Chapter 185

Chapter 190
Natalie POV


I couldn't sleep. The plush mattress that should have felt like heaven after days in a simple cabin only made me more restless. My body was exhausted, but my mind refused to quiet down, racing with thoughts of everything and nothing all at once.

Moonlight streamed through the large windows of my room, casting long shadows across the floor. I sat on the window bench, knees pulled to my chest, staring out at the night sky. The castle grounds looked eerily peaceful under the silver glow, so different from the bustling activity of the day.

A soft scratching against stone caught my attention. I looked down to see Draco clinging to the castle wall, his massive claws finding impossible purchase on the smooth surface. His intelligent eyes met mine, glowing faintly in the darkness.

"Hey," I whispered, pushing the window open wider. "How are you?"

Draco made a soft chirping sound, stretching his neck toward me. I reached out, running my fingers over his scaled head. He leaned into my touch, making sounds that seemed like he was trying to communicate something important.

"I missed you too," I murmured, feeling a lump form in my throat. Though we couldn't speak the same language, Draco and I had always understood each other on a deeper level. He could sense my distress, my confusion, my heartache.

After spending a few more minutes with him, I sighed and pulled back. "I should try to sleep. You should too."

Draco tilted his head, but retreated back down the castle wall, disappearing into the shadows below.

I moved to my bed, sliding under the silky sheets that felt too smooth against my skin. I tossed and turned, trying to find a comfortable position. The bed was infinitely more comfortable than the simple wooden frame I'd slept on in the border village, but something felt wrong.

At first, I thought it was just the bed.

But when I rolled over and instinctively reached out to wrap my arm around someone who wasn't there, I realized the problem wasn't the bed. It was the emptiness beside me. I was lonely.

With a frustrated sigh, I climbed out of bed and padded across my room to the door. The corridor was silent and dim, with only a few wall sconces providing minimal light. I didn't hesitate as I walked to Jackson's door, pushed it open without knocking, and slipped inside, closing it quietly behind me.

Jackson stirred immediately, his warrior instincts never fully at rest. He rolled over, his eyes finding mine in the darkness. Without a word, I crossed to his bed and climbed in beside him, my back against his chest.

His arm came around my waist, pulling me closer. The warmth of his body against mine was immediately comforting, familiar. Safe. I felt some of the tension leave my muscles as I melted into his embrace.

"Natalie?" he whispered, his breath warm against my ear.

I didn't respond, just nestled closer. Jackson seemed to understand, tightening his hold slightly as he relaxed against me. Within minutes, wrapped in his protective embrace, I finally drifted off to sleep.

I woke up late the next morning, sunlight streaming through unfamiliar curtains. It took me a moment to remember where I was – Jackson's room. He was already gone, the sheets beside me cold.

After returning to my room to shower and change, I headed downstairs dressed in a black sweater, jeans, and boots. In the dining room, I found everyone still at breakfast. My mother sat at the head of the table, flanked by my three fathers, while Jackson and Blaise occupied seats along the sides.

I slid into an empty chair between Samuel and Jackson, noting I was further from my mother than I used to sit.

The chef brought out my food, and I ate quietly, listening to the conversations around me. I answered when spoken to, but otherwise kept to myself, processing everything that had happened in the past few weeks.

After breakfast, I went upstairs to shower and change. The hot water washed away the lingering sleep, but not the heaviness in my chest. Dressed in fresh clothes, I headed back downstairs.

I spotted Megan in the main sitting room. As soon as she saw me, she rushed over for a hug.

"I heard your magic came in handy when you were kidnapped," she said, her eyes bright with curiosity.

"Yeah, it helped me escape," I replied, remembering the rush of power I'd felt.

"That's amazing. I'm so proud of you," she beamed.

"Thanks. Excuse me, I have something I need to do," I said, already moving toward the corridor that led to the dungeons.

"Of course."

I walked to the heavy door that led downstairs, taking a deep breath before pushing it open. The stone steps were cold beneath my feet as I descended into the dimly lit space.

Rose and Camila were no longer chained to the wall but locked in separate cells along one side. Magnus lay on the filthy floor of a third cell, clutching his stomach, sweating profusely. He looked like he was in agony.

"Look who's back," Rose spat when she saw me.

"Would you like another bucket of water?" I asked calmly, reminding her of the liquid aconite I'd doused her with before. She shut her mouth quickly.

I turned to Magnus. "I heard what she did to you."

"Let me out," he groaned.

"I'm not here to help you," I said coldly. "I'm here to make sure you can't get out. If you die slowly in here because of what my mother did to you, I'll be right here watching."

"You're as evil as she is," he muttered.

"And yet you wanted to kidnap me to control me. Where's the logic in that?"

"Didn't know you were such a bitch," he growled.

"This isn't me being a bitch. I can show you what that looks like if you want." My voice was eerily calm, even to my own ears.

Magnus stopped talking, looking away. I knew Rose and Camila had told him what I'd done to them.

I turned to Camila. "Are you just here to gloat?" she asked bitterly.

"I have nothing to gloat about. I just needed to see with my own eyes that you're all still here. Where you belong." I stepped closer to the bars. "I hope you like it here, because if I have any say—and I probably will—you'll never leave this room."

Without waiting for a response, I turned and walked out of the dungeon.

I made my way through the castle and out the front doors, down the steps to the grounds. Several werewolves were training and milling about, but none noticed me descending the stairs. I walked quickly along the castle wall toward the forest, unnoticed and uncalled.

Once I reached the trees, I began to pace. Something was growing inside me, a feeling I couldn't explain. I didn't know what it was or why it was happening, but I felt deeply unsettled. Confused. Angry. Irritated. And I didn't know why.

I was afraid I might hurt someone, which was why I'd come to the forest. I couldn't be around anyone right now.

The last time I'd felt something like this, I'd released a magical blast that might have killed Blaise and Leo. I took deep breaths, trying to calm myself, but that was easier said than done.

Even I was scaring myself.