The heavy thud of the door swinging open echoed through the damp cell, followed by the sounds of footsteps, waking me up from the dizzying slumber I was falling into. I still need to be alert.
I flinch, my back pressed against the cold stone wall, eyes narrowed against the sudden light assaulting them. My heart hammering a frantic rhythm against my ribs, each beat a drum solo of fear. Has my end finally come? What will they do with me now?
"What is this?" A voice etched with high command and fury asks.
"She was found in the woods along our border." One of the men say. " We have reason to believe she is part of a plan to harm you, my king."
"I told you I am innocent." I scream at the top of my lungs. I am immediately slapped across the face, the stinging pain bringing tears to my eyes.
"I didn't do anything wrong." I begin to sob. "I don't even know where I am. I'm not a part of any plan to hurt anyone, I swear."
I look up at the men around me, immediately spotting who I think must be the King.
"Please, you have to believe me." I whisper.
The figure before me was tall and imposing, his regal bearing undeniable even in the dimness. Gold embroidery gleamed on his midnight-blue cloak, a stark contrast to the grimness of my surroundings.
He steps into the light before me, his brows burrowed in confusion.
"Where did you say you found her?" He asks his men.
"In the woods, along our borders." One of the men say.
"And your information, about her being a threat to me and my crown, where was it sourced from?"
There's silence everywhere, the men throwing glances at one another.
The King sighs deeply, smoothing the lines of worry on his forehead.
"Did she attack first?" He asks.
"No, sir."
"Did she look like she was trying to sneak in?"
"No sir, but..."
"But what?!!" The King barks, his breathing getting erratic.
"You have no proof beyong mere suspicion to have brought her here and tortured her mercilessly. How is it that you would believe someone as little and fragile looking as she, would be a match for me?"
"Your Majesty, if you permit me," One of the men speaks up, his voice laced with anxiety and fear, "do not be deceived by her looks, for she is rumored to be one of the best warrior and hunter out there, with enough kills to make a man shiver."
"You can't be serious. Her?" The King points in my direction, bewildered by this new revelation.
My head bowed down, body weak with exhaustion and numb from pain, I nod.
"Since I have been brought here, that is the only true thing about me anyone has uttered. If I really wanted to hurt someone here, you all wouldn't be alive."
This brings the men to an agile stance, ready to strike at any wrong move from me.
"But I have no reason whatsoever, to harm you, or cause harm to your people. I was on a journey before your men ambushed and attacked me."
"Free her from these chains."
"But your Majesty..."
"I said free her!" The King commands in anger.
"Yes my King."
Relief washes over me, both mentally and physically. The chains were dropped to the floor, their metallic echo swallowed by the damp silence of the cell.
No one offered a hand to help me up, nor did they apologize for the ordeal I had endured.
I refused to look up at my captors but I could feel the King's eyes on me. My limbs weak and tired, I lay on the floor, adjusting to a featal position, willing myself to not sway into the promising calls of the darkness and quiet.
"What is your name?" The King's asks, his voice gruff, but not unkind.
Still in my chosen position of comfort, I sigh deeply and respond to him.
"My name is Rebekah." I say, my words almost a whisper.
"Rebekah." He repeats, as if testing the syllables of my name on his tongue.
"Yes, and as I said before, I am no threat to you nor your people, your Majesty."
"So you say, but what I want to know is what someone like you, rumored to posses the skills of a seasoned warrior, was doing close to our borders."
"I was just traveling and your border lies in the path of my journey."
"Were you lost? Or you were fleeing from somewhere? Or something? Because you were reported to have been in a haste and too cautious of your surroundings."
"I have no reason to flee anywhere." I pant, sitting up against my body's wishes. I needed to prove my innocence.
"And the woods are filled with wild and dangerous creatures. Also, I am a woman, so I had every reason to be cautious of my environment."
"You're right. But you are also a woman with skill. A seasoned and incredible warrior."
"My skill does not guarantee me being able to protect myself at all times." I argue. "As you can see, I have been overpowered and captured by your men."
"You're bold,I can tell you that. You speak so freely to your captors. You show no fear for the people who have made you a prisoner."
"The truth fears no one, and depends on nothing but itself." I say, my voice filled with defiance. "As such, true justice shouldn't depend on mere rumors and suspicion."
This makes him chuckle deeply.
"Some guts you have there. Are you teaching me how to go about my duties?"
"I would never dare to do such. I am just stating a fact that could escape anyone. Especially in times of pressure."
"I assure you that I am not and have never been pressured. I believe you."
"Your Majesty..." One of his men starts but he puts up a hand, silencing the soldier.
"Your Majesty, she could be faking it. It could be her plan to infiltrate us." Another man rushes out, earning him a deathly glare from the King.
"I said I believe her. If I end up being wrong about her, then so be it, but never oppose my decision ever again."
"Yes my King."
"Bring her some water." He says to one of the guards. "The rest of you, come with me."
They all step out, leaving me all alone in the cold, damp cell.
It slowly dawn's on me that if they decide to keep me here, and I fail to stop the beast from attacking my pack again, my family would be in grave danger and I would have failed them.
My mother, my father, the cubs, the thought of them being in the because of me and me failing them brings tears to my eyes.
"I won't let anything happen to you." I say to no one in particular. "I won't fail you, and I will protect you with my last breath, even if I have to escape from here and fight an unwanted war to do it."
Just then, a guard walks in, a bowl of water in his hands, and gives it to me.
I did not realize how thirsty I was until the water touched my parched lips. I down every drop of the water and hand the bowl back to the guard. He grumbles something and walks out.
The King and his men came back in after sometime, and I keep my head bowed down, awaiting my fate.
"We can't let you go now." He states and my heart drops in disappointment.
"Why?" I ask. "I told you I have no plan of hurting you or your people. I truly was just passing by."
"And I believe you." He says. I peep up at him in confusion.
"Setting you free in your state would only make you a prey and put you in more danger. You are badly hurt."
"I can survive." I argue.
"And I disagree. You will be nursed back to health and then you can go on your way. To wherever you were heading. I am sure it can wait."
"You don't understand. It can't wait. I urgently need to get to my destination. I have already wasted enough time."
"It is a shame them. You are not to be freed until you are back to full health."
"You can't do this!" I scream. "Just let me go."
A flash of sympathy passes across his eyes. He moves closer to me and bends down to my level. I bring my head lower, avoiding his gaze.
"Rebekah, this is for your own good."
I shake my head in defiance and he puts a finger under my chin to lift my head up.
I meet his gaze and he immediately sucks in a sharp breath, freezing in place, with his mouth open.
The cell in eerily quite and his guards glance at each other in confusion.
"My King." One of them cautiously says. "Are you okay?" He briefly looks at me with suspicion before turning his attention back to the King.
The King sucks in another sharp breath before uttering something that confuses us all
"Mate."