The cell was damn cold.
I was huddled on the bed with Arabella's back pressed against mine. Our combined warmth helped, but my hands and feet were freezing. There was no blanket, no pillow, just a mattress without a sheet. Even a thin bed sheet would've been a good enough blanket to protect myself from the draft.
Asra was still nearby, and I noticed the entire cell block had fallen quiet at his presence. I wondered whey he was still here, but didn't want to push it when both of us were too hot-headed. I couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong. Things didn't add up and it made me question everything.
Was Arabella truly innocent?
She had to be. How would she inform Darius when Evermore didn't have phones? A letter would not get there so quickly, and even so, Evermore was a hidden village. Besides, Arabella had been busy with Mya most of the time.
But what was wrong with Asra? Why was he acting like this? Like we were nothing but opposites. It seemed like his wolf's instincts took control, forcing him to behave this way. But Asra, although a beast, could control himself well around me, so what changed?
I sighed, shivering slightly to stay warm. It had been at least ten minutes, but I could already feel the cold seeping through my still damp skin. My hair continued to drip down the back of my neck too, which was just annoying.
I didn't want to be here. I wanted this all to be forgotten and be back in bed.
As if by fate's cruel design, a door creaked open nearby and voices murmured down the hallway. It echoed in the silence of the cells, and I concentrated on the footsteps. They were heavy and loud, and when they didn't stop, I knew they were coming my way. I held my breath, my heart lurching as they came to a stop right outside the cell.
My eyes narrowed when the male's eyes found mine, and he awkwardly shifted his weight. I couldn't help but let my gaze wander over him, taking in his stressed appearance, my lips pulled into a frown.
Sighing, I pushed myself away from the bed. Arabella squeaked slightly as I slowly rose from the mattress and walked closer to the door. I crossed my arms, staring him down with a raised eyebrow.
Caleb scratched the back of his neck, awkward. "Hey, Luna."
"Why are you here?" My nose crinkled.
If Asra had let him go, then he must've been innocent.
"I just wanted to see you," His lips pursed, glancing over his shoulder.
"See me? Why?" My eyebrows furrowed. "I thought he would've beaten you senseless."
"He did," Caleb grimaced. "And the moment I knew what the phone call was about, I wanted nothing more than to come and see you. I should've been more aware of it, and I apologise."
"It's not your fault," I sighed. "You didn't know I didn't have a brother. You do not know me."
"That is true," He muttered. "Despite that, I should've asked questions. They asked for you by name, said you were expecting their call."
I shrugged, leaning against the blood splattered wall. "You didn't have to come down to see me."
"The moment Alpha set me free, I wanted nothing more than to." He shook his head. "I feel terribly guilty, and I understand why you both questioned my loyalty."
"You were the first person we thought of, I'm afraid." I frowned. "But he is acting rash and stupid right now, so I apologise for not being more welcoming to one of his friends."
"It's okay," He shrugged. "He isn't happy."
I glanced toward my sister, a frown marring my face. "I see..."
Seeing my sister shiver reminded me of our situation, and I uncrossed my arms and took a step backward.
"Well, thank you for apologising, Caleb." I smiled tightly at him. "But it is freezing down here, so you should get home."
"The cells have no heating; we don't capture many humans..." His jaw tightened, eyes flickering to my sister. "You should come with me."
"No," I shook my head. "That's just cheating."
"Luna..." He frowned.
"I do not feel like your luna right now, so please do not call me that." I shook my head.
"But you are the luna," He shook his head.
"I will be the luna when I am treated as one." I scoffed. "Asra does not treat me equally and does not listen to me as partners should when ruling a pack, and therefore, I shall not be a luna beside someone who sees my opinions as a leader invalid."
Caleb's tongue darted out to trail across his lips, his hands clenching at his sides with what I recognised as frustration. He didn't like what I said, but it was true; until Asra allowed me to lead like him, I was not the luna. Alpha and Luna shared roles, opinions and worked together. He had completely disregarded me as of late, and I would not stand for it. If he saw my opinions as inferior to his, then that meant I was not his equal.
If freezing in this cell was what it meant to get that into his thick skull, then I can deal. I have dealt with far worse in Evermore. I have been pampered in the pack house; my body used to its luxury of warmth and clothes.
"But you could get sick." He shook his head.
"Then so be it." I deadpanned, holding his gaze. "This is my choice, Caleb. I will not let him belittle me, or outcast somebody because he acts brashly."
Seeing my determination, he eventually bowed his head. "Okay, Ailia. I should leave."
"Goodnight, Caleb." I smiled softly at him, suppressing a shiver. "Get some rest. Those wounds look like they need a good six hours."
His laugh was soft, and he dipped his chin before leaving the cell. I stood there for a moment longer, staring at the space where he once stood. His footsteps echoed as he disappeared, and I waited until the door shut before retreating to the bed.
