Chapter 38: A Man, Maddox

ELAINE

A heavy weight settled on my chest, and I took a deep breath. I was aware of my exhaustion, my pain, and my need for sleep.

It was odd. I was breathing, thinking, but I couldn’t open my eyes. It was as if something was holding them shut.

Maybe I was just too tired. Or maybe I was dead. Had I finally died and set Connor free?

Tears prickled at the back of my eyes. Connor. I’d left him alone. Why hadn’t he come to save me? Why hadn’t he followed?

It was foolish to even ask. Of course he wouldn’t. He despised me. He detested me. And I deserved it.

Connor would be relieved now that I was gone, that I was no longer a burden to him, keeping him from his dream, the throne.

The pain was intense and throbbing. But I had no choice. I deserved it for being who I was. He didn’t need to tell me, or for me to see it in his eyes. I knew.

The betrayal and hatred were as clear as day.

Deep down, I knew Connor would never love me, and if he ever did, it was too late. I had destroyed any love we might have had with my selfishness and greed.

I’d ruined everything that could have been my happiness. Our happiness.

A lump formed in my throat, heavy, as I tried to move, to lie back down and cry. But the same weight that held my eyes shut kept me from moving.

Then my mind slowly drifted into darkness, and I let it, feeling the emotions already overwhelming me.

***

“Wake up.” Someone nudged my shoulder.

As I started to wake up, I felt a fear, a fear of being swallowed by my own emotions. I tried to push them back and focus on something else.

I don’t know why I had a bad feeling. I wasn’t usually afraid, but I’d learned that anything could happen.

“Wake up,” the same voice commanded again.

The steady beat of my heart made me more aware of my surroundings.

It was quiet, except for the breathing of the person next to me. There were no other sounds. No wind, no birds, no river, no cool air.

I tried to frown at that. It was unusually warm, not like the cool mountains where I lived.

“You need to wake up now.” The voice was steady and masculine.

My eyes fluttered open at the command, and I stared into the most stunning green eyes I’d ever seen.

“I didn’t realize you were this beautiful once awake,” he said, too close for comfort.

His head leaned closer as his arm dropped, letting him rest on his side. There was something about him, a certainty in his voice, that held me still, kept me from moving or speaking.

“...Saved—”

“Excuse me?” I blinked. My voice was rough and painful.

“I said, don’t worry. You’re safe.”

“From what?” I croaked. My voice sounded strained.

I hesitated. I couldn’t think of anything but how much I wanted to close my eyes and sleep.

“Elaine, stay with me,” he commanded.

Still, I said nothing. I did nothing.

“It seems you are in shock. Let me help you,” he suggested, sitting up on what turned out to be a bed.

My eyes quickly scanned the room. It was large and elegant, reminding me of Connor’s house. It was filled with luxury, huge glass windows, long blue curtains, and furniture.

A single tear rolled down my cheek as I thought of him, his honey-colored eyes that had looked down at me so many times.

I missed him.

“Where am I?” I had to ask. He paused, looking over his shoulder. A charming smile spread across his full, pink lips.

“Yes, of course,” he smiled. “You’re in New York.”

“New what?” I asked, suddenly sitting up, which turned out to be a mistake.

My body lurched forward, and I let him catch me, all weak and defenseless.

What was wrong with me? My body felt numb. I could barely feel my fingers move.

“Easy. They drugged you twice. The effects are terrible, especially if you move around a lot before it’s out of your system,” he explained, holding me in his arms.

He kept smiling as if we were old friends who had just been reunited.

“There. Better?” he asked as I just stared. “My bad. I haven’t introduced myself, have I?”

Taking my silence as an answer, he flashed a bright smile.

“Maddox.” He smiled warmly. “And you’re Elaine.”

“Where am I?” I dared to ask again.

He blinked, smiling again.

“I told you, in New York.”

I shook my head desperately.

“No, no! I mean, ~where am I~? Whose house is this?” I asked, raising my aching arm. “Where am I?”

The smile disappeared from his face as he helped me up onto the bed, where a couple of black silk pillows welcomed me.

I tried to move, to grab his arm, but I was too weak. I could barely keep my eyes from closing.

“Please,” I pleaded.

