Free Web NovelChapter 76: Plan B?
Raven:
About seven days passed, and I was still under guard. Stepping out for a while was allowed, but the guard assigned to me always followed closely behind me without exception. freewebnσvel.cѳm
Talking to Loel and Xarna was minimal, especially since they seemed to have many questions to ask, and I had no answers to give them that would satisfy what they wanted to hear.
The days passed slowly, and I felt like I existed inside a box—one that was completely different from everyone else’s world, as if I was separated from it in a way I couldn’t explain.
Regardless, my mind had already been made up as I sat in my room waiting for Gessia to come like usual, around dinner time, as she always did without fail.
I ate while the guard watched carefully, then returned the plate. There was no chance for me to spit it out, as she stayed right beside me long enough for it to digest, almost like she knew exactly what my intentions were and refused to give me even a second of opportunity.
It was either the guard or the dungeons—something all the alphas had discussed and already agreed on in my absence, without giving me any say in it.
Still, I waited patiently for Gessia to arrive while trying to figure out the best way to convince her to give me the red potion I needed.
My hands were sweaty just from the thought of what I intended to do, and I did my best not to flinch at what it required from me, forcing my expression to remain controlled even though my chest felt tight.
I need to kill them. It’s the only way. It’s only me or them, I thought to myself repeatedly, trying to push away the dread that kept trying to rise.
Whatever mental blocks held me back, I planned to crush them completely if it meant freedom and survival on my terms.
Thankfully, I didn’t wait too long before Gessia arrived, pushing open the door with her head raised and shoulders squared, as if she always owned every space she entered.
Her blond hair was styled in a way that made it clear she had put deliberate effort into her appearance. She stepped in and immediately sent me a superior look that made it obvious she looked down on me without even needing to speak further.
"You look well," she said the moment she entered, her voice calm but assessing.
I raised my head, got to my feet immediately, and bowed properly, making sure my posture reflected submission.
Forcing a controlled smile onto my face, I said, "...it’s all thanks to you."
I kept my tone as sincere as I could manage, carefully fixing my eyes on the ground as I spoke so she wouldn’t see anything that betrayed me.
"...it’s my fault that I have been acting out. I’ll do better from now on," I added, my heart pounding heavily in my chest as I waited for her response, each second feeling stretched.
I lifted my gaze slightly and saw a suspicious look on her face, which was exactly what I wanted to avoid at all costs.
"As long as you know your place. You’re the one who made the mistake! You should pay for it!" she snapped immediately, her tone sharp and final.
I lowered my head again quickly. It was already good enough that she didn’t mention the mistake in front of the guard, which she clearly knew about but chose not to expose here.
She stepped closer, her eyes scanning over me with clinical precision as she began chanting under her breath. She raised her hands first to my head and then slowly moved them down toward my belly, assessing something only she understood.
"You seem to be in good condition. As good as any," she said at last, pulling her hands away and nodding once, clearly satisfied with whatever she had checked.
"I’ve been putting some potions in your food, so it’s expected," she added casually, as if it was nothing important.
I knew better than to react negatively, so I simply thanked her again with a controlled voice.
"Thank you. I feel very good," I said, my heart pounding even harder in my chest as I continued speaking, forcing calm into my tone.
"Was it only the green ones? I tried the red one once, and it was good too, but I lost it in the forest when I was dragged away and those men attacked me," I added carefully, forcing sweat to stay hidden on my back as I spoke. I wanted to look calm, but it was much harder than I expected, so I kept my eyes lowered the entire time.
"Oh, that! You took only a few drops, right?" she asked with a slightly concerned expression that immediately made me want to slap her, but I restrained myself completely.
"Of course. It was just as good as the green, and I only needed a few drops. Can I also get it?" I asked, my heart pounding in my head as I waited for her response, forcing myself not to rush my words.
I had to be careful. Too eager, and she would know something was wrong. I couldn’t push it beyond what I had already said without exposing myself.
I waited... and waited... for her to speak, keeping my breathing steady.
"Hmm... that’s good then. It’s very expensive to make. Once I’ve made it, I’ll give it to you," Gessia said after a long silence that made my heart feel like it would explode inside my chest.
I nodded again immediately, trying not to show my frustration, realizing that if I didn’t get the potion on time, I would have no choice but to sleep with Axel.
I wasn’t surprised when Gessia spoke again.
"It’s Axel’s turn, so he’ll visit you most likely tomorrow or sometime soon," she said, her gaze fixed on me, clearly expecting me to refuse or beg like I usually would.
But I didn’t.
I lowered my head and nodded obediently.
"I understand my place. I didn’t before, but I can assure you I do now. I’ll be expecting him," I replied.
She nodded with a relaxed expression, a condescending look still present in her eyes, which I clearly caught even without looking directly at her.
"Good. If you act properly, I don’t see why for the next ritual I can’t make something that would dull the pain," she said before finishing.
I knew it was a threat disguised as kindness.
I bowed my head lower to show I understood completely.
She turned and left, the guard following behind her as the door closed firmly behind them.
I stayed silent.
My heart raced uncontrollably as I looked around the room in despair. With the guard watching my every move, how was I supposed to get something that would make me sick enough to avoid mating with him?
The thought alone sent nothing but dread straight into my chest.
