CHAPTER 6

MELINDA’S POV

Grunt, groan, gasp, I sucked in greedily with my mouth wide open, yet the air didn’t seem to reach my lungs. The silver chains dug into my wrist as I squirmed and struggled against them.

“Please… I… I can’t breathe.” I rasped in a muffled voice before breaking into a bout of dry cough. The congestion in my chest grew, squeezing my lungs.

Sweat trickled down my forehead as I struggled to hold on. My body started burning as if someone had poured smoldering lava into my veins. Soon, my clothes were soaking wet with perspiration.

For a while, I felt like I was being burned alive in a furnace. Once that feeling subsided, my body started trembling as if I had caught a chill. My teeth chattered as my body’s temperature dropped drastically.

Shuddering with equal parts of cold and agony, I tried to open my eyes. My eyelids fluttered, but I couldn’t open them. Too drained to make a second effort, I gave up; focusing on my sense of hearing instead.

I was probably in the same room. The only noises I could hear were the clanking of my chains and the soft swooshing of wind once in a while.

Groaning, I tried to figure out how long I had been here. But, no matter how hard I tried, my mind drew blank.

‘Corel…’ I tried to reach out to my wolf, but she didn’t respond. She was probably too traumatised to talk. That is what I told myself; the other possibility too dreary to even consider.

The sound of approaching footsteps sounded at a distance. I pulled my body together; shrinking as close to the wall as the chains would allow.

My heart drummed in anticipation as the heavy footsteps drew closer at an easy pace. I flinched and held my breath as the footsteps came to a halt next to me.

Splash! A glass full of cool liquid hit my face. I gasped in shock and my eyes snapped open. George was standing a few meters away from me; his lips curved in an evil sneer.  

“Let me out of this damned place.” I wanted to shout, but my voice barely came out as a croaky whisper. I lunged at him, but the chains held me in a tight grip, preventing any drastic movement.

I swallowed the lump in my throat and rasped in a pitiful voice, “What have I ever done to you, George? Why are you torturing me like this?”

His eyes flashed with an evil glint, and the smile on his face widened. “Like I said earlier. It is nothing personal, Hun. You just happened to fall into my lap when I was bored.”

Gathering the little strength I could manage, I gritted out, “You better kill me now, George. If I get out of here, I will make you pay for everything. You will die a slow, tormenting death.”

His expression turned icy, and he grabbed my hair, tugging it hard. “I know exactly why you are so confident. It is because you have three mates, am I right?”

“H… How do you know about that?”

“I know everything about you, hun; even the stuff you don’t.”

A deep frown settled on my forehead. Was I supposed to recognise him, too?

Drawing in a deep breath, I tried to threaten in a firm tone. “Since you know everything about me, you must also know how powerful my mates are. If they find out what you have done to me, they will rip you to shreds mercilessly.”

Needless to say this didn’t bode well with him. His features contorted with a sinister expression, and he slapped me across my face.

His voice was colder than frost as he chewed out, “Seems like you haven’t learned your lesson yet.”

He grabbed a goblet from the table and pressed it to my lips, pouring a sweet liquid into my mouth. I was so thirsty that I guzzled down the liquid, not bothering what it was.

It flowed through my throat, soothing my parched throat. But the moment it reached my stomach, it flared an intense pang of hunger.

Evil, mocking laughter reverberated through the room as if the voice was coming from all directions. “I love this part the most.” The man’s voice sounded again as he ran his fingertip along my jaws. “Hunger and nightmares work wonders in breaking down she wolf.”

He pinched my cheeks and poured some more of that sweet liquid. I wanted to spit it out, but he held my head tilted until I had swallowed the contents.  

“Once I am done, you will lose your ability to think for yourself.” He kissed me forcibly. “You will turn into my perfect slave….”

His words dripped into my ears like acid. The little courage I had left seeped out of me, leaving behind a void of hopelessness. My vision turned hazy and my eyes drooped shut once again.

Tears rolled down my clenched eyelids as I tried to reach out to my wolf in desperation. ‘Corel, I don’t think I can take this anymore? Please help me.’

She didn’t reply. I called out to her again and again, but there was no response. A sense of deep dread made my heart tremble. Had the bond between us really broken?

A groan left me as my stomach clenched with violent cramps. It was as if the inner lining of my stomach was being shredded by sharp knives.

I chewed my lips until blood filled my mouth, but it did nothing to help. When I couldn’t take it anymore, I started screaming and thrashing. I even begged to be killed, but there was no response. George had probably left.

Slowly, the fight left me and my body went limp. This was when the nightmares drowned me in a sea of grief and horror.

I was running in the forest, running to save something. I didn’t know what it was, but it seemed important.

An ominous tune shook the forest as the wolves started howling one after the other. My heart clenched, and the air left my lungs, making it impossible to breathe.

But I didn’t stop. I kept running, increasing my pace with every leap I took. The way seemed unending but I knew that I couldn’t give up; I had to keep pushing myself even if I died.

After what seemed like an eternity, I reached a mansion. My heart skipped a beat, and a horrified growl left my lips. The mansion was drenched in blood, tainting its wall in a scary hue of crimson.

I wanted to stop, but my feet kept moving in the direction of the mansion. Grabbing the chains will full force, I cried out, “No! Corel! Stop… I don’t want to see what is inside.”

