Mated To The Pack’s Doom

Arielle

My legs were already dragging me in the direction of my cell, when Bailey called out to me.

"Wait!" She slowly strutted to where I stood and cocked her head. "Go to your room instead… You really need all the rest you can get for your big day tomorrow."

Bailey had a change of mind, which was a first, but a cold shiver ran down my spine at her grin. It was clear that whatever she had in mind couldn't be good…

Slowly I dragged myself to the room. I staggered inside, exhausted, depressed, hungry and wounded.

The scent of freshly baked bread greeted my nose as I entered and I straightened up, momentarily forgetting my pain. There was a basket of food beside my bed.

"Riley?" I looked around the room and popped my head outside. But there was no one…

So, who did this? Another mystery food dropper?

I closed the door slowly behind me and looked at the basket of food hungrily. I smacked my lips at it and thought about the consequences of eating this food.

"If I get caught returning this to the kitchen, I'm dead," I said out loud.

I closed the curtains and locked the door before rushing to the basket and helping myself to what was inside.

There was some warm rice porridge, fresh bread, two bottles of milk and cookies. I separated the cookies and milk and kept it aside to eat later while I dug into the rice porridge and bread.

I would worry about my helper later, now I had to eat.

I felt better after eating, the pain at my side dulled. I cleaned myself in the bathroom and wiped away the blood on my forehead.

I went back to the room and stared at the bed. It felt off, like I knew I wasn't welcomed here.

I felt in the open here, as if anyone could just come in and do what they wanted.

Just like the food basket, anyone could come inside… What if those men who had tried to rape me, returned?

Goosebumps broke on my skin, and I shuddered. "Calm down, Arielle." I murmured.

I slowly tucked myself into bed.

My eyes were wide awake, not closing a wink. I was exhausted but sleep was far away from me.

Everything I had gone through for the past four days replayed in my head, right from where I was beaten to when I was almost raped.

I sat up and stared at the door.

Damien saved me the day before, but was it for me or was he just doing it for himself?

His survival depended on my own too, because we were connected. Damien could never genuinely care for me. He didn't want to reject me, but I knew he cared less.

—No man that loved his mate would flog them or have them thrown into a cell.

I was on my own and no one could save me but me.

My insecurities eventually caught with me in the dead of the night, and I decided I was going out for air.

I changed into warmer clothing and wore a veil around my head to hide my face.

I stepped into the dim corridor and threaded down carefully. I was only lucky the guards were doing their rounds. I felt excitement pool within me as I pulled this crazy stunt.

For the first time in a while, I felt alive doing something.

The path that led outside the palace was a no go at this time because most of the guards would be taking their position there.

I crouched in the corridor, thinking about where I could go and I remembered the rooftop garden that nobody used. It was a hiding place for me a while ago, but I eventually got bored of it.

I turned in that direction and started there. The secret stairway that led there was close to the storage room, but my journey was cut short when I heard guards behind me. I froze.

"The lady Bailey is so mean, she just tortured maids when she's in the mood…" a guard spoke with his companion in the corridor.

"Shush! You will get banished if anybody hears you!" The other one cautioned.

"Sure, but what do you think of her?"

I hid behind a statue in the corridor and watched them pass. As soon as they left, I jumped out immediately and took the stairway that led there.

The door was locked but that didn't stop me. Using my hairpin, I picked it open and closed the door behind me.

My breath left my lungs as cold air kissed me as I stared at the night sky.

The soft brushing of the trees and plants as they rustled in the gentle night breeze calmed my nerves instantly.

I was about to make myself comfortable with a chair when I heard a thud behind me.

I jumped and turned behind, only to come face to face with Damien!

My heart skipped a beat as his piercing eyes locked onto mine. My palms instantly grew sweaty and butterflies filled my stomach. The air that was once fresh and light, thickened around us…

"What are you doing here—" We said simultaneously.

Damien frowned at me sending cold sweats rolling down my back.

"This is my space. My manor. My property—" his eyes narrowed further. "What are you doing here?"

This was a public place; anyone could use it. But I wasn't going to say that to him, not if I wanted to live.

"I'm sorry, I won't trespass anymore." I did a half turn in the opposite direction towards the door and started moving.

"Wait!"

I stopped in my tracks and bit my lips. I closed my eyes and screamed in my head.

—Of all the people in the manor, why did I have to meet him?

"Why are you roaming around at two in the morning?" He asked.

I slowly turned back to him. I opened my mouth to explain but the fear in my chest got the better of my speech.

In the end, I chose to escape but his words stopped me again.

"You know, if you are having trouble with sleep, you can have a seat. The stars might help you calm your nerves…"

My heart skipped another beat, and I turned to find him walking to the seats. He sat down and closed his eyes.

The sound of the surrounding nature faded and all I heard was my own ragged breathing as I wondered…

Was this really happening?