(Zorya)
(Sensitive content ahead, read with caution)
She seemed to have immensely angered him.
“Oh!
Come now.
She is just a new toy, and you know how Shade can be.” She whined like a child.
Shade?
Was that his name?
It seemed more like a nickname.
“How many times have I told you that my playthings are not yours to be used?
Don’t you already have enough slaves?” Caliath disappointedly said to his sister.
“As if you lack them?
I wanted some fun,” she cooed.
“She is off-limits.
I spent a hefty amount on buying her.” He leaned back, letting go of my hair, but not before spreading it on his lap like a silver napkin.
“Huh!
You can make that amount in a single day.
You are no fun, brother,” she continued to protest, and I stole a glance at her.
A pout had come to rest on her lips.
“Canara!” He sternly said with such finality that I flinched.
“Fineeee, I will spare her.
Happy.”
His fingers gently and possessively grazed my hair in his lap, and yet his touch terrified me.
“Learn to get Shade under control.
It’s bad for business.
The tournament is starting, and we need him in the best shape,” he told his sister.
What tournament?
Some fighting madness…
“I know, I know.
He is the representative of our Pack,” she lazily answered.
“If you are unable to control him.
I will have to bring my own warrior, Cana.” His cold fingers grazed against my neck, sending shudders of terror running down my spine.
“And we both know that would disrupt our unity.
Our enemies and other Alphas would talk.”
It seemed like both siblings were close, and he cared about her like an elder brother, but most importantly, he valued his reputation.
“Shade will be ready.
I am going to check up on him in The Clinic.” I heard the shuffling of her dress and clicking of glass as she placed it down on the glass table and stood up.
Don’t hurt him….
The clicking of the door closing and slipping of his invasive hands inside my gown told me she was gone.
His touch repulsed and sickened me to my core.
The desire to vanish captured my wounded heart, making it twist against my chest.
His fingers crawled like disgusting maggots against my skin.
“The fighting tournament is starting.
Alphas from renowned packs will be attending it.
I want you on your best behaviour.
Understood?” His fingers hooked under the straps of my gown.
“Yes, master.” It was difficult to keep the revulsion from my voice.
He hummed, sounding a tad pleased.
“Stay by my side and don’t embarrass me in front of them,” he commanded, making me slowly nod.
“Last time I was a tad overexcited with you.
Why don’t we take it slow today?” His grating voice made me wince.
Overexcited?
You raped me, you asshole.
Leave it to a man to sugarcoat even the rape.
My gown slipped from my shoulders, gathering against my waist, exposing my breasts to him.
The coldness of this hellish room sent a shiver creeping through me.
Before my arms could move to cover myself, he grasped my intent and sternly commanded.
“Don’t dare to hide yourself from me.” His hand fisted in my hair again, elevating my head so I stared into his gluttonous eyes.
Only lust and a desire to hurt me resided there.
I shivered under his nauseating touch, wanting to be anywhere but there.
His thumb rubbed against my lips, urging me to open.
“Don’t even think about biting.” His thumb slithered inside my mouth, almost making me choke.
“Today, I am going to fuck your pretty mouth.”
I detached myself, my mind, my heart and body.
The only way I was going to survive his abuse again.
Resisting him, begging him or crying edged him on to hurt me more; I learnt that the hard way last time.
I couldn’t even move for days, maybe weeks, after his cruelty the last time.
I wanted to survive and escape this place someday.
For that, I needed to be smart.
Shifters fed off fear and dread of their victims.
I had to lock away my emotions; I couldn’t give him this satisfaction, and at the same time I couldn’t let him hurt me more than he already was going to.
I tried; I don’t know how many of my emotions seeped out and how many didn’t.
How much of my act did he buy, or did he hurt me less than before?
His smirking face was etched in my mind like a portrait of pure terror.
My body was broken again.
The soft skin of my throat peeled off, bleeding, making it difficult for me to eat or even drink.
Ewera took me to my room.
She and Ashlia cared for me, feeding and treating me, mostly through IV fluids.
No judgement and faint smiles.
I thought I could survive him, his abuse, his endless appetite to consume me.
Maybe I couldn’t, and I would die here, in this shit hole.
“Hey, What’s your favourite food?” One day Ashlia curiously asked, softly brushing my hair with a hairbrush.
I had no desire to speak.
My mind was a mess of horrors I had been through.
“Talking helps.
It keeps you going,” she gently said, but the sad undertone told me she spoke from experience.
“Pad Thai.
My sister used to make the best one, before….” My voice broke.
Before they burnt her alive.
Tears dropped on my cheeks.
My body shook.
Ashlia hugged me from behind.
Her warm embrace spoke volumes without her having to.
“Shhh!
You are not alone.” Her voice dropped even lower.
“They are listening; don’t give them the reason to break you more.
I know it’s not easy, but you are a survivor.
Anyone coming out of his chamber alive is a survivor.”
I leaned into her assuring touch, letting her know I understood.
My tears soon dried but for how long?
The emotional wounds he had given me will never fade.
(I know these chapters are difficult to read but hang in there and trust me.)