"I am yours?" She huffed, pushing him backward, freeing her from his grasp and intoxicating scent. "What the hell does that even mean? Last I checked, I didn't belong to anyone."
"You are chosen for me. You are mine." He replied through gritted teeth. His eyes followed her as she wandered about the room.
Serena dismissed him with a wave of her hand.
"No. I am not yours." She declared as she turned her back on him and crossed her arms tightly. "I don't even know your name. How is that destined love?"
The Alpha moved toward her and placed a hand on her shoulder, drawing her back flat against him. He bent down and whispered in her ear, black curly hair tickled her neck and sent chills running down her spine.
"Atlas." His warm breath tingled her skin. Serena straightened and leaned into his body, consumed by the warmth and comfort of his touch. His frame enveloped hers, providing a shield from the watchful eyes of the woman outside the prison door.
"Hello, Atlas," Serena whispered back. She blinked and squeezed her eyes shut as she inhaled sharply and straightened her shoulders. "Can you let go of me now?"
Atlas released her and took a deep breath. As he retreated from the room, he called back to her.
"You cannot go back to your family as they are imposters. There is nothing else for you other than me and this new life and opportunity. Think about it, won't you?" He waved his hand and exited.
The broad shoulders faded from view, and the metal door slammed shut, leaving Serena in the dark cell.
"What the hell." She muttered to herself. "A mate? But I'm no werewolf... How would that be possible?" She slumped back into the corner furthest from her chance of escape. Hours passed in quiet isolation. The only comfort being the rustle of tree branches and leaves with every brush of wind. Soon, the high heat of the summer sun faded into a cool evening.
A loud clank brought Serena's attention to the door. A short woman stood in the doorway. She was thick, but muscular and had a short bob of loose, curly black hair. As the woman approached, the tray of food became more obvious. The warm aroma of stew filled the room and a loud gurgle erupted from Serena's stomach.
The woman let out a light chuckle and knelt, placing the tray in the middle of the room. Serena scrambled toward the food, suddenly aware of her hunger. As she moved toward the woman and food, the woman stood up and held out some silverware, revealing the winding tattoo running up her right arm.
Serena stopped and stared at the tattoo; intrigued by the twists and turns of the detailed, snakelike figure.
"Here." The woman gestured, holding out the silverware.
Serena shook her head and blinked before moving toward the food again.
"It's a basilisk."
"What?" Serena questioned as she grabbed the utensils and began wolfing down her food.
"You were looking at my tattoo. That's pretty normal for someone who's never seen it before." The woman trailed off as she scratched the back of her head, ruffling the loose curls.
"Oh. It's really detailed and unique. The winding body and the little details make it interesting. Why did you get it?" Serena moved closer, examining the entirety of the tattoo.
"That's a long story, but maybe one day, when you get out of here, I can tell you. I like you." The woman said with a humph. "You didn't easily succumb to my brother as other women do. I hope that we can be friends." She reached out her hand and Serena took it. "Well, knock on the door when you are finished, and I'll come to grab it." The woman turned and closed the door, locking it firmly behind her.
Two knocks promptly followed the woman's retreat. Quietly, the woman entered and picked up the tray. She turned to leave but paused.
"What's your name?" Serena asked as she began to move again.
"Venus."
"It's nice to meet you, Venus. I hope we can be friends one day." Serena replied quietly from the corner.
"I hope so too." The door closed, and Serena soon succumbed to the numbing of sleep.
"Serena?" A hushed yell from beyond the barred window pulled her from her fitful doze. "Serena!"
Serena scrambled to her feet and hoisted herself to peer out the barred window. Feet were pushing against the wall, and arms scraped against the concrete ledge. A male figure approached from the bushes. The familiar greying hair and beard and the slight limp brought a wave of comfort.
"Dad?"
"Serena! Are you alright? Did they hurt you?" The man rushed up to the window and peered up at his imprisoned daughter, brows knit.
"Help me out of here. I'll explain everything when we find a safe place. They shouldn't be back for a while, but hurry." She whispered back, struggling to hold herself up. The rough concrete scratched at her thin shirt and bare skin, drawing blood from her elbows.
"Okay, okay. Give me a minute." Her father called as he rushed silently toward the bushes and out of sight. Serena dropped to the floor with a loud thud.
She jumped to her feet and winced at the scratches on her arms. She glanced around the prison, taking in her last few moments in the awful cell and the memories that went with it.
The crumbling walls filled with plants and dirt and the rough floor brought up the memory of the rough hands on her shoulders and back. The metal door reminded her of the cold attitude and the harsh façade.
The loud clank of the key turning in the lock snapped her back to the reality of her father. She took large steps toward the door as it swung open.
The thin figure of her father came running toward her. His long arms wrapped around her and pulled her tightly into his chest.
"I'm so sorry, Princess." The man mumbled into her head and hair.
She squeezed him tightly and took a deep breath. The smell of musk and cedar filled her senses; she relaxed into his embrace. The frightful and hurt daughter finally returns to her unconditional father.
"Let's get out of here. You can explain things later." The man said, stepping back and running his hand down her arm. He grasped her hand and pulled her toward the door.
He peeped his head out from around the corner, looked up and down the hallway, then exited the cold cell of isolation. Serena trudged along after him, completely mesmerized by the father who went looking for her, regardless of how they had left things the day before.
Half dragged and half running, Serena followed her father through the hallway and toward the exit. As they passed a glass-enclosed room, she saw a woman slumped in a chair. Her head was angled back and resting oddly against the wall, her arms dangling, and the tattoo barely visible underneath a crumpled sleeve. Serena pulled against the force forward and leaned toward the glass, eyes wide.
"Serena." Her father called, grabbed her wrist, and pulled her away from the glass. "Serena. Let's move."
"Is she okay?" Serena muttered after a quick pause.
"She's fine. Now let's go." He said more urgently this time as he glanced about the room and out the door.
Serena turned toward her father, staring intently and brows furrowed.
"Did you do this?" She asked, frozen in the room.
"Serena now is not the time. Do you want to leave or not?" He pleaded.
"Yes, I understand that, but did you do this?" Serena stepped toward her father, demanding an answer and a straight one, unlike the ones previously granted.