Bound By Fate, Torn By Lies

CHAPTER3

/ FREYA /

Two days had passed since I gave birth to my babies. I had begged the guards to let me talk to Zarek who had taken one of my babies away. There had to be a reason for his actions but other than that, the twin that was with me was barely hanging on. I was afraid that he wouldn’t make it since the doctors have refused to treat him.

“ Sasha?” I got to my feet once the door creaked open.

“ Ma’am, you shouldn’t be moving too much,” she worried as she shut the door behind her. She sat me down on the bed and scanned me to see how I was doing.

“ I’m a lot better than when I gave birth,” I tried my best to reassure her.

“ I’m glad you’re recovering well,” she sighed in relief. “ And the baby?” She inquired.

“ He’s barely hanging on,” I bit down on my lower lip to stop myself from crying. “ He’s still having difficulty breathing,” I explained further.

“ Take a deep breath,” she placed both hands on my shoulders.

“ Inhale. Exhale,” she directed and I followed her. I felt a lot calmer now.

“ Remember when I promised you yesterday that I’ll find a way to get help?” She tried to jog my memory.

“ Yes, I do,” I nodded my head.

“ It would be impossible to sneak in a doctor or an incubator in here without being caught,” she said.

“ I knew there was no way out,” tears escaped my eyes.

“ Shhh,” she hushed gently as she wiped my tears. “ I can’t say I brought the solution but I did go to a pharmaceutical store to buy an oxygen mask with a portable oxygen bag for the baby,” she brought out the oxygen mask from the food trolley. How did she manage to sneak it in?

“ H-how did you do it?” I stuttered.

“ I told you before that I’m not the only one who thinks you’re being framed so I got help from people who think the same,” she smiled. “ Here, make sure to hide it well. I’ll replace the oxygen bag whenever it finishes,” she handed it over to me.

“ Thank you so much,” I cried without making a noise so as to not attract the attention of the guards in front.

“ I’m just serving you, ma’am. The way I would before you were disposed,” she smiled warmly at me.

“ It must have cost you a lot of money to get this,” I was worried about her.

“ It’s not like it cost a car. Though, I’d be lying to say it was cheap but that’s not what matters. What matters is that we don’t give up on the baby,” she was so encouraging.

“ I promise to pay you back,” I was so moved by her actions.

“ Let’s just focus on your recovery and that of your baby,” she placed her hand over mine.

We placed the oxygen mask over the baby’s nose and mouth and began to pump it slowly. He seemed more relaxed with his breathing made easier. I was grateful for her help because I didn’t want to give up on my baby.

“ Sasha, do you know where my other baby is?” I asked her. I’ve been meaning to ask her this for a while now.

“ No, you said Alpha Zarek came to take the baby right?” She asked as if to be sure.

“ Yes,” I nodded my head.

“ I haven’t seen him with the baby and I’ve tried to ask around in secret but no one seems to know either. Well, it’s either they don’t know or they’re hiding something,” she speculated.

“ Thank you for trying though,” I appreciated the effort she put in.

“ No need to thank me. I’ll try harder and update you,” she assured me. My eyes turned towards the direction of the door, someone was about to come in. I quickly hid the oxygen mask under my bed and Sasha got up to her feet and served my food as the person walked in. It was Ravenna.

“ Oh, you have company,” she giggled. Her words were as slimy as she looked. A confident smile graced her lips as she approached us. I hated her and despised her with every fiber of my being.

“ What are you doing here?” I asked.

“ Don’t be so hostile now,” she cooed as she stood in front of my bed. “ Do you mind giving us some privacy?” She turned to Sasha who looked hesitant to leave me alone with her.

“ Y-yes,” she stuttered before leaving. Once the door was closed shut behind us, Ravenna turned to me.

“ I see your baby’s quite the fighter. He’s still alive even though he hasn’t received any form of treatment whatsoever,” she commented, her words taunting me.

I clenched my fist and grit my teeth. As much as I hated her, I needed answers and I would swallow my pride if it meant that I could get answers from her.

“ Where’s my other son, Ravenna?” I asked.

“ How rude,” she raised a brow. “ How would I know where he is? You’re asking me like I took him,” she scoffed.

“Please, Ravenna,” I croaked, my voice hoarse, “where is he? Where is my other son?”

“ I never thought I’d see you plead with me. You should have done that from the very beginning,” she smiled satisfactorily.

“ So where is he?” I didn’t care if she basked in the glory of me dropping my pride to beg her.

“Oh, Freya,” she purred, her voice dripping with feigned sympathy, “I’m so sorry. He… he didn’t survive.”

The blood drained from my face. “No,” I whispered, my voice shaky. “No, you’re lying.”

Ravenna shook her head sadly. “I wouldn’t lie to you, Freya. Such a fragile little thing. He couldn’t survive.”

“ I don’t believe you!” I screamed and cried.

“ I understand how hurt you must feel right now but what would I gain from lying to you?” She made a point.

“What happened to him?” I demanded, my voice rising in a strangled cry.

“ Well,” she drawled as her voice became quieter, “ you see, after such a heinous act, a cleansing ritual was necessary. To purify the bloodline, you see.”

“ You’re kidding, right?” I chuckled eccentrically. I must have been hearing things.

“ No, I’m not,” she said with a serious and straight face.

“ Who does a cleansing ritual in this day and age?” I doubted her or at least, I wanted to believe that she was lying so bad.

“ You know just as much as I do how traditional Zarek’s family is, right? So as the council,” she reminded me. “ Your son was sacrificed for the cleansing ritual,” she repeated more clearly this time.

I felt bile burning my throat as I began to feel nauseous. Tears streamed down my face, blurring my vision. My heart was completely shattered and it hurt so bad. I couldn’t believe anything she said. How could Zarek do something like that to his own son? Even if he didn’t love me, that was his son!

“No! No! You’re lying! He’s alive! Bring him back!”

Ravenna, unfazed by my outburst, simply smiled and turned to leave. “Perhaps,” she said, her voice rather satisfied, “you should focus on the child you still have. Though, given his condition, I wouldn’t be surprised if he doesn’t survive for long.”

“ You witch!” I cussed.

“ You need to get some rest,” her voice unable to hide how she enjoyed my reaction. “ I’ve said what I wanted to do I’ll be off,” she did a little wave before skipping out the door. I sat on the bed crying as I tried to process everything she had told me.