Noticing my worry, he finally sighed. His hand ruffled his dark brown hair, which got messy.

He was strikingly handsome, and he smelled human. There was no scent of wolf or any other creature on him.

Had I been saved by a human? Had the hunters just left me somewhere?

“Fine,” he finally said. “You’re in New York.”

“I know!” I snapped angrily. “I fucking already know that.”

Tears welled up in my eyes.

“Sorry, let me rephrase that. You’re in New York, and my name is Maddox. You’re under my care. I’m your savior,” he said, smiling softly. His fingers gently brushed my face.

“Savior? You saved me from the hunters?” I asked skeptically.

A laugh slipped from his lips as he shook his head, leaning in close. His minty breath filled my nostrils, making me swallow hard.

“Kind of, but not really. I didn’t rescue you. They brought you to me.” His grin was mischievous. “This is my place, my base, Elaine,” he said, his hand brushing my cheek.

“You’re on the hunters’ turf, miles away from your pack. You’re in my territory now, and you belong to me.”

A wave of shock hit me, causing me to shudder for the first time since I woke up.

“Don’t even think about going back,” he said, his breath tickling my skin. “You’re not a lycan anymore.”

“What?” I stuttered. He just laughed, his long fingers playing with a loose strand of my hair.

I winced as he tugged a little too hard, tilting my head towards him.

“That’s right, you don’t have a home to return to, sweet Elaine. Now you’re just a human, like me, and by keeping you here, I can make you mine.”

My breathing quickened. He laughed again and finally let go of my hair.

“But don’t worry, darling. Once you’re feeling better, I’ll explain everything. For that, I need you clear-headed, not foggy.”

Maddox laughed again and stood up. “And don’t bother thinking about your mate. He’s not coming for you.”

“What do you mean?” I asked, a slow dread creeping in.

“Well, you’re not a lycan anymore, and you’re not tied to him. So you’re free. He’s free. Naturally, he’ll claim his prize, the throne.”

It took me a moment to process everything. I struggled against the heaviness in my eyes. Maddox smiled, then leaned in, his lips brushing my temple.

“Sleep. When you wake up next, you’ll feel better.”

***

A warm liquid flowed over my body. It felt like water, but I wasn’t sure.

My weary eyes fluttered open to see a figure crouched by my side. She was looking the other way.

Swallowing hard, I let out a sigh before turning my head. I was in a bathroom, submerged in a tub filled with purple petals.

The strong scent of lavender filled my nostrils, making me cringe slightly. It was overpowering, but it soothed my aching body.

“You’re awake. Are you feeling better?” she asked, causing me to look at her.

Her tanned face was warm and friendly as she placed her hand on my forehead. I sighed at the cool touch.

“You had a fever earlier, but you’re better now. How does your body feel?” she asked.

I tried moving my fingers, which worked. Then I moved my legs, which also responded. My body felt better overall. The heaviness and numbness were almost gone.

“There you go.” She smiled and nodded.

“What happened?” I asked, curious about the details.

“Well, after Mr. Maddox left, he called me in. I’m just a nurse here, so don’t worry,” she said with a smile.

“Is this a base?” I asked, intrigued.

“A mansion,” she replied, reaching for a cloth and soap. “Let me help you.”

Feeling weak, I let her touch me. Her hands moved over my body, which barely hurt.

“We need to take care of that wound,” she said, pointing. I followed her gaze and saw the gunshot wound on my shoulder.

Panic surged through me as I remembered. I had completely forgotten a few things.

“Hey, relax,” she said, looking concerned. “You’re looking pale. Breathe, Elaine.”

“I need to get out,” I said, forcing my body to cooperate.

The nurse’s eyes widened as I sat up, ready to stand. But it was futile. My legs gave out before I could fully stand.

“Hey, listen, you can’t push your body. Even though the drug is almost out of your system, you need to take things slow.”

“No, let me go!” I cried.

Tears welled up in my eyes as I splashed water out of the tub. My chest ached.

“Please, calm down. Maddox will think I did something to you,” she said, looking worried.

I looked at her, confused.

“What? Why?” I asked. “Why would he be mad?”

“It’s…” She looked away. “I’ll get your towel.”

