The ultimatum

/-RAVEN-/

I paced my cell, convinced Declan was lying. Eric would never betray me like that. Never. Eric was the most incredible man I've ever met. He was noble and trustworthy. This kind of behaviour was beneath him. 

Determined, I scribbled another letter, pouring my heart onto the page. Declan must have torn up the first letter out of spite and had his people draw up the fake wedding invitation. He could have convinced me with the Ampleton seal but any moron could forge that with the right tools. 

"My dearest Eric,

I'm trapped, but my love for you remains unshaken. There are some nasty rumours—never mind about that. I'll escape, and we'll reunite soon.

Yours always,

Raven"

As I finished writing, Declan walked in with a smirk on his face. He eyed me then his eyes shifted to the letter. His expression changed but the annoying smirk stayed in place. 

"Another love letter?" he teased. “Who knew you were such a romantic?" 

I glared angrily at him. "Just take it." My eyes grew vicious as I added, “He better get this one." 

Declan chuckled, snatching the letter. "I'll make sure Eric gets it."

He whistled in an unfamiliar tone as he walked off. Hours passed slowly and turned into days. Silence was my only response. With every passing second, my anxiety grew.

One evening, after scribbling meaningless symbols on the wall with a stone next to the other equally meaningless symbols I'd scribbled earlier, I pressed my ear against the wall and, using my super hearing, I heard the guards talking in a hushed tone. They were either planning my execution or sharing state secrets which might be useful when I escape. 

"...the plan to infiltrate the castle through Eric Ampleton's wedding," a guard whispered.

“The Alpha is probably going to trade the prisoner…”

“Why would he? The fiance clearly has no interest in her anymore…”

My heart shattered. There's no way I could have misheard and there's no way they were trying to throw me off on purpose. 

My fingers clutched my neck as I braced for support. Suddenly the cell felt like the walls were closing in around me. I felt like an ant about to be crushed underfoot. No. It couldn't be.

It had to be a misunderstanding. There is no way Eric could really be getting married. It felt like Declan could sense when I was at my lowest because he arrived at the cell at that moment.

As soon he opened the cell, I latched on to him. It triggered a sharp pain in my wrists as the chains were already at their limits, but I didn't care. I needed answers.

"Oh dear, Raven. What did I do now?" he asked.

“Eric! What did you say to him? Did you tell him I was dead? Answer me, dammit! What did you do?” I screamed at him. 

“Eric? I did nothing to your little boyfriend, sweetheart. I gave him your letter and related his response to you,” he answered without flinching. 

“No! No! I don't believe you! He wouldn't be getting married if you actually sent him my letters. He would be mobilizing troops to get me out of here!” I fired. 

“Is that so?” His lips twitched. “Well if you doubt me, feel free to go and see for yourself.”

I froze, staggering backwards. “You're letting me go?” 

An odd expression crossed his face and he burst into laughter the next minute, like he just heard the funniest joke ever. 

“Little princess, I appreciate your optimism,” he closed the small distance between us. “Like hell, I'll go with you! Wouldn't it be an honour to introduce your mate to your first love?”

I wanted to shut him up instantly but I couldn't risk him changing his mind. 

The ceremony was set to take place under the full moon, and it was open to all, so there were no restrictions for entrance.

However, he made sure I was properly disguised. This was my pack and the odds of everyone recognizing me was a ninety to ten in my favor but I wasn't even harbouring the thought of escape. Not yet at least. 

I needed to know if the marriage rumor was true or not and from the look of things and the people present, it was likely true. 

“Try anything funny and I will kill you!” He warned. 

“I don't plan to. Not yet at least,” I rolled my eyes. It was an attempt to hide the nervousness I was feeling inside. The awful feeling of dread.

Declan put on his mask and led me into the hall. The familiar faces and the smell of home made me smile. 

A smile that was wiped off as the ceremony began. 

“Sit tight, princess. It's going to be a long night,” Declan whispered. Something about the way the happiness looming in the place made me sad. 

It was like no one even noticed my absence. 

My breath hitched when the priest called the bride and groom to the altar. I blinked rapidly, refusing to believe it for a second. 

“That's your Eric? You lowered your standards for real. I expected someone more befitting,” Declan snorted but I didn't have the time to focus on his words.

My heart was tearing apart as I watched the man I dedicated my life to, gaze affectionately into the eyes of another woman. Like she was all that mattered to him. Angry tears brewed in my eyes as my fists clenched tightly to my sides.

It was like he was waiting for me to be gone so he could jump into the arms of another woman. He never even looked at me that way. 

My chest constricted. I was fast running short of oxygen and I found myself clutching to my dress, fighting the urge to burst into tears.

“Just in case you need a shoulder to cry on, don't forget I'm here, princess,” Declan's taunting words made me feel a lot worse.

My heart shattered as I watched him take his vows and eventually, kiss her. 

I wanted to leave but Declan wouldn't let me. He wanted me to see me break and it was working. He even insisted I followed him to present his gift to Eric.

“Eric Ampleton, a pleasure to finally meet you, although your bride was a little unexpected,” Declan said, presenting the gift box to Eric.

“Really?” Eric smiled, shooting his bride an affectionate gaze. My anger was boiling over, and it was taking more effort to keep it at bay. “And who might you be?”

My eyes shifted to the blonde. I wasn't even sure I'd seen her before, but here they were, acting like they'd known each other forever. Another jab of anger and jealousy went to my heart.

"I expected the one who's always by your side. Raven, is it?” Declan went on, ignoring his question.

I looked at Declan. What is he aiming at now?

