Chapter 29
ANYA
“The Lycan king has ordered your release, Mistress.” The sentinels guarding my cage announced briefly which was followed by the clattering of keys and rustling of chains.
Soon enough, they were already inside my cell. They occupied the small space making me feel small and insignificant like a miniature statue in their presence.
“You’re free to go!” One of them beckoned to me and I slowly rose up from the spot of the cage where I had huddled myself for the past two days. I hated being here. The stench and rough filthy ground coupled with crawling insects was enough to make my skin crawl in disgust.
Ever since I was thrown in here, I was only looking forward to one thing and that was leaving.
They led me outside the dark narrow path that led to the entrance of the dungeon. As soon as they opened the huge iron gates, the lights from outside hits my eyes, almost blinding my vision. I had to slowly force my eyes to adjust to the harsh sun rays passing through them.
“Kyrell has asked me to help clean you up, Anya.” I heard the familiar voice of Moira, that wretched woman before she walked out of the corner where she has been waiting for me. I couldn’t help but glare at her in spite and irritation.
She was the reason and the sole mastermind behind my misery and misfortune.
It was because of her that Kyrell had not only slapped me but ordered his guards to lock me up, despite the fact that I am his mistress. Despite the fact that he knew just how much I am scared of closed spaces and locked cages.
Before he had rescued me and taken me in as his mistress, I was a mere lowly slave that was binded by chains and locked up in cages like an animal.
My father had sold me away to them when I was merely a little girl to pay off his debt and never looked back again. I waited years for him to come back and get me but he never did. To him, it was like I never existed anymore.
Every day, I was beaten and tortured by my masters. And when I eventually fell sick, they discarded me and left me to die. Kyrell was the one who found me during one of his hunting games and had brought me to his pack to serve him.
Since then, I developed a certain phobia for cages and being locked up in the dark and now, this woman had made me revisit my fears and that one past that I had been struggling to bury.
The one I dreaded the most.
When I finally get the power of becoming the Lycan King’s woman, I will make sure to get rid of her completely from Kyrell’s life. People like her are not allowed to get close to my Kyrell. She is a snake who was fond of always coming between us.
I have no idea why she was always involved in his life when she wasn’t even his birth mother in the first place. She was nothing but a nurse maid to him and that’s it.
“This way.” Moira spoke up, jerking me from my thoughts before she walked away, leaving me to follow and trail closely behind her.
She escorted me back to my bed chambers and the maids waiting for me to arrive were assigned to clean me up. They bathed me, clothed and fed me. The physician was also called to check in on me and treat my wounds should in case I had sustained any.
I basked in delight at all the preparations that were made for me and how I was being well taken care of. Kyrell must really care for me deeply to have arranged all this. The maids didn’t miss out any details and made sure that by the time they were finished, I was completely refined.
Looking at me now, no one would even know that I had spent two nights locked up in a dungeon.
I knew that Kyrell would not be able to bear the thought of leaving me there for three days. He might’ve gotten angry at me but he still had a soft spot for me which I would use to my advantage very soon.
“Your examination is over.” The physician announced, discarding his tools when he was finished with them.
“I will take my leave now and please don’t forget to offer my congratulations to the Lycan king on his newly formed marriage alliance.” The older man commented before he was escorted by the guards out of my bed chambers.
“Congratulations? Marriage?” I directed my gaze at Moira who ignored my outbursts and made to pick up the discarded herbs from the table.
“What does he mean by that statement Moira? What ’ newly formed alliance’ was he talking about?” I asked, my fears suddenly arising.
“You’re well aware that the Lycan King has gone to begin his pre-marriage ritual to bring his new bride home soon, are you not?” She questioned, her back turned against me. “Don’t act like you haven’t heard the news flying around the pack concerning his upcoming nuptials p>
I froze and my mind suddenly went blank. Of course I have heard that Kyrell had decided to take in a new bride but I never thought that it would be so soon.
Not that I cared about any of this but Lady Natalia, his first wife had barely left and shouldn’t he be allowed to mourn his loss for a period of time before he takes on this decision to marry another?
“I am well aware of his marriage but why so suddenly p>
Moira turned to face me then. “Whether he chooses to bring her now or later, it is none of our business. You are simply his mistress and your words or opinion doesn’t matter on this case do you understand p>
I had no time to dwell on the wrench’s words. I have never liked her and I am certain that the feelings were mutual. The only reason why we even managed to get along in the first place was because we shared a common interest, which was taking care of Kyrell.
“And besides, the only reason why the Lycan King let you out today was because he was being compassionate on this auspicious day, make no mistake about that.” She uttered before exiting my chambers.
I felt threatened. The Lycan King bringing a woman home only meant one thing for me. My position in his life might change. What if he eventually favours his new bride over me?
Well, I don’t have to worry about any of this. Besides, he also married Natalia under these circumstances and he never loved or showed any type of affection for her. She died a lonely, miserable woman so the case of his new bride is similar so it doesn’t mean a thing.
I will make sure to mark my territory and guard what is mine. I will not let this woman take my place in Kyrell’s life and I will do everything in my power to achieve that.