She started to stand, but I grabbed her arm.

“What do you mean?” I pressed.

With a sigh, she crouched back down and brushed a strand of hair from my face.

“We can talk once you’re calm. I need you to relax and not panic. If you do, nothing good will come of this.” Her warning was clear and loud, making me nod quickly.

I sat on a stool while she dried my hair with a hairdryer. I watched her reflection in the huge mirror that covered the entire wall.

She didn’t seem dangerous, and as she had said earlier, she was a nurse. Her uniform told me everything I needed to know.

“Where’s Maddox?” I asked, clearing my throat.

“Busy,” she replied curtly.

I frowned at her sudden change in tone. She had been cheerful and concerned just a moment ago. Why the sudden shift?

“I—”

“Not now,” she whispered, her eyes darting around the room.

It took me a moment to understand her behavior. That’s when I noticed the two cameras in opposite corners of the room. The blinking red light told me we were being watched.

“Let’s get you changed,” she suggested, helping me off the stool.

She led me to a huge changing room and gently sat me down on a chair. She moved to a rack and started going through various clothes.

I watched her closely as she hummed. Her smile was back.

“Why are there cameras in the room?” I asked, making her stiffen.

She shook her head.

“Maddox is keeping tabs on you,” she replied. “It’s smarter not to request anything extra while you’re in the bedroom.”

“Then answer me this, why am I here?” I voiced the question that had been gnawing at me since I woke up. “Why did the hunters bring me to Maddox?”

“No, Elaine,” she sighed, pulling on a pair of pants and a knitted sweater. “They didn’t bring you. You were sent.”

I scrunched my eyebrows together, puzzled.

“Hold on.” I rubbed my face. “Sent by someone?”

She glanced around, cautious about her next words.

“Maddox is just holding you here for someone else. That someone sent you here,” she whispered, then helped me to my feet.

“You’re lying,” I hissed, glancing at the open door. “Stop lying to me.”

“No, I’m not lying.” She offered a weak smile.

“Then why are you helping me?” I snapped. She halted and took a seat on the chair.

I forced myself to stay upright, but my legs quickly gave out. Taking a deep breath, I sat back down and locked eyes with her.

“Explain to me, why are you being so kind? You’re betraying your leader,” I murmured.

“I’m not,” she sighed, leaning back in the chair with my clothes in her lap. “And why am I kind? That I can answer.”

I waited as she offered a sad smile.

“I was like you,” she confessed, causing me to frown.

“What?” I snapped. She hushed me, placing a finger on her lips.

“Don’t raise your voice, the cameras will pick it up,” she warned, standing and walking over to the door.

I stayed silent, waiting for her to return.

“Okay,” she said, turning back to me. “What I mean is, I was just like you, a werewolf.”

“I’m a ~lycan~,” I corrected. “And you don’t smell like one of us.”

A look of hurt crossed her face as she scoffed.

“Neither do you, or have you forgotten you no longer have a lycan inside you?” she shot back.

I opened my mouth to respond, but found myself speechless.

The truth finally dawned on me, making me comprehend her words for the first time. It all made sense.

Why my senses weren’t as sharp. Why I couldn’t feel the bond, or Ashina. Why I felt weak, strange, and why my wounds hadn’t healed…

Tears welled up in my eyes as the reality of it all hit me.

A gasp escaped my lips as my hands instinctively went to my chest. The familiar pain started throbbing again.

“Hey, take it easy,” she said, crouching beside me. “Breathe. You’re having a panic attack.”

“Ashina.” The name slipped out as a whisper. “Ashina.”

Sobbing uncontrollably, I doubled over.

I felt hollow, devoid of anything. Ashina was truly gone.

I cursed under my breath between sobs, then I froze. My eyes darted to my wrist. The shackle. It was missing.

My heart plummeted. It was no longer there. It had vanished.

Its comforting white glow no longer warmed my skin.

Letting out a wail like never before, I collapsed to my knees, crying and screaming.

I was completely alone. Ashina was gone. The Moon Goddess had abandoned me. And Connor, he was free from me, which meant I was truly alone, and no one would come for me.

This was my punishment for everything I had done up until now.

I’d been left to the mercy of the hunters.