𝖍𝖊𝖆𝖛𝖊𝖓

I've always been fond of silence.

The few quiet seconds building up to a lightning strike.

The soft tranquility of a crackling fire on a cold evening.

The sleepy peacefulness of waking up in the middle of the night.

I lived for these moment, reveling in their beauty each time they come.

But this quiet was something new altogether.

This silence sounded like death.

✧ ✧ ✧

I had been placed in a damp, dark room, the overpowering stench of mildew and dirt making my eyes water uncontrollably.

I didn't remember how long ago that was.

When I had been taken, I faintly remember hitting my head on something, but I couldn't seem to remember what.

I couldn't stop myself from drifting in and out of consciousness. I assumed that my inability to stay awake had been related to the injury that was surely gracing my hairline, leaving a sticky trail of dried blood down the side of my cheek.

I had been alone for the entire duration of my stay in the horribly cold room, for which I was thankful for. I hadn't met my kidnapper yet, and I really had no desire to.

I knew I was likely to die once my kidnapper finally decided to show their face, but I think that I had finally made peace with that. The only regret that burned through me was the thought of leaving August, even when I had promised that I'd always be with him.

I was reminded of my promise with every ache that I felt in my chest, the mate bond pulling at my heart.

The rusted door handle clicking slowly brought me from my thoughts.

The handle turned, the door creaking open ever so slowly.

A figure made their way leisurely into the room, whistling a soft tune as if this was a casual affair.

Through my blurry vision. I could make out that the silhouette was tall and muscular, with short cropped hair and dark clothing.

My kidnapper's steps echoed as he made his way over to the chair that I had been uncomfortably tied to.

I was too disoriented from hunger and pain to make out any of his features as he came closer, out of the shadows.

I felt a large, cold hand grab my chin roughly, yanking my slouching face to meet his eyes.

"Ah, yes," The man's gruff voice echoed throughout the dark room, "The famous little human Luna. So weak and fragile. Perfect for my brother."

"Your brother?" I asked, my head pounding with each word I spoke.

"Mhm," He answered, leisurely circling around my chair, studying me.

Adrenaline began to course through me at his words, sharpening my focus on every one of his movements.

August's brother.

Suddenly, he brought his uncomfortably close to me, a sickening smile on his face that was all too similar to August's. But I couldn't imagine them as siblings. There was something lingering in this man's eyes that was much too different from August.

His curly hair was scraggly and worn, and his eyes dulled to a muddy brown rather than August's amber.

I suppose before he had gone rogue, he was likely quite handsome. But those features had long ago been masked by dirt and grime, as well as the terrifying look that flickered across his face.

"I can see the fear in your eyes," he began, his grating voice sounding like sandpaper against my ears. "I assume that August had told you about me?"

"Yes," I muttered, trying my best to keep strength in my voice.

"Well then you should understand why I'm doing this, darling." He whispered, coming close to my ear.

I shivered at his voice, pulling myself as far away from him as I could, my restraints stopping me as the ropes dug roughly into my wrists.

"Not really," I choked out. "I can't even begin to imagine a valid reason to kidnap and torture someone."

"Oh, August got a sassy one, did he?" The man snorted. "Well, I'm assuming that he didn't tell you the entire story. Not my side of it, at least."

I glared at him, refusing to break eye contact.

He let out a short bark of a laugh as he seemed to come to a realization.

"I bet he didn't even tell you my name."

I stopped my glaring for a moment, realizing that he was right. I didn't even know his name.

"My name's Damien, darling." He muttered, coming close to me once again.

"Quit calling me that." I hissed, thrashing away from him.

Damien laughed once again, making my discomfort seem like a joke.

"I have to be honest," Damien began, "I feel a slight bit of guilt in doing this to you. You can't help that you were mated to my brother."

"Then why are you doing this to me?" I ask, finally giving up on getting out of the restraints.

"Because darling," he drew out, putting his face directly in front of mine, "Even though you are innocent in this whole ordeal, your fate is intertwined with my brother's, no matter how unfair that is."

"By why kidnap me?" I ask, deciding to hide my fear, "Why not settle your dispute face to face?"

Damien let out a long laugh, one filled with such malice it made me cringe away.

He then drew close again, stroking his hand along my cheek. I swallowed the urge to bite him.

