts, not today. Tension mixed with excitement as it buzzed through the air. I fought and failed to stop my leg from bouncing.Butterflies threatened to break loose as they fluttered against my stomach. Their need to get out matched my own. The only difference is my nails had splintered and cr
**CONTENT WARNING: This chapter contains suicidal thoughts that may be triggering to survivors.**No.Not today.Stay focused, stay alert.I’m slipping and I said I wasn’t going to do that today.He was coming and I couldn’t be unaware.I had to be as much myself as possible.I don’t even know if I still remembered how…He was coming and he would save me.I’ve been here for so long I can’t even remember how long its been. My concept of time was lost and I didn’t bothe
**CONTENT WARNING: This chapter contains suicidal thoughts that may be triggering to survivors.**This wasn’t the first time he made demands regarding my wardrobe. I usually had to undress after we were alone. I would assume the submissive position or set myself where he wanted. Looking down at the only clothing I would be wearing tonight, I grimaced. I suppose it could be a lot worse. He could have me walk there completely in the nude. The front didn’t have any buttons or a tie to cover my body, so I would be exposed. Exposed, but still covered. I nodded my understanding before looking up at her.“Is this where you prefer me, sister?” I taunted. She glared down her nose at me, a small smirk pulling at the corner of her lip. She enjoyed seeing me down here, on the ground, beneath her. My eyes w