Shatter Me

Chapter 3

"Chapter 3: The Spark of Rebellion

Luna’s heart pounded in her chest as the torchlight flickered from the crack beneath her cell door. The hours in the dungeon had stretched into what felt like days, her mind spinning with plans and possibilities. She had always known she was destined for more than the life she had lived as Zane’s mate. But now, the weight of betrayal had pushed her to a point of no return. Escape was no longer a question—it was a necessity.

The quiet, suffocating darkness of the cell seemed to mock her resolve. But with every passing moment, Luna could feel the power within her growing stronger. The wolfbane still coursed through her veins, dulling her senses, but it couldn’t extinguish the fire that was kindling inside. It was as if the rejection had unlocked a force within her, one that had lain dormant for too long.

She placed her hand against the stone wall again, feeling its cold, rough surface beneath her fingers. The chains on her wrists, though unyielding, no longer felt like an impenetrable barrier. They were a symbol of her captivity, yes, but not her defeat.

""I’m not broken,"" Luna whispered to herself again, her voice steady. ""I’m just... waiting.""

There was a sudden sound outside her cell, the faintest scuff of boots against the stone. Luna stiffened, her pulse quickening. She stood still, listening, holding her breath. Then she heard it—a quiet scraping sound, followed by the creak of the door handle.

The door opened just a crack, and a shadow slipped inside.

Luna’s eyes flickered toward the figure, her breath catching in her throat. ""Who’s there?"" Her voice was barely a whisper, but it was enough to stir the stranger in the doorway.

A low chuckle answered her. ""I’m not here to hurt you.""

The man stepped fully into the light, revealing himself to be one of the guards—but not the ones who had tossed her into this cell. His eyes were a soft brown, warm but filled with something unreadable. His posture was relaxed, yet there was a tension to him, like a coiled spring waiting to be released.

""Then why are you here?"" Luna demanded, stepping back slightly, her mind racing. She didn’t trust anyone here, least of all a guard.

He tilted his head slightly, sizing her up. ""Let’s just say... I’m a friend."" His voice was calm, his words measured. ""I’ve been watching you.""

Luna narrowed her eyes, her instincts telling her to remain cautious. ""Watching me? What for?""

He stepped closer to her, his eyes flickering with something she couldn’t quite place. ""Because I know you’re not the docile Luna they think you are.""

Her pulse quickened, her stomach twisting in a mix of surprise and suspicion. ""What are you talking about?""

He held out a small key, his fingers gripping it with a knowing look. ""I’m not the only one who’s been watching you, Luna. There are others—those who’ve been betrayed by their packs. I’m one of them. And we need you.""

The key. The possibility of escape. Luna felt her breath hitch in her throat. But her caution still held firm. ""Why would you help me?"" she asked, her voice soft but firm. ""You’re still a guard. You still serve Zane.""

He smiled, but there was no humor in it. ""Not anymore. Zane’s rule is crumbling. And I’ve seen enough to know he’s not the Alpha he claims to be. I’ve been with the rebels, Luna. I’ve heard their cause.""

Luna’s eyes widened at the mention of the rebels. The ones who had been cast out, betrayed by their own kind. The ones she had always heard whispers of, the ones who had never bowed to the corrupted power of Alphas like Zane.

""The rebels?"" she whispered, her heart quickening. ""They’re real?""

He nodded. ""More than you think. And they need someone like you. Someone who’s been through the same betrayal. Someone who can lead them.""

A spark of hope flickered inside Luna. The chains that had held her captive for so long now felt like they could be broken. But a deep unease settled in her chest, too. ""I don’t know if I can lead anyone,"" she admitted, her voice quiet. ""I don’t even know where to begin.""

The man stepped closer, his gaze never leaving hers. ""You already have what it takes, Luna. Your power... It’s something different. I can feel it. And the rebels? They’ll follow you. But you need to get out of here first.""

Luna’s mind raced, thoughts tumbling over one another. Her powers—her visions, her ability to see beyond the present—had always been a mystery to her. And yet, standing here in this cold cell, she felt something stirring within her, something ancient and deep.

""How do you know all of this?"" Luna asked, a hint of skepticism creeping into her tone. ""How do you know I can help them?""

He didn’t answer right away. Instead, he took a step back, his eyes scanning the dark corners of the cell. ""There’s more at play here than you realize. Zane’s betrayal isn’t just a personal matter. It’s part of something larger, something that threatens the very future of the werewolves.""

Luna’s mind reeled. She had felt the weight of the world pressing down on her from the moment Zane had rejected her, but this? This was different. ""What are you saying?"" she asked, a mixture of confusion and curiosity tightening her chest.

The man met her gaze, his expression serious. ""I’m saying that your powers, Luna—your ability to see what others can’t—they’re the key to stopping what’s coming. But you have to get out of here first. And once you do, the rest will follow.""

A long silence stretched between them, heavy with the gravity of his words. Luna’s heart hammered in her chest as she looked at the key in his hand. She could feel the weight of the decision pressing on her. Could she really leave? Could she trust this stranger who claimed to be one of the rebels? Could she truly fight back against the pack that had broken her?

The answer came to her in the stillness of the dungeon. She had already made her choice. The moment she had rejected Zane, she had already sealed her fate.

""How?"" she asked, her voice steady, a spark of determination lighting her eyes.

The man smiled, his expression softening. ""Follow me.""

Luna felt the cool metal of the key in her palm as he unlocked her cell. The chains that had bound her for so long fell to the floor with a resounding clink. She stepped forward, her heart pounding in her chest, the uncertainty of what lay ahead mingling with the undeniable fire that now burned within her.

This was just the beginning.

And she was ready."