Arthur stormed into the basement with Helen, Layla, and Malcolm trailing behind him. The sharp click of Helen's heels on the concrete floor echoed ominously, the dim light casting long shadows across the room. Haelyn flinched at the sight of them, her body trembling as blood trickled down her thighs and the corner of her lips.
Arthur stopped in front of her, his cold eyes narrowing. "Look at you," he said with a sneer. "Pathetic. Weak. You're just like your mother."
Haelyn's voice broke as she tried to speak, her words barely above a whisper. "Why? Why are you doing this to me, Father?"
Arthur's sneer deepened, his lips curling in disgust. "Father?" he mocked. "You dare call me that after all the trouble you've caused?"
"I don't understand," Haelyn sobbed. "She loved you... my mother loved you."
Arthur's hand flew across her face, the slap ringing loudly in the small space. Haelyn's head snapped to the side, her cheek stinging, but she refused to cry out.
"Loved me?" Arthur spat, his voice laced with venom. "She was a fool. Just like you."
Haelyn's wolf raged beneath the surface, howling for release, but she clenched her fists tightly, forcing it back. She couldn't let them know. Not yet.
Arthur leaned closer, his voice dropping to a chilling whisper. "You're nothing but a bastard. A stain on this family."
Haelyn's breath hitched as his words cut into her like knives, but she held her ground. "I didn't ask to be born," she murmured, her voice trembling but defiant.
Arthur's eyes blazed with fury, and his hand struck her again, harder this time. "Ungrateful little wretch," he growled. "Do you have any idea the plans I have for you? For that child of yours?"
Haelyn's heart sank as her hand instinctively moved to shield her stomach. "Leave my child out of this," she begged, her voice breaking.
"Oh, but your child is the key," Arthur said with a cruel smile. "You don't understand yet, do you? That baby is the only reason you're still breathing."
Helen stepped forward, her saccharine smile hiding her malice. "Don't worry, Haelyn. We'll take good care of your little one when the time comes."
Layla smirked, leaning down so her face was inches from Haelyn's. "What's the matter, sister? No witty comebacks this time?"
Haelyn glared at her, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. "I pity you, Layla. You're nothing but a puppet, dancing to their strings."
Layla's smirk faltered, her cheeks flushing with anger. "You'll regret that," she hissed before turning on her heel and walking out.
Arthur's hand struck her again, harder this time. Haelyn's cheek burned, and her tears fell freely, but she refused to cry out.
Helen stepped forward, a saccharine smile plastered on her face. "Don't cry, dear," she said mockingly. "You'll need your strength for what's to come."
Layla leaned against the wall, her arms crossed and a smirk playing on her lips. "She's just upset because no one cares about her," she said, her tone dripping with mockery. "Honestly, sister, I don't know why you even try. You're nothing."
"Enough, Layla," Arthur snapped, his voice silencing her instantly. He turned back to Haelyn, his expression colder than ever. "Do you know why I've let you live for so long Haelyn? It's not because I care. It's because I've had plans for you…..And for that child you're carrying."
Helen chuckled softly, placing a hand on Arthur's arm. "Don't scare her too much, darling. We need her to cooperate."
Layla rolled her eyes and turned to leave. "She's not worth all this effort," she muttered under her breath.
Helen glanced back at Haelyn with a cold smile. "Stay strong, Haelyn," she said mockingly. "You'll need it."
Arthur lingered for a moment longer, his gaze drilling into her. "Remember," he said quietly, his voice like ice, "you belong to me. Always have, always will."
With that, he turned and left the basement, slamming the door shut behind him.
Alone in the suffocating silence, Haelyn sobbed quietly, her body shaking as the pain consumed her. She clenched her fists, biting down on her lip to keep from screaming.
Then it happened.
A vision flashed before her eyes, so vivid and sudden that it felt real.
She saw her mother….beautiful, serene, and ethereal, even in her pain. Arthur loomed over her, his expression twisted with anger as he grabbed her roughly. Her mother's delicate face was marred with blood at the corners of her lips, yet she still managed a soft, gentle smile.
Her mother turned her gaze toward Haelyn, her soft eyes filled with sorrow. She stretched her arms out as though to embrace her, a faint smile on her lips despite the blood staining her face.
Haelyn wanted to reach for her, to hold her, but the vision began to twist. Her mother's smile faded, replaced with a look of anguish and despair. The blood on her lips dripped onto the floor, the sound echoing in Haelyn's ears like a haunting melody.
