(Zorya)
He didn’t wake up from my touch.
They must have given him sedatives so he could sleep peacefully and heal.
I stared at his placid face, smooth like the glassy surface of a mountain lake with no ripples.
At least he was at peace while sleeping.
I placed my hand on his bandaged chest and gently rubbed it.
“I hope you are not in pain,” I whispered under my breath.
Even imagining him in agony hurt my heart.
The door opened, and I didn’t pull my hand back, knowing it must be Ashlia checking up.
She walked over to me and handed me a note.
Accepting it, I read.
“He is fine.
Come with me to the bathroom.” I pulled my other hand from Xalik’s chest and faced her.
Worries ran deep on her face.
Quickly, I grabbed her hand and took her towards the bathroom.
There were no microphones or cameras in the bathroom, so she wanted to speak freely to me.
Closing the door, I leaned against it.
“I am only looking out for you.
You know that,” Ashlia said with concern, lacing her voice.
I nodded.
“I know.”
“You should return and stop worrying about him so much.
Attachments in this place will only get you in trouble.” She stepped forward and placed her hands on my shoulders.
Agitation in my heart grew.
I had to tell her.
I snatched in a much needed breath before beginning.
“There is a reason that I can’t keep myself detached from him.
He saved my life, or Canara’s men would have gang raped me, most probably killed me and disposed of my body.
He let himself be used so she would spare me.”
Tears burnt the back of my eyes; my words choked my throat.
Ashlia’s eyes widened in shock.
“I didn’t know…I understand your feelings.” She placed her hand on her heart.
“But this is trauma bonding.
Remember, he is not a free man, nor are you.”
I shook my head.
“I can’t help it.
He is the only peace I find after all the abuse I go through.
Please…” my voice broke; tears slipped out of my eyes. This story is hosted at g.com.
Ashlia desperately hugged me.
“I understand your pain.
I do, but I also want you to survive.” Her hands rubbed my back.
“But I am here for you.
If he brings you even a shard of happiness.
I will support you.”
We separated, and I wiped the tears from my face.
My heart eased that I wasn’t alone in this anymore.
Someone had my back, and I didn’t have to pretend all the time.
“But you should return before Caliath finds you missing and comes looking.”
She helped me clean my face and tidy up.
We exited the bathroom, and quietly I left the Clinic.
Jazian found me on my way back.
“Alpha is asking for you.
Where have you been?” He sternly asked, making my heart tremble.
“The only bathroom I knew was one inside The Clinic, so it took me some time.”
He grabbed my arm, dragging me along.
“You are lucky Alpha is in a good mood, or he will break your legs for keeping him waiting.” He took me back to the pit where the second semi-final was underway.
He brought me to Caliath, who was busy conversing with another Alpha with golden hair.
He gestured towards me to resume my place, his cunning eyes taking me in although he spoke to the other male.
My eyes wandered towards the cage where Madric, the reigning champion, was mercilessly beating the other warrior.
I still remembered how brutally he had killed that innocent girl last night.
He was a monster, not a victim.
When he snapped the neck of his opponent, the Alpha beside Caliath sprang from his seat in excitement and cheered.
Madric turned towards him and bowed.
He was Madric’s Alpha.
“Congratulations on making it to the finals, Alpha Kalin,” Caliath said, shaking his hand.
“Thank you!
It’s time to celebrate properly.
Let’s open the Red Room,” Kalin suggested, and a shit-eating grin spread across Caliath’s thin lips.
What in the hell was a Red Room?
What unholy sinful activities took place there?
“Congratulations, Alpha Kalin.
Madric made it to the second final in a row,” Canara’s fakely sweet voice sounded from beside me.
Madric is a werewolf,” he pointedly said to Canara.
Her feigned smile wavered.
The slim champagne flute she held in her hand, she passed it over to the personal sentinel behind her.
“We will see about that, Alpha Kalin.
You are taking Shade lightly.”
Kalin’s lips mischievously curved to the side.
“Am I?”
“Let tomorrow decide the outcome.
For now, we are going to open the red room.”
Caliath clicked his fingers, and Beta Hadis stepped forward.
“Prepare the Red Room.” He nodded with a bow and retreated.
“I am going to check on Shade.
You guys enjoy the night.” Canara left with her sentinel.
Caliath wrapped his hard arm around me, pulling me into himself.
My heart uncontrollably pounded.
“Let’s have dinner, and then we can proceed to the Red Room.”
We left the Sunken Pit.
This time there were only a handful of Alphas and their slaves who followed us.
The dining hall was a vast expanse of space with a long table in the middle.
It was covered with a blue cloth with NightViper’s sigil in the centre.
The table had been strewn with golden cloche-covered dishes and cutlery.
Alpha took their seats.
Caliath occupied the head chair like a king of this place.
“Kneel at my feet,” he ordered, and I obeyed with a bleeding heart.
The cold and hard floor scraped against my knees from the flimsy gown.
All the other slaves did the same.
They sat by the feet of their masters.
Some of them were held by long silver chains, tied to their wrists or ankles.
The dinner began, and to my horror.
The Alphas began throwing scraps of food in front of their slaves as if feeding dogs.
Some of them greedily bent down and licked the food from the floor without using their hands.
How hungry were they?
Had they been starved to the point that they were forced to eat like this?
The desperation in their eyes and expressions on their faces spoke volumes.
“Zorya,” Caliath’s curt voice, jolted my heart and I lifted my head to stare at him.