04 My Cross

Raina’s POV

Once I parted ways with Natasha, I rushed through my chores, aiming to complete them promptly. 

The day had been busy, and by evening, I had made my way to the kitchen for dinner. Having skipped lunch, my hunger was intense. 

Upon entering, I noticed the maids exchanging knowing glances, their laughter abruptly ceasing as soon as I appeared. I knew I was the subject of their amusement, but their chatter failed to unsettle me.

Now that Tristan was home, I knew no one would take food to my relatives in the slave cells. So I hoped to outlast the kitchen staff so I could sneak food to my family before going to Tristan's bedroom in the packhouse to wait for him.  I hoped he wouldn’t come tonight. With Natasha at his house, I hoped I would be spared tonight. 

Once I noticed the maids had finished eating, I ordered all of them to leave the kitchen. The cook knew what I was up to, but the maids didn't.

"You have to be careful, Raina. Alpha wouldn't like it. Today is meant to be a missed day for them," Alison said while I packed food to serve my folks, who were slave prisoners too, sentenced to do hard labour as retribution.

"Thank you, Alison. I will," I replied.

On the day Dean took his father's Alpha throne, Tristan returned. He and his rogue warriors stormed the ceremony with brutal force, swiftly taking over the pack. Dean surrendered without hesitation.

Tristan imprisoned Dean and his mother. I expected him to end my life, but instead, he locked up my family and offered me a deal. 

I regretted rejecting Tristan for Dean every single day. The old Alpha, Luna, and my parents left me no choice, claiming the pain of rejection wouldn't last. They were wrong. It hurt then, and it still hurts now. Rejecting Tristan shattered my heart. I suffered in Dean’s arms for three years, only to endure further agony under Tristan’s rule.

Despite everything, I can’t bring myself to let my family suffer, even though they caused my pain. My parents sacrificed me, but my little sister and brother are innocent. I have four more years to serve Tristan, and he promised we could leave the pack peacefully afterwards. Yet, if my siblings starve, they might not survive that long.

I snuck out of the kitchen and went to the slave quarters where the cells were. I went to the cell where my parents and siblings were kept. They looked tired. I knew they were being made to do hard labour daily, even on days they weren’t to be fed. Days like this one.

I pleaded with the guard to open the cell and quickly delivered the food. My mother was in tears, and my sister and brother were happy to see me. 

I could see the light gone in their eyes. I could see their hopelessness.

"I thought you wouldn't bring food," my sister Alisia told me in tears. Indeed, I was two hours late.

It broke my heart to see them like this. I had begged Tristan to let them go, and I would serve him for more years, but he refused. Could a slave bargain with its master?

"I won't be at peace knowing you haven't eaten,” I said and hugged her. 

She held me tightly. She was only seventeen—too young for this. I noticed she had lost a little weight, but there was no point talking about it. Weight loss was inevitable for prisoners. My parents didn't say anything to me. They had nothing to say. 

I eventually left their cell and made my way to Dean's cell.

He looked at me with disgust, and I knew he had a snide remark for me. He never treated me well while I was his wife, so I didn't expect him to treat me differently now.

"I brought you two food," I managed, and Dean was annoyed.

"You’re happy to see me trapped here like a worm, right?" Dean sneered, his voice dripping with disgust.

There was no point in exchanging words with him. I walked into the cell to set down the plate. As I turned to leave, Dean grabbed my wrist.

"He fucked you again, didn't he? I can feel it. You have my mark. Are you happy sleeping with him again? Does he satisfy you like I did?" His grip tightened as he pulled me closer, his other hand reaching for my ass.

"You know he's only fucking you to get to me. He knows I can feel it. You mean nothing to him, whore," he whispered in my ear, his closeness making my skin crawl.

"You’re insane!" I yelled, struggling until the guards heard and intervened.

I quickly left the cell, my body trembling with repulsion. His touch made me want to vomit.

I was forced to be his mate, and he made me regret it for the three years we were married. I knew he would feel pain every time Tristan had his way with me, just like I felt pain every time he cheated. The thought of Dean writhing in pain in his cell was consolation enough for the pain and humiliation I endured in Tristan’s arms.

 I headed back into the packhouse and started going to Tristan's room. It was almost ten at night, and I knew I would get in trouble if I weren't waiting for him. Hopefully, he will be at his house with his future Luna.

 I didn't knock when I entered, believing he wasn't in. 

 I opened the door and walked in, and I knew I would regret my actions when I found Natasha in a sheer night dress engaged in a conversation with Tristan.