YOU'RE SAFE NOW

CHAPTER 4: YOU'RE SAFE NOW

VENUS;

“Where am I?” I whispered as I opened my eyes and saw myself in a strange room. I gasped and tried to sit up straight. But I was very weak and felt pain in all parts of my body.

I looked around the room, trying to make sense of this place.

“Easy, dear,” a gentle voice soothed. “You’re safe now.”

Safe? That word had no meaning to me. Since I was ten, my life has been nothing but suffering and torture and my desire to escape from it.

I tried to sit up again but my wrists trembled under my own weight.

“Where am I?” I asked with a trembling voice. My throat.seemed to be raw from dehydration as I struggled to swallow.

“You’re in the clinic, sweetheart,” the woman said again, her voice calm and reassuring. “We’re taking care of you.”

I turned my head toward the voice, but I couldn't see clearly. But I knew she was a woman dressed in a white coat.

She was probably a doctor. She stood beside me, and looked at me with kindness. Two nurses were behind her, doing something with water that I didn't understand.

Clinic?

Taking care of me?

No, that couldn’t be right. The last thing I remembered was when some men dragged me into a black sleek car. I was feverish from the beating and my mind was clouded with fear.

I didn't know where they were taking me and I didn't bother to ask. My uncle had said he would make me useful to someone and get the money he spent on me back.

What does that even mean?

As soon as I got into the car, my weak body was unable to hold on anymore.

My uncle had sold me. I had been nothing but a burden to him.

I flinched when the woman wanted to touch my arm.

“I need to check your wounds,” she said softly. “You’re very weak.”

“I—I don’t understand,” I stammered, still terribly afraid. “Why are you helping me?”

The doctor sighed, and I could feel that she felt sorry for me. “Because that’s what we do. Now, let’s get you properly cleaned up.”

The nurses moved toward me, their hands gentle but firm as they helped me sit up. I felt pain all over my body, but I bit my lip, and made sure I didn't cry.

They took off the tattered rags that clung to my body, and I felt shame as I realized how exposed I was. My skin had bruises all over, open cuts, and scars from years of abuse. The nurses exchanged glances but said nothing as they guided me toward a large tub filled with warm water.

I stiffened. I hadn’t bathed in warm water in years. My aunt had made sure of that, forcing me to wash in the cold once every week, and always reminding me that I didn’t deserve comfort.

“You’re safe,” one of the nurses murmured, as if sensing my hesitation. “Let us take care of you.”

I felt like crying as I let them lower me into the water. The warmth seeped into my bones, soothing the aches that had become a part of me. The nurses worked quickly, scrubbing away the filth, their hands careful around my wounds.

I closed my eyes, and my body trembled as I fought back the overwhelming emotions threatening to consume me.

This kindness was foreign. And I didn’t know what to do with it.

Once they finished, they wrapped me in a thick towel, patting me dry before dressing me in clean, soft clothes. The fabric was unlike anything I’d ever worn—comfortable, and warm.

It felt too good for someone like me.

The doctor guided me back to the bed, and said, “We’re going to treat your wounds now, alright? I’ll be as gentle as I can.”

I nodded humbly, because I didn't have a choice but to allow them to do what they had to do .

I turned my attention to the door, as I felt a certain discomfort in my chest. Just then, the door opened.

Someone came in and his presence was dark and commanding. Everyone went still as if they were afraid to breathe. I didn’t have to look up to know who it was. I could feel his power in the air, and his aura was more powerful than anything I had seen.

Alpha Maxine.

My entire body went rigid as he stepped forward, his imposing figure looming over me. His icy blue eyes swept over me, his jaw tight.

“How is she?” His voice was authoritative as he glanced at the doctor.

“She’s stable, but she needs time to heal,” the doctor answered, her tone professional. “She’s malnourished and severely injured. It will take a while before she fully recovers.”

Maxine let out a low growl, and I flinched. I looked down on my lap, and my fingers gripped the blanket like a lifeline.

“She doesn’t have time,” he said coldly. “Make sure she heals quickly.”

The doctor stiffened. “Alpha, healing takes time—”

“I don’t care how you do it,” he interrupted, his voice edged with impatience. “Just make sure she’s ready, one week maximum.”

Ready?

For what?

The word echoed in my mind, twisting my stomach into knots. Ready for what? What had he bought me for?

I was so afraid I couldn't breathe properly. I wondered if he was going to use me for some sort of sacrifice. I knew nothing about this man except that he was dangerous. Ruthless. And I was nothing more than a pawn in whatever cruel game he was playing.

Maxine took another look at me without displaying any form of emotions. His piercing eyes locked onto mine for a brief moment before he turned on his heel, and left the room without another word.

The moment the door shut, my body sagged with relief, but the fear didn't go away..

What had I been sold into?

The doctor breathed down in relief. “You should rest. We’ll talk more when you’re stronger.”

I breathed out heavily as my mind continued to spin. I was so worried yet there was nothing I could do to help myself. I was in a world I didn’t understand, surrounded by people I feared.

And worst of all, I belong to Alpha Maxine now. I had been sold like a piece of furniture.

Tears burned my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. I had to be strong.

Because whatever was coming next… I knew it would be far worse than anything I had faced before.

I fell back asleep later and was awakened by muffled voices in my room.