Doomed

Adeline let her gaze wander around the room. The scent here was different from her father’s pack. It was more… stronger and dominant here.

She pushed herself up slowly while blinking against the dim light filtering through the curtains. The room was plain. A single bed, a small wooden dresser, and an empty chair beside it. 

She had barely been conscious when they’d dragged her inside. She remembered Alpha Callum’s cold gaze, the sound of boots against polished floors, and the sharp pain in her side. 

Then, darkness.

The first day passed in silence. No one came. Food was slid under the door. It was simple, bland and just enough to keep her alive.

By the second day, she tested the door. Locked.

She swallowed, forcing down the dryness in her throat.

Of course, she was in his territory now.

Alpha Callum.

The ruthless Alpha. The man she wanted nothing to do with.

Her wolf stirred at the thought of him. Avery had been restless and agitated through everything.

“You’re wasting time, Adeline. We need to get out of here.”

She checked the door every day.

And every day, it remained locked.

They were keeping her prisoner, though they didn’t say it outright. She knew better than to expect anything less from him.

Adeline lay back in bed. The silence of the room seemed louder than any noise and her mind refused to rest.

A soft growl echoed in her head.

“You’re letting him win, you know.” Avery’s voice was sharp like the edge of a blade.

Adeline flinched inwardly but refused to acknowledge her wolf. She shut her eyes as if that would silence the voice.

“I’m not letting him win. I’m surviving, Avery.”

“Surviving?” Avery scoffed. “You call this survival? Lying around like a helpless pup while he keeps you caged?”

“I have no choice. I need to wait for the right moment.”

A low growl vibrated in her chest. Avery paced in her mind like a caged beast.

“The right moment? You’ve been waiting for days! He’s not stupid, Adeline. He’s already watching you and waiting for you to slip.”

Adeline hated that her wolf was right. She hated feeling so vulnerable.

“I’m not ready yet. I feel too weak,” she admitted, though she wasn’t sure if she was trying to convince Avery or herself.

“Didn’t you go with him because you thought it was your chance to escape? You’ll never be ready if you keep waiting for the perfect moment.” Avery’s voice was low. “The perfect moment is an illusion. We can’t stay here forever! If you don’t act now, you’ll be trapped here under his control.”

Adeline pressed her hands to her forehead while squeezing her eyes shut in frustration. She knew Avery was right but it didn’t make the fear any less real.

“You think I don’t know that?” she whispered harshly. “I can’t afford to fail. You think he won’t kill me if he catches me escaping?”

“That’s why you shouldn’t be caught!” Avery’s tone sharpened. “You’re stronger than you give yourself credit for, Adeline. Don’t let fear stop you. We are one. I won’t let him control us.”

Adeline took a deep breath. She could feel Avery’s presence more clearly now. It’s like a fierce reminder of the wolf she had suppressed for years. The wolf that demanded freedom.

But Adeline had learned the hard way what happened when she gave in to Avery’s instincts.

“I’m sorry. I just… I don’t want to be reckless. I’ve made mistakes before. I don’t want to risk losing everything.”

“Then stop running from what’s inside you,” Avery shot back. “You think you’re protecting yourself, but all you’re doing is chaining us down. That Alpha may have locked you in this room but you’re the one keeping yourself trapped.”

“I need time.”

“And how much time are you going to waste? Don’t you see? He’s already got his sights on you. He knows you’re not weak and the longer you wait, the more control he’ll have over you. You have the power to take it back.”

Adeline’s breath hitched. Her fingers clenched into fists.

Avery was right.

She had always had the power, but she had been too afraid to trust it and to let go of the guilt that chained her to her past.

“I’m scared,” she admitted softly. 

Everything that had been happening lately was starting to wear Adeline down, leaving her feeling more scared and tired than she ever had before.

Avery’s voice softened but the fierceness never left. “I know. But you don’t have to be. You have me.”

Adeline let the silence settle around her. Her hands still trembled but a spark deep inside her flickered to life.

“Okay.”

Avery’s voice was full of confidence. “Good. Now, go! This is the time. We should plan carefully.”

That evening, she made her decision.

She eased the window upward making the cool night air brushing against her skin. The air was brisk and smelled faintly of pine and damp earth. She stood by the sill while staring down at the drop. She could see the edge of the forest in the distance. 

It called to her. Freedom. 

But it was a long jump and she’s sure as hell that if she landed wrong, she wouldn’t be able to walk for a month. She had to execute it carefully. 

Her eyes scanned the area, noticing the guards patrolling not too far from where she’d land. Any misstep and they’d spot her for sure. She’d have one shot at this and she couldn’t afford to mess it up.

She stood there while debating with herself.

“We need to go! Don’t tell me you’re backing out again.”

“No.” Adeline’s fingers tightened on the windowsill. “I just…how far do you think we’d get?”

