The Wolf Within Her

Chapter 5- Locked In

The floor was cold beneath me.

I could feel it through my skin, through my bones, seeping into me as if it wanted to remind me exactly where I was. Not just in this room… but in this life.

My wrists burned where the rope cut into them. I tried to move again, twisting slightly, hoping maybe—just maybe—it had loosened.

It hadn’t.

I pulled harder this time, ignoring the pain, trying to free at least one hand. Nothing. The rope held firm, tight, unforgiving.

A quiet frustration built inside me. I shifted my legs, trying to sit up properly, but even that felt like a struggle. Every movement reminded me of the same thing—I wasn’t in control anymore.

Then I heard voices.

Right outside the door.

I froze.

“…I told you, she’s going to be trouble.”

Matteo.

Even without seeing him, I knew that voice. Cold. Certain. Already judging me before I even had a chance to prove anything.

“I’ve seen enough already,” he continued. “She tried to run. What more do you need to see?”

My heart started beating faster.

“I said she stays.”

Mario.

His voice was calm, but there was something underneath it—something firm, something that didn’t leave room for argument.

“She doesn’t belong here,” Matteo snapped. “She has no wolf. No strength. She is a risk.”

“I made my decision.”

Silence followed. Heavy. Tense.

I couldn’t take it anymore.

“Let me out!” I shouted, my voice breaking as it echoed against the walls. “I don’t want to stay here!”

The words came out faster now, stronger, like if I didn’t say them, I would choke on them.

“I didn’t ask for this! I don’t want to be here!”

The door swung open.

And then he walked in.

Mario.

The air in the room changed instantly. It felt heavier… tighter… like even breathing required permission.

His eyes found mine immediately.

And I froze.

There was something in them. Not anger exactly. Not just anger. Something deeper. Something darker.

“Be quiet,” he said.

His voice was low, controlled… but it carried a warning.

“Or you’ll face my wrath.”

For a second, I wanted to argue. I really did. The words were right there, sitting at the back of my throat, ready to come out.

But his eyes…

They stopped me.

There was something in them I didn’t understand. Something that made my chest tighten and my voice disappear at the same time.

So I stayed quiet.

I just stared at him.

He took a step closer. Then another. Slowly, like he wasn’t in a hurry. Like he knew I wasn’t going anywhere.

He bent down slightly, bringing himself closer to my level, his gaze fixed on my face as if he was trying to figure something out.

Or maybe… trying to understand me.

I didn’t know.

All I knew was that I couldn’t look away.

Then he straightened.

And just like that, whatever moment had been there disappeared.

“Gag her,” he said.

My eyes widened immediately.

“No—”

The word barely left my mouth before the guards moved.

“Please,” I said quickly, panic rising in my chest. “I won’t shout again. I promise. I won’t say anything—”

They didn’t stop.

“Please…”

My voice cracked.

But Mario didn’t even look at me.

The cloth was forced into my mouth, tied tightly behind my head. I tried to resist, tried to shake my head, but it was useless. Within seconds, I couldn’t speak anymore.

The room went quiet again.

Too quiet.

Mario turned and walked toward the door like nothing had happened. Like I hadn’t just begged him.

Like I didn’t matter.

The door closed behind him.

And just like that… I was alone.

Again.

I could hear the guards outside, their footsteps shifting slightly as they took their positions. Standing there. Watching. Making sure I didn’t try anything again.

As if I even could.

I turned my head slowly, looking toward the window.

It was sealed.

Completely.

No gaps. No weak spots. Nothing.

Even if I tried… there was no way out.

Not this time.

Not ever again.

The realization settled heavily in my chest.

I stopped struggling.

There was no point anymore.

Slowly, I lowered myself onto the cold floor, the same floor that had been waiting for me since the beginning.

My body felt heavy.

Tired.

Defeated.

The tears came quietly this time. No struggle. No resistance. Just… falling.

And like always… my thoughts went back to her.

My mother.

The only person who had ever looked at me like I was enough.

The only person who had never made me feel like I was missing something.

If she were here…

Would things be different?

I closed my eyes, letting the silence settle around me.

Because right now, there was nothing else I could do.