{ Grace }

My mind slipped into a dense as I was shoved into the dark cell. The sound of the closing cell resounded in the quiet space, and suddenly I felt a chill run down my spine as reality sank in.

I spun around to look around only to bump into the cold thick walls

Alone!

My breath halted, and my heart rose in my chest. Fear crawled into my chest, and I felt like a bucket of cold water had been poured onto my head.

It wasn't my first time seeing darkness but my first time living in darkness.

My feet started shaking uncontrollably as my eyes ran around the cell. Why did I feel like I wasn't the only one in the cell?

‘ Hello, Grace.’ Startled, I turned to my side but saw nothing besides. The room was in total darkness, and it was impossible to see through, even if someone was there with me.

I froze at the thought.

My eyes watered as I started taking slow steps back until my back hit the cold wall, my hand wrapped around my shoulders tightly.‘ Grace, I will be sending you off for a few days, the night pack will be a lot safer for you.’ My father's voice echoed in my ears as tears continued to pour down my face. Why did he want to send me to the night pack, did my father know he was going to be attacked? Why didn't he ask for help if he knew?

He could have made us leave before my birthday, maybe I wouldn't have to live alone in this world.

The darkness surrounding me whispered in my ears, and for the first time, my teeth began beating against each other. I felt like peeing, I felt the urge to run, I wanted to scream for help badly, but I couldn't. I felt like doing a lot of things in a row, but I didn't, maybe I didn't have the strength to, or maybe I didn't think it was necessary.

I didn't know how maybe it was as a result of the excess fear.

My mind took me back to the time when my father and I were living happily in the star pack. The days when the star pack was still running under the leadership of my father, Alpha Moses.

Those were the days when my life was all light, shiny, and joyful.

The days when I would wake up from my huge soft bed and find my father waiting for me in the living room so we could have breakfast together.’ You look more beautiful every day,’ he would say these words to me with a warm smile.

My mind may be playing tricks on me, but I felt the warmth, the peace, and the love. I felt like I was back to my old life, the life I loved and cherished. The life that made me love the world more than anything, the life that was filled with love and smiles.

My life might not be anything extraordinary but it was perfect. My father's love made me feel like I had it all even when my movements were restricted.

Nothing ever felt imbalanced because I had my father's love. I didn't know what fear was at that time because I lived in the most shining castle and was protected by a powerful king.

The sound of approaching footsteps grabbed my attention and I turned back to the metal door.” Is anyone there?” I asked in a low tone, my voice breaking.

A dark figure appeared not far from the cell as the sound ceased. The hair behind the back of my neck raised as I found myself staring at the unknown figure, my throat choked and my hand tightened around the bars.

“ Who are you?” Could it be my imagination? What if there was no one there, and I was only imagining it? I let out a breath to calm myself down.

I might be exaggerating, it might not be real.

“ Grace.” A flashlight was suddenly directed at me as the familiar voice reached me. Her slow footsteps towards the cell didn't skip me and the gasp that left her mouth when she got closer made my eyes water once again.” How are you holding up?” My eyes stared down at my feet as I could finally see how muddy they were. The white bandage was gone, not sure how or when. “ You can't put pressure on your feet.” She said in a concerned tone, and I shifted my weight to the other foot as I suddenly felt pain.” It must be bleeding.” She went down on her knees to check but I stepped back when she was about to touch my feet.

“ It's okay, I will be gentle.” She stared up at me, “ I will just take a look,” she assured me, and I stepped forward.” Your feet…”

“ You have lost so much blood.” Her frightened tone made me raise a brow and she was right. The floor was covered in blood but how come I didn't feel anything?

“ You can't stay here any longer or your Injury will be infected.”

“ What are you going to do?” I asked, and she smiled slightly. Her hand squeezed mine as she stood on her feet.” I'm going to plead with the alpha.” A frown appeared on my face. “ Don't worry, he will let you out. Alpha Cronus isn't as bad as he seems.” She said the same thing the last time and I hope her confidence in him wouldn't be wasted.

I watched as the light from her flashlight disappeared, my sight blurred all of a sudden, and I suddenly felt dizzy.

My body felt weak in an instant, and I leaned my back against the wall for support. My eyes scanned the dark room one more time before letting my bottom touch the dirty floor, as I could no longer stand on my two feet.

What was happening to me?