✧

I haven't touched food in three days.

Three days.

My stomach stopped growling yesterday. Now I feel empty and hollow. The pain is almost unbearable but I'm not going to give up. I don't care if I end up starving to death. I'm proving a point and I want Haze to listen to my needs.

He can't throw me in here and expect me to comply with his wishes. I'm not his fucking prisoner. I'm his mate. I deserve to be treated with respect. Something I realise isn't in his vocabulary.

Haze becomes more frustrated by the day–join the club.

I feel like I'm rotting from the inside out. I haven't felt this level of discomfort in my life. But I keep fighting. I'm not going to let him win. I'm not going to let him break me down. If he needs me so badly, we can compromise.

Goddess. What I wouldn't do for a bite of bread or the taste of strawberries to burst across my tongue. I groan to myself and fall onto my side on the plush bed. My limbs are weak and my mind is flailing. The food on the tray taunts me every day.

Do not give in. Do not give in.

The door to the room unlocks and I don't have the energy to back away. My eyes hazily rest over the door as I wait to see who enters. Haze visited me last night and I haven't seen him since but instead of seeing him, I spot another man.

Noah. He's popped in to say hello before and he's not as angry as Haze.

He has a kind face and soft blue eyes beneath his glasses. His dark brown hair is short and swept back neatly. I tense as he inches closer and stops at the edge of my bed. I can barely lift my head but I tilt my chin to look at him.

"Viola," he shakes his head at my state. "You need to eat. This is getting silly now."

I lick my dry lips and attempt to push myself up. "T-tell that to your asshole f-friend."

Noah frowns and glances at my bedside table to find a bottle of water. I'm not stupid enough to go on a thirst strike too. I'd be dead by now. "You're drinking, right?"

I merely nod because I don't have the ability to continue speaking.

"You're going to make yourself very sick if you keep this up," he sighs and perches on the edge of the bed. "I know Haze is a little unhinged but none of us want this for you. I don't want to see you wasting away."

"H-he did this to me," I rasp.

Noah's eyes cloud with understanding. "I realise it's hard to trust him, to trust any of us."

I say nothing. Instead, I stare at him with blurry eyes.

"Has he told you much about this place?"

My head shakes.

Noah sighs and runs his fingers across his forehead. "That man is an idiot."

I wait patiently for him to carry on speaking as his expression morphs into sympathy for me. But I don't want it. I want none of their pity. He's sitting here with me when he could let me go, instead he's trying to make me see differently? I don't think so.

"We're all technically rogues," he starts. "The attack on the south, on your kind, wasn't something that we wanted to do. But we were forced into it, otherwise we would have been killed. All of those who survived and didn't want to join the north in their quest to wipe out the entire south of the country, we bound together as rogues and created our own safe haven."

My brows crease at his words. The conversation I had with Haze sparks in my mind. It must be why he didn't come back to visit me after three months. "A-are you in danger?"

Noah nods. "Yes. No one is safe. Malakai is desperately trying to find us."

"Who i-is Mala-kai?" I ask between a staggered breath.

For a moment Noah pauses and shakes his head, then clears his throat. "Uh. No one for you to worry about. You should be focusing on yourself and your strength. How long are you planning on keeping this up?"

I shrug. "Until he listens."

"He's a stubborn man," Noah's jaw tenses, as if he fears my fate.

"So am I."

"Goddess," he huffs and stands from the bed. "Help you both."

I stare at Noah for a long moment. "D-do you t-think this is right?"

"No," he admits instantly. "I don't. Haze makes brash decisions all the time but he's the leader. I want you to see your family, what he did isn't ethical. But I can't risk others knowing our location for our own safety, Viola. I know it's hard to understand and I'm sorry."

My eyes fall closed at his statement. I am truly and utterly screwed.

"Just let me die," I whisper dramatically.

"No," he grumbles again. "And to die from starvation you've got a good few weeks in you. I'm sorry to disappoint you."

I whimper at his statement. Another few weeks? I cannot bear this agony.

"Help me please," I release a single tear.

Noah stands and grabs the tray and places it down beside me. "Then eat. Something at least. I won't even tell Haze, if that's what you're worried about. I don't want you to make yourself unwell. You need strength, I can see it in your eyes."

My gaze flitters across the food and I sob at the sight of it. My mouth begins to salivate at the smell of fresh avocado and bacon. Holy fuck. I can't do this. I can't do this.

No. You can do it. I shout at myself.

"No," I whisper. "Screw Haze. Screw all of you for letting him do this to me."

