Chapter 3 Finally Found You

Liah's POV

I woke up with a groan, ugh how long have I been unconscious? My head throbbing like someone had driven a spike through my skull. My mouth was dry, and every inch of my body ached. I tried to move, but a sharp pain shot through my neck. Something cold and hard dug into my skin.

A collar.

I blinked through the haze and realized I was chained to a metal chair. My wrists were tied behind me, and the collar around my neck was spiked-my eyes widened wolfsbane I whispered out. I could feel it burning against my skin, draining my strength.

I tugged slightly, but the second I did, pain Iit up my neck like fire. I gasped, biting my lip to keep me from crying out.

Where the hell was I?

Looks like I was in an abandoned house. Concrete walls and broken windows.

Then I heard multiple footsteps.

A door creaked open and in came four men, dressed in casual clothes-hoodies, dark jeans and boots-but their faces were all hidden covered with black masks. My wolf stirred in my chest, she felt uneasy and alert. I couldn't see their faces.

"Show yourselves, you cowards!" I snapped, my voice hoarse. "Who hides behind masks?"

They laughed in a mocking and cold response.

"Easy there, tiger," one of them said, his voice smooth yet taunting. "You just woke up. No need to get all cranky."

I narrowed my eyes. "Rogues."

The leader stepped closer, clearly from his stance. One would know he was used to being in control.

"I have no fight with you," I said, struggling against the chains. "So why the hell did you kidnap me? How do you know who I am?"

He chuckled again, circling me like a wolf sizing its prey. "Oh princess... you don't need to have a fight with us, for us to have something with you. But anyways we're just doing our jobs."

"Jobs?" I spat. "So someone sent you? Who-" I paused as the thought slammed into me like a brick. "Wait. Grace. Did you-" My voice broke. "Did you have to fucking kill her too?"

The man tilted his head. "That bitch knew too much, and we didn't want her blabbering about our master's identity to you. For two years she's been deceiving you and feeding us information.

"No..." I shook my head slowly. "You're lying. Grace would never betray me. She saved me. She cared-"

"Did she?" He interrupted, his voice more sharper. "Why would you even trust a weak human in the first place? With people like her once offered money, they'll kiss your feet. They'll do anything for the right price."

Do you even think your meet up with her was a coincidence? Pathetic!.

"You're lying," I repeated, but the words leaving my mouth didn't sound so strong.

"Why would I lie princess?" He asked.

The room swayed for a moment. My heart clenched. No... Grace wouldn't.

Tears stung my eyes, but I forced them back. I wouldn't let these mutts see me break. I would not give them that power.

Rage slowly replaced the pain I felt. My wolf Nadia, pushed forward, snarling inside of me.

My eyes burned and when I opened them again, they became glowing blue.

The leader stepped back. "I could already sense his fear."

"I'll kill every one of you."

***

I tried to stand up again, my legs shaking beneath me, but the cold chain around my neck yanked me backward, slamming me into the chair. The wolfsbane burned even more into my skin. I hissed in pain, biting back a scream.

"This isn't a fair fight," I spat. "Are you scared I'll kill you all once I'm free?"

The masked men laughed and it echoed around the empty room.

"Not quite, princess," the leader replied, her voice calm. "Well, you did ask who sent us. Let's just say... someone from your own family. And that person has betrayed you.

My blood ran cold.

Family? Another betrayal?

My breath hitched as the man continued, even my wolf Nadia felt wounded in her heart. All this betrayal was too much to bear.

"Though... your father. Ah. Seeing the King's face when he finds out his precious heir is here with us. I wonder how much he'd pay to get you back."

He smirked under his mask,

"Wait," one of the masked men chimed in mockingly. "Didn't she give up the throne? Let your fancy crown for the human world? And now look at you. Pathetic.

They all burst into laughter.

I gritted my teeth, my hands in chains but my nails elongated dug to my skin.

"Alright, enough," the leader said, raising a hand. "You're all getting the princess here all riled up. She might actually loosen herself up and tear one of us apart." He mocked again.

He turned to me slowly and crouched so we were at eye level.

"You're a pretty one," he said, brushing hair from my face. I jerked away, but the chain kept me pinned. "Killing you, as instructed, just wouldn't be right. Why waste such beauty?" He leaned in closer, and his next words made my stomach churn. "Why not be my slave mate instead? After all... you haven't been marked yet."

I stayed silent. I wouldn't give him the satisfaction of a reaction.

But then, his hand shot out and gripped my chin, forcing my face up to meet his.

"Look at me when I talk to you," he growled.

I met his eyes-and spat straight into his face.

His smile vanished.

"You little-" He wiped the spit off angrily and turned to his men. "Rip the clothes off her. Let's see how brave she is then,"

One thing for sure, I will be having my way with her.zZ Whether she likes it or not.

***

They had stripped me bare. The cold air stung to my skin as they threw me on the dusty floor, my body shaking, and hands still in chains. The wolfsbane was already deep within, weakening me more by the second. My life was wearing out.

Nadia, I called out for her. But she wasn't responding to me.

The leader crouched over me, his eyes darkened and I could clearly see the lust in his eyes.

"I wonder what a princess tastes like down there," he sneered.

Tears slid down my cheeks. I tried to fight, but my body wouldn't listen. Maybe this was my punishment-for abandoning my life as a wolf princess and for turning my back on my pack. To be used and left to die.

But just as his hands touched my thigh, a loud crash echoed through the building.

A growl. Then another.

The door burst open, and within a second wolves stormed in-huge, fast and they were ruthless. They tore through rogues, not giving them time to transform and fight for themselves. Blood sprayed everywhere and screams of agony and pain filled the air.

The leader turned, frozen in shock.

"You!" he shouted at one of the strange wolves-who had shifted back into human form-but I couldn't see who it was. Everything was spinning in my eyes. His face twisted in betrayal before he dropped to his knees, blood pouring from his neck.

Then, darkness took over my body.

Days later - Hospital Room

The beep sounds of the machines brought me back. My eyes fluttered open slowly, the light was too bright at first. The scent was sterile.

I blinked again, and a familiar face came into view.

"Rory?" I whispered.

She smiled, her eyes glassy with tears. "You're finally awake."

"Where... where am I?" My throat was dry and sore.

"We found you in the outskirts of wolfs land. I've been tracking you for months, Liah. Didn't you get father's letter? He sent that a month ago.

I blinked. "I did, but I was captured before I could even have a glance of it.

"I tracked your wolf-and the address father sent it to. Thank the moon goddess we found you in time. If we hadn't..." she trailed off, her voice trembling.

I tried to sit up, my body still sore and weak. "The leader... he said something about someone from the family wanting me dead."

Rory stiffened. "Who? Did he say a name?"

I shook my head. "No. He didn't.

She held my hands tighter, but I spoke first. "Thank you for saving me, Rory. I owe you."

I looked around. "What of father and mother? Why aren't they here? Are they still angry with me?"

She hesitated. Her lips trembled. "After you left... breaking the bond... It weakened them both. They were never the same."

My chest tightened. "Rory... what happened?"

"They were killed, Liah."

I froze. My world stopped spinning.

"By who?" I whispered.