Chapter 41
Eden
I don’t know how long I stay on the cold floor after Azriel leaves,
His touch still lingers on my cheek, like a ghost refusing to leave.
But it doesn’t warm me.
Not really.
Because when the mist fades, I’m still here.
Still alone.
Still trapped.
And I’m angry.
Not the wild, chaotic anger I felt when I slapped Paris. This one is quieter. Hotter. Sharper.
I’m angry that I’m stuck in this fucking cell. That my mother never told me what I was. That Marcus murdered her before my eyes. That poor Axel is suffering because of me. That I was born into a world that decided my worth the second I couldn’t shift. That I’m a fox, a creature my pack members would rather kill than accept if they knew the truth.
And I’m angry at myself.
For being scared.
For crying.
For waiting to be rescued like some damsel in a fairytale when I know damn well no one’s coming with a shining sword. There also won’t be a white wolf to save me since the only white wolf I know is Logan, and he isn’t brave enough to stand up to his father.
He is a coward.
But I’m not.
I was born weak, but there’s a fighter waking up within me, or maybe she was always there because I’ve fought the world from the minute I was born. Against the bullies. Against every word that was thrown in my direction. I even survived my alcoholic of a mother who abused me.
I’m strong.
With that in mind, I push myself off the ground.
My arms tremble, legs ache, but I don’t stop.
Not now.
I start with pushups.
Sloppy at first.
My muscles aren’t used to this, but I try to remember the form Logan showed me and keep going.
Gotta get strong.
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Chapter 41
I do sit–ups next. Then squats.
I pace the cell, mapping every inch of it with my bare feet like it’ll somehow give me control over something,
Because I need to control something.
The scent of stone and mold fills my lungs, but I keep breathing, keep moving.
Every pushup feels like defiance.
Every squat like a promise.
I will not break here.
They can chain me, beat me, spit at me, but I will not be the omega they expect.
They think I’m weak?
Good.
Let them underestimate me.
Let them laugh.
Because the next time I shift it won’t be a pitiful little fox tucked in a corner.
It’ll be nine tails of vengeance.
I don’t know how long I train, but eventually, I collapse to my knees, chest heaving, drenched in sweat.
That’s when the door creaks.
And in walks Paris.
Of course it’s her.
She’s wearing heels. Like, who wears heels to a dungeon? Anyway, it is paired with a pristine white coat like she’s visiting a patient.
Her nose wrinkles the second she steps in.
“Well,” she says, eyes raking over me. “You look like a feral animal.”
I push myself back to my feet. “And you look like a discount nurse.”
Her lips curl in disgust. “Still have that attitude. No wonder Logan threw you down here.”
I growl, which causes her to glare. “You should apologize.”
“To you? For what, growling?”
She smiles like I’ve amused her. “Yes. I’m the future Luna of the Valentine pack. Logan’s betrothed and if you don’t apologize I will tell Logan to keep you locked up in here like the trash wolf that you are.
I stand straight. I’m shorter than her, but not a mouse.
“No.”
Her lips part, but there’s no comeback. She wasn’t expecting me to say that.
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Chapter 41
Three slow sarcastic staps of palm to palm forms an echo.
“Well, well,” Logan drawls, stepping into view, “looks like you’ve finally grown a spins”
50 Logan is back to being a bully, huh?
Paris spins toward him, her expression lighting up like a power–hungry Christmas tree. “Logan, baby. She just threatened me. Again.”
He doesn’t even glance at her..
His eyes are on me.
Only me.
And he looks… different.
He has been the Alpha for a while now. It has made him bigger. Stronger. Dangerous, like a wolf who’s been kept on a leash too long and wants to bite the hand holding it.
I stare him down even though I’m a dwarf compared to him. “Come to throw me into another cell, Alpha?”
That hits.
His jaw twitches. “You’re lucky I haven’t ripped it down with my bare hands yet. I do not like you being in here.”
Oh?
Paris blinks. “Excuse me?”
“Stay out of this, Paris,” he snaps, still not looking at her.
She bristles, but for once, doesn’t speak.
Logan steps closer, just short of being able to actually touch me.
“You stink,” he mutters, like the words hurt him to say.
I smile sweetly. “Dungeon chic. It’s all the rage.”
Amusement passes through his eyes. Maybe even regret. For what I do not know, but it is there.
Then he straightens, that Alpha stiffness snapping back into place. “You’ve made your point, Eden. You’re strong. You’re stubborn. Great. But this ends now. Apologize to Paris so I can let you out of here.”
–“No.”
“Don’t make this harder than it has to be.”
“You made it hard the moment you threw me in here instead of standing up to your father. You also threw Axel inside one even though you’re the one ordering him to protect me. What kind of Alpha are you?”
Logan flinches like I slapped him.
Paris steps forward, her eyes wild. “Don’t listen to her, Logan. She’s a nobody. A mutt who doesn’t even smell like a wolf anymore.”
There’s silence. The kind before a crazy storm comes.
Then Logan speaks in a cold voice aimed at Paris. “What did you just say?”
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Paris looks mildly irritated. “You didn’t listen? Seriously? I said she doesn’t smell like a wolf, ten’t that concerning? She/her
“I said, he growls, voice full Alpha now, “what. Did, You, Just. Say
Paris opens her mouth, but he snaps his fingers and points at the door.
“Out.”
“But-”
“Out, Paris!”
Paris goes rigid. Then, with a glare that could curdle milk, she spins on her heel and stomps out, muttering something about Logan being so blind it’s embarrassing.”
Silence settles after the echo of her heels fades.
Logan exhales like he’s holding back an earthquake.
I raise a brow. “You gonna throw a tantrum, Alpha?”
He looks at me like he wants to strangle me.
Then, something shifts. He looks down.
Then back up.
And says quietly, “You were doing pushups.”
“Uh, yeah? You were the one who told me my inner wolf needs me to get stronger. Remember?”
He pauses.
“And you listened…”
I shrug. “It’s either training or cry.”
“And you do sit–ups as well?”
“Also squats.”
He closes his eyes for a long moment.
When he opens them, I’m ready for more anger.
Instead, he mutters under his breath, “God help me, I think I’m falling in love with a lunatic.”
My jaw drops.
“What?”
He straightens like he didn’t just say that. “Nothing. Never mind.”
I blink. “Are you-?”
“I said never mind!”
He storms off and I’m more confused than ever. I didn’t catch everything he said, but the little I understood must be wrong because it almost sounded like a declaration of love. Which is impossible. Logan isn’t crushing on me.
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Chapter 41
I think?
