The Man They Wanted

“Isn’t this the man you all wanted me to be with?” I spat. “The one you praised? The one you said was powerful, safe, worthy? Look at him now. That same man is ready to kill me if I don’t belong to him.”

Her head turned weakly, her dull eyes finding mine. A broken sound slipped from her lips, almost like a laugh but too fragile to hold shape. “So… you came after all,” she rasped, her voice cracked and dry.

He smirked, slow and dark, a devilish twist of his lips that made my stomach knot. “We shall see.”

There was a pause. But I knew they were still there, still watching me. My wolf paced inside me, restless, snarling that they should leave.

Soon, I heard footsteps, and then the door opened and closed.

Her body shuddered, her tears streaking down her pale cheeks. “Please… tell him to do it. Please.”

Behind me, I heard Mother’s voice break, soft and trembling. “Olivia…”

Realizing they were gone, I turned around and walked over to the bed. I sat on the bed, thinking of what to do. I wasn’t taking Frederick’s threats lightly. By the look in his eyes, I knew he meant every bit of his threats, and that got me so worried.

I took a step forward, my hands trembling at my sides. “Do you see now? Do you understand what you were asking of me? You weren’t giving me a choice. You were pushing me into the arms of a monster.” My voice broke, but I didn’t stop. “And now that monster is counting down the days to my death, unless I give myself to him like some prize.”

I stood abruptly, my wolf urging me forward. I had to see her. The corridors of the packhouse stretched before me, cold and silent. My footsteps echoed as I made my way to the lower levels, down the winding stone stairs, until the air grew damp and heavy. The dungeon.

She shifted against the wall, her lips trembling. “Olivia… do me one kindness.”

The guards at the entrance stiffened when they saw me, but I didn’t pause. One glare was enough to make them step aside, their heads bowed.

I laughed bitterly, shaking my head. “What did he say to me?” My voice cracked, but anger carried it. I turned my eyes on both of them, fire burning hot behind my glare.

The smell that hit me first was iron, then dampness. And then I saw Anita.

“Get your hands off me,” I snapped, yanking his grip away from my neck and stumbling back a step. I glared into his eyes. “I will never belong to you, Frederick… never,” I spat.

Calvin stepped forward, his voice low, tense. “Why the hell would you face Frederick alone?” His gaze searched me, fierce but laced with worry. “Do you have any idea what he could’ve done to you?”

The water was cool against my throat as I gulped it down, but it didn’t wash away the burning in my chest. My hands still trembled from the anger I had barely contained. When I set the bottle down, I finally looked at them—Mother and Calvin. Both of them were staring at me as though I’d walked out of a war zone.

I frowned, gripping the cold iron. “What do you mean?”

Mother spoke again, her voice trembling. “What did he say to you?”

My steps faltered as I moved closer to the bars. For a moment, I thought she might already be gone—but then, barely, I saw her chest rise and fall.

Anita coughed out thick blood, spilling it on the hard floor. “I can’t… live like this. Not after what I’ve done to you. Not after what he’s done to me.” Her voice was trembling. “Better an end by your brother’s hand… than wasting away in this cage.”

She was slumped against the wall of her cell, her once-bright eyes dull, her skin pale, lips cracked. Her hair hung in messy strands around her face, and her body looked so frail it made my stomach twist. She looked dead.

I swallowed hard, my wolf pressing inside me, torn between pity and fury. This girl had hurt me, betrayed me in ways that still stung. And yet, seeing her like this—reduced to nothing but skin, bone, and sorrow—made my heart twist.

I didn’t answer. I just crossed my arms, leaning back against the table. My silence was answer enough.

Why hadn’t I heard anything about her? Why had no one mentioned her since the last time I saw her? My chest tightened. Was she dead already?

The words hit me like a blade.

Calvin’s jaw clenched, his eyes darkening as if my words were cutting straight through him. His fists tightened, but his voice, when it came, was low and rough. “I never wanted this for you,” he said, his tone tight with guilt.

Mother’s face was pale, her hands twisting in her lap. Calvin, though… his jaw was tight, his fists clenched at his sides. Concern was etched into both their faces, but his eyes—sharp, stormy—never left mine.

Her gaze wavered, tears welling faintly in her tired eyes. “Tell your brother… to kill me.”

The moment I appeared, their faces told me everything—fear, worry, silent questions. I ignored them both and grabbed the bottle of water from my side table.

His fists tightened, his chest rising and falling unevenly. For a moment, he didn’t say anything, just stared at me like he was trying to hold himself back.

But Calvin cut her off. “Mother, we should let her be.”

Mother’s lips parted, her face paling even more. She looked like she wanted to deny it, to say it wasn’t true, but she stayed silent.

I shook my head, blinking back the hot sting in my eyes. “But it happened. And now I’m the one paying for it.”

I dragged my hands down my face, sucking in a sharp breath. My thoughts shifted suddenly towards Anita.

My wolf growled, unsettled, pacing in confusion. She wants death?

I turned away from them, my anger intensifying. “Please, both of you leave,” I ordered, my back still turned against them.

“Anita…” I whispered, my throat tight.

My lips curled into a bitter smile. “He already promised what he’ll do, Calvin. Three days. If I don’t bend, he’ll kill me. You wanted me to sit here and wait for that?”

Olivia’s POV

“Olivia,” Mother whispered, her voice shaking. “You went to him, didn’t you?”

I wanted nothing more than to scorch him where he stood, to burn him into nothing with the fire that pulsed inside me. But I knew it would be useless against him. So instead, I vanished, teleporting away. I landed back in my room—only to find I wasn’t alone. This time, it wasn’t just Mother waiting for me. Calvin was there too.