Chapter 6: A flicker of hope

The metallic tang of blood filled my nostrils as I woke to the faintest light filtering through the cracks in the walls. My body screamed in protest as I tried to move, every muscle burning like fire. The dried blood and sweat glued my torn clothes to my skin, making every small shift unbearable.

A soft scuffling sound caught my attention. At first, I thought it was rats, but then I noticed a shadow moving along the wall close to the door. I hadn't heard anybody come in. Someone was here. My heart thudded in my chest, fear and desperation flooded my chest. Where they are here to beat me up again. 

"Who's there?" My voice came out hoarse and small, barely above a whisper.

The shadow hesitated before stepping closer. It was Julia, the head maid. Her face was pale, her eyes darting nervously to the door as she knelt beside me. She carried a small bag, her hands trembling as she rummaged through it.

"Shh," she whispered, pulling out a damp cloth. "I don’t have long. They’ll notice if I’m gone too long."

I swallowed hard, tears welling in my eyes. "Why are you helping me? You’ll get in trouble—"

"You don’t deserve this," she cut me off, her voice trembling. "I’ve seen too many like you, girls who are brought here from conquered packs and given inhumane treatment. I don't want to watch another tone die." Her voice broke, and she pressed her lips together before continuing. "Just stay quiet, and let me clean your wounds."

Her gentle hands worked quickly, cleaning the dried blood and applying a cooling salve to the worst of the lashes. I winced but bit my lip to keep from crying out. The salve dulled the pain, but it couldn’t touch the deeper ache, my wolf has still been absent after all this while. 

"Can you..." I hesitated, unsure if I could trust her. But what choice did I have? "Can you get me out of here?"

Her hands froze. She looked at me, pity and fear warring in her eyes. "I can’t," she whispered, shaking her head. "They’ll kill me and you if we’re caught. They might kill all the servants even. Stephanie is that evil when her play toy gets lost.”

“You'll have to survive the treatment, she'll get bored soon.”

Survive. As if it were that simple.

And who knows if she'll ever get bored of hurting me. I was her mate's true mate. 

She finished her work and squeezed my hand before slipping back out of the room, leaving me alone once more. Loneliness embraced me like a second skin.

 I tried to reach for my wolf again, pleading silently for her to come back, to heal me. But all I felt was silence, as if she’d abandoned me completely.

The door creaked open again hours later, maybe minutes, I couldn’t tell anymore. This time, it wasn’t Julia. Stephanie strode in, her heels clicking against the stone floor. She was alone, a smug smile on her face as she circled me like a predator.

"You look pathetic," she said, her voice dripping with mockery. "Crying for your goddess? She’s not going to save you, you know. No one is."

I glared at her, mustering what little strength I had. "One day, you’ll regret this. All of it."

She laughed, a high pitched sound before she slapped me. 

Hard. 

 "Regret? Please. You’re nothing, Mima. A rejected mate. Your wolf has left you, hasn't she? I chuckled wickedly. “Because if she hasn't, why are t you healing? Urgh, this is boring if you're not going to heal so I could destroy you all over again.” her face scrunched into a frown. 

Did she mean to kill me? She should just get it over with. I clenched my fists, the silver cuffs digging into my wrists. "You’re wrong," I whispered, though I wasn't even sure I believed it.

"Am I?" She leaned down, her face inches from mine. "Face it. You’re weak. Powerless without your wolf. You should’ve died with your pathetic parents."

I felt warm anger flow through my veins. Yes, my wolf might be asleep but I wasn't going to let her walk all over me and maltreat me. I wasn't going to break. 

Not yet at least.

I spat at her.

The act was reckless, but the satisfaction of watching her face twist in fury was worth it. She slapped me hard again across the face, the sting radiating through my already battered body.

"You’ll regret that," she hissed, straightening. She stormed out, slamming the door behind her.

I was left alone again, the silence even heavier than before. But this time, I didn’t let it crush me. I focused on the spark inside me, small as it was, and clung to it like a lifeline.

The days blurred together after that. Stephanie came and went, each visit bringing new torment. Julia continued to sneak in when she could, her small acts of kindness the only thing keeping me from losing what was left of my sanity.

Then, one night, everything changed.

I was still held up in chains that turned my flesh. I had just gone through another round of beatings, when I felt it. A faint, distant presence stirring within me. My wolf.

The sensation was weak, like a flickering flame, but it was there. I focused on it, pouring all my energy into that fragile connection. Please, I begged silently. I need you. I can’t do this alone.

The presence grew stronger, filling me with a warmth I hadn’t felt in weeks. It wasn’t enough to heal my wounds or give me strength to fight, but it was something. A promise.

I didn’t have time to dwell on it. The door burst open, and Stephanie stormed in, her face twisted with anger. Behind her, two guards dragged a struggling figure into the room. My breath caught as I recognized who it was.

Julia.

Oh no.