/0/63823/coverbig.jpg?v=20241119203945)
Nova's Point of View.
I woke to the creak of my door swinging open. My heart pounded as I shot upright in bed, my muscles tense and alert. For a moment, panic surged through me, wondering if it was a guard or worse, someone there to drag me back to the cell. But instead, an old woman shuffled in, carrying a tray of food. Her wrinkled hands gently placed it on the table by the door, and the delicious smell wafted toward me, making my empty stomach growl.
"Hello, miss. My name is Sarah. I'm an omega in this pack," she said, her voice soft but steady. "I was told to bring you this food, and you'll need to have a bath afterward." She glanced at me with what looked like sympathy, but I kept my face unreadable, my eyes following her every move. Sarah set the tray down carefully before straightening up and heading toward the door. "I'll get you some fresh clothes to change into," she added over her shoulder before slipping out.
I didn't speak. The second she was gone, I rushed to the table, ravenous, grabbing the food with both hands, not caring that my fingers were filthy. The food-God, it tasted like heaven. I ate like an animal, stuffing my mouth, chewing quickly as if it might disappear if I slowed down. I hadn't eaten anything decent in weeks, and this was more than just sustenance; it was survival.
As I devoured the meal, a pang of guilt struck me. Emma-my mind flashed to my friend who was still locked away in that cell. Had she eaten? Was she starving right now, with no one to bring her food? I forced the thought away, telling myself that I'd figure something out for her. I had to survive first before I could help anyone else.
The door creaked open again, interrupting my thoughts. Sarah was back, holding a neatly folded cloth. "Here, miss," she said, placing the fresh outfit on the bed. "Thank you for the food and clothes," I mumbled, feeling awkward, unsure of what to say. I hadn't spoken much since I was taken, and the words felt strange on my tongue.
She smiled faintly and moved to the adjoining bathroom. I heard the sound of water splashing as she prepared a bath for me. "After your bath, the Alpha wants to see you," she said, her voice carrying through the room.
My stomach twisted at her words. The Alpha? Why did he want to see me? Fear crept into my chest, tightening it. What if he wanted to question me or punish me further? I didn't know what awaited me, and the uncertainty gnawed at me.
"Come now, miss, the bath is ready," Sarah urged me toward the bathroom. Reluctantly, I stood, feeling my dirty clothes cling to my skin. I hadn't bathed in so long, I could barely remember the sensation of clean water against my body. The room was small, but the moment I entered, I was met with a scent so soothing I nearly wept. Lavender-it filled the air, comforting and warm.
I stripped off my rags, hesitating for just a second as I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror. My reflection was a stranger. My skin was smudged with dirt and bruises, my hair matted beyond recognition. Slowly, I stepped into the bath, letting the hot water envelop me. It stung at first, the heat biting at my raw skin, but soon enough, it turned into a soothing balm, loosening my muscles and easing the ache in my bones.
I sank into the water, feeling the grime lift away, and with it, a small part of the weight I had been carrying. My hair untangled as I scrubbed it, and I let the dirt flow down the drain, leaving behind something closer to the girl I used to know. I was almost afraid to enjoy it, but the warmth was too much, too inviting. I sighed, letting my head rest against the edge of the tub. For the first time in what felt like forever, I felt... human.
But then, the bath ended, and the cold air hit me as I stood up, the water dripping from my body. I dried off and moved toward the mirror again, catching sight of my reflection once more. This time, the dirt was gone, but what remained was worse. Scars. So many of them. They crisscrossed my arms, my legs, my torso, ugly reminders of everything I'd been through. They stood out now, clear and stark, no longer hidden beneath the layers of filth.
I looked away, unable to stomach it for long. Wrapping myself in the towel, I hurried out of the bathroom, where the white gown Sarah had left for me was waiting. It was simple, plain, but clean. It fit me perfectly, covering the worst of the scars, though I could still feel them beneath the fabric, itching at my skin. I took a deep breath and stepped out into the hall where Sarah waited.
"This way," she said, leading me down a long corridor. The walls were lined with paintings-scenes of war, bloodshed, and ancient figures that looked far too powerful to be real. I barely glanced at them as we walked, my mind racing. Two guards patrolled lazily near the hall, their backs turned. Good. That meant I wasn't being watched too closely. I could use that later. "Perfect," I whispered to myself.
As we neared a larger door, two guards stood at attention, blocking the way. "State your name," one of them barked.
"Sarah. The Alpha is expecting us," she replied calmly.
The guard nodded, and a voice from behind the door called, "Let them in." I froze, recognizing the deep, commanding tone. Logan, the Alpha's Beta.
The door swung open, and Sarah led me inside. The room was large and imposing, the air thick with authority. Logan stood beside another man, taller, broader, with an aura that made the hair on the back of my neck stand on end. Sarah bowed, and I followed her lead, keeping my head down.
"Thank you, Sarah. You may leave," Logan said, his voice firm but not unkind.
As Sarah slipped out of the room, the suffocating pressure I had felt since entering intensified. I was alone now, with the Alpha and his Beta. My palms were sweaty, and I struggled to catch my breath.
"Come closer," the Alpha said, his voice calm but carrying a weight that demanded obedience. I obeyed, my legs moving stiffly, and sat down when he gestured to a chair beside him. Logan stood on the other side of the Alpha, watching me closely. The Alpha, Vuk, was between us, his presence dominating the room.
"What's your name, and which pack are you from?" Loganasked, his eyes boring into me.
"Nova. I'm from the Peak Pack," I replied softly, my voice barely above a whisper.
His eyes never left mine, and for a moment, I thought I might shatter under his gaze. He didn't blink, didn't move. It was unnerving.
"How many weeks have you spent in the cell?" Logan asked, his tone less intense but still sharp.
"More than two weeks since the raid," I said, feeling the weight of every second I had spent in that dark, cold place.
Logan glanced at Vuk, who still hadn't spoken. "You're an omega," Logan stated, more than asked.
"Yes," I whispered, feeling a wave of shame wash over me.
There was a long pause, the silence stretching thin between us. I wanted to run, to escape the scrutiny, but I was rooted to the spot.
"We're almost done here," Logan said, but I knew there was more. His next question came quick. "What are your parents' names?"
The air seemed to freeze. I clenched my fists at my sides, the old anger bubbling up inside me. I swallowed hard, fighting to keep my voice steady.
"I don't have any," I said, forcing the words out.
Vuk finally spoke, his voice low and measured. "What happened to them?"
I snapped. My head whipped around, and for the first time, I looked directly at him. He was handsome-disarmingly so. His black hair was neatly cut, his piercing blue eyes sharp and cold. But there was something behind those eyes, something I couldn't read, and it infuriated me.
"Am I being interrogated here?" I shot back, my voice trembling with barely contained rage. "I just met you, and you want to know about my parents?"
The room fell silent, my words hanging in the air like a challenge. Vuk didn't move, didn't flinch. He simply stared back at me, his expression unreadable.
I didn't know if I had just made the worst mistake of my life, but I was too far gone to care.