Chapter 7: The Shame

***Mia

What. The. Fuck.

My body absolutely betrayed me. But I betrayed myself ...

My thoughts were foggy, stuck in this haze of confusion. Remembering that wave of ecstasy, I touched my lips and felt a pulse run down my legs. But immediately, I was fraught with the undeniable sense of shame that washed over me. Had that been someone I loved, I would admittedly want more... begged for more.

Why? Why had the Moon Goddess saved me back then, only to deliver me to this beast? He was not my mate. I had to be at least half his age... if not more. He disgusted me. Violated me. At this very moment, his dungeon held captive women from across the realm, bruised and beaten, going through Goddess knows what. It was a sickening thought.

He was an animal; a tyrant. He knew I was naive of these types of pleasures. And he took my inexperience, using it against me. He would keep doing this... until it broke me. I’d need to learn how to control my body, couldn’t give into the urges. But in that moment ... my body, my mind was not my own. Every part of me wanted and needed to submit to my master. I shook my head... no, I would not give into to him. He took me from my home, my life, my family.

I thought of Lily as the wetness teased my eyes. “Where are you?” I cried.

From the shadows, she rose.

“Mia, I... I felt everything. I’m sorry I couldn’t protect you,” she said, voice pained and wrought with guilt. Her heart sank as did mine. But I sighed. It was a small sliver of relief, knowing my other half was with me. At least, I wasn’t alone in this place anymore, haunted by my own thoughts with no one to confide in.

“Something was holding me at bay when we were down in the dungeon. Maybe it was magic; maybe it was silver. It left me weak. Powerless. But at least now I can talk to you. I felt his wolf; powerful... so fierce. He wants us and has no intention of letting us go,” her voice trailed.

“They’re planning on marking us. Soon.” Fear stabbed my chest. Oh Goddess, how was I going to stop this man and his despicable wolf from claiming us?

---

I walked out of the bathroom and realized it was my first time unveiling my new surroundings. And alone, surprisingly. The room was huge with one side complete with wall-to-wall bookshelves and a sitting room. The center housed a high wooden poster bed with an ornate dresser and chest, standing on the opposite side.

How was I going to jump into this thing, I thought to myself. It was obviously crafted for the larger male wolves. Luckily, a bench was seated in front, which my small frame could use to climb into bed. I sat on the velvet plush cushions and soaked in the sights.

I wore only a towel and had no idea if there were any clothes for me. Since I didn’t exactly have time to pack, I hoped there was something in the drawers. One day, I was lying dirty on a cement floor and the next, my room was bigger than my mother’s kitchen and living room combined.

Suddenly, a sting of guilt crawled through me. My heart squeezed as I thought of home. Mother. What would she be thinking right now? Did she think rogues killed me, just as they did our father? Was she out in the woods now? Searching, aimlessly?

“Evelyn will know, Mia,” she reassured me. “Look at the timing. She’ll know the Dark King was behind this.”

But that wasn’t reassuring at all. If my mother and Alpha Oliven waged war on High Moon, they wouldn’t stand a chance. The Hallow Den pack was a small, quiet one. They had fought against minor rogue invaders but not trained warriors. And never against a witch! Who knew what forces protected this place.

“It’s better they think I’m dead,” I confessed, slouching in defeat. I pushed the despair aside and decided to find something to wear. I turned towards the closet; it was as big as my real bedroom, back home. My eyes lit up.

Beautiful dresses and dazzling gowns hung in wait. There was an entire wall on the other side with shoes and accessories, displayed side by side. I looked at the sizes; they were all my size. My brow lowered in confusion... were these for all the women he “entertained” or were these brought in especially for me?

Closing the door, I shook my head; I couldn’t deal with this. Only hours ago, I was kidnapped and now, I was taken to my private room as if I were checking in... as his guest. I ran to the door to check the lock. Of course, I was locked in. I rummaged through the dresser drawers and found panties, lingerie, and night dresses of various colors. Just as I was putting on the most basic set I could find, the lock turned.

Godric walked in and I backed up until I hit the foot of the bench. He kept his distance and remained in the doorway. His eyes glowed as a hunger gaze cast over my body. A sheer black slip covered me but he could easily see my nipples and black panties, peaking through. A wolfish grin cornered the side of his lips... lust... desire.

“I won’t bother you again tonight. As you’ve noticed - while you’re in this room, you will not be restrained. However, out of this room, you are my slave,” he said as he pulled out two slender cuffs from his pocket. Each had a lock with a silver buckle. I knew this would allow him to fasten me anywhere he chose. “Greta, the woman who was here earlier, will tend to your needs. Clothes, food, water... she’s at your disposal.”

And upon hearing the word “food,” my stomach grumbled. I didn’t know how long it had been since I last ate. But the thought of eating or doing anything normal made me want to throw up.

“You must keep up your strength, little Mia,” Lily advised. “But don’t let on that you can hear me. They may drug you again.”

He turned to leave but before he could close the door, I stopped him, “How long do you intend to keep me here?”

He smiled his devilish smirk, “As long as it takes you to realize where you belong.”

The lock clicked behind him and I threw myself on the bed. I cried myself to sleep that night and awoke hours later to howling from outside the windows. I saw that someone, Greta I assumed, had left food for me.

Taking the bowl of soup, I ate what I could. I thought of the women below, hungry and cold, still held in that shithole. I had to find a way to get them out. But who was I? I was no heroine. How could I help them when I couldn’t even help myself out of a paper bag?

I moved to the window. The moon was full, illuminating the unending sky. How I longed to run free under the night’s soothing eye. Clothes were randomly sprawled along the castle grounds. The pack was most likely on a run together. Wolves could turn at any time, but a full moon gave them enhanced power and agility.

Lily whimpered, sadly. “I know... we’ll be free one day,” I said, trying to comfort her. To console myself.

I assessed the distance from the window to the grounds. It was several stories above. I bit the inside of my cheek, apprehensively. I mean... wolves did heal quicker. But could I get to the forest in time before anyone noticed I jumped? The forest line was a good 60-70 yards. Anyone with a window would be able to see a broken white-haired she-wolf, hobbling into the woods.

“No, it’s too risky,” my wolf responded for me. “Plus, we’re not strong enough to shift yet. And this height is too high for you to jump on your own.”

Maybe not today; maybe not tomorrow... but it was an option. Even if it broke every bone in my body, I wasn’t going to let him decide my fate.

I’d make my own.