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1792 Words
“The number you are trying to call is not reachable…” Tasha disconnected the call before the disembodied voice could finish.
Three days.
It's been three freaking days but no words from him. Her stomach twist with nerves. If only Adam will pick, perhaps he can be able to convince her parents.
But it's been three days and not only was she unable to reach him, he didn't even make an effort to contact her.
She clenched her fist to stop her hands from trembling, She tried retailing again, but her hands slick with sweat, made the phone slippery.
With a ragged scream, Tasha hurled the phone against the wall. It shattered as it hit the wall, scattering across the floor in pieces.
Sinking to her knees, she let out another gut wrenching sobs as she curled into herself.
"Adam… why? Why?" she choked. "Please… don’t abandon me."
Her voice broke on the last word.
She had been locked in this room for three days. Three days of hearing the whispers beyond her door. Three days of refusing the food brought to her, screaming at anyone who dared enter. Three days of waiting for Adam to answer—to prove he still cared.
But nothing had changed. In fact, today was the D-day.
The door creaked open, but Tasha didn’t bother looking up. She already knew who it was. Luna Sylvia. She was the only person that bothered to check on her.
Sylvia’s heels clicked against the floor as she hurried to Tasha’s trembling form on the carpeted floor.
"Oh dear," she murmured, kneeling down to her height. "You’ll waste away if you keep this up, my dear."
Tasha barely registered her words. She was too weak, her body too drained from hunger and crying. She hadn’t even changed out of her nightwear, her hair an unkempt mess, her cheeks hollowed from starvation.
She felt a gentle touch against her arm. Then, the warmth of a spoon pressing against her lips.
"Eat, darling," Sylvia coaxed, feeding her. “You'll need your strength.”
“Why mother… I have nothing left.” Tasha croaked.
“Don't ever say that again. You have everything to live for. Survive and be strong, that's the only way you’ll get back at those that wronged you. “
Tasha’s dried lips parted slightly as Sylvia slipped the spoon inside. It was warm, comforting—yet it felt like swallowing glass. She forced herself to take another bite, only because it was Sylvia. The only person who still care.
"Did… did you talk to Father?" Tasha asked after a couple of bite. To which Sylvia exhaled, putting down the spoon. She smoothed Tasha’s matted hair, her touch delicate. "I tried, my love. But you know how stubborn he is."
Tasha’s lips quivered,"Then… then what now?" Her voice shook. "What’s going to happen to me?"
Sylvia gave her a sympathetic look before saying softly, "I made a promise. I will get you mated to someone decent."
Tasha’s stomach twist, the food she swallowed lurching in her stomach. She tried to yank herself free but Sylvia held her down.
No…" she whispered, shaking her head violently. "No, no, no, please—mother, you promised! I don't want to be bounded."
But Sylvia only looked at her with quiet sorrow.
Tasha’s screams turned to sobs as she pushed kicked the bowl away, shoving it off the tray. The food splattered against the floor, but she didn’t care. "I won’t do it! I won’t!"
Sylvia stood. "I told you, Tasha. That's the best i can do."
And with that, she left.
Tasha barely had time to process the devastation before the door slammed open again.
This time, it wasn’t Sylvia.
It was Mrs. Watts.
The etiquette teacher strode in with an expression of steel, flanked by two elder women and two female warriors.
The sight of them sent a jolt of terror through Tasha’s veins.
Her body moved before her mind could catch up. She bolted toward the door, her limbs sluggish but fueled by raw panic. "No—NO!"
But the warriors were faster.
A strong hand snatched her wrist, twisting it behind her back. Another arm wrapped around her waist, lifting her off the ground.
"LET ME GO!" she shrieked, thrashing with all the strength she had left.
The warriors threw her onto the bed without remorse.
She landed on her stomach with a muffled sob, struggling to push herself up. But hands pinned her down, one of them gripping the back of her neck, keeping her in place.
“MOTHER!" she screamed, her voice breaking. "MOTHER, HELP ME!"
But she heard nothing but the sound footsteps retreating, and Tasha knew—Sylvia had left her.
Her screams turned desperate. "Please! Please don’t do this!"
But Mrs. Watts only smiled, all teeth peering down at her. "It is time."
Tasha gasped as cold ink touched her back.
The ritual had begun.
A sharp pain seared through her skin as the elders carved the runes into her flesh. It was excruciating, like molten fire being branded into her very soul. The forced bond. The process involves tattooing marks along with her intended’s names on her back, the bond settling in place once it was finished. Not even rejection can free one of it. Unless of course the other person rejected her.
