BONDBREAKER

Chapter two:Caged

Chapter 2: Caged

Judith's POV

The guards escort me to a room in the Alpha mansion and tell me not to leave, which is polite language for imprisonment. The room is nicer than anywhere I have ever stayed with soft carpets and a real bed, but the locked door makes it a cage. Through the thick walls I can hear raised voices as Franklin and the pack council argue about what to do with me, and I press my ear against the wood trying to understand words that will decide my fate.

Matthew's voice is calm and reasonable as he suggests studying my power before making hasty decisions, but Robert argues loudly that I am a threat who destroyed a sacred bond and should be exiled or worse. Nicholas agrees with Robert and suggests that maybe I should be forced to restore the bond I broke, but Claire's voice cuts in sharp and angry, reminding them that they know nothing about how my power works. The argument goes in circles and I pull away from the door, my hands still tingling with residual energy that I do not understand.

Benjamin is pacing outside my door, I can hear his footsteps and angry muttering, and every few minutes he argues with the guards about being allowed inside. His father has ordered him to stay away until the council decides my fate, but Benjamin's voice gets more demanding each time and I huddle on the bed wishing I could disappear. I broke his bond to Sandra but instead of hating me, he seems obsessed in a way that terrifies me more than Franklin's rage.

Eden finally convinces the guards to let her bring me food, and she slips inside with Stephen close behind her, his face grim with worry. Eden wraps me in a hug and I almost cry because her warmth is the first kind thing since the ceremony turned into a nightmare. She tells me that Sandra is physically fine but emotionally devastated, crying in her room and refusing to speak to anyone, and guilt twists my stomach because I never wanted to hurt her. Stephen explains quietly that the pack is divided, with some calling me cursed and others afraid of what I represent, and that I need to be very careful about what I say and do.

Before Eden can tell me more, Benjamin bursts through the door despite the guards' protests, and his presence fills the small room with barely controlled energy. Stephen moves protectively between us but Benjamin waves him off impatiently, his eyes locked on mine with unsettling intensity. He tells Eden and Stephen to leave and his voice has the Alpha command that makes it nearly impossible to disobey, but Eden squeezes my hand before going and whispers that she will fight for me.

When we are alone, Benjamin moves closer and I press back against the wall because I do not like the way he is looking at me. He starts talking rapidly about fate and destiny, insisting that I broke his bond to Sandra because we are true mates, that some deeper magic guided my power to free him for me. His words make no sense and I try to explain that I did not mean to break anything, that I do not want any mate, but he is not listening. He tells me that every wolf is destined for a mate and that my power proves we belong together, and I realize with horror that he has built an entire fantasy in his head where I am his reward.

I gather my courage and tell him plainly that I have never felt the mate pull, that I am different from other wolves, that I do not want a bond with him or anyone. Benjamin's expression shifts from certainty to confusion and then to something that looks like determination, and he says I am just scared or confused, that every wolf wants their mate deep down. The way he dismisses my words makes anger rise through my fear and I tell him that he does not get to decide what I want, but he reaches out to touch my face and I flinch away.

The rejection seems to frustrate him and his jaw clenches, but before he can respond, Franklin's voice booms through the mansion calling for Benjamin to attend the council decision. Benjamin tells me that this is not over and that he will protect me, but his version of protection feels like another cage. He leaves and I am alone again with my racing thoughts, trying to understand how breaking a bond has somehow trapped me more thoroughly than I was before.

Hours pass and the sun sets, and finally Franklin himself comes to my room with Matthew and Robert behind him. The Alpha's face is hard as he announces that I will remain in the pack under Benjamin's direct supervision until my power is understood, and that I am forbidden from leaving the mansion without explicit permission. Matthew adds more gently that this is for my own protection because word of what I did is spreading, but I understand the truth beneath the careful words.

I am a prisoner and Benjamin is my jailer, and the pack has decided that keeping me controlled is more important than my freedom or my choices. Franklin leaves but Matthew lingers, and his expression is troubled as he tells me quietly that he will do what he can to protect me, but that I should consider accepting Benjamin's interest because refusing the Alpha's son will make my situation much harder. The casual way he suggests I submit to keep myself safe makes me want to scream, but I just nod because what choice do I have.

That night I lie awake in the expensive bed that feels like a cage, and through the door I can hear Benjamin taking up position in the hallway like a guard or a stalker. My power is quiet now but I can feel it inside me like a sleeping beast, and I wonder if breaking bonds is the only thing I can do or if there is more I do not understand. Sandra's tears haunt me and Benjamin's obsession terrifies me, and I know that whatever happens next, the quiet invisible life I built is gone forever.

The mansion settles into silence except for Benjamin's restless pacing, and I close my eyes and wish desperately that I could undo everything and go back to being nobody.

But I know that is impossible now.