"No," Haelyn whispered, her voice trembling. "Please, don't go."
The vision faded, leaving Haelyn gasping for air. She clenched her fists tightly, her nails digging into her palms as tears streamed down her face.
"I didn't kill her," she whispered, her voice shaking. "Mother… I didn't kill you."
Her words hung in the air, a desperate plea to the memory of a woman she barely knew. As the silence closed in around her, Haelyn's wolf stirred restlessly within her. It growled and raged, demanding release, but she held it back with all her strength.
Not yet, she thought. I can't let them know. Not yet.
The faint sound of footsteps above made her freeze. Her heart pounded in her chest as the reality of her situation came crashing back down.
But one thought kept her grounded: she had to survive. For her. For her child. For the truth that her mother's vision had begun to reveal.
The soft creak of the basement door opening startled Haelyn. Her body tensed, her heart racing in fear as footsteps echoed on the cold concrete floor. She tried to focus, to push through the pain, but her vision was hazy, her strength nearly gone.
"Shh, little one," a soft voice whispered, its tone gentle yet urgent. "It's me."
Haelyn blinked, her breath hitching. The dim light revealed the face of a woman she hadn't seen in years. "M-Marlyil?" she croaked, her voice barely audible.
"Yes, it's me," Marlyil whispered, kneeling beside her. Her hands moved quickly, untying the ropes that bound Haelyn. "Stay quiet, my dear. We don't have much time."
Haelyn's tears spilled anew as she looked at the woman who had once been her nanny, her mother's trusted handmaiden. "Why are you here?" she whispered, her voice trembling.
Marlyil paused, her dark eyes meeting Haelyn's. "Because I've been waiting for this moment," she said softly. "Now hold still. I need to get you out of here."
Haelyn winced as Marlyil worked to untie the last of the ropes, her movements swift and precise.
"They'll hear us," Haelyn murmured weakly, her voice filled with fear.
"They won't," Marlyil assured her, her tone firm. "Everyone in this cursed house is fast asleep. And if they're not... they'll regret waking up."
Haelyn's lips parted in shock, but Marlyil placed a finger over them. "No questions, little one. Save your strength."
Once the ropes fell away, Marlyil carefully helped Haelyn to her feet. Haelyn's legs buckled, and she would have fallen if Marlyil hadn't caught her.
"Easy now," Marlyil murmured, supporting her weight. "We're almost there. Just stay with me."
"Marlyil," Haelyn whispered as tears streamed down her face. "I... I thought you were gone."
"I never left, child," Marlyil said, her voice tight with emotion. "I've always been watching. For you."
Haelyn leaned heavily against her as they made their way up the stairs. Every step sent a jolt of pain through her body, but Marlyil's presence gave her the strength to keep moving.
They slipped through the dark hallways of the manor, Marlyil leading them with practiced ease. She moved like a shadow, silent and swift, her grip on Haelyn steady and protective.
"Where are we going?" Haelyn whispered, her voice barely audible.
"There's a car waiting for us," Marlyil replied, her tone hushed but urgent. "Behind the forest. Just hold on a little longer."
As they reached the back door of the manor, Haelyn's legs gave out again, and Marlyil caught her just in time. "You're fading," Marlyil said, her voice tinged with worry.
"I... I'm sorry," Haelyn mumbled, her vision swimming.
"Don't be," Marlyil said firmly. "You've endured more than anyone should. Now let me carry you."
Haelyn tried to protest, but her strength was gone. Marlyil scooped her up effortlessly, holding her as if she weighed nothing.
"Almost there," Marlyil whispered as they entered the forest. The sound of leaves crunching beneath her boots was the only noise in the still night.
Finally, they reached the waiting car, its headlights dimmed to avoid detection. The driver stepped out and opened the door without a word.
"She's unconscious," Marlyil said softly as she eased Haelyn into the back seat. She adjusted her carefully, ensuring she was as comfortable as possible.
The driver nodded. "We'll take it from here."
Marlyil brushed a strand of hair from Haelyn's face, her expression unreadable. "Rest now, little one," she whispered before climbing into the car beside her.
As the car sped away into the night, Haelyn's breathing slowed, her body finally succumbing to exhaustion. The manor disappeared into the distance, its dark silhouette fading into the shadows of the forest.
Marlyil sat silently, her eyes fixed on the road ahead. "You're safe now," she murmured, more to herself than to Haelyn. "I won't let them hurt you again."