Chapter 3- The Breaking Point

Sage’s Pov

During the campaign election, when my parents had openly supported Aleric’s rival, Thea’s mother had invited them to a private negotiation. They never came back. Days later, their bodies were returned, broken, tortured, and stripped of dignity.

When I demanded answers, she had looked me straight in the eye and said, “War is messy, Sage. Don’t make accusations you can’t prove.”

Aleric had told me to let it go.

So I had buried my parents. I had swallowed my rage. I had stayed.

Aleric didn’t shout when he gave the order. That was what scared me most.

“Lock her in the dungeon,” he said calmly, his voice carrying the finality of a verdict already decided. “With the Mad Wolves.”

The guards froze for half a breath, clearly unsure. Everyone knew what the dungeon was used for.

I laughed softly. “So this is the point things have gotten to.”

Aleric didn’t look at me. “You brought this on yourself. If you won’t apologize to Thea then you have to be punished one way or another. Wife or not, I cannot let insolence be the order in my pack.”

Two guards grabbed my arms before I could step back. Their grips were firm but hesitant, as if they were afraid of touching me for too long. I didn’t struggle. There was no point. My body was already exhausted, my wolf silent and distant, as if she were watching everything from far away.

As they dragged me down the stone corridor, the air grew colder. Damp. The scent of blood and decay thickened with every step.

“We’re so sorry Luna Sage,” one of the guards muttered quietly, not meeting my eyes. I said nothing. I held no grudge against them, they were just following orders, the only people that would bear my grudge were the ones directly responsible.

The dungeon door creaked open, and the smell hit me like a wall. Old blood. Fear. Madness.

Inside, the Mad Wolves stirred. They ran from the light that streamed in through the open doors. Their bodies covered in scars from years of torture and neglect. Their eyes glowed faintly in the dark, pupils dilated, noses lifting as they caught my scent.

I was thrown inside, my shoulder slamming against the stone floor. The door slammed shut behind me with a heavy clang.

As soon as the dungeons were dark again the mad wolves began to growl and howl hungrily. They crept toward me, lurking in the dark.

“Aleric!” I shouted, scrambling to my feet. “You can’t leave me here!”

Thea’s voice floated from the other side of the door, light and almost bored. “Don’t worry about her Aleric, you’re doing the right thing. Besides those wolves have been tortured for so long they’ve lost their ability to attack. She’ll be fine.”

I could tell this was Thea’s plan, the wolves that were closing in on me didn’t seem like they’ve lost any will to attack, in fact they seemed too eager.

I stared at the door in disbelief. “Aleric!”

There was no response, he probably believed Thea. More growls rolled through the dungeon, deep and hungry.

“No,” I whispered. “No, no, no…” I got to my feet and took a fighting stance, I would not go down without a flight at least.

Without giving me another moment to think, the first Mad Wolf lunged.

I barely dodged in time, the snap of its jaws grazing my arm. Pain flared as teeth tore through skin. I kicked out hard, connecting with its ribs, and it flew back with a snarl.

I backed toward the wall, my heart pounding. “Help!” I screamed. “They’re attacking me!”

There was no response.

Another wolf rushed me from the side. I raised my arm instinctively, feeling teeth clamp down hard on my hand. I screamed as pain exploded through my wrist. Warm blood poured down my fingers.

The wolf shook it’s head, nearly ripping off my hand in the process, but I struck it with my elbow, again and again, until it released me. My right wrist hung at a wrong angle, skin torn so deep I could see bone.

I forced myself to stay standing. I had to stay alive, I had to. A third wolf lunged. I ducked, grabbed a loose chain from the ground, and swung it with everything I had. The metal wrapped around its neck, and I pulled until it collapsed, wheezing.

But there were too many.

They circled me slowly, eyes glowing, saliva dripping onto the stone floor. I fought  with everything I had . I punched, kicked, screamed. I used broken chains, stones, anything within reach. Each movement sent fresh waves of pain through my body. Bite marks covered my arms, my legs, and my side. Blood soaked my clothes, pooled beneath my feet.

My strength faded fast and I fell to my knees. The wolves closed in.

“I’m sorry, Daisy,” I whispered weakly. “I tried.”

Then suddenly the dungeon doors burst open and light streamed into the dark enclosure.“Sage!” someone shouted.

Aleric charged in, his eyes wide with shock and fury. He shifted halfway and growled, forcing the mad wolves to retreat back into the shadows.

I also saw Thea follow behind him, stopping just inside the doorway.

Our eyes met and I saw a triumphant smile on her face with a hint of disappointment. She hadn’t expected me to survive this long, but she was pleased I hadn’t died immediately.

Her face was the last thing I saw before losing consciousness.

When I woke up, the world felt distant.

The bed beneath me was soft. Clean. The scent of healing herbs filled the air. My body throbbed with pain, every breath a reminder of how close I had come to dying.

Aleric sat beside the bed, his posture tense, his eyes fixed on my face as if he were afraid I might disappear.

“You’re awake,” he said quietly.

I stared at the ceiling for a moment, then turned my head to look at him.

“What are you doing here?” I said. “Get out,” 

His brows furrowed. “Sage…”

“No I don’t want to hear anything you have to say, I want a divorce.”

The words came out flat and final.

His eyes went wide and he exhaled sharply. “You’re not thinking clearly. What happened in the dungeon was a misunderstanding.”

“A misunderstanding?” I echoed. “You locked me in a room with Mad Wolves.”

“I didn’t know the ones in the dungeon hadn't been properly tamed,” he said. “Thea said…”

“It’s always Thea said this, Thea said that, it’s never about how much you’re willing to take from me to please her.” I interrupted. “I’m done. No more of this stupid game.”

He leaned forward. “There is nothing between me and her. I’m serious..”

I laughed softly. It hurt. “Do you really believe that? Or do you just need me to?”

“The divorce won’t happen,” he said firmly. “You’re still my mate.”

“The papers are already in with my lawyer,” I replied. “You’ll receive the settlement agreement in three days.”

His jaw tightened. “You think you can survive outside the pack? A woman cast out has no protection. And believe me, there are worse things out there than  mad wolves.”

“I don’t need your protection,” I said. “This marriage has exhausted me.”

I pushed myself up, ignoring the sharp pain screaming through my body.

“Sage,” he said, standing. “At least wait until your wounds heal.”

I met his eyes, my voice steady. “I would rather be food for vultures than spend another moment with you.”

Silence fell between us and I walked past him without looking back.

I stored Daisy’s ashes temporarily at the funeral home. The urn felt heavier than it should have as I held it against my chest. “I’ll take you somewhere more peaceful, soon Daisy” I whispered. “I promise.”

I left the building on foot. The road stretched long and empty ahead of me. I needed to make it out of Aleric’s pack and that meant crossing the border. Every step hurt. My vision blurred, but I kept going.

I wasn’t sure how far I had walked, but soon the boundary came into view just over the horizon. My eyes widened. Only a few more steps. I pushed my body to its limit, but I never made it to the border. 

I collapsed in the middle of the road a few feet from the border. My body was too exhausted to move. I guessed I would be food for the vultures after all.

The sound of an engine cut through the haze. A luxury car pulled up beside me and the door opened.

A man stepped out. I couldn’t look up to see his face, but I could tell he was tall, with a commanding presence. Without hesitation, he bent down and lifted me into his arms.

Then everything went dark.