Sadness covers Noah's eyes and he releases a morbid sigh. "I want to help you, Viola. But you need to help yourself first."

"I'll never w-want to be with him," I spit through my teeth. "H-he's delusional if he thinks I'm going to want him."

Noah nods. "I don't blame you. But don't take it out on yourself."

"He made his bed," I say through a low groan as my stomach clenches. "He can lay in it."

"Let me see what I can do," he runs a hand down his face before reaching under his glasses and rubbing his eyes. "He's already territorial over you. I didn't think he'd even let me come in to see you."

Noah's arms then fold over his chest, his biceps bulging out of his T-shirt. In a weird way he reminds me of Milo. My heart aches at the desire to see my loved ones. How long will I be in this hell hole for?

Will Haze force me into a mated relationship with him? I shudder at the thought.

I don't want to be forced into anything.

"How are you going to h-help?"

"Trying to put some sense into him," he glances back at my food. "He's under a lot of pressure right now. It doesn't excuse anything but he's not thinking rationally. He might seem like a mean guy, but he wouldn't ever hurt you."

I shake my head. "I don't believe it."

Noah frowns again. "He wouldn't. I know Haze. He's not that sort of man."

"He kidnapped me, drugged me, stalked me."

"Jhez," he closes his eyes in defeat. "I know it's probably hard for you to trust in him or anything I say, but I promise you, no one is going to hurt you."

My lips turn downwards and I manage to roll myself over, my back facing Noah. "I want to be alone," I say weakly as I stare at the wall.

Noah releases a soft sigh. "Fine. But I'll be back tomorrow. Please, eat something. Even a nibble. I don't want to see you waste away like this."

You don't know me. I say in my mind. No one here knows me.

Why does it seem like he cares but my mate doesn't?

Noah leaves and I hear the door lock behind him. My lips tremble as I stare at the walk blankly, tears rolling down my cheeks in distress. Then I break down. I physically break down into pieces.

I miss home. I miss Nate. I miss eating.

A choke racks my throat and I cannot catch my breath. I sniffle, let my eyes close, forcing myself into a sleep to make the pain go away. It works briefly, until I wake up again and wish this wasn't my life.

I'm not Haze's puppet. I'm my own person.

After waking up from my short nap, I stand on shaky legs and attempt to walk to the bathroom. The tears that dried on my cheeks make me feel stiff and dirty. I should shower but I don't think I have the strength to stand for longer than five minutes.

In a few hours it will be four days since I last ate anything. Four.

I grip onto the door handle to the bathroom and push my way in. I flick my gaze to the reflection and almost have a heart attack at the sight. I barely recognise myself. The darkness of my hair makes my complexion look sunken and ghastly. I'm paler than Casper the friendly ghost.

Holy hell.

I draw a hand down my face in disbelief. I've never known my eyes to look so dull. I bite on my lip and the skin splits open easier than expected. My head lowers and I shake it. I grip onto the basin of the sink and release a frustrated growl.

I hate him. I hate him. I hate him. I hate him.

My fist itches to punch the mirror but I know that's not a good idea–no matter how furious I am.

More tears fall from my eyes. I'm hopeless. I can't stop. I want my bed. I want comfort.

I shiver and raise my head as my gaze turns blurrier than before. I swallow back the lump in my throat as my knees begin to wobble. My grip on the basin tightens but I'm not as strong as I think. I take a step backwards to stop myself from swaying, but it's too late.

My legs cave and my arms don't have the energy to hold me up.

I fall forwards and I brace myself.

My head hits the edge of the counter with a thud and I hit the ground. Ringing bursts in my ears and my vision is unclear. I release a groan as my hand raises slowly to the back of my head. It's throbbing, burning, and wet.

I raise my fingers to my eyes to find them pooling with the darkest shade of red.

Oh, Goddess. Oh, Goddess.

Shock takes over my body and I freeze, unable to call for help or attempt to move myself. I'm shutting down. I'm giving up. I drop my hand and it hits the tiled floor with a whack. I try to keep myself awake but my vision goes blurry to black and back again.

Bile swims in my throat as I fight to stay conscious but it's useless.

I'm drained. I'm tired. I'm ready to be claimed by darkness.

It's better than living hell on Earth instead.

✧

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Author's Note

It hurts to see Viola like this but she's putting up a good fight!!🥲

Also Noah is trying to help but to her they're all facilitators

What did you guys think of this chapter?👉🏼

I know it's a slow burn but when the spice and romance hits, it'll be worth it because their connection will be growing💘. It wouldn't be right to see Viola jump into his arms!

Trust me, it'll be worth the wait!

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Love Savanna x

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