Mated to a Vampire

Chapter four

OLIVIA.

I let out a weary sigh as I surveyed my new confinement. Admittedly, it appeared to be an improvement from my previous cell, cleaner and more presentable, but it offered no solace whatsoever.

Well, at least it didn't reek of human blood.

Another sigh escaped my lips, the feeling of having leaped from bad to worse consuming me. I shook my head, scoffing at the mere notion. It wasn't just a feeling. I couldn't even fathom the extent of what these werewolves would do to me. With the vervain restraining me, I couldn't even attempt to fight back.

Distinguishing between vervain and silver was a futile endeavor. However, if I had to choose, vervain was undoubtedly the worse of the two. It drained the body of blood, causing a vampire's blood to boil from within until the sensation of impending explosion overwhelmed them. It was a form of torture, akin to experiencing death repeatedly. Fortunately, it didn't bring about death itself, but I dare say it was worse than death.

Silver, on the other hand, inflicted searing pain upon the skin. It served as an effective torture method for both vampires and werewolves alike.

I bit my bottom lip, feeling my body tremble uncontrollably. Sliding my back against the wall, I eventually found myself seated on the cold floor. Weakness engulfed me as I hadn't consumed any blood. They had even confiscated my bag, leaving me with no means of sustenance, and naturally, these werewolves had no intention of feeding me.

The absence of blood to drink was already a death sentence in itself. I knew that if a vampire was deprived of blood, they would gradually wither away until their body turned to lifeless weight, drained of every last drop of blood, until they met their demise. It was a slow and excruciating death, the worst fate imaginable.

Is this how I'm going to die?

Abruptly, the prison bars swung open, jolting me into an upright position as shock coursed through my veins. Without warning, the man seized hold of my clothing, forcefully slamming my back against the wall, eliciting a pained yelp from me.

"What did you do to me?!" he bellowed, his voice dripping with anger. "Answer me! WHAT DID YOU DO TO ME?!" he shouted, his aggression evident as he rammed my back against the wall once more.

I could only struggle weakly, my body lacking strength. I had no idea what he was accusing me of. "Please, let me go," I pleaded feebly.

Just then, someone intervened, pulling him away from me, causing me to collapse to the floor due to my trembling knees.

"What do you think you're doing?" I recognized the voice instantly—it was the alpha.

Gasping for breath, I struggled to regain composure, finding it difficult to calm my racing heart. I glanced up and saw the alpha confronting the aggressor who had attacked me so ferociously.

"She did something to me, Alpha. I can't heal. My wounds refuse to close," the attacker explained.

The alpha regarded me with a perplexed expression, then turned his attention back to the assailant. "Have you sought treatment in the pack infirmary?" he inquired.

The attacker shook his head. "No."

"Then go and have it checked. Find out why your wounds aren't healing," the alpha ordered.

The attacker nodded, then departed from the scene.

The alpha approached me, and I instinctively recoiled, my back pressing against the wall. "I – I didn't do anything to him, I swear," I stammered, consumed by fear.

He crouched down, his gaze intensely focused on me for a brief moment. It felt unnerving, yet strangely familiar.

"I can see you're thirsty, or should I say hungry," he remarked, his voice laced with an unusual hint of concern. "You appear as if you're on the brink of death."

I lowered my head, perplexed by his apparent care or mockery. Perhaps they had never witnessed a vampire on the verge of perishing from starvation.

His gaze shifted towards the bars and the werewolf guard standing nearby. "Throw it," he commanded.

The werewolf nodded and tossed a bag containing blood, which the alpha deftly caught.

My brows furrowed as I observed the bag, then I shifted my gaze to him, curious about his intentions. Suddenly, he thrust it towards me. "Drink," he commanded.

Confusion etched across my face as I frowned at him. "Why?"

"Do you wish to starve?" he retorted.

"Why does it matter to you?" I challenged him. "I am a vampire, remember?"

He chuckled deeply, his amusement evident. "You should be grateful that I'm even attempting to show generosity towards you, vampire. If you want to survive, then drink."

Shaking my head, I pushed the bag away, weary of its scent. "Thank you for your generosity, but I do not consume human blood."

He furrowed his brows in confusion, then scoffed dismissively. "What on earth are you saying?"

"I do not consume human blood. I have never consumed human blood," I clarified truthfully.

"But you're a vampire. A blood-sucking demon," he sneered, disgust evident in his voice.

"Well, I do not suck blood," I retorted with a hint of sass. "I sustain myself on animal blood," I revealed.

His confusion was palpable, evident in his contemplative expression. "Oh," he uttered, still trying to grasp the concept.

"I have numerous questions for you, but first, why did you enter my territory?" he inquired.

I sighed, realizing that I would have to provide an answer. "I—I was fleeing from my clan, that's why."

"And why is that?"

"It's a lengthy story. I've been confined there for as long as I can remember. I managed to escape recently, and I honestly had no knowledge of entering your territory. Please, have mercy and let me go. I implore you to understand my situation," I pleaded, hoping he would empathize with me.

"You were imprisoned?" he echoed, as if fixated on that particular detail.

I nodded earnestly. "Yes, my entire life, ever since I refused to consume human blood. My father deemed me a disgrace and locked me away. I survive solely on animal blood, I swear it to be true," I explained, hoping to convey my sincerity.

He blinked, rising from his position. "Um, what type of animal blood do you prefer then? Do you have a specific preference?" he inquired, a glimmer of curiosity in his eyes.

I looked up at him, puzzled by his interest but still answered, "Yes, deer blood."

He studied me for a moment before turning away, walking off without uttering another word. My heart sank, unsure of what his actions or silence meant.