Chained

Chapter 5 - Stitches

Quick Author note!

Hey guys first off just wanted to say thanks for 1000 readers! I know it not a lot compared to others but I am really grateful you chose to read (and continue to read) my writing. If you are looking for something different I have poetry that I finished ages ago but it is DEFINITELY for a more mature audience (in regards to mental health).

I just wanted to make sure that there is as little confusion as possible. If you read this book at the beginning of this year when it first came out, please re-read from the beginning as I have changed a lot since then. If not, full steam ahead!

Thanks!
- T

Winter's POV

Despite being on the solid earth, I stumbled slightly and Zayn eyed me with something like concern in his eyes.

"Where's the healer Nancy?" He asked the older female guard.

"I called for one to be ready as we arrived, he said he would be waiting at the cell."

The world was spinning too fast for me to conjure any form of reaction at the mention of a cell. I couldn't even say I was surprised. Where else would they keep me?

The simply alpha nodded. "Let's go, he's about to collapse."

I rolled my eyes at the wolf's ongoing stupidity but my annoyance vanished as he began to walk away and I was supposed to follow him. I couldn't help but hiss in pain as I took a step in the direction Zayn was walking. Ignoring the screaming protests from my leg and the searing pain from my neck, I forced myself to walk a few more paces until the pain made my vision blur forcing me to stop.

"Not much further," Nancy said from beside me.

I looked towards her, surprised at her encouragement. Despite her age, she was beautiful. Her dark skin complimented her earthly brown eyes that seemed to dance with the vibrancy of the fleeting sunset that began to settle behind the tree line. I looked back to where Zayn was walking to see what looked like a large grey concrete box with steel bars over the windows.

My mind instantly flashed to the concrete walls which Markus caged me in. Any joy I had from my momentary freedom began dwindled.

After what felt like hours, I finally made it to the entrance to the cage. Zayn pushed open the rusted steal door to reveal a 2 rows of 4 cages similar to the Markus' causing my skin to crawl.
I limped down the small set of concrete stairs, feeling the earth stripping away from my senses once again.

Just as I was about to faint I managed to stumble into the first cage before collapsing. Relief washed over my body as I was no longer forced to walk but the pain is my wounds only amplified.

"She has lost a lot of blood Alpha," A male voice said from the other side of the cage, "She will need stitches and lots of water."

At the sound of a pack healer giving me stitches, my mind roared to life. My eyes snapped open to see a short middle aged man wearing a lab coat and holding a briefcase. His eyes widened in fear as he caught my stare but kept his expression professional.

"She?" Zayn asked folding his arms across his chest.

The healer smiled. "Yes. Not quite fully grown either, though it's clear she wasn't under the best care, she may not grow much more."

Zayn raised his eyebrows but the healer quickly moved the conversation. "How well tempered is she?"

He shrugged. "She forfeited the fight and came willingly, but Elly told me she became agitated when she tried to give her first aid.

The healer sighed. "That doesn't surprise me, there's no doubt Markus' healer did more harm than good."

At the sound of Markus' healer my heart began to race. The other healer was right. Byron had kept me alive at Markus' order, but had no restraint on the pain he inflicted when I was first captured and 'broken in'. 

The healer slowly stepped inside the cage and softened his voice. "Hello," he said laying his briefcase on the cement floor. "My name is Richard, it looks like you've got a nasty wound on your shoulder there. Would you mind if I take a look?" His voice was so kind I almost considered letting him. No one had spoken to me like that in a long time.

My favourite healers at my home were similar. Their voices soft and gentle and yet not patronising like most other adults. Richard took another small step forward and I forced myself not to bare my teeth. The smile on his bearded face was somehow warm despite the coldness of the white coat he wore that matched that of Byron.  My head spun as I remembered the way he would grin as he watched me bleed out onto concrete floors that matched the one I was now on.

Before I could blink I was there back in that cell, my paws were gone and replaced by my hands that were chained to a steal bar above me, forcing me to stand.

No, please.

Pain encompassed my entire body as the rusted blunt knife sunk into my side.

I tried to scream but no noise came out.

"You didn't really think you could ever get out, did you?" his faceless voice asked in the mocking tone it always held. 

I felt blood drip from my mouth.

It was all fake.

I should have known. The too-perfect softness of the grass and the complete sublimity that filled my heart at the sight of the setting sun. I should have known. That beauty no longer exists in the world.

"You are never getting out kitty," he snarled.

The world around me blurred and spun leaving me unable to focus my attention. It didn't matter though, he was everywhere. And I was nowhere, nothing. 

Nothing. I am nothing.