Carlisle.

　　As I'm about to walk into the bathroom to take a shower, my room door opens and someone grabs me. In surprise, I quickly turn my head and when I see that it's one of the palace guards, my face twists into confusion. The bulky guy begins to drag my arm out of the room and I struggle to tie my robe with one hand while I shout at him.

　　"Where are you taking me to? What are you doing? Let go of me!" There are so many questions tumbling out of my lips and a lot more running through my head, but the goosebumps running down my arm are indicative of my feelings. However, the guard refuses to answer me and instead, continues to drags me out of the room.

　　When we get to the door, I hook my free hand across the space between the door frame and the wall. The action causes our movement to get stuck for a moment and just as I am about to stick out my tongue at the guard, he frowns at me and hoists my slender frame on top of his shoulders. Suddenly, my hair is wildly flying around my face and I begin to feel slightly dizzy.

　　With the last strength in me, I begin to pound his back furiously but he only gives a grunt once or twice after which he makes no sound again. In desperation, I try to raise myself up but his hand clamps down on my lower back and my eyes open wide in shock. I continue to scream and curse at me, aiming for the sound to reach his ears but he gives no reaction.

　　"Put me down, you insolent guard," I yell in the hopes that someone would hear me and come to my rescue. "I'll make sure you pay for this. Don't forget that I still have my fae powers." Even as I say this, my voice is shaking because I cannot remember the last time I successfully used my fae powers. A tingle runs down my spine as the memories of last night's dream resurface. How my mother appeared and told me I wouldn't be able to tap into my fae side until I agreed to her requests.

　　I begin to think about what the dream means, forgetting about the guard that is still carrying me to an unknown position until he suddenly stops. Seeing this as an avenue to protest again, I begin to move my body but he's faster and immediately drops me on the ground. I land on the hard floor with a soft thud and begin to run my gaze through the unfamiliar scene.

　　It is very dark and reeks of dried sweat mixed with blood. The only reason I can see properly is because of my fae powers and I curl my nose in disgust. I look at the guard who's busily checking something and try to kick his shin, but he notices and dodges the attack. He bends down to push me further into what I just realize is a cell.

　　By the time I register what is happening, he has pushed the cell door into position and locked it with a huge padlock. I get up and begin to furiously shake the gates, glaring at him with the most hateful eyes I can muster.

　　"Let me out of here. Tell your Alpha that I will still escape from this prison and none of you will be able to stop me," I say but the guard just responds with a blank stare and begins to walk away. As he leaves, the lights grow dimmer and I continue to shout at his retreating figure till he's far gone and the whole place is plunged into darkness.

　　Instantly, I curl up into a ball and bury my face into my hands as tears escape from my eyes. I am still finding it hard to believe that a once loving person could do this to me, without compassion and mercy. I am no longer interested in being mated yet Damon continues to force me.

　　Around me, the stench of blood and sweat continues to increase and no matter how much I wrinkle my nose, it refuses to go away. I peer open my eyes and try to channel my powers to bring forth light, but to no avail. All I am met with is absolute darkness and stillness which are my two biggest fears in the world.

　　I return to my former position and try to slowly rock myself to sleep as I hum a soft tune. Soon, the loud grumbles of my stomach interrupts the process and I groan loudly which causes my throat to become more parched. More tears fall from my eyes and I swallow down my spit, eager to curtail the hunger and thirst I am feeling.

　　I am certainly convinced that Damon no longer sees me as a mate, but instead someone he can use to fulfill his desires of staying alive as Alpha. No one should be subjected to this kind of torture I am currently facing without reason, and yet here I am. Locked away in a dark cell because I refuse to stay in the pack.

　　After some minutes, I notice a small light coming through the small window positioned near the ceiling of the cell and I rush over to it, clawing at the walls with my fingers and desperate for a chance at escape. However, the light only becomes brighter and I soon realize that someone is coming towards where I am.

　　I run towards the edge of the cell where the light hasn't gotten to yet and perch in wait. My heart begins to thump fast and wear drips down my hair and past my eyebrow, but I ignore it. Instead, I fist my hands and squint my eyes at the shadow of the approaching figure as their footsteps get closer, and soon the person comes into view. Emerald.

