Chapter 4

Bella's POV

I slept with one eye open. I didn't trust any of these people. At least they didn't hurt me physically, but they were starving me instead. My stomach was growling. I needed to eat something urgently. I caressed my stomach, promising my child I would find something to eat as soon as I could. The door of the cell opened with a squeaky sound, making me jump to my feet. In came Dane with a cup of steaming coffee, smelling like the heavens. The coffee, not him. My stomach growled. I was famished. I could almost taste the bitter yet smooth flavor of the coffee on my tongue.

He stood right in front of me. I had to throw my head back to lock eyes with him. Goddess that coffee smelled so good. For a minute, I thought he was going to hand it to me. He just smirked. I felt the need to kick him in the shins if he weren't this stupidly tall. He doesn't look anything like his brother, though. Even their hair color is different. Dane's hair is sandy blond, and his handsome brother has dark, wavy locks falling on his forehead. I shook my head. This was not the time for that.

Dane pointed at me with one finger, like I was some sort of misbehaving kid. "Do yourself a favor and start talking. You don't look good at all." I rolled my eyes at him. I was tired of repeating myself. What would it take for him to believe me? I forced myself to repeat it again.

"I'm tired of repeating myself, and you won't believe me. I found him lying on the ground, and then I..." He didn't even blink. He definitely didn't believe me, and he'll never do. They will just starve me to death or leave me in prison forever. I couldn't trust his brother to wake up and help me. He probably doesn't even remember me. He was badly wounded, and who knows when he will wake up. I will probably be dead by then. I can't use my ring either. They would hunt me down to the end of the world.

Dane's semblance changed. His brow furrowed. Someone was mind-linking him. He let his coffee cup drop and turned on his heel darting towards the exit. What a waste of coffee. The guard locked me up again. A few minutes passed. I don't even understand why they apprehended me. The most sensible thing to do was to thank me for helping Dane's brother. Instead, they were treating me as a conspirator. Just exactly, who is this supposed brother of Dane?

I can't stay here any longer. I will not leave my fate and my child's at the hands of these lunatics. I always had the utmost respect for warriors because my father and brothers were warriors themselves, but these warriors are nothing like my family. My family would never target innocent civilian women. I needed to escape now.

I had been hearing a lot of noise coming from outside for a while. It was building up with every second that passed. Could it be that the warrior has woken up? My heart started thudding. There was no way to know if he would jump to the same conclusion as the rest of them. My plan to escape wasn't the best, but I was going to try or die trying. It was now or never. I dropped to the floor, clutching my abdomen, screaming in pain.

"What's wrong with you, woman?" The warrior hit the cell's bars with a baton. He furrowed his brow in annoyance.

"Help me, please! It hurts!!" I gave it my all to my impromptu performance. I heard his keys hitting the bars noisily. He was opening the cell.

"Don't you dare die on me, woman. He's awakened, and if you had anything to do with his attack, he would want to be the one who finishes you." I found strength in those words and putting into practice everything I learned from my brothers, I grabbed him by the wrist, stealing his baton. I hit him right in the face. He was barely trying to react when I already had him in a chokehold. He was desperately trying to pull the button off of his neck, but soon he passed out.

I grabbed his keys quickly and my bag. They had left it with me after they had searched the contents. I locked the cell with the guard inside and threw the keys out of his reach. I grabbed the only cloak I had inside my bag and put it around my shoulders. With the hoodie, I covered my hair and most of my face. My jaw almost dropped when I saw the huge crowd gathered outside, and it seemed that more people continued to arrive. I sneaked past them, mixing with the crowd. It made it easier for me to pass inconspicuous. Soon, I was outside of that dreadful place.

I was going to have to use my ring again to gain distance from them. I couldn't shift to my wolf form while pregnant. I wished myself to be close to the nearest town. I needed food and a warm bed. Luckily, the warriors didn't take the little money I had inside my bag. It would be enough to stay in a hotel for a few days.

When I registered in the hotel, I didn't give them my real name. I was sure Jasper would be scouring the earth for me. The werewolf Parliament would never give him the rights of my father's pack without me. He is not a blood relative. He must be desperate. It gave me some kind of satisfaction imagining him losing control. My wolf has been quiet after everything that we went through. The death of my family, Jasper's betrayal, and then being kidnapped and imprisoned. Only the baby is keeping us from crumbling. I can't lose it. It would destroy me and my wolf.

I ordered room service before I took a most-needed bath. When I came out, the food was already there. Everything tasted so good. The pancakes, eggs, bacon, fresh coffee, and delicious fruit. I hadn't been eating well for so many days. My heart squeezed. I prayed so much for a baby to now neglect my pregnancy. The Goddess knows it is not my fault. I'll do better now. Hopefully, Jasper and Dane won't find me here. I needed to try to look for my family first. If I don't find my brothers and my father, I will go to the Parliament to expose Jasper's betrayal of the mate bond and prevent him from taking over my pack. He could never have it.

I went straight to bed after I ate. I was exhausted. My head and my heart were still in turmoil, but when so many things were going on in my life, I couldn't even pick a problem to overthink about it. I fell asleep as soon as I placed my head on the pillow. I was safe for now. Tomorrow, I will search for my family.