She didn’t listen to me. I leapt through the open door and slosh! My feet landed in the pool of blood formed on the floor. My heart went numb and my legs turned into jelly, seeing the gruesome sight.

Three wolves were lying dead on the floor, covered in bruises and cuts.

I shook my head vehemently; not willing to accept that they were dead. I rushed towards them, but before I could touch the nearest wolf, a sharp feminine voice pierced through me like a knife. “Stop right there, Melinda. How dare you come here after killing all my sons?”

The ache in my heart intensified so much that I felt I would explode. Swallowing hard, I shouted at the top of my lungs. “I AM NOT A KILLER! I DIDN’T KILL THEM.”

I kept repeating those words as if in an eternal chant; as if saying those words would make everything right again…

“Hush… It’s okay…” A deep, velvety voice sounded, making the scene disperse like a cloud of smoke.

The sound of clanking chains rang in my ears, and blood rushed to my wrists and ankles. “It’s all over now. You are safe.” The voice sounded again; scattering the darkness that surrounded me.

I licked my chapped lips and cracked my eyes open. The corners of my lips tugged as my gaze met the piercing grey ones.

Warmth seeped into my bones, filling me with a sense of security. I found myself relaxing in his embrace, and then everything went blank.

***

I woke up with a start, panting breathlessly to find myself in unfamiliar surroundings. Massaging my forehead, I straightened my back and looked around groggily.

A single bed, a table, two chairs and a wardrobe. It looked like a typical hotel room. The frown on my forehead deepened as I tried to recall why I was here.

Memories slammed into me with full force, making me cry out in panic. I gripped the edge of the comforter and wrapped it around me, scurrying backward in the process.

The door flung open and a tall man rushed inside, making me shut my eyes reflexively. The hair on my back bristled as I felt him draw closer.

Heat crept my ears as he pressed two of his fingers against my neck. Drawing in a deep breath, I opened my eyes slowly, sucking in my breath when my gaze landed on his perfectly sculpted face.

“Are you okay?” his husky voice sounded as his gaze drifted to me briefly. My eyes locked on his piercing grey ones and my grip on the comforter loosened. He was the one who freed me from the chains.

“Though your pulse is still erratic, it seems better than before.” The concern in his voice tugged at the strings of my heart.

“Why did you scream earlier? Does it hurt?” He asked, running the tip of his finger along the bruise left by the silver handcuffs.

I shook my head and pursed my lips. “No… I am fine… It doesn’t hurt at all.” Tears rolled down my cheeks as the image of the dead wolves flashed in my mind. This pain was nothing compared to the one I was destined to suffer.

He sat down beside me and cocked his head to one side as if in confusion. “Why are you crying then?”

I sniffled and bit my lower lip. My voice came out as a choked whisper as I spoke up, “I know this is an audacious request, but can I hug you?”

His eyes widened in shock, but his arms wrapped around me nevertheless. Burying my head into his chest, I burst into a fit of heart breaking sobs. His hold on me remained stiff and awkward, but he didn’t let me go.

“Thanks for letting me do this….” I mumbled, pulling away. “I know this must be awkward for you… but…”

“It’s fine.” He muttered, wrapping his arms around me tighter. “I can do this whenever you want.”

Clearing my throat, I pulled away; my face flushing in embarrassment. “I… umm… I don’t want you to get the wrong idea. I was feeling scared and had a nightmare and in that bad dream….” My words got choked with emotions as that image flashed in my mind again.

Shaking off that scene from my head, I blurted out, “I have three mates.”

Damn! Why did I have to say that? Now all this sounded and felt even more weird.

My face heated up, and I hung my head, too embarrassed to look at him. “Ahem… I need to use the washroom.” I stuttered and jumped out of the bed, intending to bolt for the door.

Unfortunately, my stupid legs gave way, and I stumbled. He was quick to support me. “I think the effect of the potions has still not worn out. Let me help you.”

I kept my eyes glued to the floor as he led me to the bathroom. His eyes flashed with concern as he released me next to the door. “If you want me to help…”

“Huh?” My eyes widened and my head snapped up in horror. What did he mean by that? Was he offering to come inside with me?

I shook my head vehemently and stuttered, “I think I can manage.” Then I slammed the door shut before he could respond.

Letting out a frustrated grunt, I buried my face in my hands. What was wrong with me? Getting flustered like this. Why couldn’t I just behave normally?

“I… umm… I bought some clothes when you were unconscious. It is kept in the wardrobe. Take a shower and get changed. It will make you feel better.” His voice sounded on the other side. “I am going out to get us some breakfast.”

Footsteps receded, and there was a characteristic click of the door opening. I grabbed the doorknob and was about to open the bathroom door when his voice sounded again. “Don’t open the door for anyone except me; not even for the room service. We don’t know who all is liaising with George…”

With these words, the door slammed shut and everything became silent. I opened the door of the bathroom and peeked outside; making sure that he had really left.

Then I trudged into the glass cabin and turned on the shower. The cold water cascaded down my body, bringing forth the memory of shuddering with cold. My body started shaking, and I had to turn the water off.

A deep frown settled on my forehead as I grabbed the towel and wrapped it around me. Wrapping my arms around myself, I slid to the floor and buried my head between my knees as the memories from the dark and damp cell started playing in my head like a loop.