CHAPTER SIX
TYLA
It was late at night already. I sat on the floor beside my bed with my hands wrapped around my legs. I coiled myself up seated on the floor beside my bed.
Tears streamed down my eyes as I thought about the beating I had just been given. It was hard to believe that after everything I went through at the hands of my oppressors in my first life, faith still brought us together.
I looked around my room.
My gaze wandered listlessly around the room. The once-cozy space now felt like a hollow shell, echoing with memories of happier times.
The cream-colored carpet, soft beneath my feet, seemed chilled by the frost of my sorrow. The dark wood desk, where laughter and creativity had flowed, stood silent and still. The sleek bed, where restful nights had lulled me into a peaceful slumber, lay rumpled and uninviting.
Artwork and prints on the walls, once vibrant and inspiring, faded into the background like whispers of a forgotten melody. Books on the shelf, dear friends that had transported me to far-off worlds, gathered dust and silence.
A cold cup of coffee congealed beside open books on the desk, a testament to abandoned pursuits. A colorful scarf, once draped carelessly over the armchair, now hung limp and lifeless.
My photos and mementos blurred as tears welled up, their smiles and laughter mocking me with joy I could no longer feel. Sentimental trinkets gathered dust, their significance lost in the haze of sorrow.
The air was heavy with silence, punctuated only by the occasional creak of the night crickets.
In this once sanctuary, I felt lost and alone. I was surrounded by what could never be again.
A soft knock on the door interrupted my thoughts. I slowly lifted my head to look at the door. I could not see through the door, so there was no way I would have known who was outside the door without getting close and opening the door.
I wasn't about to stand up from the floor. I was already soaked in my tears. I opened my mouth and realized that the words I was struggling to speak would not come out.
The door slowly opened, and Jessica let herself in. She had a first aid box in her hands. Part of my anger was towards her. She sat there and watched him beat me up. Did she forget that I was only in that mess because I was trying to save her?
I mean, she would have done something to help me. She just sat there watching me beg for my life while she did nothing to save me. She walked into the room and came to kneel beside me. I sniffled in as I wiped off my tears.
"I am sorry about what happened," she apologized.
I shut my eyes tightly as teats flowed uncontrollably down my cheeks.
"I am very sorry," she went ahead to apologize.
She wiped my tears with the piece of clothing she pulled out from the first aid box. I had a few bruises on my arm, my knee, and my face. Jessica began to nurse my injury.
"For how long has this been going on?" I asked Jessica as I finally got to look up theat her.
I had suddenly recovered my voice.
She looked down at me and sighed deeply. She shook her head and bit her lower lip. Jessica sniffed in, and she cleared her throat before she spoke again.
"No one interferes when the alpha is angry. It has always been his custom since I remember. He hits me at the slightest provocation."
I shook my head in sadness.
"Why not go back to your family?" I asked her as though it were that easy. "I mean. Are they not aware of the hell you are going through in this place? What if he kills you one day?"
Jessica shook her head.
"I am not here on my own will," she responded.
By this time, she was done cleaning my injured areas. She applied a bandage on my knee.
"What do you mean by that?" I asked.
I searched for the answer to my question even before she gave me an answer. I couldn't get anything.
"After the female alpha was put to death," she began, making emotions stir up in me at the mention of that. "Jonathan betrayed Damon. He was probably scared of getting caught or whatnot. He gave him the option to leave or get his family killed."
Jessica was finally done with fixing the bandage around my knee. She gently laid my knee perfectly on the cold floor and sat beside me, resting her back against my bed.
"Damon was ready to leave. But Jonathan would not let him leave with me. He withheld me from Damon, stopping him from leaving with me. The two engaged in a serious fight, and Damon got banished in the process."
Jessica burst out in tears.
I wrapped my arms around her. I began to feel sorry for her. I consoled her and waited for her to finish crying and continue her story.
"Damon didn't want to leave the pack without his only sister, but he had no choice. He promised to come back for me. Since then, I have waited. I decided to accept my faith and come to terms with it. It's unfair that I have to live like this."
Jessica shed tears as she told her bitter story. Anger stirred in me. My hatred for Jonathan increased. So this was what he always wanted? This was the reason why he lied against me and got me killed.
My heart bled for what Jonathan had turned my pack into. Everything I had ever worked for. My hard work. How he put everyone in fear.
I knew I needed to act fast. I needed to stop what was going on before it got worse.
Jessica stood up and gathered her things. She kissed me goodnight before walking away from the room. I stood up and walked towards my bed. I didn't know why I felt a very tiny tinge of relief.
I was able to connect the dots together from the little story I was told about what happened after I had died. Damon had turned rogue and had gathered an army to become very powerful. That was the reason he was called the rogue king.
I shut my eyes tightly as I tried to sleep. I kept rolling in my bed, unable to sleep. A harsh knock soon interrupted me. My heart skipped.