Alora’s POV I forced down a piece of stale bread. Each bite felt like sawdust in my mouth, sticking to my throat. The water I used to wash it down was lukewarm and metallic-tasting, but I swallowed it anyway, forcing myself to eat for the strength I needed to survive another day in this hellhole. Every fiber of my being was on edge, my senses heightened to every sound, every shift in the air. I need to eat this meal to survive no matter what. I must survive. If not for myself, then for Sienna. It was quiet, save for the distant echo of dripping water and the soft, shallow breaths coming from Sienna, who was still asleep beside me. The door to the dungeon had creaked open earlier this morning, but nothing had come of it. No guards, no food, just the slow, torturous reminder that we were still prisoners, still at the mercy of Rune’s whims. But this time… something felt different. I paused mid-bite, the dry bread suddenly impossible to swallow as my stomach twisted in
Alora’s POV Rune's eyes shifted from me to Sienna, his expression softening into something almost pleasant. The shift was so sudden, so jarring, that it made my stomach churn. “Sienna, isn’t it?” Rune’s voice was smooth, disarmingly gentle as he addressed her. He crouched down to her level, his movements slow and deliberate, like he was trying not to startle a frightened animal. “I’m sorry you’ve had to go through this. You must be very confused right now.” Sienna, still shaken but visibly relieved by his seemingly kind demeanor, nodded slowly. Her eyes darted between Rune and me, searching for reassurance, for some kind of explanation that could make sense of the situation we were in. “I… I don’t understand why we’re here,” she said, her voice trembling. “Alora didn’t do anything wrong. We were just… we were just…” She trailed off, unsure how to finish, and Rune took the opportunity to soothe her further. “I understand,” he said softly, his tone almost fatherly. “It must have
Rune’s POV As I spoke to Sienna, I could feel Alora's gaze burning into me from across the dungeon, her glare sharp enough to cut through the thick tension that hung in the air. Without fully turning to face her, I caught her expression in my peripheral vision, a mixture of defiance and raw anger. The sight amused me more than it should have. Even in this grim setting, with her hair limp and her once-sweet scent tainted by days of captivity, she managed to look downright adorable in her fury."Stay away from my friend! You bastard." She yelled angrily. I almost had to admire her spirit, even as I found it infuriating. But for now, I kept my focus on Sienna, who sat before me, still shaken but slowly coming around to my supposed kindness. I continued to speak to her in the most soothing tone I could muster, like I was comforting a wounded animal. She was actually a nice girl, with a softness in her that contrasted sharply with Alora's fiery defiance. Maybe that's why th
Alora’s POV After Rune left the dungeon, I felt the fury rise within me like a storm I couldn’t control. My whole body trembled, shaking from the sheer force of my anger and frustration. How could he just leave like that? He came down here, teased me with his presence, made me believe he was going to end this nightmare once and for all (even though in cruel ways) and then he just walked away. The anticipation of the moment had wound me so tight that now, with him gone, it felt like my insides were going to snap. I wanted to do so many things but I am restrained. I can’t do shit. I wanted to scream, to lash out, but all I could do was sit there, my hands balled into fists, my nails digging into my palms until they drew blood. So much dirt beneath my nails I feel dirty myself. It hurt, but the pain was nothing compared to the anguish of being trapped here, at his mercy. This was why I wanted to escape. He has no mercy. He lacks simple humanity and I hate him. This wasn’t
Rune’s POV I leaned back in my chair, the leather creaking softly beneath me, as I fixed my gaze on the CCTV screen in front of me. The monitor displayed a live feed of Sienna, who was being escorted through the halls of our pack house. Her wide eyes darted around, taking in every detail of her surroundings, and I could almost see the wheels turning in her mind as she tried to process where she had been brought. The Arctic Canines pack house was a marvel, and I took no small amount of pride in it. Situated in the heart of the second most powerful pack in the entire werewolf world, it was more than just a residence, it was a telltale to our power and our wealth. The towering stone walls, intricately carved with ancient symbols of our lineage, reflected the history and strength of our pack. The vast corridors, lined with priceless artwork and rich tapestries, spoke of generations of prosperity and dominance. My father’s influence was evident in every corner of the pack house. He
