This one is for @bunny_yah (hiii) Thank you for reading and voting

(づ￣ ³￣)づ

- The day before the ceremony -

There was a faint pounding in the back of my head like someone knocking incessantly on the door of somebody who wasn't home. The noise annoyingly grew louder and louder until the repetitive sound was playing in my head like a broken record.

"Wake up", a voice whispered.

I didn't want to wake up. I could feel myself in pain, why would I wake up? It felt like I was on a soft cloud, but slowly I could feel the cloud sinking and taking me closer and closer to the ground. I didn't want to go there. It was dark and... Scary. Where I was, I could feel a strange sense of cooling relief but the closer I got, the more aware I became. I could feel the burn growing around my throat and the pulsing pain each time I took a breath. My skin felt dry and rough, my lips parched. My fingers felt numb and the rest of me lifeless. Trying to fight back against gravity was useless and I fell anyway, hurtling towards the barren awaiting ground.

Just as I reached the ground, my eyes shot open. A blinding light was shining directly in my eyes and I squinted against it, struggling to see. My arms were far too weak to move as was the rest of my body. I could somehow still feel all parts of me even though I was sure I would have lost something to frostbite. I wiggled my fingers, feeling my fingers slowly become less stiff and rigid.

As my eyes slowly adjusted, the familiar walls of my room began to daunt me. I was back to where it started. This was the same view I saw when I was first kidnapped except I wasn't tied up by ropes but shackled down by my own bodies weakness.

A faint rustle drew my attention to the entrance of my room. Amara stood there, her brows etched in concern before realising I was awake and shuffling towards me, impatiently.

"Dear me", she sighed in relief, clutching her chest. "I thought you were never going to wake up".

"I- I-" I wheezed, my voice coming out scratchy and painful.

"Shhh", she said gently as she strode over to my side. "You do not need to talk or move. I'll take care of you. I'm going to feed you a healing broth now, okay?"

I numbly nodded my head and opened my mouth as she spooned a hot mouthful of broth down my throat. The hot liquid fell down my throat, slightly easing the ache on its way down. I stayed silent and allowed her to feed me, one spoon after the other, obediently but painstakingly swallowing each time despite the faint sense of embarrassment that followed at being fed like a child.

She set the bowl down to the side after scraping the last spoonful into my mouth and sighed as she scanned over my body.

"What happened?" I tried to whisper. All I remembered was seeing Mikhail's cold eyes and the fingers closing down on my throat. And then darkness.

"Well, Mikhail, he tried to... he tried to do something he would have regretted much later. If it wasn't for her- Mikhail stopping in time, you might have died".

I turned my head away, feeling emotion clog up my throat. I would have died? He would have killed me if this woman hadn't stepped in? I hadn't missed how Amara had said 'her'. Who was she?

"I am truly sorry", she whispered as she brushed the hair out of my face. "No one should have to go through this".

A tense silence followed as I mulled over her words. It was pure hypocrisy. No one should have to go through this, yet I had to go through it. Amara was a bystander to my suffering whether she liked it or not. Just because she was the nicest to me, it didn't mean her behaviour was excused.

"Just a warning", she said, clearing her throat to break the charged silence. "Kaira will be coming to your room to help you try on the dress later today. She has no choice but to".

"Why- Why today? I can barely move?" I croaked.

"The ceremony is tomorrow", she replied, guilty. "You must try it on".

A cold panic settled over my body. Tomorrow? How-

"You had slept for two days. I was surprised you managed to wake up-"

"Don't tell him I'm awake, please", I cut in, feeling a wave of panic overwhelm me. I could fake my coma for a day extra if I needed to.

"I cannot do that even if I wanted to. The Alpha would be able to sense that your awake regardless of us informing him or not", she straightened up and stood. "I must leave now, Kaira is coming".

Amara reached out to touch my face but I flinched away from her hand. She sighed and withdrew her hand, looking down at me with pity in her eyes. I grew angry. I didn't want her pity or sympathy.

