Liyah's POV
I shut my eyes from the searing pain that cut through my head as I slowly awakened, trying to take in the unfamiliar surroundings and remember how I got here.My vision was blurry, and my memory was slightly fuzzy but I could tell that I'd been unconscious for quite some time. I slowly stood to my feet, to examine the gloomy room. I felt the color drain from my face as I looked it over; dark, dirt crusted walls, and cobwebs loomed all over. And the cell-like door confirmed my suspicion that it was some kind of basement. My father had one just like this, where he used to throw offenders.The headache surfaced again, forcing me back to the ground. All I could remember was getting dragged off and bundled into a car, then knocked out by a strange face when I began to protest.My heart pounded as I tried to imagine how and why I got here. I scanned the room for escape routes and then I realized something; there was no window, only unevenly poked holes in the the corner of the wall. The absence of a window scared me to death, and all of a sudden I began to feel claustrophobic.As I continued to scan the room, my fingers poking through spaces in the walls for any loose ends, my eyes landed on a metal tray. From where I sat I could see that it contained a small piece of bread and some meat. I frowned.Why would whoever it was that put me in here want to feed me? I wondered, staring at the tray. My stomach rumbled, but I knew it was out of fear and not hunger. At that moment I didn't feel like eating. I was too tensed. And for all I knew, it could be poisoned.Turning away, I continued my search for an exit. My heart leaped in joy as I discovered a small opening. As heavy the the piece of wood was, I managed to lift it up. Hope surged through me when I saw it was some kind of trap door, a flight of stairs leading down below.Without wasting time, I bounded down the stairs, moving faster when I saw a wooden door at the end of the stairs. Getting to the door, I realized it was locked."No, no, no!" I yelled, my heart falling. I breathed in deeply, drawing myself back and charging at the door with all the strength I could muster.I gasped in pain as a tear fell down my cheeks from the impact. Still, it didn't budge. "No! Please, please," I cried, banging on the door with both hands. "Somebody help me! Anybody, please I'm trapped in here!" I knocked repeatedly until my fists began to ache. My fingers worked through the door, trying to find an opening and I struggled, peeking through the tiny hole to check if I could find anyone. But the opening was too small.Exhausted from screaming and crying, I fell to the floor. I hadn't screamed or cried this much since my father's punishment when I was younger. I had beaten Barbara up for snatching the only neckpiece my mom left me. Father had taken me to the woods and tied me to a tree in the middle of starving wolves, and comfortably watched as I screamed on top of my lungs, apologizing and begging for his forgiveness.The wolves circled me, snapping their teeth loudly at intervals when they came close, teasing me. It was just a simple test every teenager had to undergo when they turned fourteen, Father had said. If I had no wolf inside of me, the hungry wolves would eat me up. I was twelve and way too young for the test. I was terrified to death, fear and anxiety gripping my whole body that the wolves would do something crazy each time they came closer to sniff me. After that day, I had lost my voice for several days, and kept under the constant care of my nanny.Today was different. I had no idea where I was, why I here, or what awaited me. It was even more terrifying."I'm hungry, please. I need to eat. The food is stale," I begged, hoping the change of request and my weak voice would prompt my kidnapper to make an entrance.But everywhere was silent. A sudden bout of anger surging through me, I stamped my feet on the floor, raining blows on the door. "This is unfair!" I screamed in anger. "I'm innocent and you know it. Show yourself, you coward!"Every word I said just reverberated, showing me repeatedly that I was alone. I leaned back against the wall, all the energy sapped from me. I wiped the tears dropping down my eyes to my chest with the hem of my dress, trying to face the reality that I'd been kidnapped and abandoned in unknown premises. Everything bad seemed to be happening to me. Maybe I really was useless, just like Father always said.His wicked words started to replay in my head. Perhaps he was the one who set up this kidnap just to put me out of the way. He hated me since my birth, but I didn't think he would go through all this trouble of having me kidnapped. I mean, I've stayed twenty one years under his roof, so why would he want to get rid of me now? Especially when I haven't done anything wrong to anyone in the house for the past few months.Different thoughts and questions started to pop into my head about who planned this, who would want a worthless person like me as a hostage? Why would anyone kidnap me? Were they trying to blackmail my father? Maybe ask for a ransom? The though was almost laughable. I prayed that whoever it was realize soon that this whole thing was a waste of time and resources, as Father wouldn't give a shit about this. I could imagine him laughing himself to death if someone were to ask him for a ransom. I felt my face harden. That wasn't the problem now. I was still trying to figure out who it could be.Recollecting what happened a night before the moon festival, I could remember vividly well that I was with nanny that night and we discussed for a while. She had somehow managed to convince me to attend the moon festival even when I had zero interest in the event. Something wasn't adding up at all with all suspicions pointing straight towards Nanny.Nanny wouldn't order anyone to kidnap me just to have revenge on my father for the treatment she received from him and my step sister, or just so I could be free from my father's terror on me. I mean why would she do that even if that's the only solution to the problem? She raised me and loved me like I was her own daughter. I smacked my forehead. What was wrong with me? Nanny doesn't deserve such ill remarks especially not from me. She had always been good to me. Blaming my absurd thoughts on my fear and confusion, I shook my head as if to throw off the thoughts. I pondered heavily on regrets. If only I had stayed back at the house. If only I had disobeyed nanny just this once. Father didn't care about my presence at the festival, unless I wanted to be a waitress at the event, which I was. I slapped my forehead again. Why didn't I just stick with my decision for once? I would've been home and none of this would have ever happened.I stood up one last time, banging the door. "Let me out, please. I have done nothing wrong, whoever you are, wherever you are please just hear me out, okay?!" "I'm nothing but a useless piece of crap. If I can't even be of use to myself or my father, why would I be of use to you?"Silence."What do you even want from me for God's sake? Haven't I had enough already?"Still there was no indication that anyone was listening.My eyes were weary and swollen and still the tears kept flowing. I wiped my runny nose, feeling my throat become sore. I was slowly losing my voice. I pushed my damp hair out of my face and wiped my forehead. As I was about to hit the door again, I heard someone slam a door overhead. I jumped up in surprise, hope stirring in me. I soon regained strength to knock at the door again. It was a do or die affair for me now. I knocked again, this time heavier, the sound of footsteps coming towards me prompting me further."Help!" I screamed with everything that was left in me. "Help me, I'm down here! Let me out plea-""If you don't shut the fuck up, right now I'll make you wish you were dead!" A brash voice echoed through the silence, cutting me off. The only thing I could discern was that it was coming from a man. "I'm innocent, I didn't do anything please," I tried again."Keep quiet and sit your ass down!" He growled. The voice had changed; it was louder, deeper, just like a wolfman. I felt the hairs on my back rise. I was kidnapped by wolves. And if they were anything like my father, I probably wouldn't live to see another day.I shrunk back in fear. And there and then, I knew I was doomed, I was done for and there was nothing I could do about it.Nikolai's POV Every time I remembered that I had Jonas' daughter held captive in my basement, I had a rush of two emotions; satisfaction that I had completed the first step of my plan, and anger. Anger that she was still there, anger that she was alive. She had no right living. No right to still be alive and healthy down there when she should be in pain instead. She should be writhing in pain every second. Furious, I raked my fingers through my hair, heading down to the basement to see what condition she was in. "Alpha," I heard someone greet me. I half turned to see a woman I didn't recognize. I frowned. She bowed immediately. "Make it quick," I snapped. In reply, she loosened her hold on the loose shirt wrapped around her chest. "Last night...w-was amazing," She stammered. "I had no idea you had your eyes on me all this while. Now I've figured it out I was hoping this..." She motioned to herself then me. "...would lead to something truly beauti—" "Can you shut up?!" I cut he
Liyah's POVMy entire body racked with sobs as I huddled against the wall still shaken from my encounter with my captor. I had had a pretty bad fall when he dropped me, and now I was unable to move my right leg. A tear dropped from my eyes as I tried to twist my foot to the left to see how bad it was. I realized that my ankle had taken the brunt of it.I still didn't get a good look at my kidnapper's face. The dungeon was just too dark. I had hoped to see his face, to enable me find out if I knew him from anywhere. If he was someone I knew then I would try to recollect why he would kidnap me. But I knew I had no enemies, well unless my pack counts. But apart from them, I hadn't had any encounter with anyone else that would make them want to punish me like this. The only thing I had made out so far was that he was obviously the Alpha of the pack. I could tell from the way they addressed him. But that wasn't good news either. It was rare to find a kindhearted Alp
