The Alpha's Damnation

eraphina's body begged for res

eshift bed, staring at the f

o mock her, their dark shadows rese

s the room, but her thoughts were consumed by the ech

h hunger, a sharp pang cu

since the attack,

e memories of her people. And yet, the emptiness

dragged her back into the nightma

s that tore through the air like thunder, the screams that were abruptly

heavy wooden door an unyielding barri

nst the door until they were raw and bruised. "Please!" she had

no one

ne ans

cracks, filling her with dread. She could hear the agonized w

ssed against the cold wood of the door, tremb

the door, her strength drained by th

family and friends being butchered while s

then,

ting than the chaos. Her breath hitched in her thr

a predator, creeping c

ate-her entire body tensed. The sound grew louder

the force of the blow sending shar

er hands trembling as she press

there

oorway, framed by the jag

ing from exertion, and his eyes-those cold, pr

y," he had said, his voice deep and mocking, as if he were greeting an

the coarse blanket beneath her as she forced herself back t

f upright and moved to the window, hoping the cool

iet courtyard below. Her breath hitched when she saw h

in his hand, a thin line of smoke curled up

taring rig

body frozen as her mind raced. Was

ere was no denying it. His piercing eyes were l

garette, the glowing ember briefl

ulating, as though he were sile

ent, she considered confronting him. But what co

place, shutting out his intrusive gaze. She exhaled slowly

and pulling her attention to the gnawing emptiness inside

t. Not tonight.

to the floor, her back pressed again

st and buried her face in her arm

y laughter echoing through the halls. The playful bickering wit

ey were pieces of her soul, frag

relenting, spilling down her chee

for her people, for the li

end. She would wear the m

herself break. Tonigh

ible. Her muscles ached, her head throbbed, and her golden hair

n struck her-she'd fallen aslee

felt more like a cage than a comfort, a reminder of her captivity. She g

started slow. Her knees cracked as she unbent

mental, like waking a body th

anied by a flood of resentment. She hadn't chosen this place,

g up at the ceiling. Her chest heaved a

ing worse. Her exhaustion wasn't just physical. It was burie

coarse, ill-fitting. They felt like an insult, another remin

thing better to wear? Or a pri

med like a luxury here. Even the air felt intrusiv

yone. Not this morning, not

ina took a deep breath, though it c

like a fist was squeezing he

ntal nudge, even as her hands trembled slightly

p, avoiding even a glance at the

d, she focused on the door ahead-the one

silence that felt intentional, like the wa

, her feet moved with purpose, carrying her

dle, and without a second tho

rply, her eyes widening

t the