Aprils POV
The days that followed blurred together into an endless stream of emptiness. No one came to see me, no one brought me food, and I barely moved from the spot where I had collapsed. I don’t know how much time had passed when I finally forced myself to my feet, my body trembling from exhaustion, hunger, and the endless ache of grief. I stumbled over to the tiny barred window, the only light source in the cell.
Outside, the world went on as though nothing had happened. The pack members moved about the grounds, their lives continuing without a second thought for the two innocents who had been slaughtered. It was like they didn’t care, like my parents had never even existed. Anger surged through me, hot and consuming. How could they all just go on with their lives while mine had been shattered beyond repair? How could they stand there and watch, do nothing, as my parents were executed in front of me?
I hated them, too. The entire pack. Every face I saw, every indifferent glance that passed over me-they were all accomplices in this nightmare. Not a single one of them had spoken up; not one had moved to help. The pack was supposed to be a family, but I had never felt more alone in my life. They let my parents die as if it were nothing. As if they were nothing.
The only person I could tolerate was Dylan because of the kindness he had shown me by bringing me food sometimes. It had been a while since he had come to see me; I don’t know exactly how long because time and day had become lost to me.
I turned away from the window, the hopelessness settling in once more, heavy and suffocating. I slumped against the wall, my knees drawn to my chest, and rested my head against them. I didn’t know how much longer I could go on like this, trapped in a place where every breath felt like a reminder of everything I had lost. The guilt gnawed at me more profoundly than before. It was my fault. If I had been stronger, if I had been better, maybe my mate wouldn’t have rejected me. Maybe my parents would still be alive.
The thought twisted in my gut, a bitter realization that sank its claws into me and refused to let go. I had failed them in every way that mattered. I was supposed to be their daughter, their pride, their joy, and I couldn’t even save them from the fate that awaited. I couldn’t even give them the one thing they had asked of me-to stay strong.
But I didn’t know how to be strong. Not anymore.
The only thing keeping me going was the fact that my wolf was alive. She was talking to me about Dylan’s plan because for it to go through, I had to be strong and put away the negative thoughts that seemed to be drowning me.
I didn’t want to focus on what Jake said because, for all we knew, it was just one of his mind games… Ugh, Fuck him!
It’s been weeks since Dylan told me about the plan, and I have a feeling that it won’t work out.
I don’t mean to be negative but have you ever had a bad feeling about something, then it actually happens?
I put that thought away and started chanting a few “positive energy,” “it will work out well,” and “nothing will go wrong.”
“April?” I hear Snow calling to me.
“Yes, Snow?” I answer.
“I have a bad feeling about today,” she says, and my worry and negative thoughts come back.
“Why? “I ask.
“I don’t know, I just do, but it’s probably nothing. “She says, but I know she was just saying that for my benefit because wolves are very intuitive, and Snow’s instincts have never been wrong.
“But you are never wrong, Snow,” I tell her.
“There is always a first time,” she says with finality, leaving my mind and blocking me.
Before I can make out what that was all about, I hear footsteps and smell Dylan’s familiar scent.
“Hey, Dylan,” I said excitedly because I had not seen him in a while and genuinely felt like I had missed him.
“Did you just call me by my name, you worthless werewolf? You will address me as sir,” he says coldly, standing guard at my cell door.
Ouch! What the fuck had happened to him?
“Are you okay? “I ask.
“None of your damn business,” he says, and for some reason, I can’t help but feel hurt.
Why the hell was I hurt in the first place?
I should have expected this, but I feel betrayed and blindsided for some reason.
Before I can ask him any more questions, I smell the scent of the Alpha and his pathetic lying piece of shit son walking towards my cell.
“Hello, April,” the Alpha says as though we were best friends.
I look at him in disgust and remain silent.
“Dylan, has she been treated well? “Jake asks, a bit worried after looking at me.
Ha! How can one be treated well in a dungeon? They had not fed me in days; it sounded like the perfect treatment. But I guess I’ve been treated Okay. I mean, they haven’t tortured me… yet.
Why did he look worried? He could be faking it, though; he has some serious acting skills, I’ll give him that. He had visited me twice, so he knew my living condition well; he had seen it firsthand. So, what game exactly was he playing? I would like to know if the Alpha knew about his visits.
“Yes, Alpha,” Dylan says respectfully.
Um, Did Dylan just call Jake Alpha?
“Okay, then. Get her ready for the ceremony, “Jake says and then leaves, his father following closely behind him.
First of all, why did it seem as though Jake was giving the orders now?
Second of all, what ceremony?
As if reading my mind, Dylan answers, “You are to be made an omega today,”