“We’re strong enough. Don’t think about that.”

Adeline huffed. “You’ve seen the state of us. We’d make it ten steps before collapsing.”

“Better than waiting to die in here.”

She blew out a breath before shifting her weight. Her legs wobbled but they will  hold.

Just as she leaned forward to test the height, she heard a voice behind her that sent a chill down her spine.

“Going somewhere?”

She spun around so fast she nearly tripped. The Alpha stood in the doorway and his massive frame filled the space.His expression was unreadable but his dark eyes went to the open window before settling back on her.

He stepped inside and shut the door softly. The sound rang through the room like the slam of a cage door locking shut.

He said nothing and just moved toward her slowly. When he reached the window, he leaned past her and shut it with a snap. His hand lingered on the latch before he turned back.

“You’re not leaving, little wolf.” he said simply.

Little wolf. She fucking hate that nickname.

She clenched her jaw. “I wasn’t planning to. But since you’ve already mentioned it, why am I here, locked in this room? If my father sold me off, why don’t you just make me a slave and have me clean outside?”

He tilted his head. “Do not change the subject. You’re a terrible liar.”

Panic clawed at her chest. 

Think, think, think, Adeline!

“I—I just needed air. I think I’m going to faint—”

Without thinking, she let her knees buckle.

She collapsed against him.

Callum caught her effortlessly. A scoff left his lips. “Really?”

She stayed limp and forced herself to remain still.

A beat passed. Then, with an annoyed sigh, he scooped her up as if she weighed nothing.

“If you’re going to pretend to faint, at least commit to it properly.”

Adeline nearly flinched at how easily he saw through her act.

Callum carried her toward the door and muttered, “Useless.”

And yet she felt his grip was so… secure.

————

The sharp scent of antiseptic pulled her from sleep. When she opened her eyes, the glaring white of a hospital room greeted her.

What the hell? Did she really fall asleep while pretending to faint?

A nurse hovered nearby while scribbling notes on a clipboard.

“You’re awake,” she said without looking at Adeline.

“Where am I?”

“The pack infirmary,” the nurse replied curtly. “You collapsed. Alpha Callum brought you here.”

The memory of his arms around her and his scent wrapping around her made her stomach twist.

She stayed quiet while letting the nurse fuss over her. The days passed in a haze. Someone was always there to watch her, making sure she didn’t try anything.

By the fifth day, she was alone.

She pushed herself up, feeling much stronger now. The days she spent in the infirmary had helped her regain her strength. 

However, she realized how exposed she was. Bandages covered almost every inch of her body, leaving only her neck and face bare.

She scanned the room, desperate for something to wear, but there was nothing. Panic bubbled in her chest. Just as she swung her legs over the edge of the bed, the door creaked open.

Adeline’s grip on the blanket tightened as Callum’s gaze swept over her. The weight of his stare made her skin prickle. When his eyes flickered down to her bandages, an indescribable feeling curled in her stomach.

She swallowed hard, “Where are my clothes?”

His dark eyes met hers, “Gone.”

“What do you mean, gone?!”

“Don’t raise your voice on me, lady. Your clothes were ruined.” 

Adeline’s pulse pounded. She forced herself to breathe but the thought of being so exposed made her chest tighten. “Then where—”

“You were treated for your wounds,” Callum interrupted smoothly. “Your clothes were removed for that reason.”

A sharp, uncomfortable heat rose to her cheeks. She hugged the blanket closer, “Who—” She couldn’t even finish the question.

“No one else saw you. I took care of it myself.” He said calmly. 

She stared at him to search for any sign he was lying but there was nothing. He wasn’t taunting her. He wasn’t mocking her. It was like he’s stating a fact.

Her fingers dug into the blanket. “Why?” 

“Would you have preferred someone else?”

A shiver ran down her spine.

She hated that she didn’t have an answer.

He stepped closer and closed the distance between them. “I gave orders. No one else touched you.”

She tensed when she felt his eyes flicked to her neck. Her hand flew to the spot instinctively before brushing over where her mark should be.

His lips curved into a small, knowing smile.

“You know,” he said quietly.

“Know what?” 

“That we’re mates.”

She forced a laugh, though it sounded hollow even to her own ears. “You’re mistaken.”

“Am I?”

She glared at him, every inch of her screaming to deny it and to push him away. “Even if we are, it doesn’t matter. I don’t want a mate. I don’t want you.”

The smirk vanished from his face, “That’s not your choice.”

Before she could respond, he turned and walked out, leaving her alone with the weight of his words and the sound of the door clicking shut behind him.

Adeline felt Avery stirred inside her.

 “Uh-oh, you’re so doomed, Adeline. We’re so doomed. He’s definitely planning something regarding our bond. I’m sure of it…”