Chapter 36 CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
MAEVA
The whispering will be my undoing. It will be what finally tips me over the edge and drives me crazy. I don’t know how long I’ve been here. I do know it’s been long enough for the ache in my shoulders to settle deep into the bone, long enough for the ropes around my wrists to feel less like restraints and more like part of my skin, long enough for the anger to stop burning hot and settle into something colder.
The room hasn’t changed. It’s still just bare walls, the same deflated mattress beneath me and the same spot on the ceiling I’m stuck staring at. There’s no scent, no distraction, just the noise. At first, I thought it was in my head. A sign of exhaustion or the side effect of whatever Caius gave to me to keep me from breaking out of the ropes he tied me up with.
But then it came again, footsteps first, and then voices.
“I heard she came here kicking and screaming.”
“No. I heard that she was unconscious when he brought her in.”
“My mother saw it, she said the Beta had to hit her over the head just to bring her inside.”
“You think the alpha allowed the beta to hit his mate over the head?”
My eyes snap open but I don’t move. I don’t want to. If I say anything then it confirms that I’m here and that I can’t do anything. I can’t have his pack members thinking that I can’t do anything.
“You’re all wrong. Beta Clayton told my father that she is tied up.”
“What if she breaks free?”
“She won’t. Alpha wouldn’t make the mistake of letting her break free. A mate who would do what she did will fight him until she dies.”
“You’re right. She is a powerful alpha.”
I exhale slowly through my nose as they start walking away. Something the last person says brings me peace. I am a powerful alpha and as hard as Caius will try, breaking me will not be easy for him.
New people sneak up to the window and I fight to hold in a growl. It’s irritating. How are they coming here so freely? Is this why Caius put me here instead of the cell? Is this a torture technique of his?
“Do you think they’ll actually bond?”
“After what she did? Not a chance.”
“He could force it. You know he wants this bond.”
My fingers curl into fists against the restraints. The ropes creak slightly and silence falls outside. They slowly move away and I relax. It doesn’t last. For the next two hours, I hear more voices, more whispers and more speculation. It grates on my nerves not because they’re wrong or because they’re talking about something that doesn’t concern them but because I can’t shut them out. Because I’m stuck here, listening to them.
I start to feel the sting of having my arms tied up for hours. I’ve been through worse. I close my eyes briefly when exhaustion starts to hit, just to block it out.
“She hasn’t made a sound.”
“Do you think she’s awake?”
“If she was, she would be listening and from what I’ve heard about her, she’s not the type to quietly listen.”
My eyes snap open again and humorless smile pulls at my lips. I’m not the type but I can’t let them know that. They leave and a new set of people come, each worse than the last. Over and over and over again, none stop. By the time the door finally opens, I’m done with it. I’m done with the whispers, done with trying to appear strong, and done with him.
The door shuts slowly behind him and I finally get silence, real silence. The nosy pack members are far from here. They know he’s around and they don’t want to be caught spying on his unconscious, crazy mate.
I turn my head slowly to look at him. He’s just standing there, watching me. My gaze hardens and the anger starts burning hot again.
“Tell your pack to shut up and stop coming here.”
His expression doesn’t change.
“They’re curious,” he says, shifting from one foot to the other.
“I don’t care about their curiosity.”
The words come out sharper than I intended – showing him how much control I’m losing on my emotions.
“They’re loud,” I continue. “And they’re stupid enough to think I can’t hear them.”
He pauses and almost smiles.
“I’ll make sure to tell them that you can hear them.”
My lips press together.
“That’s not the solution.”
His gaze holds mine, unmoved. He knows that as much as I do.
“I know.” He admits.
Silence stretches. Caius will not yield anytime soon. He’s playing the long game and he’s winning.
“Untie me.” This time, it’s not sharp or explosive. It’s a simple command.
His answer comes just as steady. “No.”
My jaw tightens and I take slow breaths. Lashing out won’t work on Caius. He’s stronger and bigger than I am and he has all the advantages.
“You’ve made your point,” I say. “You brought me here. You’ve embarrassed me. You’ve shown your pack whatever it is you wanted to show them.”
I get nothing from him. No reaction or change in countenance.
“Untie me.” I say again.
“No.”
Something in my chest snaps.
“You plan to keep me tied up here until I what, change my mind?”
“No.”
“Then what do you want?”
He takes a step closer and stops just out of reach.
“Apologize.”
“For what?” I ask, even though I know what for.
His gaze doesn’t waver.
“For kissing your Beta.”
“I also made it known to the world that I don’t want you.”
He shrugs. “That’s not what I’m angry about right now.”
“So if I don’t apologize, I won’t be free?”
He nods and I scoff. “Where is the alpha that kidnapped me the last time? He was gentle and he didn’t threaten me.”
“You didn’t want him so he’s gone.” He says.
“You’re exactly what I thought you were. You just want to control me and take from me. You’re already taking my power as punishment and we haven’t even been mated yet.”
He smiles. “The pity card won’t work, Maeva. I want an apology and I will get an apology. You’ll be good without food or water for another two days. I don’t mind waiting until then.”
He means it. He won’t set me free or give me water until I apologize.
Well, he’s not getting an apology from me and that’s it. I raise my head, as much as I can and I spit on his face.
“I’ll never apologize.
He holds my gaze, wipes the spit from his face and licks it.
“You’re lucky I’m a little bit nasty.” He says with a wink.