CHAPTER 2

CHAPTER 2

LORRAINE’S POV

For the first time in two years, I saw colors.

Time stood still as golden sunlight poured through the open window. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d seen anything so beautiful.

Or seen anything at all.

I rushed to the dressing mirror. A thick layer of dust dulled the glass, hiding my reflection.

My fingers trembled as I wiped it away with the sleeve of my nightdress. I had no expectation but nothing prepared me for what I saw.

My cheeks had hollowed. My collarbones stuck out beneath my nightdress. Even my lips had lost their color.

My head still ached slightly from the fall, but I would gladly suffer it again, if it meant uncovering Conrad’s lies and also waking up this morning with my sight restored.

Although my left eye was still blind, it was more than enough.

But how?

I racked my brain over every possible reason…until it clicked.

The imposing stranger. The vial.

My finger brushed my jaw where a dull ache still lingered.

It was him. I was so sure.

My thoughts were cut short as a soft knock on the door sent me running to the bed, almost tripping over my feet.

I had barely tucked myself in when the door pushed open. Conrad strolled in with a tray held securely in his hands.

“Raine, you’re awake!” He set the tray down before wrapping his arms around me.

The familiar gentleness that once gave me butterflies made me sick to my stomach.

But if he could put up an act, two could play the game.

“Not too long ago,” I said while mustering the sweetest smile I had. “What happened?”

“You fell down the stairs and ended up with a head injury,” he said, looking pointedly at my head.

Lifting my hand to the back of my head, there was a bandage I hadn’t noticed.

“How long was I unconscious for?”

“Two weeks,” his hands pulled me in tighter, almost smothering. “I thought you would never wake up.”

His act was so convincing, I was almost impressed.

Pulling away from his suffocating embrace, I said, “You left me on the —”

“I’ve warned you several times to never walk on your own but you don’t listen,” his voice shook with anger. “I didn’t know what I would do if you left me.”

He sure was scared of losing what flowed in my veins.

“Are you mad? Please don’t be, I’m sorry,” I said, matching his passion.

He leaned in. “I’m not mad at you Raine. You’re safe now and that’s all that matters.”

Settling down beside me, he pulled the tray closer.

A foreboding feeling settled in my chest as Conrad picked up a syringe from the tray.

“Saylor had been worried about you, she hardly slept while you were unconscious. She would be so…” He held my hand which was already icy cold. “What’s wrong? Are you okay?”

“It’s nothing,” I managed to say as I pulled my hand away unable to hold it in any longer.

“You are not okay,” his hand felt warm on my forehead as he checked my temperature. “I’ll send for the Pack doctor.”

“Don’t!” Afraid he might sense something, I added, “It must be the aftermath of being unconscious for so long. I’m perfectly fine.”

I secretly heaved a sigh of relief as I finally managed to convince him.

“Alright. But you still have to be checked now that you’re awake.”

I nodded slowly. I had to find a way to escape before then.

“Stay still. It’s time for your treatment,” he said as he carefully lifted the cap from the syringe, exposing the sharp needle.

“What for?” I asked.

“Have you forgotten? It’s for your eyes. Stay still, it will soon be over,” he said softly, holding me still.

I tried pulling away but his grip tightened, just enough to keep me in place. But his smile never wavered.

“But I have been taking it for two years. Are you sure it works?” I argued.

“Doctor Harvey’s prescription is the best, it just takes time,” he insisted. “Now stay still, love.”

The needle slipped beneath my skin and I watched as dark red blood crept out of me into the syringe.

A satisfied smile was plastered on his lips as he cleaned my arm with practiced ease.

Disgust washed over me as I became more aware of my arm still in his grip.

I couldn't pretend anymore.

“I’m tired. I want to rest,” I said, slipping myself under the duvet, hoping he’d take the hint and leave.

“I’ll check on you in an hour,” he chimed in as he grabbed the tray. The thick rug muffled his heavy footsteps.

It wasn’t until the door clicked shut did I feel safe.

Was I really safe?

The stranger’s words replayed in my head. “I’’ll go back for another bottle."

Was he coming tonight?

****

By the time I opened my eyes, the sky was already pitch black.

It seemed Conrad really took my words to heart, allowing me to sleep for so long.

The peace I had found ended the moment I heard the door creak open again.

“So it’s true. You are awake.”

Maybe it’s because I was no longer in the dark but I could hear the contempt hidden underneath Saylor’s voice laced with concern.

I rolled my eyes under the duvet as I prepared myself for another round of pretense.

“I thought you would never wake up,” she said as she flung the duvet away.

Heaving myself up, I sat up to face her. “I still have so much to do. I can’t die yet.” I couldn’t resist twisting the knife and I said, “I’ve not married Conrad.”

And just like I guessed. Her facade cracked as her eyes threw daggers at me.

“Conrad?” she asked with gritted teeth.

“Yes. We are getting married next week.” I grinned inwardly as a series of emotions ran across her eyes.

From despair to anger.

“Why is he getting married to you?” she asked.

“What do you mean? We have been engaged for two years, it’s logical.” I pressed on but the upper hand I gained shattered as her eyes flashed with deep-seated hatred.

With her eyes narrowed into slits, she drew out her claws.

My smile faltered. She wanted to kill me.

Wasting no time, I threw myself backward as she aimed for my neck.

Barely escaping, her claws scratched my neck, grabbing my pendant along with it.

She froze, the killing intent in her eyes disappeared. “You can see?”

“Are you asking because you’re blind?” I bit out with the last shred of nerve I had.

There was no point hiding it now.

My gaze flickered to the pendant held securely between her fingers as a strange warmth rushed through me, spreading from my chest to my fingertips.

“Give me my pendant,” my heartbeat thundered in my ears.

“You want it?” she asked as she threw the pendant across the room with her lips curling into a grin. “It belongs to your bitch mother right? Go pick it up.”

I made a move to get up but she raised her claws toward my face stopping me in my tracks.

“You can pick it.” she said as her eyes danced with mirth. “But I’ll gouge your eyes out first.”

My hands flew up to shield my face as her claws dug straight for my eyes.

Heat exploded beneath my skin, racing through my veins, so fierce it stole the air from my lungs.

My brows scrunched up together, expecting the immense pain that would follow but Saylor’s gasp came next.

An ear-piercing scream followed

I stumbled backward as fiery red flames erupted around Saylor, unable to tear my eyes away.

She clawed at the flames, searching for an escape, only to recoil with an even louder scream.

Trapped with no way out, the hatred drained from her face, leaving only raw fear. Her eyes locked onto mine, silently begging for mercy.

“Help me…”

The words had barely left her lips before the flames surged higher, swallowing her whole.

Clinging to the last shred of my resolve, I scrambled off the bed, seized my pendant, and hurled myself through the window.

Behind me, the flames licked everything hungrily, consuming everything it touched.

What had I done?