Chapter 5: Caught in a Web.

Seraphina's POV

“Are you deaf as well as stupid? I said, “Where were you coming from?”

Her question sliced through the quiet kitchen with a sharp and accusing growl. I hadn’t even shut the door behind me properly when her voice that’s smooth as silk and cold as death wrapped around me.

She walked slowly towards me in her white fur-trimmed cloak like she owned the castle.. even though she hadn’t been crowned yet.

Her heels clicking as she moved closer.

Valerie was staring at me like she could pounce on me any moment. Her gaze held something between amusement and disgust.

I didn't know for sure what it was.

I wondered what to say that wasn't going to get me in too much trouble. I swear I could hear my heart thudding in my chest like it was going to explode.

My hands clenched the hem of Lucien’s tunic that was on me as it was brushing against my thigh as I trembled. The tunic that was too large for me, suddenly became too small to hide me from her scrutiny.

“Do they not teach your kind how to answer royalty anymore?”

Her nose wrinkled suddenly.

Then her eyes darkened at the sight of the familiar tunic.

"You reek of him."

Her voice wasn’t raised, but you could as well bet it had been a scream.

Instant gasps.

Whispers broke out among the maids.

I could feel every eye in the room shift toward me, even maids who’d ignored my existence when I entered now stared at me with wide, scandal-hungry gazes.

I opened my mouth.

Nothing came out.

The room’s heat became unbearable for me.

“She reeks of the prince’s scent…”

“She's even putting on his clothes?”

“Was she in his chambers?”

“Do you think… she seduced him?”

“I heard she’s cursed…what if she’s bewitching him?”

My heart pounded heavily now. My body that still ached from the silver dagger now had shame burning more than the pain itself.

"Did he touch you? Bitch... you freaking slept with my mate, didn't you?!"she growled louder grabbing me by the collar.

How could I explain that I’d been bleeding in his bath?

That her mate's hands had bandaged me? That his tunic now clung to my body like a second skin?

She’d kill me before I finish explaining.

“She can’t even speak. She’s guilty,” one of the younger maids whispered, not so quietly.

Before I could respond, the heavy doors opened again…and in walked Ma'am Beatrice, Head of the Court maids.

Her shoes clicked sharply against the cold floors as she stopped in the middle of the scene, brows lifting and bowing slightly to Valerie. “What is going on, my lady?”

Valerie turned smoothly, like a predator addressing a smaller beast. “This… thing,” she pointed at me without even looking, “has defiled the royal line.”

Ma’am Beatrice blinked. “I don't quite follow, Lady Valerie?”

“She came from the Prince’s chambers,” Valerie growled, her voice dangerously rising. “She reeks of him. Every maid here can smell it. She’s seducing him! Goddess, she’s probably using her curse.”

Ma’am Beatrice’s lips parted. She stared at me, and then at the gossipy crowd of maids who now stepped back guiltily.

“Enough!” Ma'am Beatrice snapped. “You’re all dismissed. Return to your stations…”

“She needs to be punished,” Valerie hissed. “Right now.”

“Lady Valerie,” Ma'am Beatrice began, voice tight. “Pardon me but you do not have authority to…”

“I said,” Valerie growled, spinning toward the nearest maid, “Go to the head guard, tell him to prepare the dungeon.”

My breath caught.

“You’re throwing her in the dungeon, my lady?” Beatrice stepped forward. “Over a scent? What if she was called there? What if…”

Valerie hit her hard across the face, sending her to the cold floor.

The entire room froze.

Beatrice gasped with her hand on her cheek, staring in stunned silence.

“I am your future Queen,” Valerie said. “You really want to lecture me about what my authority is here?”

Before I could even react, two guards entered… summoned by one of the maids eager to please Valerie and get on her good side. Valerie turned to them.

“Take this thing to the dungeon. Strip her and give her a beating that makes her beg me for death!”

They grabbed me by the arms. I tried to resist, but my strength was gone. The pain from earlier came rushing back like a tide. My knees buckled.

“My lady, please,” I begged. “Don’t do this...”

Valerie’s eyes blazed facing Beatrice. “You may join her in the dungeon if your loyalty to her is so strong.”

Beatrice hesitated and I wasn't surprised

I mean, you really don't want to fight another wolf's fight in this palace.

And I was hauled away like a criminal.

The halls blurred as we moved, my legs scraping the cold stone.

I didn’t cry this time. I was trying not to give her that satisfaction, but, every tug on my arms sent unbearable pain through my ribs and shoulder.. where the dagger wound still throbbed, raw and healing.

We went down into the dark.

They threw me into the center of the dungeon floor. The torches barely lit the moldy stone walls, and the chains hung right there like silent threats.

“Strip her,”

Valerie ordered, stepping into the cell with the grace of a lioness on a hunt.

“No… please…” I gasped.

The head of the guards waiting in the dungeon was Dante… my mate… He smirked upon seeing me and grabbed the edge of my tunic, leaning in close, his breath hot and sour against my ear.

“Don’t worry,” he sneered. “We’ll make sure to keep the prince’s scent on you... fits you better than your father’s blood.”

My wolf, Phina.... was mad with rage, clawing inside me like she wanted to shred him into pieces.

“F*ck you! Bastard!”

I heard Phina whimper. She wanted to rise. To fight. But I had to tame her. I couldn't let her. Now's not the time for that.

Dante chuckled darkly.

“First a monster, now a royal whore... How impressive.”

He yanked hard.

I cried out.

And then the blows began.

One after the other.

Fists and Boots taking turns.

Curses.

Laughter.

Valerie stood back, with her arms folded, her eyes gleamed with vicious satisfaction as I lay there, barely breathing and bleeding profusely.

She crouched down to my level, her voice low but laced with venom.

“Girl... this is mercy compared to what I could do.”

She smiled... a cold, practiced smile.

“I could have them skin you alive... piece by piece... Or maybe next time, I will.”

Then she straightened and raised my chin with her finger, her eyes burning mine with disgust.

“Remember that every breath you take from now on… is because I allowed it.”

A final kick to my ribs knocked the breath from my lungs.

I couldn’t scream.... couldn't cry anymore. There was nothing left to give.

Maybe this is it.

Maybe I’d finally die here, on the cold floor, nameless, forgotten. Maybe that was better than waking up again, just to keep suffering.

I let the darkness pull me under.

Then.... a growl rumbled through the dungeon, shaking the ground beneath us. Heads snapped toward the entrance.

Valerie stiffened.

Dante’s arm froze mid-air.

And then his voice came before him.

Sharp and cold, dripping with fury.

“Touch her again,” he growled from the shadows, “and I swear on my title that…I will rip out your throat!”

“It's the Prince, Sera! He's come for us!” my wolf whimpered relieved but extremely weak.