As she did that, Kaira walked in with her eyes looking everywhere but mine. Amara nodded at her and then left, shutting the door behind her. A tense silence filled the room as Kaira laid out a dress across the bed.

"I cannot try it on". I gazed firmly at Kaira as I whispered that lie, trying to make her look at me to garner some kind of reaction.

Look at the state of me! Look what's happening! LOOK AT ME! Are you going to ignore me? Let me suffer too?

"Why not?" She replied, staring down at the dress instead of meeting my anger-filled eyes.

"My body is too sore. I can barely move my arms. It would be extremely painful for me". That was a lie too. I could move my arms. In fact, I could move all parts of my body with ease if I were to ignore the uncomfortable tinges of pain. But my face had a sickly - almost deathly - pallor that would convince anyone I was bedridden. My usual tanned skin was bleached of colour and there was a range of colours from the bruising decorating my neck and collarbone.

"But the Alpha said-" She said in a pained voice.

"Then do as you like but I cannot help you when I cannot even move my own body. Being moments away from death's door does that to you", I said ruthlessly.

A guilty flush spread across her face. "I would help you if I could, but I can't", she whispered. "I just- I can't".

"I know. But that doesn't mean I need to emphasise with you. I am done being understanding to you people - should I even call you people?"

"I'll- I'll ask the Alpha that you are not made to try it on today", Kaira rushed out before leaving the room in a hurry.

It was strange how weird everyone was acting around me. Like they were tiptoeing on eggshells. Well, according to Amara, I had almost died. I found it scary how even though I was close to dying, no one would - could - help me. And it's not like the pain would end here. I would be in even more pain when the marking happened.

That cold feeling of panic reseized my body as I remembered what Amara said. The ceremony was tomorrow. Looking out the window, I could tell it was about the afternoon, with the sun starting to begin its descent. The weather was surprisingly good today, a stark contrast to the cold, icy storm that it was the night I tried to leave.

Mikhail had mentioned briefly that the marking needed to be done under the full moon and as the ceremony was happening tomorrow, it meant that it was going to be a full moon tomorrow night. Even if I managed to stay away for only one day, that would be good enough. He would have to wait thirty days to try again, which would buy me a lot more time.

I hated this feeling of limbo. I was stuck between either being killed or going through immense pain. And the feeling hit me that I wanted neither. Before, I had sort of accepted my situation and was willing to embrace death. I had been willing to forego everything, just for a way out of this hellhole. My family, my friends and even KK. Even if that meant death.

If I were to die, they would be left behind to pick up the pieces. Was I just being selfish or prioritising my sense of self-preservation?

There was a knock on the door and Kaira came back in taking the dress off the bed.

"The Alpha said you do not have to try it on because you will be wearing it tomorrow, regardless", Kaira said, sadly.

I pointedly ignored her, preferring to stare out of the window instead, until she finally cleared her throat awkwardly and left, quietly shutting the door behind her.

Waiting until she was actually gone, I got to work. This is my last chance. There was no time for emotions, just time to think. Choosing to follow the road was a bad idea. It was the most obvious thing to do. I would follow the direction of the sunset which was west and eventually, I could bump into something.

Firstly, food and water. I winced as I got out of bed, my muscles groaning in protest and my bones creaking and when I tried to reach under the bed to pull the basket out from under a bed, I felt a tug from between my legs. I gazed in utter horror as I finally noticed the thin clear tube coming from under my nightgown to a small bag attached to the end of a bedpost. I had a catheter attached to me. I slumped back in pure revulsion. Someone had changed me and attached a tube to my urethra which meant that I had been open and exposed to a complete stranger whilst I was unconscious.

I picked up the tube gingerly, half in disgust and groaned. Just when I thought it couldn't get any worse. At least I didn't have some kind of adult nappy on. I sat there and contemplated. Should I remove it or not? I stared at the tube with narrowed eyes and decided against it. If someone were to come in and it was removed, it would definitely be suspicious.

