Matilda's POV
I pushed the tray away, shaking my head. "I don't want it."
I still refuse to eat. No matter how many times Kade begged or tried to convince me, I couldn't bring myself to accept anything from him.
Then, one day, the door opened, and a maid walked in with a tray of food.
She looked frail her clothes tattered, her face smeared with dirt. Her arms trembled slightly as she carried the tray, and something in my chest tightened at the sight of her.
I sat up slowly, my voice gentle. "What's your name?"
She hesitated, her gaze flickering toward the door before whispering, "Anita, my Luna."
I stiffened. My Luna?
I wasn't Kade's. I never would be.
Still, I didn't correct her. Instead, I watched as she carefully set the tray down before handing me a set of clean clothes.
Kade gave me one last look before stepping out of the room, locking the door behind him.
For a moment, silence filled the space. Then, I turned to Anita.
She refused to meet my eyes, standing stiffly with her hands clasped in front of her.
I exhaled. "How long have you been here?"
Anita hesitated before answering. "A long time."
I studied her, taking in her thin frame, the exhaustion in her eyes. Something told me she wasn't here by choice.
Weeks passed.
Kade continued to visit, trying to win me over with his false kindness, but I remained firm. I refused to eat, refused to listen to his sweet words. The only company I found comfort in was Anita.
Slowly, she opened up.
We became.friends.
She was cautious at first, always glancing at the door before speaking, but over time, she spoke more freely. She told me about life here, about the people she had once known, about the little joys she clung to despite everything.
But there was always a shadow behind her eyes. A weight she carried.
And one day, I finally learned why.
Tears streamed down my face as I sat curled up in the corner of the cold room. My body ached, exhaustion weighing heavy on me.
I felt helpless.
Trapped.
Kade kept saying he loved me. That he would take care of me. That I would eventually accept him.
But I never would.
A soft knock at the door startled me, and Anita slipped inside, closing it quickly behind her. Her eyes widened when she saw my tear-streaked face.
"My Luna…" she whispered, kneeling beside me.
I grabbed her hands desperately. "Anita, please. You have to help me. I can't stay here. I'm pregnant, and I need to get back to my mate."
She flinched at my words, pulling away slightly. Fear flashed in her eyes. "I-I can't."
"Yes, you can," I insisted, my grip tightening. "Kade is keeping me prisoner. You know this isn't right."
Anita looked away, her hands trembling. "If I help you, he'll punish me. Or worse. my sister."
My breath hitched. "Your sister?"
She hesitated, then swallowed hard. "Kade has her. He keeps her locked up somewhere. He told me that as long as I serve him, she'll stay safe."
My stomach sank.
Kade had taken Anita's family just as he had taken me.
I squeezed her hands again. "Anita, listen to me." My voice was firm, desperate. "If you get to Marco, I swear he will help. He's powerful. He will find your sister and bring her back to you."
Tears welled in her eyes. "You don't know that."
"I do," I said fiercely. "Marco will never stop until I'm safe. If you help him, he will help you."
Anita's lips trembled as she stared at me, torn between fear and hope.
A long silence stretched between us.
Then, slowly hesitantly she nodded.
"I'll go to Marco."
Relief washed over me, but it was quickly replaced by fear.
Anita had agreed to help but how would she escape? How long would it take for her to find Marco? Would I even survive long enough for him to come?
I took a shaky breath, trying to steady my racing heart.
Anita looked terrified, her hands trembling as she stood. "I don't know how I'll get past the guards," she whispered. "Kade watches everyone closely."
I swallowed hard. "We'll find a way. You just have to get a message to Marco. He'll do the rest."
She bit her lip, nodding. "I'll try."
Before I could respond, the door suddenly creaked open.
We both froze.
Kade stepped inside, his eyes immediately narrowing when he saw Anita close to me. "What's going on here?" His voice was calm, but there was an edge to it one that sent chills down my spine.
Anita quickly lowered her gaze. "I was just checking on the Luna, Alpha," she said quietly.
Kade's sharp eyes studied her for a long moment before turning to me. "And how are you, my love?" he asked, stepping closer.
I tensed, forcing myself not to recoil. "I want to go home."
His jaw clenched. "This is your home now."
"No," I whispered. "It's not."
Something dark flickered in his gaze.
He sighed, brushing a strand of hair from my face. I flinched, but he ignored it. "You'll come to love it here, Matilda. In time."
I felt sick.
Kade turned back to Anita. "Leave us."
Anita hesitated, glancing at me once before quickly bowing and exiting the room.
I swallowed the fear rising in my throat as Kade sat on the edge of the bed beside me.
His fingers traced my wrist lightly. "I know you hate me right now," he murmured. "But one day, you'll understand. I'm doing this for us."
I clenched my teeth, refusing to respond.
I didn't have to.
Because soon very soon Marco would come for me.
My entire body froze.
Kade's fingers brushed against my arm, his touch light but his words.
His words filled me with pure terror.
"Even with your pregnancy, I still have you. I can still claim you."
I felt sick. My stomach churned, and bile rose in my throat.
"No…" I whispered, shaking my head.
Kade cupped my face, forcing me to look at him. His expression was soft, almost loving, but there was something twisted behind his eyes.
"You'll see, Matilda," he murmured. "I'll take care of you in ways Marco never could."
Tears welled in my eyes. My heart pounded so hard I thought it might burst from my chest.
"Please," I whimpered. "Don't do this."
He sighed, stroking my cheek. "The more you fight me, the harder you make it for yourself."
I wanted to fight. I wanted to claw, scream, run.
But I was trapped.
And I was terrified.
"Marco, please help me."
I didn't know if he could hear me.
But I prayed begged for my mate to come. Before it was too late.