Chapter 7 6: Mark of restraint

The cell door creaked open for the second time that day.

Lena glanced up, expecting another tormentor, but instead, a young girl stood there, holding a tray of food. A cuff encircled the girl's ankle-a slave.

"Take it back. I refuse to eat," Lena spat, her voice hoarse but firm.

The girl set the tray down and crouched before her, meeting Lena's defiant gaze.

"Luna."

"I am not your Luna," Lena snapped, her voice rising.

The girl only sighed. "You don't understand, do you? The longer you refuse, the worse my punishment will be. I'm responsible for you now, Luna. I am your personal maid. My name is Milicent."

Lena finally lifted her head, properly looking at her. The girl's eyes were pleading, desperate.

Lena's expression softened.

She knew what it was like to be in her shoes-to fear the wrath of a head maid, to be denied food as punishment.

Memories of her past as a servant in the Crimson Moon Pack surfaced, stinging like old wounds. If she were still there, at least she wouldn't have endured the agony of last night.

That pain... it was beyond anything she had ever known. Inhuman.

Without another word, she dragged the tray closer and began to eat.

Silence stretched between them.

"When you're done, I'll run you a bath and show you your room," Milicent murmured.

Lena froze.

"My... room?" she whispered, her voice barely above a breath.

She had never had a room of her own.

Before Milicent could answer, a sharp voice cut through the moment.

"That won't be necessary."

Cedric entered the cell, his presence filling the space with authority. Milicent immediately knelt, her head bowed.

"What is your name?"

"Milicent, my lord," she answered obediently.

"Your mistress will be coming with me to the healer," Cedric stated. "She clearly needs care."

Milicent hesitated before glancing back at Lena.

Her swollen eyes. Her puffy cheeks. The raw, unhealed cut on her wrist.

She looked like the walking dead.

"...As you wish, my lord," Milicent whispered, bowing her head.

---

The road to the healer stretched before them. As they left the Alpha's castle, Lena finally took in the beauty of the kingdom.

Milicent trailed behind her while Cedric walked beside her in silence.

Beyond the castle walls, the pack's territory was breathtaking. It stretched far and wide, a testament to wealth and power. Each street was lined with elegant homes, far grander than anything she had seen in the Crimson Moon Pack. Even the houses on the outskirts gleamed with expert craftsmanship, their intricate designs making them look more like noble estates than mere dwellings.

They came to a stop in front of a large building, the sign above its entrance reading in bold letters: The Healer's House.

Without a word, they stepped inside.

The scent of herbs and incense filled the air. A beautiful woman, busy attending to a customer, lifted her head as they entered.

The moment Lena saw her, a cold shiver ran down her spine.

That witch.

The same woman who had sealed her fate with Alpha Darius the night before.

The healer's expression remained unreadable as she bowed slightly.

"What brings the Luna to my humble home?" she asked, her voice smooth and calm.

Lena swallowed hard.

"She needs a check-up," Cedric answered.

Lena slowly pulled back her hood.

A heavy silence fell over the room.

The air shifted.

Every eye in the healer's house turned toward her, burning with hate.

The healer barely reacted. Instead, she turned away and began walking toward the stairs.

"Come with me," she said.

They followed her.

The healer led them inside. The room was dim. The air reeked of dried herbs and strong oils.

A small bed sat in the center. Clean sheets. Wooden shelves filled with vials, scrolls, and strange-looking plants.

"Sit," the healer ordered.

Lena hesitated. Cedric shot her a look. She had no choice. She moved forward and lowered herself onto the bed. Every muscle screamed in pain.

The healer stepped closer. Her sharp eyes scanned Lena's face. Then her arms.

She grabbed Lena's wrist. Turned it over. The deep cut was still fresh.

Milicent gasped.

The healer ran a cold finger over the wound. "This should have healed by now." A pause. "How strange."

Lena snatched her hand back. "There's nothing strange about it," she spat. "I told him-I'm not a werewolf."

The healer smirked. Like she knew something Lena didn't.

"Oh, I know exactly what you did."

Lena stiffened.

The woman turned away. She scanned the shelves, fingers moving over different bottles. She picked one. A vial filled with deep red liquid.

"You were prepared for this, weren't you?" She swirled the vial. "Your mother made sure of it. The Moon Mark of Restraint... cruel, yet effective."

Lena's stomach twisted.

She had no idea what the hell that meant.

The healer turned back to her. Sharp eyes. Calculating.

"Tell me, girl. Do you really think sealing your wolf will save you?"

Lena clenched her fists. "I don't know what you're talking about, witch!"

The healer's eyes flickered. "Witch?" A dry chuckle. "I am no witch, girl. I am a healer. And you, as a wolf before, should know exactly what that means."

Lena didn't respond.

The healer moved closer. "Where does it hurt?"

Lena's throat tightened. She hesitated. Then, in a low voice-

"Last night. My lungs... they were ripping. My heart... tearing into shreds." Her hand clutched her chest. "My head. It felt like it would explode."

The healer sighed. She knew exactly what that meant. But she said nothing.

She uncorked the vial.

"Drink."

Lena scowled. "I don't trust anything that comes from you."

The healer smirked. "Suit yourself. But if you want to live in this pack, you'll need strength. This will help with the pain."

Lena hesitated.

Every inch of her body ached. Her wrist burned. Her limbs felt like lead.

Maybe just a sip.

She took the vial. Fingers trembling. She brought it to her lips.

The moment the liquid touched her tongue-

Fire.

A searing heat shot through her veins.

Lena gasped. Her back arched. The pain was unbearable.

Milicent rushed forward. "Luna?"

The healer just watched. Unbothered.

Lena's vision blurred. Her breath came in ragged pants.

What was happening to her?

Darkness crept in.

And then-

Everything went black.