Mated To The Enemy

“Do you know something, dear?” Ava inquires, circling around me, her footsteps resounding off the walls.

“No,” I reply, desperately hoping my voice doesn’t betray the fear that consumed me, anticipating whatever cruel intentions she had in store.

“Nick has asked me to force your mind to tell me where your family might be,” She whispers behind me, sending a cold shiver down my spine. I whip my head around to face her, but she vanishes when I turn. The lights in the room go off, and I'm plunged into utter darkness. My heart pounds as I catch her scent and feel her breath on me, intensifying the dread within me as I remain unable to see her in the pitch-black room.

"Isn't that forbidden magic?" I ask, spinning around the room as I try to find her. I finally realize why I was treated and what drug might have been given to me. They wanted to ensure I didn't die while she controlled my mind. Forbidden magic! It's so strong it could shatter someone's mind if they are not physically and mentally strong.

"It is, my dear," she says, placing a cold finger on my shoulder, causing me to jump in fright. I try to steady my heartbeat as her long nail remains on my shoulder. The best way to throw off your enemy is to show no fear. I chat in my head but find it hard to do with the situation right now.

"Then don't do it," I plead, even though I know it's futile. My heart leaps out of my chest as a sinister laughter reverberates off the walls. The cold touch of her finger is replaced by haunting darkness and laughter.

"I can see your mother has told you nothing about me. Why don't I introduce myself then?" she says, conjuring a ball of fire that vanishes into my body. A scream tears through me as I burn from within, my blood boiling. Collapsing to the ground, I convulse, tears filling my eyes.

"Nick might not have asked me to use this method, but I believe he would be pleased regardless if I get the same result."

In a desperate plea, I manage, "Please st..." My breath hitches, panting heavily as my fingers struggle to clutch my dress, a futile attempt to absorb the searing pain emanating from within. Before I can utter another word, a pained groan escapes me. The scorching bones in my fingers twist at odd angles, causing me to widen my eyes in horror, whimpering through the pain.

"Tell me where your family is, and I might stop," she demands, callously tearing open the skin on my arm with a blade made from her fire magic. Using that same magic, she turns the blade into a hand and wrenches every burning bone in my body. They snap like twigs, my face contorting in unimaginable pain. A scream erupts from my throat as the intensity of the agony surpasses anything I've ever felt. Blood flows from the cuts, staining the floor and soiling my dress. I'm going to die here tonight.

"Please stop; I don’t know," I cry out, tears streaming down my face. Despite the unbearable agony, I refuse to disclose where my family might be hiding. Revealing their location would seal their fate. I can't allow that. My heart aches at the thought of them surviving the initial attack only to meet their demise because of my words. No, I must stay strong. I bite down hard on my bottom lip, attempting to divert my mind from the pain. The taste of metal fills my mouth as I bite with all my might.

"Stop wasting my time and quickly tell me," Ava growls, abruptly lifting me off the ground using magic. I scream, thrashing in the air, praying gravity doesn’t take its merciless course.

"I don’t know," I reply, looking down, an immediate wave of regret washing over me. My head spins as the ground seems bottomless.

"Suit yourself then," Ava utters indifferently. She drops me to the ground as though I weigh nothing. The impact rattles the earth, my skull almost fracturing, but a pounding headache surges through my head. In that moment, I realize Ava is determined to end my life, and I choose to die for my family. I can't betray them.

Ava repeats the question multiple times, demanding the whereabouts of my family, but I refuse to yield. Eventually, she ceases her inquiries and gazes down at me on the floor, wearing a satisfied smile akin to an artist admiring their masterpiece.

My breath escapes in short pants, tears blending with the sweat streaks on my face, a macabre mixture with my own blood. Every inch of my body throbs with pain—from the inside out. The wounds are infected, bits of concrete particles that broke from my body, hitting the ground. I sob, gazing aimlessly at the ceiling, grappling with the perplexing question of how the hell I was still alive.

"Now, let’s put you back together," Ava meticulously places every twisted bone in my body back in its original position and expertly seals the fresh cuts she inflicted. Lying in my own pool of blood, I continue to stare at the ceiling, the echoes of her departing heels reverberating in my ears. Those few minutes felt like an eternity, each bone crack and wound seal inducing unimaginable pain. In those horrifying moments, I found myself wishing for death a hundred times over.

"Amelia," someone says, rushing into the room. I turn my head to the side and see it’s Eric. Horror fills his eyes as he takes in the sight of the blood pooling around me.

“What did she do to you?” he asks, his gaze fixed on me. I turn my head away, curling into a ball, bringing my knees to my chest. This is the cruel toll of being mated to a lycan. Quivers rack my body as wails tear out of me. I'm destined to die here, and my mate won’t even intervene.

***

I stir awake, groaning in pain as my body aches like it was engulfed in flames. Actually, it was, internally. Surveying my surroundings, I find myself on a bed, my blood-soaked clothes replaced. The last memory etched in my mind is crying in a pool of blood, with Eric attempting to communicate with me.

As I sit up cautiously, mindful of the bandages adorning my body. Ava sealed my wounds, but they were not properly done. Now, they are cleaned and properly bandaged. I strain my ears for any heartbeat besides mine. Marie is still unconscious due to lingering silver in my body, but I still have my werewolf abilities. They are just not as good as they would be if she were awake. I hear no heartbeat other than mine. I listen harder, my focus outside the room, but nothing. I decide to take the chance to try and escape from here before Ava decides to come back and finish the job. It's suspicious that there's no guard at my door, but I don't think anything worse can happen if I'm caught, so it is worth trying.

Dropping my feet to the bed's edge, I place my hand on the nightstand. Despite my protesting muscles, I muster the strength to stand, only to find my legs betraying me. I collapse to the floor, the nightstand's contents scattering as I struggle for support.

"Amelia!" Eric exclaims, entering the room. I gaze at him from the floor, immobile, my body protesting against the additional pain caused by my attempt to stand. Eric hurriedly picks me up, gently placing me back on the bed.

"Your body has barely healed. You shouldn't try that again," he cautions, tucking me under the covers. I remain silent, studying him, perplexed by his seemingly caring demeanor. What game is he playing? Why the pretense of concern when he likely plans to aid my mate in my demise?

"Why?" I inquire.

“Why what?” he responds.

“Why pretend you care if I'm well taken care of when you plan to help my mate dispose of me sooner or later?” He hesitates, swallowing hard, his Adam's apple bobbing.

“I will let his majesty know you’re awake,” Eric says, ignoring my question and heading towards the door.

“His Majesty?” I interrupt, stopping him before he can open the door.

“Yes, your mate,” he replies, turning to face me.

My eyes widen. “You’re joking,” I laugh drily, staring at him in disbelief.

“Why would I?”

“You're telling me Nickolas Adams II is my mate?”

“Yes.”

I burst into louder, more bitter laughter, tears welling in my eyes.

“What’s so funny?” Eric inquires.

“What’s so funny?” I wipe away, escaping tears, locking my eyes with Eric. “I thought I had a chance of surviving this place until I found a way to escape. Now, I believe that will never happen because if Nickolas Adams II is my fucking mate, you might as well bury me now.”