MAID FOR THE RUTHLESS ALPHA

CHAPTER 4: UNENDING DARKNESS

Time felt like a distant dream, as if the world was moving in slow motion, each passing day taking its sweet time to go by and drag its feet on the road.

The only thing that made sense was the sound of my breathing, which came out in ragged puffs and became even heavier the longer I stayed without clothes.

I couldn’t be sure how long I had been locked in the stinky cell that stank even more now than before. The days seemed to blur into one another.

I wanted to cry for help from this hell but there was nothing to be relieved from. Who would help me? Everything I wanted wasn’t here anymore, everything that I loved had been taken away and it left me with a heart full of regret and despair.

Tears slowly began streaming down my face just the way it happened ever since I had been thrown into the cell, chained and locked within it.

The darkness of the space seemed to stretch forever, the only source of light a little cut circle at the very top of the room. It allowed for a stream of light to enter the room during the day but not much if at all. I could barely see five feet in front of me.

The concept of isolation wasn’t one I was very familiar with, which was ironic because I had spent the majority of my life being isolated from the rest of the world but having my mother as company was more than enough for me.

It felt different now. Very different. I blinked away the spots that danced in front of my eyes, hunger and dehydration a major contributor. Since dinner with the Alpha all those time ago, I have had nothing to eat or drink. Shutting my eyes tightly, I let the sleep that had been beckoning me take control and the exhaustion consume me once more.

The next time I opened my eyes, it was to the feeling of something soft brushing against my nose. Instinctively I turned towards it, sniffing it curiously. The smell that hit my nose reminded me of warm honey and cinnamon.

The gentle brush again brought me back to wakefulness. That scent was burned into my memory. I had spent the better part of my nineteen years on earth smelling it. That scent meant love, warmth and home. That was my mother.

Flipping my eyes open at once, I was face to face with brown eyes that mirrored mine. Her face broke into a smile as tears fell from her large brown eyes.

“Mother?” My voice came out hoarse and weak from lack of use.

My throat was dry and scratchy. Even in the dimness that bathed the room, I could still see my mother’s face, almost as clear as day.

“Mother,” I said again, tugging at the chains that held me in place, struggling against them.

I needed to be with her, why was she not saying anything? Helping me? She always helped me, always reassured me, and protected me. Why was it different now? Once again the tears were falling from my eyes, tears that matched hers, and soon the feeling of suffocation began to surround me, I found myself falling down a dark abyss where no one could reach me. Deeper and deeper, until it was all silent and calm.

The feeling of being watched brought me back to reality. My eyes shot open and I looked around frantically trying to catch sight of something moving in the shadows. A small gasp escaped my mouth when I spotted a figure standing in one corner of the cell. The person didn’t move or make any kind of indication to show that he or she knew that I was awake, they just continued to watch me silently. For a brief second, I struggled with my thoughts.

I wasn’t sure what was real and what wasn’t anymore so I stayed silent as well, watching them with guarded eyes. Suddenly light flooded the room, it wasn’t as bright as normal but having been locked in the darkness for however long made the light seem almost blinding. I hissed as I shut my eyes as tight as I could manage to stop the light from burning my retinas.

Opening my eyes slowly, I stared up at the Alpha, shuddering when I met his deep dark eyes. Those eyes were filled with multiple emotions, cold anger at the top of the list, and...something else. Something I couldn’t recognize.

He took a step forward. Slowly walking until he stood directly in front of me. His eyes narrowed and seemed to scan my face, as though looking for something. What did he want? I could feel a shiver run down my spine as fear crept its way into my body and wrapped itself around me tightly.

It seemed like he couldn’t find whatever he had been looking for because he shook his head slightly. He leaned forward, lowering his head until his mouth was inches away from my ear, so close that I could feel his breath.

The temperature in the room plummeted dramatically. His voice deep, yet velvety like silk whispered in my ears.

“Why are you doing this to yourself?”

My breathing became erratic as I tried to keep myself calm, to keep my composure, and not allow my hands shake with fear. Not letting the Alpha know how scared I really am.

The silence stretched between us for another few seconds as my mind raced. I remained silent, unable to form words. After what felt like centuries, the Alpha pulled back, his lips pressed firmly together as he regarded me quietly. He looked at me intently for a couple of minutes before speaking again.

His voice sounded far off, almost muffled, as though he spoke through glass.

His face was still inches away from mine as he spoke again.

“You don’t understand what it feels like. To lose your mate. To watch someone take them away.”

A far away looked took over his dark eyes and he seemed to be reminiscing. There was a slight tremble in his voice as he said these words. His eyes seemed to take on a darker shade as his forehead creased in concentration.

“Your father did that, Fiona.” He paused for a moment, seemingly contemplating his next words.

“He killed her.”

I gasped, the sound of his voice piercing my heart like a dagger. His hand reached out as though to caress my cheek, but he seemed to think better of it and instead, he ran a hand through my tangled hair.

His touch sent shivers throughout my entire body causing an ache to settle deep in my stomach. His proximity allowed me to catch his scent. It was mint mixed with something bitter. Burnt almond? I couldn’t tell at that moment.

“I have no idea where my father is. I tell you the truth.” I said in a voice barely above a whisper.

“Stop lying to me, Fiona.” He whispered too, but it sounded far from gentle. It was a threat. A promise. A chill passed through my body at those words.

I did not have the information he was looking for. Why he couldn’t believe me I didn’t know?/He let out a long sigh.

“Protecting him will do nothing for you. I have you now, so it will only be a matter of time before he comes crawling out of his hiding place. The earlier, the better. For you.” He said stepping away from me.

Another wave of coldness washed through my body, leaving a numb sensation behind, making my legs go weak and my knees knock together. I shook my head gently at his words, raising my eyes to meet his, pleading. A look flashed in his eyes, I couldn’t decipher what it was.

“I am going to make you suffer, Fiona Lockwood.”

The Alpha said finally. Before taking two steps backward and turning around, opening the door to my cell. Flicking the light switch off, bathing the room in darkness once again.

He left, disappearing into the darkness without another word. I stared after him helplessly, my gaze followed him out of the cell and down a corridor that seemed to go endlessly on and on without end. My legs wobbled beneath me, refusing to remain upright.

The only thing holding me up was the chains linking me to the wall and keeping me upright was the rope binding them. As I tried to move forwards, my arms were pulled out behind me while I was dragged along by the shackles attached to my wrists.

The pain in my wrists and ankles was excruciating and the constant pulling motion caused waves of dizziness to wash over me. My vision was already fading as my feet slid along the floor, dragging behind me like dead weight.

The longer I was in the dark, the less I could concentrate. Soon it all started to blur together. Darkness slowly consumed me, pulling me under, consuming every ounce of energy inside of me. And then it happened again. Just like that, everything went black. For the umpteenth time.