Chapter 5

~~Imogene's POV~~

The world had closed in around me, tight and suffocating. I stood there silently telling myself that maybe death was the best option. I should have never been born in the first place. My thoughts went to the sharp, cold metal of the sword. The one that could have sliced down and finally ended the pain. But just when I thought it would happen, he came. Fenrir. The Alpha of the rogues.

He walked in like a light. I could hardly believe it when he broke my chains. Then, he held my hands in his strong palms and called me special. 

Special? 

I scoffed inside at the irony. There was nothing special about me. I was a curse, a plague to my own people.

As he pulled me away from the crowd, my pack, my family, I felt their eyes burning into me, filled with hatred. Then the side of my neck still burned from where he had touched me earlier. The mark he left wasn’t just any mark; it signified ownership. It was usually the kind that was bone between mates, a promise of togetherness. 

But here I was, more like a property, a slave to an Alpha I barely knew. That crushed me even more.

With each step toward his black and gold carriage, the air tasted bitter on my tongue. My heart ached as I thought of everything I had lost; my father, my husband, my position as Alpha. Words cannot describe how depressing it felt to lose your family, especially when they were the ones who turned on you. They had never truly accepted me, but now, after today, I could not even claim to be one of them. I was nothing, but a castaway.

“Open the door,” Fenrir instructed his guard, who rushed to pull the carriage door open. I turned back one last time at my pack, my heart breaking. No one would miss me. They had made it clear. 

Fenrir helped me inside as I sat on the soft leather carriage seat. It all still felt totally unbelievable. I stole a glance at him. His silver eyes were staring forward, and he had a jawline sharp enough to cut glass. I had heard stories about him, the ruthless Alpha who many fear. Yet here he was, so beautiful, looking every bit like a Greek god. 

But why was he here? Why had he claimed me?

I wanted to ask these questions running through my mind, but the words just stuck in my throat. So instead, I just relaxed on the seat and swallowed my curiosity. Did it even matter now? I was an outcast, cut off from my people and my pack. A true curse.

Suddenly Fenrir broke the silence, his voice was so deep and smooth, “Why didn't you say you didn't do it?” He turned to face me, and his gaze pierced through my defenses. I couldn’t meet his eyes. Instead, I looked down, focusing on the red carpet under our feet.

What difference did it make? They already believed I was guilty of murder. I rubbed my palms together, my father's lifeless body flashing in my mind. A shiver ran down my spine. 

Then, I suddenly felt something warm on my hand. Fenrir’s hands. He wasn’t looking at me anymore, he simply just held my hands. It was such a simple thing but it took me by surprise. I blinked in disbelief. This was not the monster everyone claimed him to be.

We rode in silence for a while until we passed through a bustling town, the mouthwatering scent of food drifted through the carriage window. My stomach growled involuntarily, betraying my hunger. Fenrir must have heard it because he suddenly knocked on the side of the carriage. 

“Stop the carriage,” he ordered.

He stepped out and turned to me with an inviting smile on his face. “Let’s go get you something to eat. Our journey will still take a little while.” I hesitated, wanting to refuse, but Fenrir wouldn’t even let me. With an instructive nod to the horsemen and guards to watch over the carriage, he extended a hand to me.

We stepped into the lively market, everywhere was bubbling with activities. Vendors shouted about what they sold, the scent of grilled meat was heavy in the air and the place was filled with lively chatter. 

Fenrir then took me to a stall roasting meat. A chubby woman was the one who ran the place, cooking oil was even splattered on her worn apron. “Three sticks,” Fenrir ordered, as he sat on a stool. I just stood awkwardly, unsure of what to do.

“Why are you just standing there? Come sit,” he called, arching a brow at me.

But I had a different plan in mind. “I need to pee, where can I release myself,” I said, turning toward the woman. “Where can I do that?”

She turned a portion of the sizzling meat on the grill then replied, “Head to the back, you’ll find a restroom. But be careful not to let your body touch anything.” she warned and I nodded. 

Before Fenrir could say anything, I dashed to the back, acting like I was heading to the restroom but I wasn't. Instead I came out from the other end. My eyes scanned the market and I spotted the place I was looking for. A shop further down, dimly lit and tucked between larger stalls. I knew exactly what kind of place it was.

I felt the anxiousness racing through me as I pushed the door open.

Inside, a skinny man with round glasses looked at me, his expression unreadable. “Hey, what can I get you?” he asked, his tone neutral.

My heart raced, but I managed to remain calm. “I want something strong. Really strong!” I emphasized, making sure he understood the seriousness of what I was asking for.

The man studied me for a moment, suspicion flickering in his eyes. To my relief, he smiled, revealing a gap between his teeth. “I have something.” He rumpled through a lower drawer and then pulled something out.

“Two drops can send someone into a very long sleep, and three drops would drop dead an elephant.” He slid a small red bottle across the counter, but when I reached for it, he held it back.

“Payment before service, fine lady,” he said, his grin widening.

I panicked. I had no money on me. But then, I got an idea. My diamond earrings. I took them off and slid them over to him, watching as he took them and screened them under the dim light. Satisfied, he nodded, gave the bottle to me.

I tucked it safely into my gown and hurried back to Fenrir, who still sat at the meat stall. My heart raced as I replayed my decision in my mind. I had made up my mind. I was going to take my own life. No one would mourn me. No one cared anyways. 

This was the only escape I saw left for a cursed soul like mine.