chapter 4 Ella
1261 Words
Silence hit harder this time than ever. A few seconds later, a guard came and unlocked my cuffs, then left. Seriously. He just left me here.
Morgan was gone, and yet the pull of him stayed sharp, insistent, impossible to ignore. Storm circled in my mind, tense and restless. He left. But he’s still here.
At this point, I don't care about anything else. I just want to leave this cell, this pack, this territory. I made a huge mistake crossing into my doom. A few hours in Atlas feels like eternity.
I leaned against the wall, trying to think and steady my shaking body. My wrists still throbbed from the silver, each pulse a reminder of what I’d survived and what I’d walked straight into.
He’s an Alpha. Broken, but still an Alpha. He's supposed to know how being broken feels…this is insane
I didn’t want to think about him. Not now. And yet, I couldn’t shake the memory of the way he looked, the way the bond had pulled at him before he forced it back down.
Storm was growling, low and dangerous.
One minute I was running for my life in a forest the next minute I have a mate that's rejecting me..how ironic
The day that was supposed to be the happiest day of my life a grieving Alpha turned it into the worst day ever. I’ve always dreamt of finding my mate. Now I have one, but it’s the worst feeling: rejected and being blackmailed.
Yes, because this is blackmail.
I sat at the edge of the cell, trying to make sense of the knot tightening in my chest. The worst part wasn’t the pain. It was the silence. The unbearable quiet pressed against my ears, making my own heartbeat sound deafening.
A soft, hesitant shift outside that pulled my attention. Footsteps. Not Morgan. Not those scarface guards.
The door creaked. A lady stepped in, brown hair tied back, eyes wide but curious. She paused when she saw me.
You’re Ella? she asked quietly.
I raised an eyebrow. Who wants to know?
She flinched at the edge in my voice. I’m Sofia. I—uh—the Alpha said I should… help you settle in. If you want.
She escorted me out of the cell. Finally, I could breathe Well.
Careful. She’s not a threat, Storm purred in approval.
We took a shortcut down to the Alpha’s chamber…stopped at a golden brown door. Here, Sofia said softly. Your room. She handed me a folded set of clothes.
I took the clothes, noting how nervous her hands trembled. Thanks, I said flatly.
You… you’re not a rogue, she blurted.
No, I replied. The words were sharp, bitter even. Not that anyone seems to care.
Sofia looked down the hall, then back at me. Most of the pack thinks you are.
The warriors that brought you in said you were a rogue...
That's a lie I wanted to shout at her, but held it in..because she didn't cause my problems
Most of the pack, even the pups, it got to our ears that a rogue spy was brought in from the border. A spy I'm not just a rogue, I'm a spy, also
And some are saying you're a threat to this pack.
I frowned. Of course they are. I just walk in bleeding, and suddenly I’m a threat to the entire pack.
She nodded quickly, eyes wide. The Alpha... he said to bring you here. The Beta is not around. He would have done this, she said. So they won’t attack you… at least, not openly.
Sofia hesitated. I will come back in the morning. Bring food. Whatever he demands.
I didn’t respond. She didn’t need to know my plans. Or whether I’d survive this... or not.
The door clicked behind her.
We are not safe here, Storm growled softly.
I sat on the bed, staring at my hands, blood still crusted along my wounded wrist. My muscles screamed, but my mind refused to rest. Every thought spiraled back to him: the way he’d called my name, the bond, the way he’d said I was a mistake.
He had rejected me.
And yet... the Alpha had placed me here, alive, in his territory, under his roof, as a role. This is the toughest day of my life.
He wants control, Storm’s voice was sharp, almost angry. That’s all this is. Control and denial.
I swallowed hard, tasting metallic and bitter. Then we’ll give him a show, I whispered. If I’m going to survive this, I’ll do it my way, proud, strong and fearless.
Hours passed slowly.
The room stayed cold and quiet. I cleaned the raw marks on my wrists with a damp cloth Sofia had left, patched the wounds as best I could, and changed into the simple black clothes.
Every movement reminded me of the bond. The heat under my skin flared whenever I thought about him, or imagined him watching from somewhere close. I hated it. Hated him. Hated myself for feeling it.
I pressed my forehead to the bed. I didn’t belong here. I didn’t ask for this.
A soft, deliberate sound outside the door made me stiffen. Footsteps. Not Sofia. Not guards.
Morgan.
My body went tense. Every nerve screamed at me to stay still. He’s coming. Prepare yourself, Storm growled low and warning.
The handle turned slowly. He stepped inside, quiet, but his presence hit the room like a gust of wind.
I didn’t look at him. I already felt his scent, which I'm desperately trying to ignore.
Didn’t wander? he asked. His voice was low, steady, threaded with tension.
I lifted my chin. I stayed.
Bold. But smart, Storm snorted.
He studied me, eyes narrowed, weighing. His wolf stirred beneath the surface restless, alert. I felt it.
You should be more careful, he said.
Of what? I asked. The only person I should be careful about is standing in my face.
For a moment, he said nothing. He shifted, pacing once across the room, hands behind his back.
You’re going to play Luna, he said. I know already. Why still bring it up? Until the council stops asking questions. Until the pack stabilizes. Until then, I'm free to leave... I understand that, and my life depends on it. I also understand what's next.
He didn’t flinch. You live. That’s the deal.
He thinks he’s in control, Storm growled, low, bitter.
I don’t negotiate with threats, I said softly, but loud enough that he heard it.
He stepped closer, eyes dark. You don’t have to. You just... survive.
Then he left. Quiet, controlled, leaving the room colder than it had been. The door clicked shut behind him, final, unyielding.
I sank onto the bed, heart hammering. He left us here. Alone. And he’s not coming back, Storm whimpered softly.
I pressed my hands to my face, trying to calm the heat in my chest, the pull of everything, the ache of fear and anger tangled together.
Tomorrow, Storm said. Tomorrow we start pretending. And then we survive.
I nodded.
Because tomorrow all I can do is nothing but wait for the consequences of crossing into a grieving and unstable pack.
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