WOLFSBANE
1160 Words
ARIA
I was tied in the darkness, my body battered and bruised, my dress stained with blood.
The wounds on my back throbbed with pain, a constant reminder of the whipping I was enduring for hours now.
Despite the pain, I refused to give in. I refused to reject Alpha Axel like my father wanted.
He was my only hope, my only escape from this cursed family.
The guards had tried everything, starving me, beating me, mocking me, but I held on, bleeding and bruised, refusing to say the words they so desperately wanted to hear.
I had no tears left, I was filled with rage. Just as I thought I couldn’t take it anymore, footsteps echoed outside the dungeon.
Soft at first, then louder. The heavy door creaked open, and a shadow stepped in.
“Ava.”
Her face wore that sly smile that didn't reach her eyes.
“Stop!” she shouted, and the guards immediately stepped back from me, their hands still stained with my blood.
“Leave,” she ordered again.
This time they exchanged glances, one of them daring to speak. “Lady Ava, your da…”
“If you don’t say a word, Dad won’t know anything,” she cut in, lowering her voice just enough.
“Do you want to kill my sister?” she added, the sweet concern in her voice rehearsed.
The guards bowed instantly but at the same time were confused. Still, they obeyed not wanting to get on her bad side.
“I need to heal her,” Ava added with another soft smile, her voice sickeningly gentle.
A bitter laugh tore through my throat. It was a laugh full of pain and anger.
“Proceed!” I snapped at the guards who looked between me and her in disbelief.
“I don’t need your help,” I hissed, glaring up at her.
But Ava wasn’t giving up easily. After all, she is more respected than me.
“Leave. You know how stubborn she can be,” Ava added, as she smiled widely.
She turned to the guards with a nod, and after one last glance, they finally left, slamming the door shut behind them.
Ava moved closer to me now with her steps slow. Her face softened into something pitiful, concerned even.
“Sister, please,” she whispered, reaching out to loosen the chains binding my wrist to the wall. As the metal gave way, my leg hit the ground, and I gasped, air flooding my lungs again. The moment her hand reached for mine, I snapped it,
My fingers clamped around her throat, squeezing until her breath caught.
“Ahh!” she shrieked, her nails digging into my arms. “Let go!” she cried out.
“I knew it,” I snarled, my eyes boring into hers. “You had another plan. You always do.”
Ava’s face twisted in panic, her fake kindness shattering. I wasn’t her helpless sister anymore. I had nothing left to lose, they had broken me.
With the last ounce of strength in me, I slammed Ava's back against the rail of the cell room, making her cough out blood as she screamed out loudly.
"What in the name of heck?" my mum shrieked, rushing towards Ava while my brother stormed towards me, his hands closing around my neck.
They were so fast, just her scream and they were all running in here. I kept slapping at his hands, trying to break free, but he held tight, lifting me off the ground.
I struggled to breathe, my throat tightened by Mason's grip. "How dare you use such force on her, knowing her condition?" g seethed as I wheezed, my vision blurring.
Then Dad's voice boomed through the cell room, "Release her, Mason!"
Immediately, Mason's hands dropped from my neck, and I collapsed to the ground, my butt hitting the cold ground with a loud thud. I coughed, trying to catch my breath.
Dad then turned to Ava, “Why were you here in the first place?” he asked her.
Ava's voice trembled as she spoke, "I am so sorry, Dad. I couldn't watch her being in pain."
( That b***h! We never needed her help.) Zara grumbled.
Dad's expression turned cold, his eyes narrowing at Ava. "You wanted to save someone who wants you dead,"
Ava's eyes welled up with tears, "I am sorry, Dad…. Please be lenient with her." Dad's face twisted in disgust, now directing them at me.
“Three Good hours, and you never reject him. You proved how stubborn and useless you are to this family."
I bit my lip, feeling a stinging feeling as Dad's words cut deep. I watched as Dad's fist clenched.
"So, I will let you go be with Alpha Axel," he announced.
“What!” My family erupted into a chorus of protests, but Dad's expression remained resolute.
(Why do I feel like this isn't going to end well?) Zara murmured, her voice laced with concern.
Dad's eyes glinted with hatred as he moved closer to me. "But recall this... I know how silly you are, so I will make you useless to him." Mum rushed toward him, her arms wrapping around me protectively.
"What are you doing? She's our daughter! She's my pup," Mum cried out, her voice trembling with fear. "I won't watch you hurt her."
Dad's expression turned cold, his eyes flashing with anger. "Mason, take your sister and mother away."
For the first time, I saw Mason's hands tremble as he stared at me, his eyes filled with fear making me wonder what was happening.
"Dad," he called out, but one look from Dad silenced him. "Take them away," Dad ordered, his voice firm.
Guards flooded the cell room, surrounding us. I got scared as Dad's eyes locked onto mine. Was he going to kill me? I thought, my heart racing with anxiety.
Ava cried out along with Mum. "Steve! Hurt my child, and I won't forgive you!”
“Dad, please!" Ava cried out.
But they were all dragged away, leaving Dad and me alone.
"I have always let you go because of your mother and your brothers' love, but you don't seem to be useful to me anymore," Dad asserted, making me confused.
”If you want to collaborate with the one I hate most…” he drew as his claws elongated.
I shifted back, fear etched on my face. "So, you would kill me?" I asked, my voice trembling. Dad smiled, a cold smile on his face.
"Kill? A father can't kill his child... but for this pack and the love I have for you... I will kill your wolf instead."
My eyes widened in horror. "No... kill me instead. Killing my wolf is killing me alive," I cried out, but Dad just smiled.
"Yes, but I won't bury my child..." He moved swiftly, before I could react, and injected me with something.
Wolfsbane.
- Writer
