With a surge of determination, I muster all my strength and kick James in the shin with all my might. He winces in pain and stumbles back, momentarily off balance. Seizing the opportunity, I clench my fist and deliver a powerful punch to his face, striking him with such force that he sports a rapidly swelling black eye.
'You little disobedient mut!' James snarls, his anger flaring as he stumbles back.
But I'm not finished. I attempt to punch James again, but this time, he's prepared. He catches my fist in his hand and ruthlessly twists my arm behind my back, rendering me completely immobile. I can't move, and the pain is excruciating.
'You've become rather feisty now, Astrid. You're not such a weak coward like you used to be, but that can be fixed!' James taunts, shoving me forward into the stone bench and locking the cell door behind him. 'Tonight, I won't be so lenient, Astrid, so I suggest you get used to the idea of being my mate by tonight!' He jeers, his cruel words echoing in the confined space as he ascends the stairs.
Seth's voice cuts through the stifling air, concern lacing his words. 'Astrid, are you okay?'
Tears stream down my face, and I can no longer contain my overwhelming emotions. 'I just want to get out of here. I just want to be with Ryker!' I sob, the yearning for my mate and the torment of our situation is too much for me to handle.
Seth, his own longing evident, responds with a sad smile. 'I know, Luna. I know... I would do anything to have Mia in my arms too right now,' he says, his voice sharing the same desire for freedom.
An hour later, the ominous sound of footsteps on the creaky stairs announces John's return. His mood evidently soured. He carries a tray of food, but his face bears many deep scratches.
'Where's Amelia?' I plead, concerned for my friend.
John plunks the tray of food under my cell door with careless disregard, causing some of it to roll into the dirt. 'The little rodent went psycho like a feral cat, scratched my face, and ran off. But we have pack warriors spread out everywhere in case Ryker shows up, so it's only a matter of time until she is caught and brought back here,' he states. Then, with a sinister smile, he adds, 'Oh, we will be back to watch you tonight for your first shift.'
My anger flares, and I press for answers. 'Who is 'we'?' I ask through gritted teeth.
'Alpha Zenith, myself, and your mate James, of course,' John replies, with sadistic anticipation.
I glare at John, and he leaves with a parting taunt, 'So, I'll see you soon!'
Seth and I spend the next hour sharing a comforting silence, drawing strength from each other's presence. As the cell door opens, a sudden burst of light floods in, accompanied by Amelia's anguished screams. John drags her down the stairs and tosses her into the cell next to mine.
'Amelia! Are you okay?' I ask, worried.
Amelia nods, her breathing still ragged from her ordeal. John slams her cell door shut, and his chilling words hang in the air. 'You're lucky Ryker and his pack warriors have entered our territory; otherwise, you would be getting far worse than lashings, Amelia!' he growls.
My heart races at the mention of Ryker's presence. 'Ryker is here?' I ask with a mixture of relief and anxiety.
John's tone, filled with cruelty, confirms my worst fears. 'Yes, but not to worry; our warriors were prepared for this. James says he can't wait to gift you with Ryker's head as a mating gift,' he chuckles menacingly.
My fury surfaces, and I shout a dire warning. 'If you hurt Ryker, I will kill you!'
John's response is cold and ominous. 'We will see,' he says before walking away, leaving us.
I turn my attention back to Amelia. 'Amelia, what happened? Are you hurt?'
Amelia takes a moment to catch her breath, her voice trembling with the remnants of fear. 'They were going to give me twenty lashings. John tried to tie me up, but I scratched his face as hard and as deep as I could while screaming. Then I shifted into my wolf form and ran as fast as I could. I managed to get away, but there were pack warriors spread out everywhere. I hid for as long as I could, trying to evade them. I was eventually caught by two of them just moments ago. They brought me back here so I could get my lashings, but Alpha Zenith says it will have to wait as Alpha Ryker and his men have been spotted entering our territory,' she explains, with relief and apprehension.
Seth's concerned gaze lingers on Amelia, his expression softening with genuine relief. 'I'm glad you weren't hurt, Amelia,' he says, his voice carrying a comforting warmth. 'I'm going to mind-link Alpha Ryker and let him know that Alpha Zenith is aware they are here.'
As we watch, Seth channels his focus into establishing a telepathic connection with our Alpha. 'He says they have brought Alice and Vanessa with them in hopes of exchanging them for us!' Seth tells us.
But hope is short-lived as another wave of excruciating pain tears through my body, my cries of agony echoing off the cold stone walls. I writhe on the ground, clutching at the rough surface beneath me, the torment unbearable.
'Luna!' Seth's voice rings out, thick with alarm and helplessness.
The pain consumes me, and I beg Seth with desperation in my voice, tears streaming down my face. 'It hurts! Seth, it hurts! Make it stop!'
Seth's eyes widen with realization, and his voice is laced with urgency. 'Shit! You're beginning to shift.'
Amelia extends her hand through the cell bars, her touch a small but comforting gesture as she tries to ease my suffering.
'I've mind-linked Alpha Ryker, letting him know that he needs to hurry and that you're shifting,' Seth informs me as I continue to cry out in agony.
Struggling to endure the pain, I manage to gasp out a question, my voice trembling with strain. 'How long will this take?'
'The first shift, on average, takes around an hour,' he replies. Another surge of pain wracks my body, causing me to scream once more, my torment unbearable.
Desperation fuels my cries as I call out for Ryker, my voice thick with anguish and longing. 'Ryker!' I cry, desperate for him to help me through this harrowing ordeal.