Colliding Dreams

Chapter Twenty-Three: Tortured Soul

[Luna's POV]

I woke to darkness, the air thick and suffocating. It took a moment for my eyes to adjust, but when they did, the reality of my surroundings flooded my senses. The cold, damp stone walls closed in on me, and the faint smell of decay hung in the air like a shroud. I was in a cell, chained to the wall, my wrists raw and bloodied from struggling against the unforgiving metal. Panic surged through me, but I forced myself to breathe. I had to remain calm. I had to remember who I was.

My heart raced as I recalled the events leading to this moment—Ulferix. His cold, calculating gaze haunted me. The last thing I remembered was the sharp pain in my side as he had grabbed me, pulling me into the darkness. I had fought, kicking and screaming, but he was too strong. Too powerful. The image of his twisted smile lingered in my mind, a cruel reminder of the monster I was up against.

Now, I was alone, and the only sounds that filled the silence were the distant dripping of water and the echoes of my own ragged breath. I pulled at the chains, trying to break free, but it was futile. The more I struggled, the more I felt the shackles biting into my skin. I winced, a sharp pain shooting through my wrists as I finally succumbed to stillness, my back pressed against the cold wall. The chill seeped into my bones, wrapping around me like a serpent, and I shivered despite my best efforts to remain composed.

I closed my eyes, forcing myself to think of something else—anything else. Darius. I pictured him, his warm smile, the way his eyes lit up when he saw me, the way he had always made me feel safe. The memory filled me with a bittersweet longing, igniting a flicker of hope within the darkness. I knew he would come for me. He had to. But what if he couldn't find me in time? What if Ulferix kept me hidden away forever?

I shook my head, banishing the dark thoughts. I wouldn't let Ulferix win. I wouldn't break.

Days passed—or at least I assumed they did; time had become a meaningless concept in this dark hole. The shadows seemed to stretch endlessly, wrapping around me, holding me captive. I was never sure when it was day or night, the light a distant memory. My stomach growled, a hollow reminder of my starvation. I hadn't eaten in... how long? I tried to count the hours, but it all blurred together into a haze of hunger and despair. Each gurgle of my empty stomach echoed loudly, a constant reminder of my weakness.

With every passing moment, my body grew weaker. I could feel my energy draining, the weight of my despair settling heavily on my chest. Each time I thought I would pass out, Ulferix would appear, bringing with him a twisted smile that sent chills down my spine. He relished my suffering, feeding off my fear.

He would approach me slowly, his dark eyes gleaming with sadistic pleasure as he leaned in close, forcing me to meet his gaze. "You will submit to me, little wolf. You will be my weapon."

His voice was smooth, like honey mixed with poison. Each word dripped with malice, each syllable a reminder of the fate he had planned for me. I glared at him, every ounce of defiance surging within me. I wouldn't give him the satisfaction of knowing how terrified I was. I would not let him see the cracks in my armor.

He would laugh then, a chilling sound that echoed in the dark. "You think you can resist me? I'll break you, Luna. It's only a matter of time."

With that, he would leave, and I would be left alone once more. The darkness would wrap around me, tightening like a vice, and I would cling to the memories of Darius, of the pack, of the love and strength that fueled my spirit.

But the torture intensified. His methods grew increasingly cruel and methodical, dragging out my suffering with brutal precision. The first time, he brought in a syringe filled with a dark, viscous liquid. I knew instinctively what it was—wolfsbane.