Searching For The Cursed (Shattered Souls #1)

Chapter 6

"Ah! Look who is here! My soon to be mate!" Dushyant said as his eyes fell on Sreeshanvika who had entered the gym with cleaning supplies.

Though she found a job in the daycare center, she had a scheduled cleaning duty at the gym as her contribution to the community.
Last night, after coming back from the forest, Sreeshanvika had spent the hours gazing blankly at the far sky until someone came to fetch her for her duty. Sreeshanvika didn't really know what she was doing as she dragged herself here and headed inside grabbing the cleaning supplies from the janitors closet.

The only thing she knew was,

Hell.

The only thing she felt was,

Despair.

The only thing she understood was,

Pain.

Nothing mattered to her anymore. There was no hope. As, there was no way to get him out of Patallok alive. She had never even heard of anyone going to Patallok alive let alone returning.

Even Acharya Nabgah fell silent after hearing Shankhini. He had led them back to their house. Sreeshanvika had not asked him anything nor had he. What was the point? It all meant nothing. Absolutely nothing.

And irony was she felt him. In her mind. A soothing ray kept trying to comfort her and chase away the depression and sorrow. But it all went in vain as her wounds only worsened.

"Come on, Dushyant! Her?" The whining voice of Tejaswini said as she leaned on Dushyant. "I mean, I understand you need a maid. But do you think she's of any use? Look at her! She was supposed to be here before sunrise and make the area spotless before we arrive. But here she comes."

Tejaswini looked at her with contempt as Sreeshanvika without acknowledging anything started doing her job. She hated to be ignored. She was the daughter of the Adhiza. The most powerful female Vrikajina of this Samuday. Her aura demanded respect and obedience. This pathetic excuse for a shifter should have bowed and whimper in fear in front of her. But she repeatedly insulted Tejaswini by ignoring her presence.

"Don't worry babe. I will make her obedient very soon." Dushyant replied stroking Tejaswini's face sensually. It was no secret that they were dating each other in between of seeing other people.

Dushyant was in line for the next Upagrya position. He was the strongest warrior of this Samuday. He had defeated all to work his way up the ladder. He was known to be ruthless and undefeated in battlefield. Everyone except a few regarded him with fear and stayed clear from his path. Even Gaurav, their present Upagrya remained worry of him. He knew his position was in danger and at any moment his authority could be challenged. Moreover, their Adhiza Sadashiv seemed to treasure the boy.

"I will teach her to be punctual and she'll behave like a good little pet." Dushyant said as he lazily moved towards Sreeshanvika and kicked the bucket of water she was using to wipe the floor.

Sreeshanvika stared at the water that was now all over the floor, flowing without any destination or purpose. Just like her life had turned to be. This was meaningless. It all was. Her life was meaningless now that she would never get to know the man whom she was born to complete.

Sreeshanvika suddenly felt a sharp sting on the backside of her head that sent her to the floor tumbling. Was it his pain or hers? She couldn't tell anymore.

She heard a high pitched giggle just before hearing another taunt.

"What a pathetic excuse for a wolf! Just a little touch and she's all over the place."

Pathetic. Yes. She was pathetic. She was so pathetic that she couldn't even help her mate. He was dying being tortured in Patal and she had no way to soothe or relieve him.