The Weak Wolf's Curse (2)

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. She found the potion you made. You heard her yourself... 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. From this day on, you’re no longer Ella Thorn. You’re nothing but a slave.”

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 too.

The guards stopped bringing food regularly. 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 friends.”

Her laughter was cruel. “Friends? Oh, Ella, you were never more than a pawn. I’ve always been stronger, smarter, and more deserving. Kaden should have been mine from the start, but then you were chosen by the Moon Goddess.” Her eyes flashed with hatred. “You, with your pathetic, weak wolf. It was an insult. A mistake I had to correct.”

I stared at her, realization dawning. “You knew... you knew the Moon Goddess chose him for me. And you still did this?”

She released me, standing up and brushing off her dress. “Of course. Fate can be rewritten. I just had to make him see what a worthless creature you are.” She tilted her head, her smile widening. “And it worked beautifully.”

My hands trembled, rage boiling inside me. “You poisoned him against me. You lied... and he believed you.”

Her eyes gleamed with satisfaction. “He loves me now. He’s marked me, made me his Luna. Soon, I’ll bear his heirs, and no one will even remember you existed.”

My chest tightened, a pain sharper than any physical wound. She had taken my place. Stolen my destiny.

Lila leaned in one last time, her voice a venomous whisper. “Give up, Ella. Accept your fate. You’re nothing but a weak wolf, a slave. You’re better off dead.”

With that, she turned and walked out, her laughter echoing down the corridor. The door slammed shut, plunging me back into darkness.

Her words echoed in my mind, over and over again. Better off dead.

Maybe she was right.

Maybe... it would be better to end this suffering.