Punishment

Ariel.

I woke up to a dull ache that went through every fiber of my body, each muscle protesting from sleeping on the cold, unyielding floor of this prison cell.

As I stretched, my limbs stiff from hours against the unforgiving stone, I was greeted by nothing but darkness and silence.

A faint glimmer of light trickled through the small, high window, marking the start of another desolate day. At that moment, the dawning light felt as indifferent as the people who’d abandoned me, and I was more alone than ever.

The event of last night came rushing back to me, and tears clouded my eyes, but I was quick to remind myself that I couldn't break now.

How could someone who was meant to love and care for me treat me so cruelly?

My father hadn’t come. Neither had my stepmother. Not even a whisper of concern, no word of comfort.

To them, I was nothing, a problem best left behind. The realization struck me hard. I might as well have been an orphan; they’d shown me as much warmth as they would a stranger.

Even Adira seems to have abandoned me as I haven't heard from her since last night.

Hugging my knees to my chest, I fought back the despair rising inside me, the feeling that I was completely forsaken.

But my thought was broken by the sound of footsteps echoing down the hall. I steeled myself, preparing for whatever, or whoever was coming, and then he appeared.

Daniel.

His smug expression was the first thing I noticed, a look that oozed arrogance. He came to a halt just outside my cell, crossing his arms with a sneer.

“I told you you’d pay for hitting me,” he said, his voice dripping with venom.

I barely glanced at him, looking away as if he were beneath my attention. I refused to give him the satisfaction of seeing how his presence affected me.

But I could feel his gaze, lingering too long, sending an uncomfortable chill down my spine. He leaned closer, his voice low and taunting.

“You know, Ariel,” he whispered, almost mockingly, “I could’ve made you my mistress if you weren’t so… feisty.”

Revulsion churned within me, but I kept my composure, meeting his gaze with defiance. “I’d rather die than let your filthy hands near me,” I spat.

He only smirked, unbothered, as if my disgust was some sort of entertainment for him.

“Be careful what you wish for,” he said, his voice tinged with mock amusement. “Maybe you’re just jealous that I chose your stepsister over you,” he added, his sneer widening.

I felt a pang of pain, but I kept my face expressionless. He wanted to see me break, to see my pain laid bare, but I wouldn’t let him.

“You both deserve each other, I would rather be mate less than have a proud arrogant i***t whose only privilege is being heir to his father's throne,”

“At least my father has a throne and wants me to take after him. But you, you are not even wanted by your father or family. What makes you think that a man of my caliber would want you? Like have you seen yourself in the mirror, I'm pretty sure you would pick Lyra over yourself if given the opportunity,“

“At least I am not a liar,” I retorted.

“The goddess has to be crazy to have paired you with me, we are both worlds apart,”

“So that's why you lied and claimed I might have faked the bond?” I retorted, each word sharp as a blade.

He shrugged, dismissively. “Consider that your punishment for daring to hit me,” he said coolly, as though condemning me was trivial.

Before I could respond, the door opened, and two guards stepped inside. One spoke, and his tone was formal and distant. “The Alpha has summoned you, Ariel.”

Daniel straightened, giving me one last self-satisfied smirk before the guards took me away.

As they led me through the halls of the pack house, my steps grew heavier with dread. My father and stepmother were already inside the Alpha’s grand office, their postures stiff and unfeeling. Neither of them looked my way.

The Alpha sat behind his desk, his presence dominating the room with a cold, powerful aura.

When he finally spoke, his voice carried a weight that sent a shiver through me.

“Ariel,” he began, “under normal circumstances, you’d be executed for attempting to charm my son. Such insolence would usually end with death.” His gaze was steely, but he paused, casting a glance at my father. “But I owe your father a debt of friendship. So I’ll allow you to live, under one condition.”

I braced myself, fighting to keep my face expressionless.

“From now on, you will work as a slave within this house,” the Alpha continued, his tone devoid of mercy. “You will serve until I deem you’ve learned your place. Only then will you be granted freedom.”

My heart hammered, but I refused to break in front of them. I glanced toward my father, hoping for some sign of support, but he avoided my gaze.

He stood silent as if this decision was entirely reasonable. My throat tightened as a wave of despair washed over me, but I forced it down.

I wouldn’t give them the satisfaction of seeing me fall apart.

The guards led me to the servant quarters, a cramped, cold room that seemed almost worse than my prison cell.

I sank onto the thin mat on the floor, the weight of my new reality pressing down on me.

My life had been reduced to a series of menial tasks. Scrubbing floors, serving meals, enduring the sneers and mocking glances from the other pack members who treated me with the same indifference as the rest of my family.

As the days went by, I was invisible, a ghost moving silently through the house.

But Daniel wasn’t content with just ignoring me. He found every opportunity to torment me, his words cruel and cutting.

“How does it feel, Ariel?” he’d sneer as he passed. “Knowing you’re nothing but a servant now?”

I refused to let him see my pain, keeping my expression as cold as stone. But inside, his words stung, each one a reminder of how I’d lost everything and everyone.

One evening, as I scrubbed the main hall, he appeared again, watching me with that dark intensity that made my skin prickle.

He took a step closer, and for a long moment, he said nothing. Then he broke the silence, his voice low and mocking.

“You know, Ariel,” he said, “it doesn’t have to be like this. If you just… submitted, things could be different between us.” his eyes darkened with desire.

I clenched the rag in my hands, fighting the urge to lash out. “I’d rather be a slave than have anything to do with you,” I replied, my voice icy with loathing.

His smile turned cold, his eyes narrowing as he shook his head. “Stubborn as always,” he murmured. “But don’t worry. I have all the time in the world to break that spirit of yours.”

He walked away, leaving me standing there, my heart pounding with both fear and fury.

Each day, I clung to that anger, letting it burn within me, giving me the strength to endure. I would not let them see me break; I would not let them take the last shreds of my dignity.

They could reduce me to a servant, strip me of my freedom, but they couldn’t take my will.

And so, day after day, I endured, hoping that this isn't how my story ends.