Amanda
The dazzling morning sun seeped through the once-glassed window by the wall, casting a faint glow over the dim, suffocating room, making its way into my eyes.
I exhaled sharply, rubbing my eyes and sitting upright.
I couldn't have imagined it had already been two days since the worst of my nightmares took hold of reality, turning everything into a misery I was never prepared for.
Two days of wishing I could only turn back the hands of time. I would have driven off, leaving him to die miserably by that roadside.
Two days of hoping to wake up and find all this—my eyes rolled around the room, was nothing more than some cruel trick of my imagination.
Confined in this room, I hadn't seen the brightness of the outside world except through the small window that, in its kind gesture, gave me hope of the light I so craved at the end of the tunnel.
I inhaled briefly as the crack of the door signaled the guards had come in, as usual, to pass in fresh meals and take away the old, foul-smelling ones left in the plates.
I looked away for just a second, until the fresh smell flew into my nostrils. My stomach churned as the worms within threatened to leap and dive straight into the plate of hot stewed pasta pushed through the small opening in the door.
I didn't need to see what was inside to know what was served this morning, but then I found my arms diving into the food like an animal who had been starved for decades. I knew, more than ever, that this was just a phase.
But then, you wouldn't blame me. I had starved for two solid days, with no food, no water, just the agony of whatever had happened and was still happening filling my stomach. At least, not until now.
Halfway through the food, the door creaked open again. My head was buried down, my fingers still on the plate.
Perhaps the guard, or whoever, had brought water as always after dropping the plate of food.
Somehow, I felt awful for letting down my guard and digging into the meal. At that point, I even wished I could throw up everything I had swallowed.
That wish was almost granted when the cold, unreadable stare of Alpha Ricardo burned into mine.
For a moment, I froze.
My mouth still open, arms half-lifting the plate with one hand, my fingers stained with oil, like a thief caught in the act.
"So much for hanging on."
His sharp, authoritative voice sliced through my chest, and I undoubtedly swallowed what was left in my throat.
My eyes traveled down to my arms, then back to his hard stare.
"So much to take in, right?"
Was that a question?
Looking into his eyes, I felt I could strangle the remaining life out of him. For causing me so much pain, after all I had ever done was save him and make sure he lived.
And what did I get in return? This? All these mysteries for something I knew nothing about?
It had better have been the cruelest joke. But no, it was more real than light itself.
"I was never sent and…"
"Then why did you do it?" he cut me off, his tone dismissive.
It wasn't a question.
He raised his hand, and a guard walked in. Ricardo's eyes stayed on me for a moment before his hand clicked onto the wheels of his chair, and just like that, he was gone.
Leaving me at the mercy of the guards, and whatever instructions he had given.
The guards dragged me to my feet, and only then did it occur to me, I had had enough already.
This was the Alpha of the strongest and most feared pack: the Bloodmoon Pack.
Where was I to begin, when it was glaringly obvious that everything was turning against me?
At least not until I was dragged into a room with a one-sided glass door, where two maids stood waiting to take my arms, for what, I was yet to know.
Curiosity mixed with dread set in.
The feeling washed away, only briefly, when one of the maids finally spoke.
"We will assist you in washing up, and you will meet…" She paused, her words hanging.
I didn't need a manuscript to read through the lines, my eyes flicked to the guard by the side of the door.
The bath was fast and simple, but the most relieving of all. I hadn't had a cold bath in three days.
Not that I cared much, but right now, it was a gain. Brief comfort. A reminder of one peaceful moment of hope.
I was dressed in a shabby, red, striped net gown that exposed everything to the eyes.
I sniffed, my gaze widening at the maid, but she only lowered her head slightly.
"Alpha's order," her voice was sharp but reserved.
I hissed, the dirtiest of thoughts clouding my reasoning. Of all things, I had never believed it would come to this.
At least when I was growing up, I wanted more than anything, to have a mate, to live happily ever after. But here I was at twenty, with no wolf, no mate. And to think the Moon Goddess had decided to punish me further, I was trapped.
Trapped in the middle of two Alphas who hated me, for a crime I knew nothing about.
Soon, I was walking through the hallway, two guards by my side. My arms clutched at the outer garment they had given me. At least it was a relief, to remain covered until I met what awaited me.
The air was thick with silence, stretching long, until the guards stopped by a door and pushed it open.
My eyes closed, then flew open at the sight of three hungry sets of eyes piercing into mine.
Exhaling sharply, I stepped into the room. Warmth, courage, all disappeared when it came knocking at the door of my heart.
Trouble.
Not when I recognized one of them so well, to question why he was here, and what I was doing dressed like a cheap whore…