Willows Salvation- Crescent Moon Book 1

Chapter 35

Laying in the corner I tried to get back up. My ribs I was sure were broken and my ankle couldn't support my weight at all. My eyes were swollen shut and I could still feel the blood running from the gash in my head. I have been here for a week so far. At least I think I have been. The days and nights were running together. They would beat me until I passed or blacked out. The first few days I hopped Chris would come and save me but my hopes were quickly dashed. I knew he rejected me so why save me. They would let me have my wolf back every few days so that I would heal enough that I wouldn't die yet but I wished they would finish me off. Whatever they were injecting me with kept her at bay. 

Before I couldn't see thanks to both my eyes being black and swollen I noticed that I wasn't at home. They had brought me to some run-down shack in the middle of the woods. They kept me locked up in a very small room. I think it was meant to be a pantry. It was colder here than it was back on Blood moon or crescent moon lands which lead me to presume we were further north. I heard the door creak open and slow steady footsteps make their way to me. "How are we today Willow?" Bella was here this time. Grabbing me by my hair she yanked back my head so fast I'm surprised my neck didn't snap. "I have special plans for you today Its snowing and I plan on letting you spend the night outside in your dog box so to speak. How does that sound" 

Tears escaped my swollen eyes. "I don't care anymore Bella." Truthfully I didn't. I wanted to die. "Tsk tsk tsk you can't give up yet Willow. We aren't done having fun. But when we are then we will let you rest." A wicked laugh escaped her lips. Great, hopefully, it was sooner rather than later. "Why not make your lives easy and kill me now. Why torture me the way you have been. What is it you stand to gain?"

"Oh Willow. You have caused more harm than good in your sick, pathetic, little lifetime. I was supposed to be the Luna. But no you escaped father and came to my pack. I was in good with Chris well mostly his bed but you showed up and ruined my plans. For that, you will pay. Now, father not only wants to kill you slowly but I want revenge. Why do you think we had Isabella take over Chris in the field" 

"What did you just say?" 

"Oops, I said too much. Oh well, it doesn't matter now." she laughed "We made Chris reject you so that he would become weak. Taking over the crescent moon pack while their Alpha is crippled the way that he is will be a piece of cake." Realization taking me over. He didn't reject me, they made him. Could he still be on his way or was his mark on my shoulder a regret. I guess I would never know. "How would that cripple him, Bella. He rejected me"

"Ahh, you would think that, wouldn't you. Apparently you don't know how the mates bond works do you. Especially since he marked you" Those last words were filled with venom and I felt her nails cut the skin of my mark. I bit my tongue to keep from crying out in pain. I could hear her take a deep breath before she continued to regain some composure. "Since it was forced and not his actual feelings his soul will shatter just as yours is" I tried to hang my head but her hand in my hair kept it looking up. I was shattered more than anyone would ever know.

"Enough chit chat. Come mutt. Its getting dark" I tried to walk on my ankle trying to keep up with her but kept falling earning me a few swift kicks in my side for slowing her down. She dragged me outside and goosebumps littered my skin. Im was sure it was so cold you could see my breath. The clothes that still hung from my frame were ratted and torn and would not be enough to keep me warm. Just another sentiment of torture that got their rocks off. We had gone a good ways in the snow before I felt her clip a collar around my neck. It instantly burned so I knew it was silver. 

"I will be back sometime tomorrow. Good luck bitch. Oh and Willow one more thing before I go." Before I could ask what it was a felt a dagger dig into my thigh with a violent twist. I screamed out this time and fell to the ground effectively getting chocked and burned by the silver collar around my neck. I had to make myself stand on my now bleeding leg and a crushed ankle. I wasn't sure which pain was worse. She was laughing so hard I hoped she puked and choked on it. "Don't die tonight Willow. Father wants you to himself tomorrow." 

What a cruel twist this was to sleeping in the dog house. If I fell I would surely choke and burn through my throat but standing was almost impossible. the only warmth I had was the blood running down my leg. Please, goddess, take me away from this. Why would you leave me here to suffer? The temperature was dropping and I kept nodding off. Every time My head would droop I would lean forward causing the collar to burn and send pain from head to toe. I was so cold now and in so much pain that I welcomed death. I actually prayed it would come soon. I was shaking all over and couldn't contain my teeth from chattering. I decided to give in to the darkness that not only surrounded me but was growing within. I closed my eyes and let it take me. 

I woke up to the collar being removed and a warm blanket around me. I was being carried through the woods and since I could hardly see I couldn't tell who had me. Whoever it was was moving at an extremely fast speed but they never spoke a word. After what felt like hours I was laid down on a couch and a familiar voice spoke to me. "Willow. Willow wake up! We can't stay here long or he will catch up to us. I already sent a message to the Alpha uhh Christopher that I was bringing you back and where we are." I was slipping in and out of consciousness. I felt him remove the dagger from my leg but it was numbed from the cold now. 

Patting my face "Willow drink this. It will help warm you up" I knew this person. His voice sounded so familiar. Damn, I hated that I cant see. I should recognize his scent but I think my nose was frozen. He helped me to sit up and brought the glass of Hot Chocolate to my lips. "Good girl. Drink it all. We soon have to go Willow." It started to click in my head who this was. I heard his voice many times, in my father's study, on the training field, even when I was young playing hide and seek with Tillie. 

"Stephen?" I asked trying to make him out through the small slits my eyes let me see out of. 

A warm hand touched my face "Yes Willow it's me." his voice was laced with concern and fear. 

"Why would you help me escape Stephen. He will now come after you too."

He took a deep breath when he spoke his voice was laced with regret "Why wouldn't I save my daughter from a fate worse than death?"