Chapter 2
770 Words
-Ava-
“Ava!”
My body tightened with fear. A glass slipped from my hand and crashed against the floor. I quickly leaned down, hurrying to pick up every shard before Zachery saw, but there were too many. His footsteps drew closer, like an approaching attack, making me whimper silently. Another lower-ranking wolf rushed forward to help clean, but an older one quickly grabbed her and pulled her back. I barely registered who they were. My heart was racing, my body trembling.
Zachery stormed into the kitchen, standing over me, eyes blazing.
What had I done?
“What are you doing?” he demanded, his voice sharp.
“I-I-I… dropped something.”
“Why?”
I couldn’t exactly tell him it was because I was terrified of him.
“I-I was preparing your lunch.”
“My lunch?” he echoed, sounding confused, which only made my panic worse.
“Y-Yes?”
“What did I say yesterday?”
The question caught me off guard. I knew he expected an answer immediately, which only made my thoughts turn to mush.
“No straining yourself,” he snapped, answering for me as he strode toward me.
I whimpered, curling in on myself, bracing for punishment, but instead, he grabbed me and lifted me to my feet with ease. I stared up at him, frozen, unsure what to expect. He dragged me around the large kitchen island and forcefully shoved me into a chair, keeping me there with his hands. Zachery looked around. Everyone stood perfectly still, heads bowed.
“Do you not all have jobs to do?” he hissed.
Instantly, they scattered.
“And clean that mess up!”
Someone rushed to do so.
“And make me some food!”
Another obeyed, while I remained trapped in the chair. His grip was tight, though he wasn’t squeezing. My heart pounded as my thoughts spiraled.
“Find something for my mate as well. Fast.”
Dizziness washed over me. Why wouldn’t he let go? Food was placed in front of me, yet he still didn’t release me.
“Water too. And her vitamins.”
Everything happened so quickly. I had never been treated with such luxury, almost, but it didn’t feel caring. It felt terrifying.
Zachery took the pills into his hand and held the glass of water to my lips. “Take them.”
My hands trembled as I obeyed, swallowing the pills and taking a sip. When I tried to lower the glass, he forced it back up, nearly making me choke. I coughed, turning away, but he grabbed my jaw, fingers digging into my cheeks as he forced my mouth open, checking that I had swallowed. Satisfied, he shoved the plate closer.
“Eat. Now. All of it.”
I obeyed again. My stomach protested as I ate too fast and too much. But every time I tried to slow down, he pushed me closer to the food, as if wanting me to choke. Even when only crumbs remained, he made me finish everything. Only then did he pick up his own food. With his free hand, he stroked my hair. I froze. He had never done that before. And in that moment, I realized I would have preferred a slap.
“Well done,” he said calmly. “I’ll check on you this evening to make sure you eat everything again.”
Dread flooded my body. Every meal? This was worse than before. Still, I didn’t let myself tremble until he finally left the room. Then I folded inward, hugging myself tightly. I would never have a moment away from him from now on…
“Luna?”
I looked up to see Cora standing nearby.
“Can I bring you something?”
“Cora, get away!” another wolf snapped.
I glanced behind her and saw her mother. Cora lowered her eyes, sighing.
“I-I’m fine,” I whispered.
She didn’t seem to believe me.
“Maybe some tea?” she offered softly.
“Cora, get away!” her mother barked. “You have other chores.”
She ignored her. “It might help.”
“Cora!”
Her mother slammed her hand against the counter. Cora glanced back, and I followed her gaze, seeing fear and worry mixed with anger on her mother’s face.
“It’s okay,” I whispered.
Cora shook her head as she turned away. “No, it isn’t,” she murmured, clearly thinking I couldn’t hear.
As she left, my thoughts drifted to Rina… and everything we had talked about.
“No,” I whispered to myself. “It isn’t.”
- Writer
