Astrid's POV
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I looked up at the person in front of me. My heart was beating fast and it felt like it would break out of my chest. When I told him my name, the corners of his mouth rose in a small smile.
"Astrid". He repeated. "What have you done?". He gave a long pause and scanned my face. I didn't dare look at him.
"What then shall I do with you, Astrid?"
He asked it so casually but I felt like I was in trouble. I felt like he was asking me to confess my sins to him. I suddenly felt like I was in a confessional and I had to tell the truth.
"I…I was hungry". I said not looking into his eyes. He looked intimidating even with the smirk that played on his lips. "I...I was hungry so I ate and was packing lots and lots of…"
My voice trailed as I looked up at him. The smirk on his face was replaced by a questionable look.
"I…I ate the wild berries". I concluded quickly, closing my eyes.
He clicked his tongue and my eyes flattered open. He shook his head as he let go of my chin and stood upright. "Is that what my inquiry is about?".
My insides twisted and I felt a pit in my stomach. It took me great courage to confess that to him.
"Wh…what?". I thought he was inquiring about the wild berries. What exactly did he want to know?
"You still dare to feign ignorance". The room quaked, making me bury my head to the floor. It was so sudden.
"How dare you, a rogue, make your way fearlessly into this territory?".
I gulped with my head still buried. Was this the last of me?
Of course, I mean, I did enjoy the shapeshifter's wild berries without his consent. Was I still hoping that the owner would understand me? Definitely not!
"Guards!". He called at once. "Lock her up in the cell".
"N-no!". I whispered as the guards caught me by both arms. "P-please".
The Alpha had his hands at his back with a stoney look on his face. I think he was really angry. It was obvious.
"P-please". I muttered again as the guards chained my wrists and dragged me away. I turned to look back at the Alpha who was now headed to his desk. "P-please, let me go".
"Shut up". One of the guards clenched his teeth and dragged me out of the door. Once we were out, the door was shut and I felt a tear escape my eyes.
"Wh-where are you taking me to?". I asked knowing fully well the Alpha had instructed that I be taken to a cell. I just couldn't help it or stop my tears.
The guards ignored me and dragged me along.
"Let's take her to the isolated dungeon". The other suggested.
"Wh-what?". I sniffed. "B-but the Alpha said I should…"
"Be quiet". The first one barked. It seemed like he completed my sentence. "It doesn't matter where you're taken to. You're now a prisoner here and we lock you up wherever we decide".
The tears I tried to hold in choked me and that made my throat hurt. I could already feel my whole face redden.
"W-wait!". I said and surprisingly, the guards stopped and turned to look at me.
"Wh-what if you let me go? Yo-your Alpha won't notice".
[Well, that was stupid] I thought, but I just had to do something.
They both looked at each other before cackling. I was trying to save my life and make a deal but here they were making a clown of me.
"How about we let you go?". The first asked and I nodded quickly. "Then, how about our Alpha chooses to end you right here and now?".
"Wh-what…"
"Move!". The other yelled and pushed me ahead. "You are going nowhere".
I stumbled ahead feeling the weight of the chains bound against my wrists. We walked to the point that my whole body felt numb.
I looked down at my legs and exhaled heavily, they were aching and swollen and red. To top it all up, my stomach growled in the loudest way possible.
I thought back to the wild berries and my mouth watered. I swallowed and licked my dry lips.
"Go in".
The guard said pulling me out of my train of thought. I shuddered a little and looked ahead. We were in front of the so-called isolated dungeon.
As the name implied, it was isolated from the rest of the pack and looked dreadful, it was dark inside making it look almost like a haunted cave.
I shuddered just at the thought of it.
I was suddenly pushed in with such great force that I tripped on my feet landing onto the dirty floor with a painful thud.
"Ouch!". I complained when I tried to get up but felt a surge of heat on the skin of my elbow. I quickly sat upright.
The dungeon door was locked behind me and the footsteps retracted leaving me there alone with my thoughts and the pain.
I turned my elbow and peered closely at it through the dark of the night. The moon assisted just a little with a ray of light penetrating through the holes in the top covering of the dungeon.
"I…I bruised my elbow". I sulked wiping away the remnants of tears lurking at the corners of my eyes. I blew air onto the elbow using my mouth.
I untied the fabric from my neck and tied it around my elbow to cover the bruise against infection.
"Mo-mother!". I whispered and bent my head down closing my eyes tightly to let the tears run down freely. My hand reached for my necklace with a purple crystal pendant.
I held onto it and stayed that way for a couple of minutes before sniffing and using the back of my hand to clean the snout from my nose.
I shifted backwards until my back was touching the wall. I closed my eyes and laid my head against the wall.
"Mo-mother". I called in a whisper.
"Astrid".
My eyes flattered open and a smile appeared on my lips. "Mo-mother?". I moved away from the wall a little.
I looked around me and the smile faded. I thought I had sensed someone around. I laid my back against the wall again and sniffed.
"I…I almost thought you were here with me". I mumbled with a sad smile. "I…I hope you're alive and safe Mother".
I suddenly recalled what she said to me before I fled.
"I'm…I'm sorry, mother". I whispered. "I…I broke my promise to you".