Chapter 5

Nyra

Two weeks locked up in this hell, and it had been the worst moment of my life. No person had set foot near me since Alessia came here. I had chewed my fingers just so I could eat something, and I swallowed my saliva multiple times so I wouldn't die of thirst.

I was too tired to speak or move. The only thing I could do was have silly thoughts. I had succumbed to darkness, about to give up, when I heard a shrill sound and the scent of smoke filled the whole area, including the cell.

I had difficulty breathing, and cries of terror were piercing through the walls. Something was going on, as if the pack had been ambushed.

Tears welled up in my eyes because of the smoke. Was this how I was going to die? Right here in the cell?

Summoning strength, I crawled my way to the gate and started banging the door.

"HELP!" I screamed.

‘Emilia, help me.’I pleaded through the mindlink, hoping my wolf would come out of whatever darkness she lay in and come to my rescue. I needed her to at least help break these gates.

"HELP!" I screamed again.

Hoping at least someone would come to my aid, I waited. But to my dismay, no one did. The smoke was already choking me. I collapsed on the floor and tried to use the remaining energy to stay alive as long as possible.

‘Please, Emilia,’I pleaded again.

It had been five good years since I had heard from her. That night when my wolf was marked was the last time I had heard from her. I knew she was there. I tried so hard to talk to her, to shift into my wolf form, but she didn't hear me.

Her silence would have made me think she was gone, but I could feel her. The link between us was still there, although faint. I wasn't just weak—I was a failure.

My breathing was unsteady. My muscles twitched. I could feel my soul leaving my body. Just when I thought my end was near, the door was flung open.

"Hey, are you awake?" a voice said, but I was too weak to even blink my eyes. Not hearing my response, he grabbed my hands and carried me.

"She's alive," I heard him say before I gave in to darkness.

~~~

My eyes fluttered open slightly. A throbbing headache rushed in, and I groaned. My mouth was dry. Blinking my eyes, I sat upright.

It took me a minute to get my bearings, and when I did, I found myself in a room that seemed unfamiliar. I scooted off the bed. This place was dimly lit, and the fires on the candles flickered.

My heart thudded loudly in my chest. Where was this place? I thought.

I knew this wasn't the Nightshade pack.

Tilting my head, the last thing I remembered was someone opening the cell gates for me. I bit my lower lip. Someone had kidnapped me.

I needed to run without raising any alarm.

Before I could think of a way to escape this place, the door flung open, revealing two hefty men who wore red. They glanced my way, barely saying a word as they yanked me out of the room.

"Who are you?" I screamed out. Panic rushed in.

They said nothing but continued moving. I tried to free myself from their hold, but I was too weak to do so, especially after the past two weeks of being locked up without any food.

As we passed through the corridors, I made sure to check my surroundings to see if there was a way I could escape if I had any chance to do so. This place was huge, bigger than Eric's house at the pack. Each wall was made of marble—it was more like a palace created in medieval times, only it had a touch of modern design.

The guards stopped by a huge door. At each side, two other guards stood outside. They opened the door, and then I was pushed into the room.

It was the dining room. I felt like a filthy rag just by stepping into this place. My clothes hadn't been changed, and my body itched.

A cleared throat brought me out of my reverie. I darted my eyes to the person seated at the far end. My whole body froze. Eyes widened in shock as my jaw dropped.

Mikael Valen, the forbidden son of the Valen family and Eric's half and estranged brother, was here—all regal and mighty.

And not only that, my wolf stirred within me for the first time in five years. The first thing she did was call him…

"Mate!"