Chapter 3
1163 Words
Alessia:
They didn’t call it punishment.
They called it “reflection.”
But when the guards shoved me inside my room and locked the door from the outside, it felt a lot like imprisonment.
The curtains were drawn. My dinner tray sat untouched on the floor.
And my stepfather’s words still echoed in my head:
“You will stay here until the Alpha forgives you. Your shame reflects on this entire pack. You have shamed not only yourself, but your mother too.”
I sank onto my bed, fingers tangled in my hair. I wasn’t crying, but the pressure in my chest was unbearable.
Sage growled low. They’re the ones who should be locked up, not us. And your mother would not be ashamed because you chose your mate.
“I betrayed them, Sage,” I whispered. “I betrayed Lucien. Mate or not, he is the enemy. Sleeping with him should have never been an option.”
Lucien doesn’t even care, she muttered. You smelled it. The lies. The deceit. He is just using you, Alessia. They all are.
“I don’t know what I smelled.” I covered my face. “I just know I ruined everything. And now, I am going to need to work on fixing it again. I won’t be able to get out of this otherwise.”
The door clicked. I shot upright.
Lucien stepped inside, framed by the hall light. He dismissed the guards with a gentle nod, and they obeyed instantly, leaving the two of us alone.
He looked… fragile. Even paler than usual, with dark circles smudged beneath his eyes.
“My Alessia…” His voice cracked as he crossed the room in two strides. “You scared me last night. I thought… what if something had happened to you?”
He stopped, shaking his head as if the words were too painful. Then he took my hand like it was something delicate that might shatter.
“I should’ve been there. I should’ve walked you back. The thought of you in someone else’s arms… I never thought it would be that.” His voice broke just enough to sound convincing.
“…I failed you.”
My heart clenched.
“Lucien, no. It’s not your fault…”
“It is,” he breathed, cupping my cheek. “Because if I had been stronger… if I wasn’t…”
He exhaled shakily and looked away. “…dying, maybe I could have protected you. You wouldn’t have been alone in that gathering.”
My breath hitched. “D-Dying?”
He closed his eyes, shoulders slumping dramatically. “My health has been deteriorating for months. I didn’t want to burden you before the wedding. You know how things are.”
Sage hissed in my mind. He’s lying. His heartbeat isn’t changing. He is not ill.
But guilt drowned her out.
“You should have told me,” I whispered. “I could’ve helped. I can heal…”
“No.” He raised a trembling hand to silence me. “I won’t drain your strength. You’ve suffered enough. You are locked in here, you are going to need all your strength.”
Tears pricked my eyes. “Lucien, please… at least let me treat you. Let me help. Let me do something right. I know that I can help. You know that I can help you.”
He stepped back just enough so I had to follow. “I can’t accept your blood. You need it. And taking it would make me feel… Like I’m killing you. I don’t want that. Not when you are in a state like this one.”
My guilt doubled, crushing me like a physical weight.
“Lucien… please don’t do this.”
He suddenly swayed.
I lunged forward. He collapsed into my arms with a soft groan.
Sage snarled. Fake! He’s faking! His pulse is steady as a rock! You know that, Alessia. He is fine. Nothing is happening to him. He playing you!
But I couldn’t think. I could only feel the trembling man clinging to me as though I were his last hope.
He whispered, breath warm against my neck, “I’ll talk to my father. He won’t let them lock you up again. I promise. I am going to get you out of here, my Alessia.”
I helped him settle on the bed, my hands shaking almost as badly as his pretended weakness.
“Please rest,” I murmured. “Regain your strength. I will check on you later. I am thankful he allowed me to see you, but I cannot ask more.”
He nodded faintly, gripping my fingers just long enough to make my heart twist once more.
As I left the room and closed the door behind me, a guilt-heavy sigh escaped my lips.
Sage was not impressed.
He’s playing you. How do you not see it? How are you falling for this game, Alessia? You are smarter than that.
“I have to make this right,” I whispered. “I owe him everything. I lied to him and slept with the enemy. You know that, Sage.”
But I didn’t get far before another figure stepped into my path.
Alpha Garren Vale.
Lucien’s father.
His expression was cold enough to frost the hallway walls. I held my breath, expecting a blow as he approached me.
“So,” he sneered, “the little traitor comes crawling out. I am impressed that you have it in you to walk without shame.”
I bowed my head. “Alpha Vale, I…”
“Save your excuses,” he snapped, lips curling. “You humiliated this pack. You embarrassed my son. And now you dare leave your room without permission? Who do you think you are?”
“I wanted to see my friend…”
“You’ll see no one.”
He snatched the phone from my hand before I could react.
I gasped. “Wait…!”
“Lucien ordered me to protect you,” he lied smoothly, pressing buttons I couldn’t see. “And that includes controlling who you contact, who you see, and who you are approached by, and who you speak to in the house.”
A final click.
He tossed the phone back.
Cold. Empty.
Wiped.
Blocked.
Every number gone.
Including Alexander’s.
“I will allow you a five-minute visit,” Alpha Garren said in disdain. “No more. Behave like a Luna, or you’ll be stripped of the title entirely. You don’t even own it, and yet, you are given the right to act like one. Do not think that you can cross the boundary surrounding it.”
He stepped aside. I forced myself to walk past him, my pulse thudding painfully.
Behind me, his voice drifted:
“And Alessia? You should be grateful Lucien still wants you. I would not forgive such filth.”
Sage went silent.
And for the first time since the hotel…
I wondered if maybe I deserved this.
- Writer
