Chapter 4

~ Nyra ~

Murmurings filled the room, everyone speaking at the same time. I tuned out the words of the elders, the voices in my head erupting without warning. My whole life was changing—I could feel the ruins spreading.

Eric shouldn't have done this to me. I watched him intently. He was staring back, and no signs of remorse could be seen on his face.

The man before me held himself with pride as if he had done the right thing.

I pointed my finger his way, lips trembling. Yet no sound came out. It was as though words disappeared the instant I needed them most.

Tears trickled down, the salty taste touching my mouth. Eric staggered forward. He crouched to where I sat, took a handful of my hair gently before tugging it hard.

"You should have stayed still when I asked you to. Since you so badly want the bond to be broken, then I will gladly oblige," Eric said icily.

I whimpered.

"I, Eric Valen, Alpha of the Nightshade Pack, accept your rejection!"

Cries of agony filled the air. The bond that had been pleading to remain tethered was now completely broken. My wolf couldn't help ease the pain because it was my human body that had been bonded to Eric.

Pain seeped through every fiber of my being. I was convulsing, almost at the point of losing my mind. Being an omega with pain tolerance close to that of a human wasn't an easy feat. I hadn't even gotten over it when Eric called the guards on me.

"Lock this ingrate in the dark cell. No food should be given to her, and she should have no contact with anybody until further notice," he commanded.

The intensity of the pain made it impossible for me to move.

He was determined to ruin my life forever. The guards yanked me without restraint and forcefully dragged me out of the courtroom like I was nothing.

~~~

The guards threw me into the cell. No matter how many times I pleaded with them to free me, it fell on deaf ears.

I grabbed the leg of one of the guards. "Please, let me go," I pleaded, hoping I would find favor in his sight.

He pushed me away and stepped on my hand before spitting on me. "For a defect like you who paraded around the pack like she owned it? You plead to be free? Over my dead body." His voice was laced with venom. I could hear the disdain.

It was at that moment I realized I had nobody in this pack—not even my parents could come to my rescue because I had disowned them for a man they didn't want me to be with.

It was as though they knew all of this would happen.

If only I had listened to them—maybe my life wouldn't have turned upside down.

I could have lived a life as an omega, a simple one with few friends and still had my family with me. But I was blinded by desire. I mean, Eric was the only man who wanted me even when my wolf had been cruelly defiled by those monsters.

The memory was hazy—I couldn't remember much, but I knew I had pleaded to be free. Yet one of them marked my wolf without marking my human form. It was a forbidden act to do that, and I fully knew what the consequences were.

Eric came like a knight in shining armor. He saw me and helped me. He promised to protect me and ensure that no one would hear about the ordeal that had happened to me.

His words echoed in my ears. "I promise, Nyra, I would never tell anyone," he said and locked his pinky finger with mine to seal the promise.

Yet he broke his promise.

I wailed, hitting my chest as hard as I could.

It was all my fault. I should have given him a child.

I was a fool—an idiot to think love was enough.

Maybe if I could plead with Eric, he could take me back. I should have stayed clearheaded throughout. I didn't know that my anger would lead to me being locked up.

I scrambled off the floor. The room was dark. There was no way I could see anything, and I heard no sound. Only my whimpering could be heard. This place was far away from everything.

A thought flashed in my head. What if I could just mindlink Eric? He might change his mind.

Though I was no longer his mate, I was still a member of his pack. Mindlinking him could work. A glint of hope shimmered within me.

I tried multiple times to reach Eric, but it seemed like he had blocked me from having any conversation with him. I slumped my shoulders in defeat. I felt so hungry and tired, yet no food had been brought my way.

‘Moon goddess, come to my aid, please,’ I muttered inwardly, before closing my eyes.

I was about to drift to sleep when I heard the echo of footsteps. The scent wafting through my nose was familiar. I had made up my mind to ignore that bitch. After all, she had gotten what she wanted.

‘how about you plead with her to free you from here? If she agrees, you can escape,’ my subconscious said, and it did make sense.

The rattling of keys echoed before the door creaked open. Though it was dark in the room, it would be easier for Alessia to see me because of her werewolf abilities. With my wolf dormant, it was impossible for me.

I was grateful when she lit a candle. A sinister smile was plastered on her face, that malicious glint unmistakable.

"So nice to see you again, Luna," she mocked, eyes burning with disgust.

I clenched my fist, sucked in whatever pride I had, and fell to my knees.

"Please, Alessia, help me!" I pleaded. Even if it meant sucking her toes just so I could be free, I would be willing to do so.

Hysterical laughter filled the cell. "You—on your knees begging me. Never thought I would see the day," she taunted.

"I promise to do anything you wish, even if it means being your slave," I implored.

She bent down, the tip of her fingers on my jaw as she raised my head so I could look at her. "Interesting, Nyra, but I don't want you to be my maid. That would be too nice, my love. I want you to perish here, Nyra. I want you to hear me scream as I push my baby out. I want you to hear the cries of my child in your pathetic cell. I want you to yearn to see nature while you rot here. I want you to be here when my child is claimed as the next Alpha. Everything will happen while you are in this dark cell." Her voice was soft, each word coated with brutality.

My eyes reddened, and my fist clenched as she tightened her grip on my chin. Blood dripped. I tried to free myself from her hold, but Alessia was stronger. As I fought harder, she kicked me.

I grunted. Tears clouded my eyes.

"You bitch!" I spat at her.

Her face twisted in fury. She slapped me so hard my face smashed against the wall, and everything went black.