Fated To The Enemy

No escape

Lila woke up with a start, her body stiff and sore from sleeping in an upright position against the cold wall.

The dried tear stains on her cheeks reminded her of the helplessness and frustration she felt.

As she blinked the grogginess from her eyes, adjusting to the darkness of the room, she noticed Avery, still asleep, lying on the floor nearby.

Lila’s heart clenched, seeing Avery there on the floor. Lila felt this situation they now found themselves in together was all her fault.

She tried to reach out to Sara again, but it was like hitting a wall.

Her wolf was still silent. Damn it, she thought, the alcohol and wolfsbane must still be wreaking havoc on her system. She wondered how long it would last.

She turned her attention to the door, desperation growing in her chest. She couldn’t sit here and wait for Derek to come back, not after what happened last night.

With a determined breath, she reached up to her hair, pulling out a bobby pin. Quietly, she crawled over to the door and began fiddling with the lock.

She remembered how she had learnt to jimmy open doors as a part of her warrior training. Every small click felt like progress, even if it was slow.

A soft groan interrupted her focus, and Lila turned to see Avery stirring. “What... what happened?” Avery mumbled, her voice heavy with exhaustion.

Lila sighed, her hand dropping from the lock. “Rowan threw you in here last night. On Derek’s orders.” She hesitated, her voice thickening with emotion. “I’m so sorry, Avery.”

Avery sat up, her eyes filling with tears. “I found him, Lila,” she whispered, her voice breaking. “I found my mate... but he locked me in here. Why would he do that?”

Lila’s heart shattered seeing Avery in so much pain. She scooted closer, wrapping an arm around her. “I don’t know, but we’re going to get out of here, okay?”

But deep down, Lila wasn’t sure. The room was closing in on her, and her mind raced for a plan.

“I feel so weak,” Avery admitted, her body trembling. “I can’t connect with my wolf... it’s like she’s gone.”

Before Lila could respond, the door swung open. Rowan stepped inside, his expression softer than Derek’s but still unreadable.

“I brought you food and drink,” he said, setting down a tray of sandwiches, fruit, and water. His gaze lingered on Avery, concern flickering in his eyes. “You’re not looking so well.”

“Avery needs a healer, Now” Lila said firmly, eyeing Rowan with suspicion. “ I’m not feeling great myself, but she’s in bad shape. Do something, please.”

Rowan nodded, and for a moment was silent as his eyes glazed over. “I’ve just called for one,” he said quietly. “It won’t be long.”

The smell of food filled the small room, and despite her reservations, Lila took a sandwich and handed one to Avery.

As she nibbled on her sandwich she couldn’t help but try to figure out a way to escape. But every possibility led back to the same problem. She couldn’t leave without Avery and she wasn't feeling very strong herself.

“I need to use the bathroom,” Lila said after a while, her stomach unsettled.

Rowan nodded and mindlinked two warriors, who appeared quickly and escorted Lila out.

The hallway was eerily quiet, and she noticed the club’s music had stopped. It must be daytime now, but without windows, it was hard to tell. The silence only added to her disorientation.

As the warriors led her to the bathroom, she forced herself to take in every detail of the surroundings, trying to memorize the layout in case she had a chance to escape later.

But there was nothing that seemed like a viable exit. She took her time in the bathroom, sweeping the room with her eyes, trying to see if she could collect something that she may use later to try to escape.

She noticed a frame with an advertisement in it. breaking the glass, she wrapped it in toilet paper and slid it into her bra. Perhaps she could use it to escape or as a weapon to protect herself.

A warrior tapped on the door and told her to hurry, taking one last sweeping look of the toilets she quickly washed her face with water and walked out.

When she walked back into the room, Rowan had his arm around Avery, comforting her. Lila’s concern deepened as she noticed just how unwell her friend looked. Avery leaned into Rowan, her skin pale and clammy, and Lila’s concern escalated.

Rowan offered Avery a chance to use the bathroom as well. Slowly, with Rowan’s help, Avery made her way out of the room, her steps weak and unsteady. Left alone with the two warriors, Lila pretended to fall asleep, listening intently as they began whispering to each other.

“The wolfsbane knocked her out good,” one of them said, laughing quietly. “She’s one hell of a looker. I bet her fiancee won't be happy that she won't be making it to the wedding” he laughed wickedly.

The other warrior chuckled. “Yeah, and now we have discovered the oil. We will have the money to defeat the Swan pack once and for all. She got lucky Derek has saved her from seeing her pack crumble."

"I heard the land we found the oil on was a gift from the Swan pack years ago for helping them defeat a pack of rogues who had tried to invade. Thats what this blasted war has been over."

They continued, their voices low but clear enough for Lila to hear. “Derek has the oil and the enemy’s daughter. He’s going to win this war, and Victor won't even know what hit him. Can’t believe that i***t Victor thought he could take the land back.”

Lila’s heart sank. Now she understood. The land her father had been so desperate to reclaim was rich with oil.

This war wasn’t about pack honor or territory. It was about greed, and she was just a pawn in it. Still Lila felt sick thinking of what Derek would do to her brother. She had to escape and warn her pack.

Rowan returned with Avery, who looked even more fragile than before. She collapsed onto Lila’s lap, and Lila gently stroked her hair until she fell into a restless sleep.

When she was certain Avery was out, Lila looked up at Rowan, anger simmering beneath her calm facade. “Why are you locking up your mate? Are you going to reject her?” she asked quietly but sharply, her gaze unwavering.

Rowan looked confused, his brows knitting together. “Reject her? Of course not,” he said, almost offended. “Derek would never make me do that.”

Lila huffed, her frustration bubbling over. “Well, Derek plans to reject me, I’m not sure what he is waiting for. Im just his way of winning this stupid war.” She glared at him, but Rowan’s face softened.

“Derek… he’s not as heartless as you think,” Rowan said, though the doubt in his voice was evident. “He just needs time. If you stay patient, he’ll come around. Be sweet, maybe even a little submissive. Derek doesn’t respond well to defiance and attitude.”

Lila’s eyes narrowed. The very idea of being submissive to Derek made her blood boil. She crossed her arms and glared. “I’ll never submit to him.”

Rowan sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. “Just trust me, Lila. I’ll talk to him. I’m going to organize to get you two out of this room soon. But you will need to behave. The guards are outside if you need anything, knock, and they’ll let me know.”

He knelt down, pecking Avery on the cheek before leaving the room. Lila watched him go, a bitter taste in her mouth. Once again, she was left alone in the dark with her thoughts, Avery’s fragile form pressed against her.