shadows of the past

zara's pov

I lay in bed, my heart heavy with a mix of emotions. My neck throbbed in pain, and my throat felt dry and scratchy. My body ached all over, a reminder of the trauma I had endured. Beside me, Vulvan slept peacefully, his presence making my skin crawl.

As I lay there, I couldn't help but think about how I had ended up in this situation. I had been so blind to Vulvan's true nature, and now I realized that he was a monster, capable of killing me without feeling any remorse.

I felt trapped, suffocated by Vulvan's presence. His scent sent shivers down my spine, and his breath tickled my neck, making my skin crawl. I turned and stirred, unable to sleep, my mind racing with thoughts of escape.

As I lay there, I had a revelation. I realized that I had been stupid to think that Vulvan wasn't that bad. But what had happened yesterday had changed everything. I knew now that I had to escape, no matter what it took.

I felt the bed shift as Vulvan got up. He went straight to the bathroom, and I waited until I heard the door lock before I opened my eyes. I quickly checked to make sure he wasn't coming out anytime soon, then tiptoed out of the room to get the poison that Savik had given me.

On my way back, I met Erica in the hallway. "Erica, can you get a cup of coffee for Vulvan?" I asked, trying to sound casual.

Erica nodded and headed off to the kitchen. I continued on to Vulvan's room, my heart racing with anticipation. When I arrived, I poured the poison into the coffee and stirred it with a spoon.

Just as I was finishing up, the bathroom door flew open, and Vulvan stood there, staring at me with a confused expression. My heart skipped a beat as I froze, the poison still clutched in my hand.

"What's wrong?" Vulvan asked, noticing the tension in my face.

I took a deep breath and tried to calm down. "Nothing, just a nightmare," I lied, trying to sound convincing.

Vulvan stared at me, his eyes narrowing slightly. I could tell he didn't believe me, but he didn't push the issue. Instead, he held out his hand and gently tucked my hair behind. Here's the rephrased text:

I lay in bed, my heart heavy with a mix of emotions. My neck throbbed in pain, and my throat felt dry and scratchy. My body ached all over, a reminder of the trauma I had endured. Beside me, Vulvan slept peacefully, his presence making my skin crawl.

As I lay there, I couldn't help but think about how I had ended up in this situation. I had been so blind to Vulvan's true nature, and now I realized that he was a monster, capable of killing me without feeling any remorse.

I felt trapped, suffocated by Vulvan's presence. His scent sent shivers down my spine, and his breath tickled my neck, making my skin crawl. I turned and stirred, unable to sleep, my mind racing with thoughts of escape.

As I lay there, I had a revelation. I realized that I had been stupid to think that Vulvan wasn't that bad. But what had happened yesterday had changed everything. I knew now that I had to escape, no matter what it took.

I felt the bed shift as Vulvan got up. He went straight to the bathroom, and I waited until I heard the door lock before I opened my eyes. I quickly checked to make sure he wasn't coming out anytime soon, then tiptoed out of the room to get the poison that Savik had given me.

On my way back, I met Erica in the hallway. "Erica, can you get a cup of coffee for Vulvan?" I asked, trying to sound casual.

Erica nodded and headed off to the kitchen. I continued on to Vulvan's room, my heart racing with anticipation. When I arrived, I poured the poison into the coffee and stirred it with a spoon.

Just as I was finishing up, the bathroom door flew open, and Vulvan stood there, staring at me with a confused expression. My heart skipped a beat as I froze, the poison still clutched in my hand.

"What's wrong?" Vulvan asked, noticing the tension in my face.

I took a deep breath and tried to calm down. "Nothing, just a nightmare," I lied, trying to sound convincing.

Vulvan stared at me, his eyes narrowing slightly. I could tell he didn't believe me, but he didn't push the issue. Instead, he held out his hand and gently tucked my hair behind my ears.

"Was I the cause of the nightmare?" he asked, his voice low and husky.

I felt a shiver run down my spine as I met his gaze. For a moment, we just stared at each other, the tension between us palpable.

I cleared my throat and broke the silence. "Erica brought you some coffee," I said, nodding towards the cup on the table.

Vulvan's gaze flicked to the coffee, and for a moment, I thought I saw a flash of suspicion in his eyes. But then his expression changed, and he looked at me with concern.

"Does it hurt when you talk?" he asked, his voice gentle.

I nodded, feeling a pang of pain in my throat.

Vulvan's expression turned solemn as he gazed at me. "I'll call a doctor to check on you," he said, his voice laced with concern. He paused, as if collecting his thoughts, before continuing. "You know I don't like to hurt you, I..."

I cut him off, my patience worn thin. "Save it," I said, my voice firm but barely above a whisper. I was tired of his empty words, tired of being hurt and manipulated by him.

Vulvan's eyes narrowed, his jaw clenched in frustration. But I didn't care. I knew I had to keep up the charade, had to pretend to be submissive and sorry. "I shouldn't have trespassed," I said, my voice laced with fake remorse. "If I knew you didn't want me in there, I wouldn't have. It's all my fault."

Vulvan's expression changed, his eyes flashing with surprise. He hadn't expected me to take the blame, to surrender so easily. We locked eyes, the tension between us palpable, before he finally looked away.

I breathed a sigh of relief as Vulvan left my room. I had managed to deflect his suspicion, at least for now. But I knew I couldn't keep this up for much longer. I had to find a way to escape, to get away from Vulvan and his toxic grasp.

Hours later, I emerged from the bathroom, a towel wrapped around my chest. I had taken a long, relaxing shower, trying to wash away the memories of the past few days. But they lingered, haunting me like a ghost.

As I dressed, I heard a knock at the door. "Come in," I called out, using the towel to dry my hair. Erica entered, followed by a female doctor.

"Good morning, Zara," the doctor said, her voice warm and friendly. "I'm here to check on you."

The doctor examined my neck, her touch gentle but firm. "Do you feel pain when you talk?" she asked, her eyes locked on mine.

I nodded, feeling a lump form in my throat. "Yes, but it's better now compared to before."

The doctor nodded, her expression sympathetic. "I'll give you some pills to help with the pain,"

I smiled weakly, feeling a surge of gratitude towards the doctor.

As the doctor left, Erica walked in, a look of concern on her face. "Ma'am, is everything okay?" she asked, her voice soft.

I shook my head, feeling a tear roll down my cheek. "No, Erica, everything is not okay."

Erica's eyes widened in surprise, but she didn't push me for more information. Instead, she waited patiently, her eyes locked on mine.

I took a deep breath, steeling myself for what I was about to ask. "Erica, I need to ask you something," I said, my voice firm. "Why does Vulvan hide his paintings in that room? And who is the girl in the painting?"

Erica's eyes went wide, her face pale. "I don't know what you're talking about, ma'am," she stammered.

But I knew she was lying. I could see the fear in her eyes, the way she glanced nervously at the door. She knew something, and I was determined to find out what.

"Erica, please," I said, grabbing her hand. "I won't tell anyone. I just need answers."

Erica's eyes locked on mine, and for a moment, I thought I saw a flicker of understanding. But then her expression changed, and she looked away.

"I'm sorry, ma'am," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'm not in a position to give you the answers you're looking for. maybe you should just ask the Alpah."

I felt a surge of frustration, but I knew I couldn't push Erica too hard. She was scared, and I didn't want to put her in danger.

But I was determined to find out the truth. I would keep pushing and keep asking questions until I uncovered the secrets that Vulvan was hiding.

And then, just as I was about to give up, I heard a voice behind me.

"Ask me what?" Vulvan said, his voice low and menacing.