339- Defiance in Chains
POV Seraphine Valerian:
I slid down to the floor, my legs trembling so much they finally gave out.
I bit my fist to keep from screaming, still too shaken by the overwhelming fear. I had been sure Viktor would tear me in half with his claws and fangs.
I had never imagined such a transformation was possible. I had heard growls, seen the beast’s shadow, been struck in the forest. He ran with me through the darkness of the mine faster than was humanly possible, seeing perfectly. He licked and healed my wounds. Even so, nothing had prepared me for that.
I cried softly, frightened, very nervous. And impressed. Viktor was a monster and could have killed me easily. Or hurt me badly.
“My God… I want to get out of here…”
I pleaded and stayed there, naked and curled up, until the trembling began to subside and my eyes wandered around. The dress and panties Adelina had lent me lay torn on the floor, his clothes in pieces scattered everywhere.
I stood up slowly, staring at my body. My throat ached a little, but there were no scratches or wounds on my skin. It was hard to believe it had been so violent without actually tearing me apart. Nothing.
That damned werewolf! Master of everything, master of me! Full of orders and authority. He wanted me to stay naked, to humiliate me? Fine—he would have his wish fulfilled!
Filled with anger, I fought back tears, brushing my hair away from my shoulders. I straightened my spine, lifted my chin. Shame was buried as I opened the door and walked out of the room.
I was tired of being a doormat, of obeying everyone.
My father kept me away my entire life, and I complied. My aunt made me pretend I wasn’t Romani while we worked in her shop and I created jewelry pieces. I accepted it. And what did it get me? I was far from all of them, trapped in that hell!
I crossed the long hallway, my skin prickling with no fabric to cover me. That was how I went down the staircase. I was almost at the bottom when the guard by the door looked at me and froze, shocked.
I almost ran, feeling my face burn. I finished the last steps slowly, stiff-backed. I turned my back on him and walked through the rooms and corridors until I reached the kitchen. I heard voices there. He would be satisfied seeing how submissive I was to his command.
“My Lord!” Daciana cried, covering her mouth. “Seraphine!”
“What is it?” Adelina stopped eating, turning around and widening her eyes. She choked, laughing.
The older woman stood up quickly when I approached. She grabbed a dishcloth, trying to cover the front of my body.
“What happened, girl?”
“I came to have lunch. I don’t need that.” I took the cloth and dropped it in the sink, disappointed Viktor wasn’t there. “Your alpha ordered me to stay naked, not to cover myself with anything.”
Her jaw dropped. Adelina laughed harder, clapping as I sat at the table.
“I can’t believe this! Are you going to walk around like that all the time? Even in the village?”
“I don’t want to stay locked in here.” I shrugged, even though I knew I wouldn’t have the courage for that. I was already dying of embarrassment just from the guard seeing me—and the two of them as well.
“What a mess! Has Viktor lost his mind? What got into his head?”
Daciana sat back down, stunned, while I served myself.
“Why did my father give such a crazy order?” Adelina asked.
“I cut his clothes.”
I lowered my head and began to eat. Even though I was starving, my emotions dulled the taste of the food, making me slightly nauseous.
“I don’t believe it! Which clothes?”
“All those old ones. The ones he likes, Daciana.”
“Oh, for heaven’s sake! My poor son! Why did you do that? Are you out of your mind, Seraphine?”
I felt worse under her scolding. I chewed and swallowed.
“He deserved it.”
“This is madness! I don’t know how my father didn’t kill you!” Adelina remained excited by the situation, somewhere between amused and shocked.
“Do you know how much those pieces are worth? Extremely expensive fabrics that come from far away. It takes time for the seamstress to follow those historical designs. And now, with this war about to begin, we’ll be cut off! Poor thing, he’ll go a long time without having his wardrobe again,” Daciana lamented, and my guilt deepened.
I looked at her—she was glaring at me. Then she ignored me, returning to her meal.
My throat tightened. Embarrassed, I looked at the younger one. She blinked, laughter still in her voice:
“You’re brave. No one can deny that. Wow!”
A certain regret began to creep in, because of how serious what I’d done was. I tried to justify myself:
“I’m a prisoner here. Viktor tore me away from my clan right after my father was buried! I couldn’t even finish his ceremonies, mourn my loss properly. I was kidnapped! Cutting his clothes is nothing compared to that!”
The older woman didn’t even look at me, sulking. I went back to eating, distressed, nervous.
I felt like running back to the room, but I stayed.
The damage was already done.