Chapter 2 The prisoner and the secret

Bad smell, mold and blood filled the air in the dungeon. I couldn't tell how many hours or days I'd spent inside the hole. I ignored how short or long the situation might last. With a hungry stomach and freezing ground holding me, I was getting colder and colder.

Nonetheless, none of it came close to the pain I felt in my chest.

The rejection.

I could imagine claws ripping in my chest with every beat of my heart. My wolf didn't say anything after the incident. She was hidden away deep in me, having taken the full force of the blow, quiet.

He didn't think twice before doing it.

You're pathetic. Weak.

The words kept echoing in my mind as if they were louder than my own breathing.

I would jump each time I heard something. People were still present in the dungeon. Other prisoners had breaths that were loud and uneven. Ocasional moaning too. The loud noise of chains.

I did not end up being the Lycan King's mate.

So, I had become his prisoner.

Another wave of feelings came over me, and I had a dry-heave in the corner. There were no unexpected causes. I was totally empty inside.

However, there is one other issue.

My fingers quivered when I lay my hand on my abdomen. It was hard for me to accept it. But, I was too afraid to do this.

Even so, there were indications all along.

The nausea. The fatigue. The dreams. The unusual pain I have in my lower back.

I was expecting a child.

I didn't know who the father was. On that night, in the bar, I met the man with kind eyes and rough hands. I hadn't even found out what his name was. I was intoxicated by alcohol. Broken. Numb.

I found myself carrying his baby.

Oh Moon... what do I do now?

I heard the door open and creak. One of the guards carried in a wooden tray with what seemed like food on it.

"You should eat this," he said, putting it on the plate.

I raised my eyes up to see him. How much time have I spent in this place?

He frowned. "Five days."

My heart began to beat faster and with more feeling. Five?

I went more than a week without having anything to eat.

Just as he started to go, I asked him quietly, "Please." I'm pregnant."

He paused. Looked back.

I expected disgust. Maybe laughter.

Instead, he kept looking at me for a long time without saying anything. He tightened his jaws.

He then closed the door without saying a thing.

A while after that, I heard someone walking.

Managing to move in a different way, not as the immovable guards normally march. Purposeful.

After that, the door opened again, and clean, fresh bread, and water were put inside the cell by the bars. A soft voice followed.

"I got you something even better."

My eyes woke up suddenly.

A young girl, not any older than I was, was standing just outside the cell. She wore a dress and braids, showing that she was a servant. Her eyes looked gentle, but were still a little guarded.

She introduced herself quietly by saying, "I'm Amara." I should not be here . I heard that you had been the King's mate, hasn't it?

My throat started to get tight. "I was rejected by him."

She gave a serious nod. "Still. You are not supposed to be in this area. He's... unpredictable. Although a monster, he's still capable of some kind empathy.

Looking at the bread, I got hungry and my stomach let out a growl.

'I've got something to tell you," I said, and then quietly added, "I'm pregnant."

She froze.

"Oh, Moon," she murmured. "Does he know?"

I shook my head

She turned to look at who was following her. You are not allowed to remain in the cell. It puts people at risk. Some of the dungeon guards..." She stopped what she was saying. I'll be able to visit you a day later. If I manage to help you out, would you choose to run?"

I held my head in a slow nod.

She smiled, although it did not look very cheerful. "Then rest. Strength will help you a lot in this journey.

After I had left the last crust of stale bread, Amara came back the next evening.

But, she wasn't alone.

Behind her there stood him.

Lycan King Damien.

The door to the cell was opened. Amara decided not to step inside.

Damien did.

I put my back against the wall as I felt my heart throb. His mere presence inside the cell filled it with his imposing and chilling mood.

For the first time, he was very different from the man I once knew.

Instead of disgust, there was just a feeling of confusion in his eyes.

And desire.

His gaze stayed on the scrapes on my cheek and hurt wrists. He smelled the air through his open nostrils.

"There's something... different about your scent," he said.

I felt my body freeze inside.

He knew.

It was clear in his eyes.

Who is the father?

I did not reply.

His mouth turned into a curved smile. "You let some lowborn mutt rut you in an alley?"

My breathing became shaky. He got nearer to me.

"You think I would permit my rejected partner carrying another man's pup? My pack will never accept that disgrace "

Even though I felt nervous, I expressed my thoughts through my voice. "My life is my own."

His hands went to my chin. Not hard. Not gentle. They stared right into my eyes.

"You're mine. Regardless of if I want you or not. Do you get what I am saying?"

I jerked back my face as I shivered with fear.

I answered, "No." I am not owned by you. You showed it loud and clear when you rejected me.

He put his hand under my chin. Not hard. Not gentle. His stare looked straight into mine.

"You're mine. Whether or not I feel that way. Do you get what I am trying to say?"

I pulled back my face, shaking.

"Not," I breathed. I am not owned by you. You made that clear when you threw me away."

He held his position for some time. After that, he quickly turned around and left the room.

Just as he turned to go, he said another quick message.

Make sure you are clean before you leave. They will decide to move you to the East Wing. Watch out, Ivy. I have not killed you yet, but it doesn't mean I feel anything except hate for you.

As the full moon peeked through the window and darkness shifted, I was trembling while still dressed in fresh clothes on the bed's ledge.

He knew.

He found out that I was pregnant.

I survived not because of any good things I did, but because he didn't kill me.

Why?

And why, when he touched me earlier... did my wolf stir?

I felt my baby move around for the first time.

At that moment, I understood something that made me drop to the floor.

This situation was not finished.

It was only just the beginning.