~ Roselle ~
The creaking sound of the iron cell door makes my senses snap awake. My nose twitches as I try to catch any possible scent of food, my stomach already grumbling in protest. It’s been three long days since I’ve had a proper al, nothing but water and scraps barely enough to keep going.
My body feels weak, numb, even. The cell door finally opens, and I scramble toward it, even though every inch of aches. It takes everything I have just to move.
I’m more than surprised. This is unusual. Normally, they don’t bother opening the door, they just slide the food in through the slot.
So... what’s going on?
Are they finally going to kill ?
My pulse picks up at the thought. It’s still dark inside, and I can barely see anything... as a matter of fact, I haven’t seen the sun in almost a year.
"Well, look at you, dummy..." that familiar voice drawls from the darkness, dripping with mockery.
I drag myself backward, already bracing for what cos next—a slap, or fingers tangling painfully in my hair.
The light suddenly flicks on, blinding instantly. I squeeze my eyes shut, my vision struggling to adjust after so long without it.
Then I feel a sharp tug at my hair, yanking my limp body to my feet. Hell, I’m too weak to even stand on my own.
The slap cos imdiately after. My cheek burns, heat spreading across my skin as it reddens.
"This is where you belong, you’ve always belonged here, you weakling. Open your eyes. Now."
Another slap lands across my face, stinging so badly it forces a gasp from my lips. I squeeze my eyes open, knowing she won’t stop until I do.
Nova, my mate’s fiancée... or maybe his wife now. I don’t even know anymore.
With trembling, weak hands, I try to sign, to explain that I can’t, that I’m too weak..
Another slap cuts off instantly.
"Open your fucking eyes, or speak... oh, wait," she sneers, her lips curling in cruel amusent. "I forgot, you can’t talk. You’re wolfless. You can’t even speak. How are you even a princess?"
I keep my hands to myself. I don’t know why I even bother trying to explain when years of experience have taught that trying to communicate only brings more punishnt.
I force my eyes open, the light piercing through my vision. It burns, by the goddess, it burns. I blink rapidly, fighting to adjust, struggling just to keep them open.
And it’s suddenly dawning on that all this ti... there’s been a bulb in here, and they chose not to turn it on. Not until now.
I stare right at the woman my mate chose over .
Long auburn hair. Flawless skin, everything mine isn’t. She’s two years older, confident, able to speak without hesitation. Her wolf is strong, her bloodline powerful.
Everything I’m not.
Just a useless princess, mute, wolfless, hidden away my entire life like so shaful secret. I don’t even rember my past. But I do rember Warren, my mate.
He promised to rule in my place, said it was for the good of the people. That it would be a disaster if they ever found out the truth... that their only heir to the throne is a silent, broken princess.
Another smack lands straight across my face.
"You should be lucky you’re breathing the sa air as I am, weakling." With a snap of her fingers, two guards co out and seize away from her.
Oh hell yeah, they’re finally here to kill .
"I think I need to wash my hands before you fucking infect with your dumbness," she adds.
The two guards are still holding captive, even though my weak legs struggle to stand. It’s all just wobble and weakness, since I’ve been used to crawling. Standing only drains more energy from .
"Who knows? You’ll finally be of good use to us. Alpha Ronan is making his appearance here today, and these guards will see to your al and dress. Be on your finest behavior. Is that clear?"
Alpha Ronan?
I haven’t t him in person, but I have heard of him—the last fearless Alpha across every pack. The sa Alpha that rumors say every wife he takes ends up dying. Rumor has it his wolf is a beast and ends up feasting on every wife he gets.
Why is he coming? What does he need with Warren? And above all, why does Nova want on my best behavior?
I nod, knowing if I don’t, it’s clearly going to earn another punishnt.
She barks orders at the guards, then hisses, spits on the floor, and walks away.
I weakly stare after her, catching the familiar gown she’s putting on. That gown is mine. It used to be my favorite. As a matter of fact, it’s the gown I wore during Warren and my mating ceremony.
One of the guards slings over his shoulder, carrying straight to one of the pack quarters.
The maids who once worked for are nowhere to be found, and instead, I et strange faces.
"Hang around, Josie. We’ll need your help carrying her. We need to bathe her first, then give her food so she can rest and recover. And Cassie, go get the herbs that’ll strengthen her bones," the eldest maid orders, and everyone begins acknowledging her instructions.
Josie, the guard carrying , leads to the bathtub and carefully lowers into the warm bath. My entire body of sores stings upon coming in contact with the water and whatever it’s been mixed with.
I can’t scream. I’m too weak to even sign.
Hours later, I’m already dressed and heading down the stairs, even though my body hasn’t entirely recovered. But for what it’s worth, I eat a good amount of food, drink water to my fill, and the herbs the maid gives are quite effective.
I descend the stairs all alone, the gown I wear flowing as I walk. My body is weak, but I try my best. I still don’t know what the Alpha wants with our pack. I should be more concerned about soone coming to help away from all this, and maybe soone who will listen to instead of shunning away when I try to sign sothing.
Relief floods through when I reach the last step to the ground floor, but just then, I step on my gown, stumbling forward and expecting to hit the floor.
But suddenly, I find myself caught, staring into a strong pair of eyes, the most bedazzling eyes I’ve ever seen.
My heart rate spikes.
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