"Your dear mate took something from me, something irreplaceable. I'm just returning the favor."

"What did he... oh."

The realization hit me like a brick.

"He killed your mate." I stated matter-of-factly, staring down at my tied feet. August told me that he had stopped her, but he refused to tell me how. Now I knew why.

August killing someone?

I know he's done it before, but the cold truth of it hit me directly at the revelation. Especially that it was someone that was so special to his brother.

"Bingo," he smiled, the facial expression holding nothing but ill will, "He killed her in cold blood. It's only fair that the same punishment be brought on him."

He pulled a pocketknife from his jacket, switching it open and drawing it close to my neck. I leaned back as far as I could from the weapon, feeling the sharp, cold metal against my skin.

Tears pricked my eyes, but I refused to let them fall.

I wouldn't let this monster have the satisfaction.

"But before I kill you," he whispered into my ear, making my skin crawl, "I think that I want to have a bit of fun."

At those words, I knew his intentions. And I refused to let it happen, even if I died trying to get free.

"Get away from me," I hissed, choking down the bile that began rising in my throat.

"I can see why August likes you so much," Damien merely laughed, believing that there was nothing I could do to stop him.

He was so close now, I could feel his horribly hot breath on my neck, but all I could do was squirm away from his disgusting touch.

His hands traveled down further to my pants, where he began to unbutton them.

While Damien was distracted, I had noticed the pocketknife that he had previously been holding to my neck was protruding slightly from his front pocket.

His revolting hands were still distracted with their task, giving me enough time to unnoticeably move my hand just enough to reach out and grab the knife.

I began working quickly on the restraint on my hand, using quick, small movements so I wasn't caught.

"So, you finally decided be silent and enjoy it," Damien spoke, his grating voice said, making my shiver with revulsion.

I had cut my hand free just in time, gripping the knife firmly in my fist.

"Not exactly," I smiled, sickly sweet.

I barely even hesitated, using my now-free hand to plunge the knife into his chest.

The knife sizzled around the point where I had stabbed him.

Silver.

The knife was silver.

I almost laughed with joy.

Damien's eyes widened as he looked down at the wound, then back up to me.

He stumbled backwards, shock and pain coursing through his body.

"No no no no," he mumbled, staring at the horrible stab wound.

With one last glance to me, he stumbled to the ground, and never got back up.

I looked down at my hand, the one that I had held the knife with, realizing that it was shaking uncontrollably.

I quickly undid the rest of the ropes trapping me, doing my best to ignore the splatters of blood that were flecked along my clothing and skin.

My mind blanked as I completed the task, unable to comprehend what I did as the adrenaline rush left me.

It was self defense. It was self defense. It was self defense.

It didn't help.

I couldn't look to the floor, as I knew if I saw the growing pool of blood or the lifeless look in Damien's eyes, that I would surely vomit. I stumbled shakily to my feet, staring at the ceiling.

I shuffled gracelessly across the floor, the sticky sound of blood being stepped on beneath my feet causing tears to fall down my face.

As I moved to the other side of the room, I leaned my body against the wall, unable to hold up my weight any longer.

All of a sudden, I remembered that I was in a building that was likely crawling with Damien's makeshift rogue pack. And I don't think that they'd look fondly on me after I had just killed their leader.

I turned my eyes hesitantly towards Damien's body, tears blurring my vision.

I made my way warily over toward him, choking down the rising bile in my throat.

I focused my eyes on the knife protruding from his chest, blood still gushing from the wound.

I cringed as I reached towards the knife.

It's the only weapon in this room, Heaven. I reasoned with myself. You're going to need it if you have any chance of getting out of here.

With that thought, I squeezed my eyes shut, pulling the knife out in one swift motion.

I turned to run back to the wall, but I faltered in my steps.

I turned hesitantly back towards Damien, using my fingers to shut his eyes.

I owe him that much.

With that last action, I bolted for the door, leaning my head against it to listen for any sign of movement on the other side.

As I did so, a loud commotion came out from the space outside the door. Growls, barks, and what sounded like flesh tearing sounded out.

I stood deathly still, terrified that the fighting would make its way here.

But as the sounds grew louder, a warm tingling feeling in my chest began to spread, and feelings of warmth and safety took over my senses.

August was here.