Chapter 5

The holding cell was so dark I could barely see my own hands. And it was small, the walls seemed to press in from every side and my chest felt tight.

I tried to focus on breathing but the darkness kept pressing closer. I didn’t even know how long I’d been here since the guards locked me up.

But I was certain I would stop breathing any moment from now. 

I have always hated small spaces. When I was little, my father found me crying in a closet once after I accidentally locked myself.

Dad held me and promised no one would ever trap me like that again. Not even myself. 

But he was gone now. And no one was coming to save me.

I squeezed my eyes shut, trying not to panic and that’s when I saw him.

Dad.

He was sitting across from me in the cell, smiling that gentle smile he always had. He was wearing the same faded jacket he'd been buried in.

"Dad?" My voice cracked.

"Hey, sweetheart," he said softly.

Tears ran down my face. "Did you come to get me? Am I... am I dying?"

He shook his head. "Not yet. Not for a long time."

"Then why are you here?"

"Because you needed me." He leaned forward. "You're stronger than this, Lou. Stronger than you think."

"I'm not strong. I don’t think I’ll leave here alive." I wrapped my arms around myself. "I don't even know why I'm here. What does he want from me?"

"That's for you to find out," Dad said. "But you won't find answers if you give up now."

"I'm scared."

"I know. But you've always been brave. Even when you didn't feel like it." His image started to fade. "Hold on a little longer, sweetheart. Help is coming."

"Dad, wait!"

But he was gone.

I opened my eyes. The cell was still dark and empty. Tears ran down the corners of my eyes, and I felt a sense of hopelessness.

But then the door opened.  I heard footsteps, then someone was lifting me, and a familiar scent hit me. 

It was the Alpha King again. 

I tried to say something, but darkness swallowed me whole.

I woke up to something cold touching my hand. I tried to pull away but couldn't move.

I wondered where I was. I could hear voices but I didn’t know who they were. 

“Is she dead?” An unfamiliar male voice asked.

“No, she’s breathing. She just lost consciousness.” A woman spoke then there was rustling. 

"How long was she in there?" The woman asked. 

"Since yesterday." That voice made my eyes snap open as dread coiled around my chest. 

I gasped and sat up too fast but room spun, and hands pushed me back down gently.

"Easy," the woman said. "You're safe now. Just breathe."

I blinked, trying to focus. I was in a bed white silk sheets and white pillows. 

Three people stood around me. Asher, looking as cold and perfect as always. An older man in butler's clothes with gray hair and a kind face. And a woman in a white coat.

The doctor. She had a plain face with small freckles across her nose and cheeks. Human. I could tell by her eyes. 

Wolves always had that predatory gleam. She didn't.

I wondered what a  human doctor was doing in the palace.

"Can you hear me?" she asked.

I nodded, my throat too dry to speak.

"Good. I'm Dr. Carla. Can you tell me your name?"

"Louisa," I whispered. "Louisa Fernandez."

"Good. Do you know where you are?"

"The palace." I looked around. This wasn't the room I'd been in before. This one was bigger and fancier.. "I was in a cell. It was dark and I couldn't breathe."

"You had a panic attack," Dr. Carla said gently. "Brought on by claustrophobia and stress. Your body shut down to protect itself."

Claustrophobia. That was a fancy word for being terrified of small spaces.

She turned to Asher. "Your Majesty, she needs rest. Her body's been through significant stress. I recommend at least two days of bed rest and—"

"How much is your f*e?" Asher interrupted.

Dr. Carla blinked. "My f*e?"

"For your services. Gerald will escort you and ensure you're paid." He nodded to the butler.

"Your Majesty, I thank you but you don’t need to pay me-“

Asher's expression didn't change, but something in his eyes made the doctor stop talking. She bowed quickly.

"Of course, Your Majesty. If there are any complications, please send for me immediately."

Gerald, the butler, gave me a sympathetic look before leading Dr. Carla out. The door closed behind them with a soft click.

And then it was just me and Asher.

I pulled the blankets closer, suddenly very aware that I was only wearing my underwear. I didn’t want to think about who took off my clothes.

The way he kept staring at me was unnerving and my gaze darted to the door.

If I could just make a break for it…

“I wouldn’t advise that if I were you,” Asher spoke, tilting his head sideways.

Instant distaste rushed through my veins. I didn’t care anymore, even if it would get me killed, it was better than staying here with him. 

In a flash, I threw the blanket off my body and ran for the door.

My feet hadn’t even taken two steps when I felt a force wrap around my midsection, and suddenly, I was hoisted onto Asher’s shoulder .

“Gaah! Put me down!” I yelled, kicking my legs in the air. “I said put me-“ 

A harsh smack on my ass silenced me immediately and my eyes grew wide. Did he just…

He threw me on the bed like I was paper and I tried to scoot away but he laid beside me. His large arms wound around my waist and tugged me into his chest.

“W-What are y-you d-doing?” I stammered, heat rushing up to my cheeks.

“What does it look like?” He muttered against my neck. His breath was hot and minty. “It seems you haven’t learned your lesson. Perhaps another day in the cell will teach you-“

“No!” I yelled, despite myself. “I don’t want to go back there again.” 

I was lying face front and he was curled up by my side. I didn’t need to look at him to know he was smirking, I could feel the curve of his lips on my skin.

“So… have you learnt to submit now?”

My heart was trembling as his fingers trailed up and down my arm.

I was suddenly aware that I was just in my underwear and he could probably see how hard my nipples had gotten.

What the hell was wrong with me? Was I actually getting aroused by this monster?

Asher chuckled. It was a deep, dark sound that caused my thighs to tingle.

“I asked you a question,” he murmured. His lips was grazing the side of my neck now and my breath hitched.

I wanted to tell him no. I wanted to scream at him to fuck off but he pushed my bra strap to the side, exposing the top of my breast. 

When his lips covered the area and he sucked gently. A whimper escaped me and I arched my back off the bed.

Asher smirked again, winning the battle. “Welcome, my little rabbit.” He whispered deviously.

My eyes flashed open in horror, and I realized he’d gotten me exactly where he wanted.