Chereads / ANABELLE (The Cursed Luna) / Chapter 5 - Chapter 5

Chapter 5 - Chapter 5

Annabelle's point of view

 

 

The door creaked open, and a man walked in. I supposed it was the guard. He leaned against the wall, his gaze darting between Seline and me.

 

"The Beta orders that she get dressed and brought to him," he said, his voice sharp, cutting through the air.

 

Beta? Who the fuck was the Beta? What did he want with me?

 

Seline folded her arms, leaning against the wall. She hesitated for a few minutes before giving the soldier a dismissive nod.

 

"Look, you've got the wrong person. I'm not Kyle," I tried to protest, but the guard wasn't listening. He stole a glance at me before walking out of the room, slamming the door.

 

Seline walked up to me with two strides, a mocking smile running across her lips as she tilted my head with her claws.

 

"You'd be meeting the Beta soon," she mumbled, leaning close to me. She placed her lips on my ear and whispered, "How lucky."

 

I wasn't going to allow her to have her way, at least not that easily. She walked out of the room and emerged a few hours later with a black dress in her hand.

 

"I'm not going to wear that!" I said firmly, my hair scattered strands resting on my face. I wasn't going to allow their silly decisions to influence me.

 

Her eyes reddened. From the way she stared at me, I think she wasn't taking no for an answer.

 

Her claws dug out instinctively.

 

"This kitty isn't afraid to use her claws," she sneered.

 

She loosened my ropes with her claws, and I did the first thing that rang in my mind: run. How stupid!

 

Before I could reach the door, she bolted toward me, grabbing me and slamming my head roughly on the wall. The last thing I saw was the cruel smile on her face before I passed out.

 

I woke up to a sharp sting of pain radiating from my chin. My vision blurry, and I tried hard to focus on the unfamiliar environment. The air was thick with the scent of herbs, wood, and ashes, which made my stomach churn with disgust. I felt like throwing up; at least Seline's brutality didn't affect my senses.

 

I stared at myself and realized that I was dressed in a black silk gown that draped over my shoulders. She had dressed me up and sent me to whatever this fucking place was while I was unconscious. My head throbbed, my gaze darting around the dimly lit room.

 

The first thing I noticed after my dressing was that I wasn't in shackles. Was this the Beta's room?

 

"You are awake," a voice cut through the air, startling me.

 

I snapped my head in the direction of the voice. Seated by the corner was an old lady, a warm smile tugging at her lips. Her silver hair was neatly braided, her skin tanned. She had some herbs resting on her lap.

 

"Who are you?" I asked, my voice barely a whisper.

 

"I'm the pack's healer," she said gently, her gaze scanning me. "I'm sorry for what happened earlier. Seline can be… cruel."

 

Understatement!

 

I thought bitterly, brushing the wisps of my hair aside.

 

"She treated me like an animal. I don't belong here. They've made a mistake."

 

The woman sighed deeply, shaking her head.

 

"I know. You are not who they think you are."

 

I paused breathing, raising my gaze to meet her wrinkled face. Finally! Someone believed that I wasn't Kyle, the runaway bride.

 

"You serious right now?" I asked, my brow furrowing with disbelief.

 

Her tongue rolled out an effortless chuckle that contained warmth.

 

"Yes," she replied, her voice low. "You don't have Kyle's scent. It's obvious to anyone paying attention. And your healing… it's too slow. If you were really a beta werewolf, your wounds would've been closed by now."

 

Relief surged through me, tears threatening to spill out of my eyes. This was hope. At least she'd aid in my release.

 

"Then tell them! Tell them that I'm not Kyle, and I don't know who the fuck Kyle is!" I begged, my voice shaking.

 

Her expression changed immediately, and she shook her head slowly.

 

"I can't." My heart skipped immediately as the word escaped her lips. What did she mean she couldn't? It wasn't a difficult task.

"What?" I whispered, my shoulders shrugging.

 

"I'm just the pack's healer. The others are blinded by rage and loyalty. They won't listen. I'm nothing but the village's old crazy lady with healing abilities," she explained.

 

A brief silence settled in the atmosphere as I fought hard to restrain the tears that had accumulated in my eyes from spilling.

 

"So… what am I gonna do? Just sit here and wait for them to kill me?" I asked, my voice cracking. The tears I had fought to restrain spilled over.

 

"Stay strong. You are more resilient than you think," she said reassuringly.

 

 

Stay strong? That's all? I'm expected to take this torment like it was nothing? My whole life has been ripped apart, and I'm trying to fix it, then this? Hell, Luna goddess, what on earth was I created for? To suffer and die while trying to get a better life?

 

"The Beta would take you into his room and turn your wolf on, forcing it into an early heat perod. You'd be starved of sex, food and water…for now," she paused, taking in my confused facial expression.

 

"That'd be the punishment you'd face for humiliating the Alpha….or rather, looking like the person who humilated the Alpha."

 

 

Before I could respond, the door burst open, and two guards stepped in, their towering forms filling the room with an oppressive aura. Their gaze shifted in my direction. I knew right there they came for me.

 

Without a word, they walked toward me, grabbing me by my wrist forcefully. I was supposed to struggle and beg for my life, but I didn't. I've had enough of this torture.

 

They dragged me down the hallway, pushing me into a spacious, opulent room.

 

And then, I saw him. Beta Klaus.

 

He stood by the window, the moonlight casting a silver glow on his figure. His glowing amber eyes locked onto mine the moment I entered. A predatory smile ran across his lips, sending shivers down my spine.

 

"Kyle," he drawled, his voice low. "Good to have you on board."

 

I stumbled backward, my body trembling. He looked terrifying, his presence alone threatening to knock my breath out of my lungs.

 

"Step into the room. I don't bite," he ordered, his amusement and authority laced in his voice.

 

I swallowed hard, my body trembling as I walked into the room, my gaze never leaving his eyes.

 

I took a hesitant step forward, my breaths shallow. My heart pounded so loudly I was certain he could hear it.

"Please," I whispered, my voice trembling. "You've got the wrong person. I'm not Kyle."

 

His smile widened, dark

 

"Oh, how disappointing," he whispered, his voice dripping with mockery. "Either way, I'd enjoy breaking you!"

 

Suddenly, he bolted toward me. The movement was so fast, so predatory, I didn't even have time to react. His hand shot out, gripping my neck and lifting me off the ground. My feet dangled helplessly as I clawed at his hand, desperate for air.

 

"Welcome home," he whispered, his breath warm against my ear. "I'll have to prepare you for my… Alpha!"

 

Tears streamed down my face as I gasped for breath, my vision blurring once more.

 

What did he mean by those words? If Klaus was as terrifying as this, how would the Alpha be?

 

"And for everything you did that day," his smile widened, "I'll make you bleed."