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1027 Words
SERENA'S POV
We reached my room, and before I could steady myself—
Slap!
My head snapped to the side. Pain burned across my cheek.
I held my face and slowly looked back at Lucia. Her expression was filled with rage.
"You have no idea how angry I am right now."
I swallowed hard.
"You can hit me... if it makes you feel better," I said quietly. The moment the words left my mouth, the beating began.
She pulled out the cane she always carried and struck me repeatedly.
Each lash cut through the air with a sharp whistle before landing on my skin. But I didn't react. I didn't scream. I didn't cry.
I was used to it.
The pain didn't matter anymore. Nothing did.
When she finally stopped, she grabbed my chin roughly, forcing me to look at her.
"You think you can destroy me?" she hissed. "You're nothing but a worthless piece of trash. I regret the day I met you."
I said nothing.
There was nothing left to say.
"That man," she continued, "is Emma's soon-to-be husband."
My heart skipped.
"If you try anything stupid, I will kill you," she added coldly. "And if you don't stay away from the main house, your father will suffer for it."
Fear immediately gripped me.
"Please... don't hurt Dad," I whispered.
She smirked.
"Then behave like the obedient dog you are and stay in your room."
I nodded quickly. "I will. I promise."
She studied me for a moment before her lips curled into satisfaction.
"Good."
Then, as if I were nothing more than an animal, she patted my head.
Disgust filled me, but I didn't show it. I couldn't.
Without another word, she turned and walked out. The door shut behind her.
And just like that... the silence returned.
My knees gave out, and I sank to the floor. My chest ached. My mind was in chaos. Everything felt... wrong.
Tears slipped down my cheeks again. I felt trapped. Hopeless.
I needed a way out.
Not just for me and for Dad. I couldn't leave him behind.
Never.
A soft knock sounded on the door. I quickly wiped my tears.
"Come in," I said quietly.
The door creaked open, and Camilla stepped in, carrying a tray.
Her eyes softened the moment she saw me.
"I brought you something to eat," she said gently.
I couldn't even find the strength to thank her.
"I also brought warm water... for your wounds," she added softly.
That broke me.
My chest tightened, and I looked away, trying to hold myself together.
My back throbbed painfully, each movement reminding me of the beating.
Camilla sighed and knelt beside me.
"You know you can talk to me," she said. "I've told you so many times to leave this place, but you never listen."
I stared at her for a moment before asking the only thing on my mind.
"Who is that man?"
She frowned slightly. "Which man?"
"The one who came today."
Realization dawned on her face.
"Oh... you mean Alpha Kane?"
I blinked in confusion. "He's an Alpha?"
She nodded. "Yes. Lucia invited him. I heard she's planning to get Emma married to him."
My heart twisted painfully.
A bitter scoff left my lips. "She must be out of her mind."
Camilla gave a small shrug. "That Alpha doesn't look like a fool. I'm sure he'll see through them eventually."
Then she gestured toward me. "Now, take off your clothes. Let me treat your wounds."
I hesitated for a second before nodding.
Carefully, I did as she said and lay face down on the bed.
The moment the ointment touched my skin, I flinched slightly. It stung... but it also soothed.
Silence filled the room for a while.
Then Camilla spoke again.
"Why are you asking about him?"
I hesitated.
But the truth slipped out anyway.
"He's my mate."
Her hands froze.
"What?" she gasped.
I turned slightly to look at her. "You heard me."
She shook her head quickly. "No... that's not possible. He can't be your mate."
Something in her tone made my chest tighten.
"Why not?"
She looked genuinely troubled now.
"He just can't be," she insisted.
I frowned. "Why are you saying it like that? I already know he won't accept me. I'm not stupid. But I didn't expect you to think I'm incapable of having a mate."
"That's not what I mean," she said quickly.
"Then what do you mean?" I pressed.
She hesitated... then finally spoke.
"Alpha Kane already had a mate."
I froze.
"What?"
"She died," Camilla continued quietly. "And after her death, there was a prophecy... that he would never have another mate."
The room felt suddenly too small.
Too quiet.
"If you tell anyone what you just told me," she added, "they'll think you've lost your mind. There was a lot of drama surrounding that prophecy."
My heart sank. So that was it. Was that why he looked at me like I was nothing?
Like I didn't exist?
Maybe didn't feel it at all.
Maybe I was the only one.
And if that was true Then I was in more trouble than I thought.
Camilla held my hand gently after she finished tending to my wounds.
"Promise me you won't tell anyone about the mate bond," she said softly.
I frowned. "Why? It's no one's business."
She shook her head, her expression serious. "You don't understand. This isn't about privacy it's about your safety. People will think you've lost your mind. Do you really want to be seen as a joke? After everything you've already been through?"
Her words settled heavily in my chest.
I didn't plan on telling anyone anyway... but the way she said it made it feel more dangerous than I expected.
It made me curious. Curious about him.About the prophecy.About everything.
I nodded slowly. "Fine. I won't say anything."
She studied my face for a moment, as if trying to be sure, then gave a small nod.
"Good."
After cleaning up, she gathered her things and left the room quietly. Deep down I knew I couldn't stop thinking about him. I need to find out more.
- Writer