“Oh, that. She was nothing. You don't really expect a royal blood like me to marry a common slave, do you? She was just a random guard my father assigned to me. Besides, who would want to spend their life with someone who is nothing but a trained machine, a cold ruthless person who kills for fun? Have you seen her skin? As rough as a man's, with scars that have no business being on a woman’s skin! She's gone anyways, it doesn't really matter,” Eric shrugged, and my heart stopped for a second.

How… How could he say something like that about me? Sure my skin wasn't perfect and soft like other normal girls but they were all gotten from fulfilling his father's wishes! From his father's brutal training!

Tears burned in my eyes. All the while I thought he loved me, this was what he really thought about me?

“Perhaps that wouldn't have been a problem if she had a man to protect her, not a child who couldn't face the world and needed a nanny to babysit him,” Declan said with a charming smile. “We tend to outgrow things, don't we?” 

My tearful gaze, although hidden by the veil, turned to him. Did he just defend me?

“Quite a shame. I suppose she wouldn't be missing much,” Declan smiled. Eric's smile dropped. “What happened, Mr Ampleton? With a woman like Raven and your unique qualities, surely you didn't think that your absence would be profoundly felt, did you? Anyways, you two look lovely. Hopefully, you'll do the work this time.”

Eric's face went pale, and he looked like he was going to say something, but Declan backed him, taking my hand.

We left the ceremony, while I remained shaken, struggling to process everything. I was returned to my cell, left to wallow in misery.

Eric was really married. He took another woman to the altar and made her his bride. I tried to scream but the sound got caught in my throat. 

I slumped against the wall, tears streaming down. How could he? How could he do this to me after everything we've been through together? Eric and I had grown together when his father took me in. He was my first love and my only and now—

Why did Declan have to be right? I cussed.

Ugly sobs racked my body emitting straight from my core. I struggled to hold it in but the pain was too much to bear. I'd never felt that way in my life and I didn't know how to handle it. 

Just then, Declan walked in, fully changed. He stopped outside the bars and paused for a moment and then he entered the cell. I didn't want him anywhere close to me. I knew he wanted to gloat about how I'd been a gullible fool. 

"Raven, sweetheart, you look..." He paused, chuckling. "Actually, you look terrible."

Without thinking, I launched myself at him, fists flying. "You did this!" I screamed. “You bastard!" 

Declan caught my wrists and his body pressed against mine. The heat from his body scorched me. 

“You're mine now, Raven,” he whispered. “Mine.”

His warm breath sent shivers down my spine. I felt my knees buckle and resistance left my bones. 

No! I mustn't feel this. I can't! I convinced myself. 

Not for him.

I spat in his face. Declan's eyes flashed. His eyes glowed and I could tell he wasn't expecting that. 

I expected him to lose his head and hit me. It was the logical response to a spit to the face. But instead of anger, he smiled.

"You're so beautiful when you're furious."

My cheeks burned. Fuck no. I looked away hiding my face from him. Traitorous body.

"Well, well, well. Looks like the Ice Queen's thawing," he said, grinning. 

My anger boiled over. He was the most infuriating man ever. 

"You just love watching me suffer, don't you?" I spat angrily. 

Declan's grin widened. "Hell ya," he admitted. "You're breathtaking when you're in pain."

My eyes blazed. "How can you be so cruel?"

Declan shrugged. It was like having the devil himself mock me. He was feeding off my pain yet somehow I couldn't help being insanely attracted to him. To the fucking devil! 

"I'm just stating facts. You're hurt, Raven. Eric's betrayal cuts deep."

I flinched. "Don't say his name," I snarled. “Don't fucking say his name!" 

Declan chuckled. The sound made my toes curl and it was all I could do to control my murderous rage rising within me. 

"Ah, but it's the truth. He's moving on, and you're stuck here, with me."

His words sliced through me like a knife. It hurt more because it was true. As much as I wanted him to be a lying piece of shit, he was right. Eric was moving on without me and here I was, crying over him. 

Declan's expression turned serious.

"Enough games, Raven. You have two options: surrender and become my slave, or..."

He paused and I could tell whatever he was about to say wasn't easy. His eyes gleamed as he said. "I'll be forced to kill you."

My heart skipped a beat. He had to be bluffing. Men like him would say just about anything to trick the vulnerable into signing off into a life of servitude.

As if reading my thoughts, he said, “To show you I'm dead-ass, there's someone I'd like to introduce you to."

Declan stepped aside and a big guy entered the cell. He looked like he ate steroids for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. He was bald except for a few wet strands of hair glued to his scalp. His eyes were empty, and there was no doubt I was looking into the eyes of a killer, but what made me uneasy was the heavy axe he carried with him. The damned thing looked like it weighed a planet. 

Turning to Declan, I said, “I know I look terrible but you didn't have to bring your stylist over for a makeover.” 

“Funny." He grinned. “Tiny Tim here is going to be your executioner if you refuse to be my slave. That axe would go through your neck like butter.”

I gulped. He wasn't kidding. I looked at Tiny Tim as he grinned at me. His eyes told me he couldn't wait to take my head off.

“So what's it going to be? Tim is on a schedule."

"You'll never own me," I hissed.

Declan raised an eyebrow. He wasn't expecting that. "Then it's death?"

I met his gaze. "I'd rather die than submit to you."

Declan's smile faltered. His eyes went dark. For a moment, he looked... shocked.

"Raven, don't be—"

"I mean it," I interrupted. "I'll never be your slave."

Declan's face hardened. "Fine. You've made your choice."

With that, he turned and walked away.