Tasha let out painful screams, her body convulsing as the magic of the binding spell seeped into her.
But it wasn’t over.
The final step—the worst part—was yet to come.
One of the elders pressed a claw against the fresh runes, tracing the name of her mate. The name she could never reject.
Tasha’s vision blurred. The pain was unbearable, like her soul was being ripped apart and forged anew against her will.
Her body arched off the bed as an agonized, inhuman scream tore from her lips.
And then— Everything went dark.
___
Tasha’s eyelids fluttered open after what felt like a lifetime.
The room looked strange, holding a faint smell of fresh roses. The room was modest—nothing like the extravagant chambers she was used to—but it was clean. The soft sheets beneath her carried the scent of freshly washed linen, and scattered across the bed were delicate red petals.
This isn't right.
Glancing down at herself, she realised she had been bathed, dressed—prepared like a bride.
Tasha shot upright, a sharp pain shooting from her back. It was a dull ache, not as searing as before, but enough to remind her of what had been done.
And worse—she could feel it.
A faint presence in her mind, lingering, permanent. The bond.
A wave of nausea rolled over her.
“I need to get out.”
Heart pounding, she rushed to the door and twisted the handle.
But to her dismay, it was locked.
But Tasha didnt let that deter her. Spinning around, she head towards the windows. But even after clawing and searching for a latch—it remained shut.
“I need to leave.” Tasha repeated, pacing around the room for anything that will help her break the windows. I only needs to find the source of the video and expose the culprit to clear my name, and my father will accept me back. Adam will accept me again. Yes, that's what I needed …”
She froze midstep… but she's already bonded, she will need to get rid of it. Right now she can only feel the present faintly, but by tomorrow, the feelings will increase and she won't be able to live without him… at that thought, she shuddered.
No. Hell no. He'll have to reject her before that happens. She'll make sure of it.
In the middle of her mental breakdown, the sounds of the front door opening stopped her in her tracks.
He's here. As if to confirm that, something within her shifted, straining faintly.
Tasha gasped. “Did..did I just sensed his presence? And why the blood Hell is my heart beating?”
Footsteps steps continued heading towards her.
“Oh hell no. Nope.” She isn't ready to meet him! Glancing around, she searched for anything to arms herself. Nothing was available apart from the dim lamp by the bedside, she yanked it, disconnecting it from the socket and plunging the room in darkness. But that's alright, that only means he'll not see her let alone defend himself by the time she smack the lamp on his head.
Tasha huddled in a corner waiting for his arrival.
Closer…
Anytime now…
And… nothing.
The footsteps walked pass her room and open another door down the hallways. Tasha let out a breath she didn’t know she was holding.
“Not letting my guard down though.” She whispered, adjusting her her position on the floor and waiting for when ever he decides to pay her a visit.
But sleep took her away first.
…
The clatter of the lamp hitting the floor jolted her awake.
“WHO'S THERE!” She swung around groggily trying to chase away the sleep from her eyes.
Sunlight streamed in through the windows adjusting her sight.
It was morning.
Tasha blinked, momentarily disoriented. The room remained the same, and more importantly—her mate had not come for her.
Good.
Her chance to escape.
Bolting upright, she darted to the door and twisted the handle.
It turned. Unlocked!
“Why was it unlocked?” Tasha peered out cautiously. Did that ashhat came while she was asleep? Something smells fishy.
Walking on her tiptoes, Tasha walked into the hallway clutching her lamp. The house remains quiet, which had her believing she was alone.
She reached the front door and dropped the lamp, fumbling with the doorknob. It refused to open, she didn't know whether it was her clumsiness or it was locked.
Suddenly, a chill ran down her spine and the wretched bond strained again.
Goosebumps erupted on her skin as she felt eyes on her back. Glancing over her shoulders, Tasha yelped, turning around sharply and clutching her heart.
There, standing at the hallway entrance was a man.
A naked man.
Broad shouldered, toned and fresh out of the shower. Water dripped down his sculpted abs, following the sharp lines of his V-cut before disappearing into the low-hanging towel wrapped around his waist.
But that wasn’t what had her breath caught in her throat.
No.
It was his eyes.
Mismatched—one a piercing blue, the other a haunting green.
Eyes she knew. Eyes she could never forget.
“Y… you!”
Her brain short-circuited, failing to process what she was seeing.
Tasha’s vision tilted, her knees buckled.
And then— Everything went black.
- Writer