Feeling her warmth and comfort, I knew I had made the right choice. Even if this wasn't Arabella, wasn't someone of my blood, nobody deserved to be punished for something without evidence. I thought Asra was a fair leader, but he had nothing but suspicion.
Bella was quiet beside me, but eventually she spoke.
"He spoke to me, you know." She murmured.
"Who?"
"Arsa." She whispered his name. "Before you came, he asked me loads of questions."
"He did?" My eyes widened, turning to her. "You didn't tell me?"
"You didn't really give me a chance." She admitted, glancing uncertainly at her lap.
"Did he hurt you?"
"He didn't touch me." She shook her head. "He just scared me."
"He tends to use his looks in his favour." I agreed. "I wish you told me, then we probably wouldn't be in here."
"You are too stubborn." She commented.
I laughed softly. "That's because Dad always told me to never give up."
Her eyes brightened with the idea, and I wondered what memory she thought of in that moment. Did she see Dad how I did? Or was her memory warped because of her youth?
I walked towards the door, grunting at the cold breeze washing over my bare skin. Peaking through the bars, my eyes landed on a guard around ten metres away. I narrowed my eyes at him, recognising him as a usual house guard that definitely wasn't there when I first came down. It seems Asra had changed the guards down here. It was rare you saw a pack house guard outside of the pack house, especially in the cells. His brown eyes flickered toward me, only to dart away with surprise when we made eye contact.
I couldn't help but smirk in satisfaction.
"You didn't have to come in here, you know. You could've let him put me in here alone."
I scoffed, appalled she would suggest that. "You have done nothing wrong, Arabella."
She shrugged. "Obviously, something has made him not trust me."
I sighed. "Darius found where I was and called to threaten me. Asra is just pointing fingers, and you, being new, are the target. I couldn't let him win; I am supposed to be his equal."
Her eyes widened as a look of fear crossed over her face. "Darius knows where you are? What did he say? Does he know I am here?"
And that, that very same look I must've held a million times, is why I believed it wasn't Bella. A look of such fear, such raw, primal unease affirmed my thoughts. Arabella hasn't done anything, I was certain of it. You couldn't make such a reaction unless you experienced the threat to go with it.
"He didn't mention you," I reassured her, leaning against the wall. "So, he either doesn't realise, or is pretending he doesn't know to throw me."
"Is he that clever?" She swallowed, nervously.
"I had a lot of time to think whilst here." I shrugged. "Darius is smart. That's one thing I will give him. I believe he has people everywhere. He always has 'contacts' and would threaten me with them a lot. Someone either followed us to the border or recognised Asra."
"He is hard to miss." She mumbled, shuddering.
"Too true," I smirked. "But either way, someone is watching, and Darius knows too many people for my liking. He has always been a businessman, but everything is feeling strange."
"How so?" A gruff voice wondered.
I jumped at the voice, my head spinning to glare at dick number one. "What are you doing here?"
Asra blinked at my harsh tone, jaw tensing. "I came here to get you out."
"Not a chance," I scoffed, widening my stance. "I am not leaving this cell without Arabella."
His eyes narrowed. "It is cold, and I can sense your hunger. It is not healthy for you."
I glared at him, agitated that the bond allowed him to track my damn body. I thought I had blocked him away, but obviously even the bond betrayed me.
"I will eat the cell food or go without. It is nothing I am unused to." I cocked my head, flickering my eyes down at his figure. "Go back to your job, the one you seem to think you can run without my help."
He growled, and I heard Arabella inhale sharply at the sound. I took automatic steps backward, blocking her from view of the alpha. It seemed to agitate him, because his hands tightened into fists.
"Do not test me, Tulip."
"It's Ailia," I growled back.
His upper lip curled with distaste. "Stop it."
"No!" I spat.
"Ailia, you are being stubborn."
"I sure am!"
"Stop being so childish!"
"Stop being a dick and maybe I will!"
"I will stop being harsh when you stop acting like this!"
I took a threatening step forward, piercing him with my gaze. "You need to stop telling me what to do. You do not control me, Asra. My thoughts, my actions, are all mine."
His eyes flickered with an emotion I was unsure of, and he muttered something I couldn't decipher. I wasn't sure it was even English; it didn't sound like a word I knew.
Before I could even take a step back, he had crushed the lock on the gate, forcing it to slam into the wall. My eyes widened with shock as he stormed into the cell toward me. Despite his suddenly charging figure, I had to stand my ground.
Unfortunately for me, that is what he wanted.
Within five strides, his arms were grabbing me and forcing me over his shoulder. I screamed with shock, forcing my body rigid as I tried to slide down him. He growled, the sound vibrating my body, before turning and leaving the cells, telling the guard to bring my sister.
Fuck!