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Annalisa 89
89ANNALISEI stood in the clearing, the remnants of our victory still echoing in my ears, I turned to face Janet. The moment felt monumental, heavy with the weight of our shared past. I had witnessed her strength, her courage, and I knew she was ready to lead the pack into a new future.“Janet,” I began, my voice steady. “I am handing you the leadership of the pack. You are their alpha now. You have the strength and wisdom to guide them.”Her eyes widened in surprise, a mix of joy and disbelief flickering across her face. “Annalise, I… I don’t know what to say.”“Just accept it,” I encouraged her, a smile creeping onto my lips. “You’ve earned this. They need you, and I trust you to lead them well.”Janet stepped forward, her eyes filled with gratitude. “Thank you, Annalise. I promise I will do my best.”I nodded, feeling a swell of pride. “I know you will. You have always been stronger than you think.”As I turned to leave, Janet called out to me, urgency lacing her words. “Annalise,
Annalisa 90
90JANETThe night felt endless as I tossed and turned, caught in a whirlpool of nightmares. Each time I closed my eyes, Marcus’s screams echoed in my mind, piercing the dark like a knife. His face twisted in terror, eyes wide with panic. I could feel his fear wrap around me like a cold fog, suffocating and real.I jolted awake, my heart racing. The remnants of his screams clung to the edges of my consciousness. I tried to sit up, but my body felt heavy, as if I were dragging a weight behind me. The bed sheets were tangled around my legs, and I fought to free myself, but the dream lingered, making it hard to breathe.As I finally pulled myself upright, I felt a sharp heat on my shoulder, and instinctively, I pressed my fingers against the spot where Marcus had marked me. It burned. The area felt hot and red, a reminder of his twisted claim on me. I shivered, recalling his words echoing in my mind: *You will forever partake in my suffering and pain.*The bitterness of those words twist
Annalisa 1
1AnnaliseIt’s today. I inhaled deeply and dragged my knees to my chest.It’s today. I looked around me, unconsciously wishing for one more day, even if it were in this cold dungeon.It’s today. My eyes settled on the charcoal markings on the stonewall opposite me for one last confirmation. Only one strike hadn’t been crossed out.I reluctantly stood up and dragged my feet towards the wall.“Stop making so much noise!” a voice bellowed from the other side of the bars that held me in.I froze and held my breath as I strained my ears, trying to make sure no footsteps were accompanying the voice. I let out a relieved sigh when I heard none.My eyes fell to my feet and I picked up the charcoal that lay there. I turned the markings on the wall and crossed out the last part.“It’s today,” I muttered as I stared at the wall. “Today is the day I die.”I took a step back and closed my eyes tightly. Maybe when I open my eyes, it’ll all be a dream. I will be laying in bed cuddling Spencer, then
Annalisa 2
2AnnaliseMy eyes abruptly snapped open and I was met with the sight of both my parents and sister looking down at me.“She’s awake!” a voice screamed, and the entire place erupted in cheers.A stabbing pain shot through my head and I closed my eyes tightly, trying to relieve it. Soon, the hall became quiet and so did the chaos in my head. My mum stretched her hand out to me and I took it. She and my dad pulled me up, before they both enveloped me in a hug.“I thought I had lost you for good,” my mum mumbled into the group hug.Lost me? What is she talking about? What happened? I had a lot of questions.We finally disentangled ourselves from the hug and my dad slowly turned me to face the podium.On the podium, Spencer stood talk with wide grin plastered on his face. Contrary to normal, butterflies didn’t begin to flutter in my stomach at the smile. Instead, I felt strangely disgusted.I looked around me, mentally noting how each seat in the fairly large hall was occupied by elegantl
Annalisa 3
3AnnaliseI inhaled deeply, then exhaled, all in an effort to catch my breath.What was that dream? I wondered although it hadn’t felt like a dream at all, but a memory, a flashback.I closed my eyes as I remembered the scene once again.“I will kill you just like I did to your parents,” I whispered into the empty room.I stared into the blank nothingness. I couldn’t ignore the fact that the voice had sounded exactly like Spencer.“What exactly is goimg on?” I wondered aloud.A knock sounded on my door, ending my flow of throats. I rolled my eyes in frustration as I answered. “Come in.”The door creaked open and a petite girl dressimg in a thigh length black dress covered with a white apron entered.“Hello, Alyssa. What’s the matter?” I asked. Alyssa was the maid permanently assigned to me for the rest of my life.“You have a visitor, Mrs,” Alyssa replied. I could see that she was trying hard to fight the blush off her face, and neither did i miss the emphasis on the last word she ut
Annalisa 4
4AnnaliseI clenched my fists tightly as I watched him say his vows.Lies, all lies, I mentally screamed.“I love you so much and I promise to continue to do so for the rest of our lives, while also supporting you. Cheers, to being my viscountess,” he had recited.“Lies,” I whispered.The guest on my right turned to look at me with a raised questioning eyebrow and I flashed her a smile I hoped appeared reassuring. I redirected my attention to the couple about to be wed.Spenver had just finished giving hid vows, and it was now Annalissa’s turn. Everyone was quiet and staring at her with expectant eyes.I watched her as she looked around. In her eyes, there were a lot of emotions that usually weren’t present on one’s wedding day. Fear, most especially. Her eyes could not hide the cluelessness I’m sure she must be feeling.Is everything okay? I wondered. She looked to hesitant for it to be a mere delay.I crossed my fingers. Is this where fate would change?She cleared her throat. “Wel
Annalisa 5
5ADRIANMy gaze darted around the cluttered consulate office, searching for a distraction, anything to tear my mind away from Amanda’s absence. A week. It had only been a week since her tear-stained face had disappeared out of my doorway, and the air still felt thick with the ghost of her jasmine perfume.Stupid, prideful Adrian. The words echoed in my head, a constant refrain. Why did I care so much about what the others thought? Amanda, with her laugh that could chase away the worst shadows and eyes that held galaxies within them, deserved to be shown off, not hidden away like a shameful secret.A sigh escaped my lips, a whoosh of hot air that did nothing to cool the embers of regret burning in my gut. The half-eaten sandwich on my desk mocked me. Food had lost its appeal, every bite a dull reminder of the life, the love, I’d let slip through my fingers.My fist clenched around the pen, the cheap plastic digging into my palm. A choked sob escaped me. I squeezed my eyes shut, the im
Annalisa 6
6ANNALISEMy head throbbed like a drum solo after a particularly raucous night. The smoky haze of the tavern clung to my clothes, and the memory of those hulking men loomed large. Yet, a sliver of amusement bubbled up through the fog. My mysterious savior, with his fancy clothes and misplaced bravado, had waltzed in and saved the day.“Who are you?” I repeated, the question echoing in the quiet night.He chuckled, a low rumble that sent a shiver down my spine. “Someone who fancies himself a knight in not-so-shining armor.”“A knight?” I scoffed, a hint of a smile tugging at the corner of my lips. “More like a gambler with a lucky charm.”“Perhaps,” he conceded, a glint in his eyes that made my stomach do a nervous flip. “But a gambler who won you a fair shake, wouldn’t you say?”Fair shake. The phrase hung in the air, heavy with unspoken meaning. This stranger, whoever he was, had rewritten my future with a single, audacious move.“Thank you,” I mumbled, the words inadequate but since
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