'I'm sorry, I couldn't help it! You won't tell Amelia, will you?' John pleads.
'I'm not going to tell her, squat. It's Astrid you need to worry about not telling,' James retorts, his voice dripping with both anger and concern.
Both of them turn to see that I'm already running up ahead, fear and determination fueling my escape. They shift into their wolf forms, their powerful bodies swiftly closing the distance between us. It's not long before James knocks me to the ground, his strong jaws clamping around my arm. He holds me firmly, my arms pinned behind my back.
'Enough, Astrid!' James snaps, his voice filled with exasperation. He lifts me off the ground, cradling me, and restrains my arms so I can't strike out at him. Tears stream down my face as he carries me back to the packhouse.
As we arrive, Zenith is waiting, his expression dark and impatient. 'About bloody time! Bring her downstairs!' He growls, descending the staircase.
'But the cells are down there?' James says with unease.
Zenith glowers at his son. 'Do you expect Astrid to stay willingly in your room, James?' He retorts sharply.
'No, but...' James begins to protest.
'She can be kept in one of the cells until she has shifted and been marked by you. Until then, she will keep trying to escape, and the cells are the most secure option,' Zenith points out.
With his command given, John and James obediently follow their father downstairs.
The atmosphere in the cell is dark and eerie, amplified by the faint sound of trickling water and the occasional squeak of mice. Our breaths materialise as clouds of fog in the cold air, and I can't help but shiver. James pulls me closer, ignoring my protests. I'd prefer if it were Ryker, the one providing me with some warmth and comfort.
Zenith approaches one of the cell doors and unlocks it. James carries me inside and settles me on a stone bench that doubles as a bed. Cold chains are attached to the walls, equipped with silver cuffs that gleam ominously. To my surprise, James refrains from cuffing me. Instead, he kisses my forehead, eliciting a shudder from me.
'It will be okay, Astrid. We have some things to sort out, and the sooner you allow me to mark you and when you’ve had your first shift, you can get out of this cell,' he reassures me, his hands cradling my face gently.
I turn my head away roughly, breaking free from his touch.
James exits the cell and stands beside John. Zenith steps in with a glare directed at me. In an instant, he strikes me across the face. Pain flares, and my cheek stings from the impact. 'Try and run away again, and being down here will be the least of your worries!' he snaps before storming out, slamming the creaky metal door shut and locking it with a key.
Alone in the dimly lit cell, I hug my knees to my chest, my tears flowing freely. The environment is filthy and freezing, with cobwebs covering the stone walls. I can barely make out a few other cells nearby. The darkness and eerie silence weigh heavily on me, and my arms and legs throb with stinging grazes.
'Ryker, I'm scared—so scared. I need you. I want to be back in your arms,' I whisper to the damp, cold cell, my voice filled with despair.
The middle of the night wraps me in an uncomfortable chill, making it impossible to fall asleep. I lay there, shivering, my mind racing with thoughts of escape. Suddenly, I hear faint footsteps descending the stairs. Squinting toward the source of the sound, I strain to identify the intruder. 'Astrid, it's me, Amelia,' a hushed voice calls out.
Startled, I jump from the cold, hard bench and rush to the cell door. 'Amelia! Please, Amelia! You have to help me. Please unlock the cell door,' I plead desperately.
Standing just outside the cell, Amelia cautions me with a finger to her lips. 'Shh! I'm not supposed to be down here. I'll get into so much trouble if anyone finds out,' she whispers.
I nod, understanding. Amelia passes me my hoodie, a meaningful gesture. 'I thought you would need this. I know how cold it gets down here,' she says, her eyes avoiding mine.
Stunned by her revelation, I can't help but ask, 'Amelia! Have they put you down here before?'
She nods sadly. 'It was a couple of years ago. Alpha Zenith purchased me from my old pack, telling John I was special. But he hasn't shared my background with John or the pack, keeping it a secret until I finally bear John's pups. He becomes furious when he expects me to be pregnant each moon, but I've been secretly drinking a special tea that prevents me from carrying pups. I had to stay down here until I allowed John to mark me,' she explains.
My eyes widen with disbelief. 'John, isn't your fated mate?'
Tears well up in Amelia's eyes as she shakes her head. 'No, I've never been able to leave the pack house ever since. Even if I did find my true mate, he would never want me now that I'm marked and mated by another,' she sobs.
'Oh, Amelia, I'm so sorry you’ve been trapped here all this time,' I say, my heart aching for her.
She wipes away her tears. 'I overheard James and Alpha Zenith arguing about you upstairs.
James was begging to have you chained up in his room instead of down here in the cells.
That's how I knew you were down here,' she whispers. Reaching through the bars, she takes my hands in hers. 'I don't want you to have the same fate as me, Astrid. I will do everything in my power to help you get out of here,' she vows, her eyes brimming with determination. 'I have to go now, Astrid. I'll come back when everyone is asleep tomorrow night. And Astrid, don't let him mark you, no matter what,' she cautions before slipping away.