Scowling, I awkwardly positioned myself to pull the basket out. I rummaged through its contents apprehensively, scanning every item carefully. The bread was well-packaged and in a good state. The basket was sturdy with two large handles on either side that I could fashion into a make-shift backpack because it would be uncomfortable to carry it in my hand when running.

What else would I need?

Clothes. A blanket for warmth. Sanitary products - just in case. Tissues.

I hobbled weirdly towards the closet and pulled various types of thick clothing from the hangers and chucked it on my bed. Ransacking through the cabinet in the bathroom, I found tissue, a small hand towel and some sanitary products. I eyed my toothbrush and toothpaste. Obviously, I wouldn't be able to brush my teeth and waste the little water I had but I could take my toothpaste with me so my mouth felt a little less gross.

I unpacked the basket and re-organised everything in just right so nothing would get squashed when I was on the run. Now for a blanket. The only one I could take was the small throw-over that lay on the edge of my bed. I would have to take that just before I left. I pushed the basket back under my bed and against the wall so it wouldn't be as noticeable unless someone was to look.

Now, for my body. Staring in the mirror, a string of hand-shaped bruises decorated my neck, an ugly purple against my brown skin. My body also hurt as I moved and my muscles ached, no doubt a side effect of my stupidity for trying to run away in the rain. I was wearing a white nightgown that reached midway between my knees and ankles with the tube snaking around my leg. I looked like a frail ghost for God's sake, like a mere breeze would blow me over.

I stretched on my muscles, providing a sense of short term relief as my muscles pulled and bones cracked, ignoring the pain that came with my movement. I had to warm up my body so that my body wouldn't become stiff when I tried to get away.

Suddenly, my ears shot up. I could hear footsteps in the distance. Someone was coming. Within seconds, I lay back in bed, pulling the covers shut and sealing my eyes. The door creaked upon moments later and I forced my breathing to slow down and my heart to beat steady. They - whoever they were - would be able to hear if I was awake.

Step. 

Step. 

Step.

A ghost of a breath brushed along my face as the person leaned. Mikhail. I could tell by the annoyingly familiar minty aroma. I forced every muscle in me to remain frozen and evened out my breaths. I overpowered my natural instinct to run even as my body cowered in fear after what he had tried to do.

"I know you're awake", he whispered as he blew out his warm breath on my lips.

Nope, I was definitely asleep.

No matter what he said, I would not take the bait. Maybe if I convinced myself enough that I was asleep, I would fall asleep.

"I have some rather important news to tell you", he whispered in a sing-song voice. He blew out again but this time, on my eyelashes.

I remained impassive.

Deep breath in. Deep breath out.

How was he acting so casual? So normal?

"I guess I'll just tell you anyway", he said, giggling. "We have a... a very distinguished guest coming tomorrow night to witness the ceremony".

I felt my pulse pick up and tried to empty my mind so I wouldn't get distracted by what he said.

Don't give yourself away now.

He continued, his face mere centimetres away from mine.

"You might be familiar with him, after all, he was your patient", he purred.

Woohoo

I updated!!!

For real: I actually love my readers. You guys are so sweet and supportive 🥺. I really appreciate it ;D

Question for Today:

Who was your first crush (celebrity or just anyone)? I wanna hear some cute stories XD

Random thought: If for some reason you don't want a dedication, then PM to let me know. (IDK I just had a random thought that what if someone doesn't want people to know what they're reading? IDK why but yeah lol) (I'm an overthinker)

Last first: @fandom01 (Bruh are you stalking me or something? How are you always first ಠ_ಠ *Dials 999*)

The first for this chapter, comment here -->

That's it from me :)

Xx

P.S. I added the catheter bit because, in a lot of books where the girl is unconscious for more than a day, she generally wakes up as normal. But realistically, your body needs to pee so you either wet yourself or have a catheter ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ THIs is REALLY random, I know but: