Sabrina’s POV
In the wake of my father’s wrath, calling him merely angry would be an understatement-he was seething, a creature unhinged, akin to a raging wolf.
“Chain her, lock her up, and, above all, separate her from her wolf!” he bellowed at the elders, who stood in a conflicted state.
Should they heed my father, the one who reigns over us, or me, the one who holds dominion over the earth? I’ve transgressed, that much is certain, but it remains my prerogative.
I was not meant to save Xander or my brother but the notion that the penalty for saving the love of my life would emanate from my father was beyond my contemplation.
“What are you waiting for?” He roared, and they scurried towards me, beginning to chant ancient words I am yet to learn.
I stood there, prepared to endure whatever came my way. I wouldn’t contest or delay it; the sooner they executed their judgment, the better.
I accept any form of retribution deemed appropriate. For all I’ve done, I am convinced this is an ordeal I cannot avoid, it is to be done.
I collapse to the ground all too soon, sensing a part of me depart. It’s as though I lack a soul, an emptiness engulfing me. The fighter in me, the confidence in me, and the willpower within me, a once formidable, are now nonexistent!
My wolf is gone.
My eyes tracked the elders as they bore away my soul, my beautiful white coat, my very essence.
“It is a steep price to pay, sir. Are you absolutely certain this is the right punishment?” One elder dared to question my father, stealing a furtive glance at me.
“Do you dare question my methods?” He retorted, and the elder stood firm.
“In my many years of life, I am confident you have never imposed such a punishment. It has been a while since this was done, but she is the moon goddess; her demise, even in her frailty, will not only weaken her but could result in chaos on earth.” He warned, yet my father remained resolute.
“Take that away,” he commanded, sparing no thought to my pain and the elders departed.
I am promptly ushered downstairs to the cells, thrown in, landing harshly on my arm. A pain I could typically endure erupts within me, prompting a scream.
Humans are inherently frail. I’ve known this to be true, I lived on earth but damn.
The guard locks the door, leaving me in the darkness. I’m left to grapple with my pain, crying like a child who fell off a bike. Yet, this time, there’s no father to mend the hurt.
I’ve been forsaken.
No sign of family.
“Sabrina!” Josey rushes in, effortlessly kicking the locked cell door.
Oh, the strength I had taken for granted.
“They broke your arm?” She inquires, her eyes widening in shock.
“The guard threw me down with great force, and since I am just human at the moment…” I try to explain.
“Guard!” Josey calls out, and the man enters, afraid to meet my gaze. Not the confident man he was a few seconds ago when he threw me down now, is he?
“She is still the moon goddess, with or without her wolf. Don’t forget, she will emerge from this place, and when she does, she will start with you. I pray you survive,” she warns before shoving him out.
Josey resets my arm without warning. I scream… my voice awakening nations, I am sure.
“I’m sorry, Sabrina. You don’t deserve this,” Josey says.
“I can already feel my body weakening beyond this state. How long do you think they will leave me like this?” I ask.
Josey assesses my arm and then the rest of me in silence. By the look in her eyes, she was worried but dared not to say anything.
“We don’t know them well. It was all kumbaya moments when we reconciled with our mother, and we never got to see this side of them… I’ll ask again, do you think they’ll let me rot in here?” I question Josey.
“I don’t know, Sabrina,” Josey responds, and we sit in silence, realizing we might be the only family we have in this realm. The revelation settles upon us as we contemplate the uncertainties of our fate in this unforgiving place.
Aiden rushes in, his eyes scanning me.
It’s as if he couldn’t recognize me I mean, I’m without my wolf, so are we truly mates now that I lack the very thing that binds us?
“Why did you just stand there and allow this?” he asks.
“I will accept my part in this,” I say, but he shakes his head.
“My father used to tell us a bedtime story, a story I believe to be true but scary enough to make every kid want to obey those in power,” Aiden says as he sits down beside Josey and me.
“Listen, I am no story teller but I will tell you this one as I remember it. Although to be fair, I just remember the fear it evoked within me. I couldn’t sleep!” He says but we rush him and he relents.
“A man once betrayed the king. The king, angry that the set of rules he imposed on his people weren’t being adhered to, decided to make them human. Despite gifting his people with the ability to shift into wolves and back to humans, they weren’t grateful. So, he started with the man who betrayed him. Once the man’s wolf was detached, he died instantly. For a man without a soul is a man no more,” Aiden says, leaving us all stunned.
“I did say I was no story teller but what I’m trying to say is that..” Aiden tries to explain but Josey interrupts him.
“Are you saying that Sabrina is going to die?” Josey asks, standing up, anticipating a different answer, but Aiden nods his head yes.
He picks me up, placing me on the dirty mattress in my cell. I know we have placed monsters in these dingy cells but they could’ve at the very least cleaned my cell and placed a bed in it. I was their daughter!
“Rest and save your energy. I will find your wolf and bring her back to you,” he says, kissing my forehead so endearingly, so much so that it warmed my heart to see him like this.
Like when we first met. He was a gentle soul…
He walks to the door, signaling for Josey to follow him.
“I need you to find out what chant they used to remove her wolf because we will need it to put it back,” Aiden says before nodding in my direction and walking away.
“I know he’s the evil man, but can we both agree that you hit the jackpot when it comes to who has the prettiest man?” Josey jokes, and I smile.
Josey has this tendency to joke in serious matters but goddess knows, I wouldn’t have her any other way.
“It’s weird to have him on our side, but an added ally in this place is needed. I will do what he needs from me, and we will get you out of here… just hold on for me, okay?” Josey asks, and I nod.
She leaves me alone, and I am once again in solitary confinement.
I don’t need magical powers or my wolf to sense if what Aiden said is true. I can feel my body growing weaker, and it won’t be long before I’m gone.