Chapter 2 The Weak Wolf's Curse

Days blurred together in the darkness. The only light came when the guards brought stale bread and murky water, shoving the tray through a slot before slamming the door shut. I ate to survive, but hunger gnawed at me constantly. My body weakened, and my wolf grew quieter with each passing day. The cold stone floor became my bed, and the damp air clung to my skin. I lost track of time, the endless silence broken only by the distant echoes of laughter and celebration from above. It was a cruel reminder that life went on without me. I knew what they were celebrating—Kaden and Lila’s union. She must have taken my place at his side, convincing him that she was his rightful mate. I should’ve hated him for believing her lies, but all I felt was a hollow ache. The bond was broken, but the memories remained. I had once dreamed of standing by his side, of being cherished and loved. The Moon Goddess had chosen him for me, but he had rejected her gift. Rejected me..... The door creaked open again, and I instinctively curled up, bracing for another round of mocking words. But this time, it wasn’t Lila. It was Kaden. He stepped inside, his presence dominating the small space. I looked up, my heart clenching as his scent of cedarwood and pine filled the room. Even now, my traitorous heart reacted to him, my wolf stirring weakly. His golden eyes swept over me, his expression unreadable. “You look pathetic.” Shame burned my cheeks, but I held my head high. “You did this to me.” His jaw tightened. “You brought this on yourself. You dared to use dark magic to manipulate me.” I struggled to my feet, my body trembling from weakness. “I never did anything to you. I never wanted this.” My voice broke, but I forced myself to continue. “The Moon Goddess chose us to be mates. It wasn’t a spell. It was fate.” His eyes flickered, doubt crossing his face for a split second before hardening again. “Lila told me everything. She saw you sneaking into the herbalist’s hut. You heard her yourself?. She found the potion you made. You’re nothing but a liar and a fraud.” “That’s a lie!” I shouted, anger surging through me. “Lila’s the liar. She wants you for herself. Can’t you see that?” His hand shot out, gripping my chin painfully as he forced me to look into his eyes. “You dare speak ill of her? After everything you’ve done?” I glared back at him, my vision blurring with tears. “She betrayed me. She betrayed you. And you’re too blind to see it.” His grip tightened, his eyes flashing with anger. “I should end you right here. You’re a disgrace to this pack. A weak, pathetic wolf who dared to claim me.” Pain shot through me, but I refused to look away. “Then do it. Kill me. If you hate me that much, end my misery.” For a moment, his eyes softened, his grip loosening. He looked at me as if seeing me for the first time. But then he pushed me away, his face hardening once more. “No,” he said coldly. “Death would be too merciful. You’ll live—and you’ll suffer for your sins. And like I have proclaimed days ago, from this day on, you’re no longer Bella Thorn. You’re nothing but a slave, a slave you will remain...” He turned and walked away, his footsteps echoing down the corridor. The door slammed shut, the sound reverberating in the darkness. I sank to the floor, my body shaking with silent sobs. He had taken everything from me—my name, my dignity, my hope. But even in my despair, the spark of defiance remained. I would survive. No matter what it took, I would survive. And one day, he would learn the truth. Time lost meaning in the darkness. I didn’t know how long I’d been in the dungeons. Days? Weeks? My body grew weaker with each passing moment, my wolf’s presence fading like a whisper. Sometimes, I wondered if she was even still there, or if Kaden’s rejection had killed her completely too. The guards stopped bringing food regularly. And even when they did, it was moldy bread or scraps that even the kitchen dogs wouldn’t touch. Hunger gnawed at me, sharp and relentless, but I forced myself to eat. I couldn’t die here. Not like this. Sleep became my only escape, but even that was plagued by nightmares. I saw Kaden’s face, cold and unyielding as he pronounced my sentence. Lila’s wicked smile as she watched me fall. Their laughter echoed in my dreams, taunting me, breaking me. Sometimes, I thought I heard voices—whispers in the darkness. They were faint, just outside the door, speaking in hushed tones. I strained to listen, but they always faded before I could catch more than a few words. Then, the hallucinations began. I saw my mother’s face, her gentle smile and warm eyes. She would sit beside me, her fingers stroking my hair, singing lullabies from my childhood. I would reach out to touch her, but my hands would pass through air, and she would vanish, leaving me alone once more. One night, I heard the door creak open. I didn’t bother looking up. I was too weak, too broken. But then, a familiar voice shattered the silence. “You’re still alive? Impressive.” I looked up, my vision swimming, and saw Lila standing there, her arms crossed, a smirk playing on her lips. Her green eyes sparkled with malicious delight. “They told me you were dying,” she continued, her tone mocking. “But you’re too stubborn for that, aren’t you?” I forced myself to sit up, leaning against the cold wall for support. “What... do you want?” She stepped closer, crouching down so her face was inches from mine. “Just wanted to see for myself. I needed to make sure you were truly broken.” Her fingers gripped my chin, nails digging into my skin. “Because as long as you breathe, you’re still a threat.” I tried to pull away, but her grip tightened, her nails drawing blood. “You took everything from me,” I whispered, my voice raw with pain. “Why? I thought we were best friends back then....” Loud hallow laughter answered my question....