The surprising
1019 Words
I paced the room, my thoughts a tangled mess. The news of Malvick's wedding was like a dagger to my heart. I had heard rumors, but rumors could be silenced, ignored, dismissed. Now, though, there was no ignoring it. The guards' careless chatter outside the window confirmed everything I refused to believe.
"I heard it's a perfect plan," one guard said, his voice muffled but clear enough to break me.
"Yeah, using the wedding as a distraction to gather intel on her pack is genius," another replied, laughing lightly. "Malvick's sharp, I'll give him that."
My stomach churned, the words echoing in my mind, ripping through the fragile threads holding me together. I leaned against the wall, trembling. Malvick—my Malvick—was using his wedding to betray me and my people.
How could he?
I clutched the letter I'd written earlier, its edges creased from being folded and unfolded countless times. It hadn't mattered how many I’d sent before; Malvick hadn’t answered a single one. He hadn’t even acknowledged me. Still, I had written another, pouring out every ounce of my soul. But now, as my eyes scanned the heartfelt words scrawled in desperation, it felt foolish. Stupid. Pathetic.
I tore the letter in half, then in half again, until the pieces fluttered to the ground like fallen leaves. My chest ached, but the tears wouldn’t come. Not this time. Not when my hurt burned hotter than any sorrow.
"Nika," Aidan's voice broke the silence, dragging me from my thoughts.
I turned to face him, his smirk already clawing at my nerves. He stepped into the room, as arrogant as ever, his predatory gaze raking over me. He enjoyed this—seeing me like this.
"Still sulking, I see," he mocked, leaning against the doorframe. "Not that I blame you. It must sting knowing your beloved Malvick is too busy planning his wedding to care about you."
"Get out," I snapped, my voice shaking despite my effort to sound strong.
"Touchy," he said, his smirk growing. "But come now, Nika. You and I both know that wallowing won't fix anything. You're wasting your energy crying over someone who clearly doesn’t give a damn about you."
I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms. "I said, get out."
"Or what?" Aidan taunted, stepping closer. "You’ll glare me to death? Don’t be so dramatic. This is your reality now, sweetheart. Malvick isn’t coming to save you. No one is."
His words hit their mark, slicing through me like a blade. He was right, and that made it worse. Malvick wasn’t coming. He had left me here to rot while he moved on without so much as a backward glance. But I refused to let Aidan see the full extent of my despair.
"What do you want, Aidan?" I demanded, lifting my chin in defiance.
"Ah, there’s the fire I love to see," he said, circling me like a predator sizing up its prey. "I’ll get straight to the point then. Your time here is running out, Nika. You have two choices. Become my slave, or…" He paused for effect, his grin widening. "Be executed."
I stared at him, my heart pounding. He couldn’t be serious. He wouldn’t dare.
"You’re bluffing," I said, though my voice lacked the conviction I wanted.
"Am I?" Aidan said, his tone light, almost casual. "Think about it. You’re a liability. If you’re not useful, what purpose do you serve? Malvick clearly doesn’t care what happens to you, so why should anyone else?"
My breath caught in my throat, but I refused to let him see my fear. "You're disgusting," I spat. "You think I'll beg for my life? That I’ll grovel at your feet? You don’t know me."
"No," he agreed, tilting his head thoughtfully. "But I know desperation. And you, my dear, reek of it."
He moved closer, his voice lowering. "You have until tomorrow to decide. Serve me, or die. It’s really that simple."
I laughed bitterly, the sound surprising even me. "You think I’d choose slavery? You think I’d give you the satisfaction of breaking me?"
"You’d be surprised what people will do to stay alive," Aidan said with a shrug. "But if you’re so determined to be stubborn, who am I to stop you?"
I stepped forward, closing the distance between us. "Then let me make this easy for you. I choose death."
Aidan’s smirk faltered, his confident façade cracking ever so slightly. "What?"
"You heard me," I said, my voice steady now, every word laced with defiance. "If those are my only options, then I’d rather die. Better to face death with dignity than to live as your puppet."
He stared at me, his expression unreadable for a moment. Then he chuckled, the sound low and humorless. "You’re serious."
"As serious as you were when you thought I’d kneel for you," I said, crossing my arms. "Go ahead, Aidan. Kill me. Or are you all talk?"
His eyes narrowed, and for the first time, I saw a flicker of uncertainty. He hadn’t expected this. He’d thought he could break me, that I’d cower under his threats. But I wouldn’t. Not now. Not ever.
"You’re more foolish than I thought," he said finally, his tone colder now. "Fine. If death is what you want, who am I to deny you? But don’t expect me to make it quick. You’ll regret this, Nika. I’ll make sure of it."
"Do whatever you want," I said, my voice unwavering. "You’ll never have my submission."
For a moment, we stood there, locked in a silent battle of wills. Then Aidan turned sharply on his heel and left, slamming the door behind him.
As the echoes of his footsteps faded, I let out a shaky breath, my knees threatening to buckle. I had stood my ground, but the reality of my choice settled heavily on my shoulders. Death. I had chosen death.
And yet, for the first time in days, I felt a strange sense of peace. If this was the end, then so be it. I would face it on my terms.
- Writer
