Magic Under Darkness

I'll Save You

CHAPTER TEN

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I'LL SAVE YOU

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'JUST HOLD ON.'

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Celeste couldn't deny the agony searing through her.

Every movement, every breath seemed to exacerbate the rawness of her wounds. The sting of her scars was a constant reminder of the battles she'd fought, both within and without. Beads of sweat gathered on her back, amplifying the discomfort to unbearable levels. In the dimness of her surroundings, she found herself bound by shackles, yet the configuration was different this time. No longer were her arms cruelly suspended above her head; instead, the chains, once affixed to the ceiling, now trailed behind her, still tethered to the wall. Though her wrists remained trapped, the freedom from the previous torment felt like a small victory amidst the overwhelming pain.

With deliberate breaths, she endeavored to steady the erratic rhythm of her heart. The impending specter of her death sentence loomed ominously on the horizon, yet it wasn't the fear of her impending death that troubled her most. Rather, it was the uncertainty of what lay beyond, particularly concerning her mate, that gnawed at her thoughts. Despite the weight of impending doom, she found a semblance of solace in the realization that, for now, her troubles were suspended, if only temporarily, under the tenuous grasp of her composure.

Fear gripped her tightly, a relentless specter whispering of the dire consequences should she relinquish control.

The thought alone sent shivers down her spine—visions of chaos and destruction haunting her every step. But it wasn't just the world at risk; the possibility of causing harm to Alex, her beloved, weighed heavily on her soul. As she contemplated her escape, her heart quivered with trepidation at the potential repercussions.

Despite having a plan in place, its execution remained suspended, tethered to the presence of Alex in her life, a complication she couldn't afford to overlook.

The weight of concern bore down heavily on her as she pondered the logistics of bringing Alex along in her escape, should she falter and lose control. The realization struck hard—his consent, his desires, would be rendered inconsequential in the face of her uncontrollable actions. The prospect of dragging him along against his will filled her with a deep sense of dread. To be perceived as a monster in his eyes was a fear she couldn't bear; the mere thought of it sent a chill down her spine, threatening to unravel the fragile threads of hope she clung to.

Engulfed in the depths of her contemplation, Celeste found solace in the symphony of raindrops cascading outside, each harsh tap against the ground a stark contrast to the serenity enveloping her within. Lost in the stillness of her mind, she sought refuge in the pure silence surrounding her. Yet, her moment of tranquility was shattered abruptly when the small window of the pack's prison, already slightly ajar, creaked open further, jolting her from her reverie with a start.

Her gaze shifted towards the source of the disturbance, where a diminutive figure of a boy was scaling his way into the room. With determined effort, he navigated his descent to the ground floor, managing to land without injury despite the challenge. As he turned, shedding his drenched black hood, Celeste's eyes widened in astonishment.

"Alex?" she breathed, her voice laced with disbelief, as she beheld her soaked mate standing before her, his cerulean eyes swimming with a depth of sadness that mirrored her own.