Rune’s POV I watched as Sienna continued to eat, her pace slowing as she gradually satisfied her hunger. The room was quiet except for the soft clink of silverware against plates. I let her have a few more moments of peace before I spoke, knowing full well that what I was about to say would shatter any sense of comfort she might have found in this place. "As much as I would like to see to it that you are thoroughly washed and in better condition," I began, my voice slicing through the silence, "there's something we need to discuss first." She froze mid-bite, her eyes darting up to meet mine, the last remnants of bread clutched in her hand. I could see the flicker of uncertainty in her gaze. I enjoyed that moment, the second before everything changed, when she was still hopeful, still unaware of what was to come. I leaned forward slightly, resting my elbows on the desk as I regarded her. "I’m going to be upfront with you, Sienna. I’m using you as bait." Her fork clattered onto
Alora’s POV Rune allowed me to rot in that wretched dungeon for two more agonising days. Each passing hour felt like an eternity, every second of which fueled the fury burning within me. I’d always known he was a monster, but this—this was something else. This was cruelty of the most calculated kind, and with each tick of the clock, my hatred for him grew like a relentless storm, threatening to consume me whole. The thought of him made my blood boil. I imagined tearing him limb from limb, savouring the image of feeding him to the rogues that he so despised. It was the only thing that brought me any solace in that dark, suffocating cell. Sienna. Was she being treated kindly? Or was she experiencing Rune’s twisted version of kindness, the kind that felt like a knife in the gut when you least expected it? But there were no answers, only more questions. Something about Sienna is off. I can feel it. I should have felt it since that day. I was lying on the floor when I h
Alora’s POV I waited the next morning, fully expecting someone to come and drag me back to the palace. After all, I had submitted, hadn’t I? What more could he possibly want? The hours stretched on, and no one came. With every tick of the clock, my anger grew, bubbling up from a deep well of frustration. Why was he doing this? Hadn't he humiliated me enough? Maybe this was his way of further degrading me, making me wallow in the filth of the dungeon for just a bit longer, to break me even more. When the door finally creaked open, I tensed, ready for whatever fresh torment awaited me. But it wasn’t a guard or some cruel order. Instead, they brought me food, not the usual stale bread and water, but a real meal, a homemade meal. The smell alone made my mouth water, my stomach growling in response. It was the kind of food that reminded me of home, of times when things were simpler, before everything became a living nightmare. Without a second thought, I wolfed it down, shov
Alora’s POVWeeks melted into each other and every day felt the same. It filled with pain, humiliation and torment. The cycle had become my life and when I caught glimpses of myself in the shiny stone walls of the cave didn’t even recognize the skeletal figure staring back. I refuse to believe I was the one in the reflection. Nathan made sure there was food but my body rejected most of it. I couldn’t stomach the thought of eating something that came from him. But for Nevaeh I forced myself to keep going. She needed me to feed her. Nathan’s twisted obsession with her was the only thing keeping her safe and I clung to that fragile hope, even as I felt my sanity slipping further away. My memories were fading like smoke. Faces, names, moments, words, they all blurred together until I could barely tell what was real anymore. Nora and her friend had been dragged into this nightmare too. Their faces were hollow their bodies bruised and I couldn’t even begin to imagine what horrors th
Alora’s POVThe next two days were a nightmare I couldn’t wake up from. Every moment bled into the next in a loop of humiliation and despair. Nathan made sure I ate and slept only enough to keep going, just enough to stay alive. He called Nevaeh his "power weapon" now his voice full of twisted reverence. He stared at her like his only salvation. Every time I fed her, his eyes would follow my every movement, a dark hunger lurking there. Once, he tried to reach out and touch my breasts his hand hovering too close to Nevaeh’s tiny body. I shoved him away, my eyes burning with a fury. I can’t believe I almost gave this bastard a chance. He only laughed telling me he’d get his way eventually, that it was only a matter of time. He refused to let me cover my upper body, using the excuse that it was easier to feed Nevaeh that way. My lower half was clothed but every time I sat in that cave, bare from the waist up I felt the shame digging deeper, a constant reminder of how powerless I was.