　　My fears dissipate but my anger intensifies and I look away from her when I notice the look of pity that's on her face. "Why are you here Emerald? To taunt me about what your son has done?" I ask harshly but the woman sighs and when I spare a glance at her, she shakes her head with a weary look on her face.

　　"I don't support his decisions, my dear. I warned him about picking you up here, but he wouldn't listen," she explained but I huff and fold my arms in disbelief. Damon and his mother are a pair, always agreeing on everything so it comes as an unbelievable shock to know that he refused her advice. In my silence, the woman squats down to where I am sitting and spreads out her hands.

　　"Believe me, Carlisle. I want you to stay, but certainly not by locking you up and forcing you. I tried to convince Damon to stop his actions and consider your feelings, but he's too wrapped up in the fact that you have rejected him. He is very hurt by it and hasn't been himself since."

　　"So are you trying to blame me for his misfortunes?" I ask, feeling a new wave of annoyance wash over me. "All I want to do is leave. I don't want the prophecy to come true and any child used to fulfill my mother's wishes. Is that such a bad thing to do?"

　　"No, but you also have to consider that–"

　　"I can't consider anything, Emerald. Damon has locked me up for days without food or water, all in a bid to reach me a lesson not to defy his orders. But all he has really done is make me more angry towards him." My words nearly turn into a scream, but I control my emotions and try to speak calmly to her. While I am annoyed at her, I cannot deny the fact that Damon has refused to listen to anyone and only does what he wishes to.

　　For the fact that even his mother tried to convince him and yet, he still locked me up makes my blood boil. I make a silent vow to myself to punish him for everything he's done to me and even more.

　　"I understand that you're really angry at us, but please consider your decision. Damon has been without a mate all his life and he is more than a century old. Now that he has found you, he isn't very willing to let you go," Emerald tries to explain but I only shake my head at my words.

　　"I'm not his mate! I have tried to tell you this over and over again, but you refuse to listen. My mother only made it that way so the both of us could give birth to a child. Why don't you people want to believe me?" I ask desperately, hoping that maybe this time, Emerald would believe me. However, her face carries a blank expression and she looks at me for a moment before she sighs and sits down fully on the cold ground outside the cell.

　　I watch as her eyes run through the dark space, only brightened up by her arrival and she shakes her head. Her nose wrinkles for a second and she wipes it with the back of her hand before she focuses her eyes back on me. "There are ways to protect your child from encountering any harm, Carlisle. We are the biggest pack and have the best protection, so you wouldn't worry about any of that."

　　I groan loudly and shake my head. "That's not the issue and what if my mother sends orcs just like last time to take the child? Would you still be able to protect it?"

　　"We would certainly find a way."

　　I shrug her response off and turn away from her to face the wall which mostly consists of chipped paint and as I stare at it, another piece falls. Just like my life. "It doesn't matter, Emerald. Whatever Damon does to me, I would still find a way to get out of this place and live my life the way I want," I respond back with finality and the woman cocks her head at me.

　　"I understand your point, child. If you finally decide to leave, I won't stop you. However, I only wish that you would think wisely about your choices so you won't regret it."

　　I grunt and slowly lie down on the floor, feeling a shiver run through my back as my body comes in contact with the cold. My mind is already made up and I'm determined to get away from the pack. Even if it means seducing another guard, I'm ready to do whatever it takes. Damon has made my short stay in the pack very humiliating and painful and there is no way I will continue to stay even after all that has happened.

　　Some minutes pass by in silence and I begin to wonder if Emerald has gone, but soon I feel a hand softly stroking my back. At first, I try to shrug it off but she persists and begins to hum a soft tune. I know she wants to make me sleep, at least to forget my troubles for a short while, but my mind remains active.

　　However, my mind soon succumbs to the coolness of her voice and as my eyes begin to close, a pang of sadness fills my heart. Emerald is a caring woman and while she treats me like her daughter, just as my aunt did, she is also a sad reminder of the man who put me in my current situation. A part of me wishes I didn't have to leave the pack, if only to bask in her love and care but the better part of me knows that there is nothing for me in Damon's pack.

　　With that thought in mind, I fell asleep.