Liyah's POVI felt like I had only just shut my eyes to sleep when I felt someone shake me awake. I opened my eyes weakly to see one of the guards looming above me."Get up," He ordered, pulling me up at the same time. As I stood to my feet I sucked in a sharp breath. My ankle was swollen and it looked even worse than yesterday. The guard didn't look like he cared as he pushed me forward, toward the door. I wobbled to the floor, wondering why the much friendlier guard wasn't here instead.As though he could read my thoughts, he walked in, taking in the sight before him and glaring at his colleague before gently holding onto my arm and helping me up. I murmured my thanks, grateful that at least one person didn't want me dead.I took shaky breaths in anticipation as they led me out of the dungeon. Getting out the dungeon wasn't an achievement, but I was thankful that I at least got to leave. As we got through the last wooden door, I instinct
Jonas' POVI stared appreciatively at the large portrait of myself that had been presented to me by a group of alphas on the moon festival. I would have liked it bigger than it was, but I kept it because it was a sign of respect from those packs. A smirk fleeted onto my lips. It's not like they had had a choice anyway. I would have any pack which didn't present a gift to myself or my daughter eliminated. The consequences of attempting to cross me were too dire.Glancing at the portrait one last time, I settled down into my chair. All my years of hard work had definitely paid off. I was basically untouchable. To crown it all, another achievement had come in the form of my daughter. I was sure there wasn't any father who was prouder of his child. Every time I watched her train, or emerge as the winner in combat, especially with male werewolves, I blessed the Moon Goddess for giving her to me. She was vicious, ruthless and powerful; everything I had ever wanted in
Nikolai's POVMy frown deepened as I observed her from my bedroom window. I didn't understand any of it. She had been working consistently, no food or water, but she never hesitated, never complained even once. It angered and surprised me at the same time. Why was she so calm about everything? It made me wondered if she had a escape plan. I had tried to torture the truth out of her, but every single time she just ended up a sobbing mess, begging at my feet. That didn't seem like someone who had a plan.As I watched her turn the cloth she was using to scrub the walls of the old balcony, i had never felt so confused in my entire life. She worked without ceasing, not stopping for once to catch her breath until her work was complete. I hated the fact that it she seemed to complete each task effortlessly. I wondered if she was only doing it to spite me. And it angered me thinking she wasn't going through any sort of pain. I needed to find other methods of making her
Nikolai's POVI swerved my car into the opening beneath the cluster of trees, parking as quietly as I could. When I was done, I carefully made my way out of the car and moved toward my destination. I had to be quick this time as I had almost gotten caught the last time. The risks associated with my escapades were very high, but I couldn't just sit back and do nothing.My brows furrowed in confusion when I came to face a wide field of nothing but empty space. Had they changed their minds? I was a hundred percent sure that they were supposed to be here. Unconvinced, I roamed round the field trying my best to be as quiet as possible. When I located a small cave-like opening in a nearby wall, I quickly transformed, ready to defend myself against any possible attack. I moved through the passage way quickly. There was no time. When I finally caught sight of a large piece of canvas covering what looked like a vehicle, I rushed to it, quickly pulling it off.
Annalise's POVMy eyes darted toward the gates for the hundredth time today as I tried to keep myself busy with organising the training ground. It was still quite early in the morning. It wasn't the first time he was doing this but that didn't change how furious I felt. I had awakened this morning to see that Nikolai was nowhere to be found, and I knew he didn't have any business meetings because he would have told me. When I didn't find his car as well I knew he had done it again.He would just leave all of a sudden unannounced. Sometimes I wondered if I would keep bothering to try if we weren't blood related. Everything had changed when his mate had died. He had gone from loving and engaging to cold and passive, and I understood why. I wanted to be there for him, we all did. But he pushed everyone away. Sometimes I couldn't recognise the cold-hearted person he had become.But the day Elle had died, I had sworn never to give up on Nikolai, no matter
Liyah's POVThe binds on my wrists pierced deeper into my skin as I struggled to sit up, pushing my back harder against the wall. I readied myself for what was in store for me, scared for myself but still not regretting helping that little boy.In the place of my captor, I saw a beautiful woman walk in. Trying to look through my blurred vision, I recognized her as the woman from the day before, Elyan trailing behind her."Get up," She ordered as she got to where I stood. I obeyed. The last thing I wanted was another round of punishment.My ears burned as she looked me over. For some reason I felt so small and comfortable standing next to her intimidating form. A few moments later she motioned Elyan to release the binds, and I gasped from the combination on pain and relief when they fell off."You have orders from our superior to heal one of the members who is wounded. It should be done quickly and by the hour."My bro