Erika’s POV
I found myself locked up in the little hut with nasty rats squeaking and cockroaches dashing. I looked down at myself and was surprised to find that my body was smaller than I thought. My arms and legs were short and slim. I became a child again! All of a sudden, I could understand what the rats were talking about. A stinky fat rat was squeaking and dashing towards me. It wanted to eat me as its breakfast. I lifted my skirt, ran to the door as soon as possible, and tried to open it, but I was too small and weak to open it. I knocked on it violently and wanted to shout for help. I tried hard to open my mouth wide and moved my tongue, but I just couldn’t utter a word. I couldn’t even hear myself. I rubbed my throat with my hands in anxiety, but I didn’t know what was wrong with it. I burst into tears and cried silently. As the rat got closer and closer, I freaked out and began to flail. Losing my balance, I fell to the ground and hit something sharp on the ground. Blood spurted out. I raised my head and the fat rat jumped to me…
I woke up from the nightmare and panted.
I looked around quickly and soon realized that I was in the bright cell.
I didn’t know how long had passed. I didn’t even know if it was day or night outside because the light was always on in the cell. From time to time, a man would come in and ask me to join them. Of course, I refused them without hesitation, although I knew my refusal would invite a harsh whipping.
Under this condition, deep sleep was impossible and I could only drift into a light doze accompanied by nightmares.
The kidnap happened when I was a little child and shortly after my parents were dead. I couldn’t remember clearly what exactly happened because I forced that memory out of my mind. After I was saved by Charles, I still had nightmares about it but they appeared less and less frequently. It was after I became a warrior that the nightmares didn’t bother me anymore. The instant Charles raised my hand and announced me to be the new Gamma, I felt so proud that I could protect myself and never get injured. But being locked up in this cell transported me to that hut again.
Suddenly, I heard the crack of the door and then someone came in. Same question, same answer, another whipping.
However, the man didn’t come in with a whip. Instead, he took out his phone. The flashlight was on, he took some photos and left.
It took me a while to realize what he was doing. He must take photos of me to threaten Derek. They had given up the idea of forcing me to work with them.
But I must look like a ghost now. I ate nothing ever since I was here so I must be haggard and sallow. With sleep deprivation, big dark circles were under my eyes and blood was all over my body. I hadn’t changed my dress until now and the long dress had become strips. I doubted if Derek could recognize me. It was best if he didn’t.
If I guessed it right, Alpha Richard would send it to Derek with a number that would become invalid soon. Though I was hungry and dizzy, I could figure out what they intended to do. They would ask him to go to a certain place alone, which was a trap. Derek wasn’t so stupid as to fall for it, was he?
Wait, he could even be fooled by me. And he didn’t know that Alpha Richard wanted to kill him. He must have regarded Alpha Richard as his ally. I needed to tell him that.
But it would be so embarrassing if I contacted him after all that happened. When I drank that drink of wolfsbane without hesitation, I didn’t think that I would have any dealings with Derek for the rest of my life. It would be so embarrassing.
But if anything had happened to him, I would’ve been so guilty. For the rest of my life, I would be so guilty and I might have nightmares.
I pondered about it for a long time and was still at a loss for what to do. I didn’t know that I could be so indecisive. Taking someone’s life was easy for me in the past. But things were much more complicated when someone risked his life for me. Somehow, I was sure that he would come to save me.
Soon I was fatigued. Without food and deep sleep, even thinking was hard work. I was getting dizzy and sleepy. So I decided to mind-link him while I was still conscious.
Alpha Richard wants to kill you. If someone contacts you, don’t fall into the trap.
He answered immediately.
That’s the place you escaped to? The hell?
He must have seen the photo of me!
And that was a mean comment. His words touched my sore spot. I knew I kind of deserved it.
I didn’t know how to reply to him. And I was unable to do so. My mind was cloudy. I closed my eyes and felt like falling into a trance. Was I dying?
Suddenly, Derek mind-linked me again.
Sleep, mate. I’ll get you back.