Alora’s POVNevaeh’s soft giggle pulled my attention and I blinked at them. I had blacked out after taking that dark liquid. I hated that she was in his arms. I want to yank her away but I don’t have strength left in me. Nathan had her in his arms now, spinning her around by the fire he’d built playing as if nothing was wrong. The sight turned my blood to ice. This is so wrong and many levels. My little girl is laughing and cooing while I lay helpless, drugged and broken. I felt the effects of whatever he’d made me drink, settling in one at a time. My limbs are going heavy, my thoughts are clouding.Nathan’s expression shifted as he walked over, his eyes dark with some twisted sense of pleasure at seeing me like this. He grabbed my chin, yanking my face up to his. Then he kissed me, hard and brutal, forcing my lips apart until I tasted blood. I pushed back but he held me firm until he’d had his fill. Until he made sure I had no more strength left. With a disgusted shove, he pushe
Alora’s POVWe waited until the third day so he wouldn't suspect a thing before carefully crafting our excuse to send Nathan to the farthest part of the forest to get me something. Anything. He was reluctant at first, eyeing me like he sensed something was off but I managed to play it cool and gave him a coy smile he couldn’t resist. He even leaned in for a sweet kiss. It took everything in me not to flinch under his gaze. I smiled, acted as though nothing was wrong and he finally left, disappearing through the trees with a promise to return soon.The second he was out of sight, panic and urgency settled over us like a cloud. Nora’s friends, all five of them, looked terrified with wide eyes and started darting around like they expected Nathan to pop out from the shadows. But there was no time to reassure them; we had to move. Without a word I grabbed Nevaeh and ran. The forest flew by in a blur, the cold air stinging my lungs as we sprinted, not daring to slow down. We didn’t spea
Alora’s POVI slid off the bed adjusting the blanket around me before following Nora outside. Nathan stayed behind, settling back beside Nevaeh as if nothing had happened. My footsteps echoed each one heavy with confusion and the sting of interrupted intimacy. I wasn’t sure I wanted to sleep with Nathan. Okay maybe I want to scrape Rune off of me but I’m also glad she interrupted. The second we were out of the cave, Nora’s gaze pinned me like a knife. She was glaring at me, her eyes full of fury and something else that looked like fear. Maybe. It felt like she wanted to lash out, to scream, or even to attack, but I didn’t flinch. I’d seen enough betrayal to keep my emotions steady. “What’s your problem?” I asked, barely holding back my own frustration. “What’s wrong with you?”Her mouth twisted into a bitter smile, shaking her head as if I were the most pathetic thing she’d ever seen. I hate when people think I’m an idiot. “You’re more stupid than I thought,” she spat. I felt the
Alora’s POVI didn’t like the direction our conversation was heading not one bit. Nathan kept saying I didn’t need to worry about my father insisting he wouldn’t harm me. But that wasn’t what I was worried about. I just wasn’t ready. Not yet. I had left all of that behind for a reason and bringing up my father’s name felt like digging up something I wasn’t prepared to face. I had met my mother and it was all chaos Will my life ever be normal like other peoples? Or will I have to keep facing one problem after another because I was born by a goddess? Why was I mortal if my mother was even goddess? Things would have really been better if I had lived with her. But no they threw me into the wolves wicked cruel mouths. I shook my head and pulled back but Nathan reached out his expression soft and understanding. I love just how different he was from Rune. So different that it melts my heart. “Hey,” he said, pulling me into a hug. “It’s okay. You don’t have to face him until you’re rea
Alora’s POVThe next few months with Nathan felt like a fresh start. After accepting him into my life, everything just... clicked. I don’t know how to explain it but the life I was used to has changed into a softer one. The fact that I’m not running away from Rune makes life so much easier now. He knows where I was but won’t bother me. There is a sense of freedom that comes with that. With having Nathan as my partner. He was there every day making sure Nevaeh and I had food and warmth and company. We fell into a rhythm sooner like waking up together, taking care of Nevaeh, and talking over meals he hunted and cooked. He was steady and I began to wonder why I’d ever wasted my time hoping for Rune to come back. Why I hadn’t thought about being with someone else other than Rune? Nathan introduced me to a few of his friends in the forest. They lived nearby though not too close and seemed to genuinely welcome me into their small hidden community. They all wear tropical fits! They were
Alora’s POVDays turned into weeks and the cave became a little more like home. Every morning, Nathan would be there at dawn bringing freshly roasted meat, berries, or a flask of water from the nearby stream. It was a routine that became oddly comforting. Each time he brought food he would sit with Nevaeh and me laughing and telling stories that made the cave feel a little less like a prison. Sometimes, he would sing softly to Nevaeh, and she would giggle her tiny hands reaching for his dark hair or the collar of his shirt. My heart would ache because she will grow up thinking him her father. One morning, he arrived with something different which surprised me. It was a small bunch of wildflowers their delicate petals gleaming in the light of day. “For you,” he said, his voice softer than usual while his gaze lingered a little too long on my face. I took them with a hesitant smil my heart skipping a beat but I brushed off the feeling. After all, he was just being kind. But then Na
Alora’s POVThe next morning I woke up to the scent of roasted meat that filled the cave. It was the fifth day in a row that food had mysteriously appeared, always placed at the edge of the cave far enough away that it seemed like whoever was delivering it didn’t want to intrude. It was always the same, roasted animal meat still warm, smelling so tempting that I couldn’t help but devour it the moment I woke up. It wasn’t elegant, it wasn’t pretty, but I ate like I hadn’t seen food in days because I hadn’t. For the first three days I’d survived on nothing but hope and desperation. The thought that Rune might come back had kept me going but now... now, I was just clinging to whatever kept my body strong enough to move. I need to feed my daughter with the little food I have in my tummy. The sixth day passed the same way food left at the entrance, hot and ready. I wondered if the woman from Rune’s pack was behind it, realizing Rune wasn’t coming back. It was a comfort to imagine that