Chapter 6

Davina’s POV

When I blinked my eyes opened, the sharp sting of sunlight pierced my vision. I winced, blinking furiously to adjust. Every muscle in my body ached as though I had been trampled by a herd of wild beasts. My head thumped, and my ribs screamed with every shallow breath I took, and my wrists felt raw from the ropes they had used to bind me.

For a fleeting moment, I thought it was over. That they had finally tired of their cruelty and left me to wallow in my pain. But as I moved slightly, the coarse fabric of the floor beneath me squeezed against my skin, I realized I wasn’t alone.

They were still here.

Lyra stood to my left, with her arms folded, and her expression was of pure hatred. my mother, though I hated to call her, stood beside her, tapping her foot impatiently on the ground.

Panic coursed through me. My throat felt tight, and my heart was beating harder than it should, given my injuries. I forced myself to speak, in a hoarse and trembling voice.

“Please,” I croaked through the mind link, my lips cracked from the effort. “Don’t beat me again. I didn’t betray you. I swear… I’m sorry.”

Lyra scoffed, the sound was sharp and cutting. “You dare lie to us after everything we read in that filthy diary of yours?”

My stomach churned. I had hoped and prayed that they hadn’t found it. That they wouldn’t see the words I had poured out onto those pages, my only outlet in a life that offered me none. But of course, they had.

Lyra tilted her head mockingly. “How are you feeling, dear sister?”

I opened my mouth to answer, but my mother’s voice shook me that my heart also came out of my heart.

“You don’t need to answer that.” Her tone was calm, cold, and full of malice. “I’ll make sure you regret knowing Malcolm.”

My breath caught in my throat. I knew what she meant. They weren’t done with me. They meant every word. My body was already on the verge of giving out, and if they kept pushing, I might not survive.

“I… I didn’t mean to upset you,” I stammered, the words spilling out in a desperate attempt to calm them down. “Please, I…”

“Shut up!” Lyra snapped, her voice echoed in the small room. “Do you think we’re stupid? That we don’t know what’s going on between you and Malcolm? Sneaking around, acting like you’re so innocent…”

Her words stung, not because they were not true, but because they were twisted. My connection to Malcolm wasn’t something I had sought out. It wasn’t something I had control over. The bond was fated, inevitable, and as much as I wanted to deny it, I couldn’t.

My mother took a step closer, narrowing her eyes. “You’ve always been a thorn in this family, Davina. You are so worthless and useless. And now this?” She sneered, curling her lips in disgust. “Did you really think someone like Malcolm would choose you over Lyra?”

I wanted to fight back, to scream that I hadn’t chosen this. That I hadn’t asked for any of it. But I couldn’t. The words wouldn’t come.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered instead, my voice barely audible. “I never meant for any of this to happen.”

My mother laughed, making a low and bitter sound. “You’ve always been good at playing the victim, haven’t you? Poor little Davina, the wolfless Omega. Do you think anyone actually feels sorry for you?”

Tears burned at the corners of my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. I wouldn’t give them the satisfaction.

“You’re pathetic,” Lyra added, with her voice dripping with contempt. “Always hiding to do things, pretending to be innocent. Well, guess what? We see you. And we’re going to make sure everyone else sees you too, for the liar and thief you are.”

“I’m not a thief,” I mindlinked. “I didn’t take anything from you.”

“Didn’t you?” Lyra spat. “You took Malcolm. You took what was mine.”

I shook my head weakly, which sent a fresh wave of pain through my skull. “I didn’t… I never wanted to hurt you.”

“Enough,” my mother said sharply. “You don’t get to play innocent anymore. You’ve embarrassed this family for the last time.”

The room felt like it was closing in on me. My body trembled, both from fear and the effort it took to stay upright. I wanted to scream, to plead, to make them understand. But I knew it wouldn’t matter.

“I’ll do anything,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper. “Just please… don’t hurt me again.”

Lyra smirked, glinting her eyes with cruel satisfaction. “Anything?” she repeated, drawing out the word. “Oh, Davina, you have no idea how much I’m going to enjoy this.”

My mother’s expression hardened. “You’re going to regret ever being born into this family. Mark my words.”

I bit my lip to keep from crying out. My entire body felt like it was on fire, every nerve ending screaming in agony. But the pain in my chest was the worst. I felt like I was going to choke to death.

“You disgust me,” Lyra said, as she glared at me. “Always playing the martyr, acting like the world owes you something. Well, let me tell you something, Davina, no one cares about you. Not Malcolm, not the pack, not anyone.”

Her words weren't new to me but talking about Malcolm, I refused to let them see the damage they had done.

“Please,” I said again, my voice breaking. “I’ll stay out of your way. I’ll leave if that’s what you want.”

She laughed. “You don’t get to decide anything, Davina. You have no rights here. So shut up!.”

I closed my eyes, trying to block out their voices, their sneers, their threats. But their words echoed in my mind, it felt like a dagger piercing through my heart.

“You’re pathetic,” Lyra said again, in a cruel whisper. “And you’ll never be anything more.” she finished off with a slap.

I winced out of pain, holding my cheeks. While praying that I don't get to receive more of it. My body wouldn't take it anymore.

“You’ll regret this, Davina. I promise you that.” Lyra threatened and walked out with her mother, leaving me hurt and in pain.

I let out a shaky breath, and collapsed onto the floor. My vision was covered with tears, and I allowed myself to cry.

I didn’t know how much more I could take. “Malcolm,” I mumbled. “Please, help me.”