Chapter 4

Marietta's Pov

I woke up to my own scream. 

Icy water drenched my entire body, seeping into my torn dress and clinging to my trembling body. 

For a brief, blissful moment, I thought I was dreaming until reality came crashing down on me like a meteor.

The pain in my back, 

The stench of damp stone and iron,

And the distant sounds of chains rattling reminded me exactly where I was.

I groaned, lifting my face off the cold floor. 

Nice reminder.

A deep, low voice interrupted the quiet. 

“Morning, little wolf.” The voice sent a shiver down her spine and I forced myself to sit up. 

There he was.

Again.

The dark-haired monster who had ordered me to be whipped last night. 

He was sitting on a wooden chair like he owned the world, legs spread lazily, fingers drumming against the armrest.

A torch on the wall flickered, casting shadows over his dangerously handsome face. 

I hated that he looked so perfect while I looked like a half-drowned rat.

“You really enjoy watching people suffer, don't you?” I muttered, wringing water out of my hair. 

“Why not?” His red lips curved into a smile. “It's entertaining.”

You're sick. 

He leaned forward and grabbed my chin. 

“Let's try this again, wolf. Who are you and what were you doing in my territory?”

 “I already told you,” I said in a hoarse voice. “I don't know how I got here. I was just trying to go home when your men kidnapped me.” 

His eyes darkened. “Lies!”

“I am not lying!” I screamed this time. “Do I look like some kind of trained infiltrator to you? I can barely survive my own pack let alone spy on someone else.” 

His gaze flickered with something I couldn't give a name. 

“Then you're useless to me.” 

A chill ran down my spine. “Wait — What?”

He stood up, towering over me. “I don't keep useless things, little wolf. And I definitely don't let them live.”

My blood turned to ice.

Okay.

Think, Marietta. 

Think!

“I — I'm not useless!” I blurted out before he could signal his men to do whatever he was planning. 

He arched his brow. “Really?”

Crap!

I swallowed hard. “I — I mean, you don't even know what I'm capable of! What if I have hidden talent?”

Silence.

The dark-haired man stared at me. Then to my absolute horror, he laughed. 

A deep, rumbling sound sent a shiver down my spine.

Oh great. Now, I'm a joke. 

“Marietta, was it?” He said, amusement dancing in his crimson eyes. 

I frowned. “I don't remember telling you my name.” 

“I have my ways,” He smiled, tracing my chin with his fingers. “And I suggest you start learning my name. It's Kyros.” 

Kyros.

It suited him.

Sharp. 

Dangerous.

Super infuriating.

I pulled away. “Noted. Will you… kill me?”

He smirked. “It's tempting but no. Not yet.”

I blinked. “You won't kill me?” 

Kyros straightened, and stuffed his hands in the pockets of his dark trouser. “I'm letting you go.” 

That definitely surprised me.

I narrowed my eyes. “Just like that?”

He tilted his head. “Well, almost just like that.” 

I knew it.

There was always a catch.

I crossed my arms, ignoring the way my dress clung to my body like a second skin. “What's the condition?” 

He smirked. “You're going to be my spy.”

My heart dropped. “Ex — Excuse me?”

“You heard me.” Kyros stepped closer, smiling. “You'll return to your pack and report to me every single thing that happens. If you refuse…”

He brushed my cheek and his next words — “I'll kill you.” 

I sucked in a breath.

My pack never wanted me. My own father hated me. And Hunter rejected me. And now, Kyros was blackmailing me?

I wanted to tell him to go to hell.

I wanted to spit in his face and tell him I'd rather die than be his little informant.

But the truth was…

I didn't want to die.

I clenched my fists. “And if I agree? You'll let me go? Just like that?”

Kyros’s lips curled into a satisfied smile. “Yes. But if you betrayed me…”

He leaned in close. I could feel his breath against my skin. 

“You'll wish you never made it out of this dungeon alive.”

Shivers run down my spine and I almost tremble but I don't want to. 

“F – Fine.” 

He smirked. “Good girl.”

Don't call me that.

Kyros’s smirk widened. “You are terrified. Excellent.” 

Oh, I hate him.

“Get her cleaned up,” He ordered. “Then send her back to her pack.” 

I exhaled shakily as he turned to leave. 

“See you soon, little wolf.”

And just like that… my life became hell.

****

One thing about returning home was that I hated it.

I never feel relieved whenever I come back here.

I never felt safe.

And stepping into the house made it all worse. The walls shrunk in around me, suffocating me with the same old coldness.

The second I walked through the door, covered in bruises and exhaustion, father and his wife, my step-mother, were waiting for me. 

Not with concern.

Not even with relief.

But with disappointment.

Rachelle folded her arms and scoffed. 

“Finally. We thought you'd gone off to shame us even further.” 

I swallowed. “What?” 

“Where the hell have you been, Marietta?!” Father thundered.

I flinched.

Now, I regret it.

Why was I scared?

I was used to this.

I should've expected this but still, a stupid, pathetic part of me had hoped that he'd be worried. That he would care. But of course, he doesn't. He never will.

“You embarrassed me at the mating ceremony and ran off!” Father said with disgust in his tone. “When will you ever stop being a disgrace to this family?!”

Something inside me cracked.

The pain in my chest was worse. Far worse than Hunter's rejection and the pain in my back.

This was my father — the man who was supposed to protect me.

Rachelle heaved a dramatic sigh. “You should've never dreamt of becoming the Alpha’s King son mate in the first place. Honestly, why would you think someone like you could be Luna? What a joke.” 

I could barely breathe.

Rachelle just sighed. “I think it's better Marietta ran away. Just Imagine if she had stayed. She would've humiliated this family further.”

Rachelle was cruel but father didn't even disagree. 

I guess to him, I was not worth defending.

“Get out of my sight!” Father hissed. “You're lucky I even let you back in here.”

I turned without a word.

They'd never see me cry.