Tangled With The Fated Mates

Farewell Claudine

Ariella effortlessly hoisted Claudine's limp body, carelessly maneuvering her into the trunk of the car where her parents impatiently waited. With a loud bang, she shut the trunk and slipped into the back seat. As her dad secured the doors, the engine roared to life, and they sped away. As the car raced down the lonely roads, Ariella stared out the window, the blur of trees melding into a monotonous rhythm. Minutes stretched into an eternity, and Ariella's patience wore thin. "Are we there yet?" Ariella's question pierced the silence, laden with frustration. Her mother's eyes twinkled with amusement as she glanced at Ariella. "Look around, dear. Do you see people or buildings?" Ariella bit back a retort, her irritation simmering beneath the surface. "Couldn't we have found a closer place to stash her?" Her father snorted dismissively. "If you have a better suggestion, I'm all ears." Ariella's lips pursed in contemplation before she exhaled heavily. "I just want her gone for good." "Don't worry, my child," Mr. Zayender reassured. "We're taking her to Bayfort's notorious dungeon. She would spend the rest of her miserable days there in solitude without any hope of a mate." "And I hope she rots and dies there too," Ariella spat. "Oh, she will! She'll beg for death," Mrs. Jayney interjected. "From what I've heard about Bayfort's dungeons, she won't even last long." Ariella's brow furrowed. "But what will we tell them was her offense?" "We won't have to explain anything," Mr. Zayender replied, steering the wheel expertly to avoid a porthole. "Really? Why?" Ariella asked. "Well dear, Bayfort is the most lawless pack," Mr. Zayender answered. "Yes, Bayfort operates outside the law," Mrs. Jayney confirmed. "There, all crimes are treated equally. And nobody gives a damn why you're brought there, only that you were brought there." "Still, let's have a story ready, just in case," Ariella insisted. "I don't want to take any chances." "Well, since it's you who wants her gone, why don't you come up with it?" Mr. Zayender suggested. Ariella quickly offered, "What if we say Claudine committed murder?" Her parents exchanged wary glances. Mr. Zayender shook his head. "Too risky. We can't tell a story that might lead to further investigation." Mrs. Jayney agreed. "Yes, it's too dangerous. We need something more plausible." Ariella pondered for a moment before speaking up again. "Alright, then how about this? We tell them Claudine was caught stealing from the pack's treasury. That's a serious offense in any pack's eyes." Her parents exchanged glances, considering her proposal. Mr. Zayender nodded slowly. "It's plausible enough. And it would justify her being sent to Bayfort." Mrs. Jayney nodded in agreement. "Yes, it's believable. Let's go with that." Ariella's lips curved into a satisfied smile. "Good. Then that settles it. When we arrive, we stick to that story." Suddenly, a muffled struggle erupted from the trunk, causing Ariella to groan. "Quiet down back there, or I'll have to knock you out again," Ariella warned. Despite Ariella's threat, Claudine continued to pound against the trunk, desperately trying to pry it open or find an escape route. However, the space was too compact, barely allowing her to twist in any direction. Ariella asked her dad to stop the car, and he complied. Stepping out, she unlocked the trunk, revealing Claudine's bruised and battered form, looking irreparably damaged. "Haha, you poor human thing," Ariella taunted. "If only you were half a werewolf, you'd have healed by now." Claudine pleaded, "Ariella, I'm so sorry. I'll reject Denzel. Please, just let me go." "Too late for that now," Ariella interjected coldly. "Please, Ar-" Ariella swiftly silenced Claudine with a blow, rendering her unconscious once again. The journey continued for a few more tense minutes until they reached the Bayfort territory. A guard approached their car, demanding to know their purpose. Claudine's father spoke up confidently, "We're here to drop off a prisoner." The guard scrutinized them before asking, "Where is the prisoner?" Ariella stepped out of the car and unlocked the trunk, revealing Claudine's unconscious form to the guard's surprise. Satisfied, the guard nodded and granted them passage into Bayfort territory. Bayfort was like a big group of houses that all looked the same, with everyone dressed alike and moving around in a very orderly way. Ariella's dad stopped the car near the dungeon. "We can't drive any further," he said. "We'll have to walk from here." They all got out, and Ariella carefully lifted Claudine onto her shoulders. Quietly, they followed her dad to the dungeon, a big stone building with iron gates and torches. "We need to lock up an offender," Mr. Zayender told the warden, a short, bald man. "Who?" asked the warden. "Claudine," replied Mr. Zayender. The warden scowled. "Is it just Claudine?" "She's adopted, so we don't know her last name," explained Mr. Zayender. "How long do you want her here?" the warden asked. "Forever," Ariella said firmly. "I wasn't asking you," the warden snapped. "But she's right," Mrs. Janey chimed in. "We want Claudine here for life." "Fine," said the warden. "Put her on the floor." Ariella carelessly lowered Claudine to the ground. The warden signaled for a guard to carry Claudine before unlocking the heavy iron gates with a creak, motioning for them to enter. Inside, the air was heavy with the scent of damp stone. Rows of narrow cells lined the walls, each housing a solitary figure, their faces obscured in shadow. Ariella clutched her mother's hand tightly. They followed the warden down a narrow corridor until they reached a cell at the end. The warden unlocked the door with a heavy key, swinging it open to reveal a small, dimly lit chamber. The guard went inside and lowered Claudine on the cemented floor just before she stirred awake. Claudine groaned, feeling her head pound with a severe headache. "Wh- where am I?" "Your new home," Ariella replied. She watched with a satisfied grin as the warden slammed the door shut behind them, the sound echoing ominously in the confined space.