Corrigan's pov

"Wake up, sleeping beauty," a voice whispered as my eyes fluttered open. My head throbbed, and my vision was still blurry. "You slept for way too long."

I tried to raise my head, but the voice gently urged me to stay put. It belonged to an old woman with wrinkles etched deeply into her skin, each line telling tales of the years she had lived.

"Who are you?" I managed to croak, my voice barely audible.

The old woman chuckled softly. "I'm the healer of these woods, child. The one who tends to lose souls like yours."

My head was pounding with questions, but she gently hushed me. "Rest now. We'll talk soon."

As she shuffled away, I tried to focus on my surroundings. The small, dimly lit hut was filled with dried herbs, hanging from the ceiling, and strange-looking potions lining the wooden shelves. A strong aroma of various herbs and spices filled the air.

"Danger" my wolf kept saying

"But she looks harmless"

"Danger"

"Stop talking and let me think, I have a lot on my mind, I would go crazy if you spoke again."

She didn't say a word again, I could feel her retreat.

My mind raced back to the events of the previous day. Dante's face, lifeless and still, haunted me. He had been a pain, but I never wanted him dead. I realized that maybe, deep down, I had loved him.

The old woman returned with a bowl of hot soup. "You're lucky to be alive," she said, her voice soothing. "You were found in the middle of the forest, wounded. You had hit your head on a rock, and you lost a lot of blood."

She handed me the bowl, and I took a cautious sip. The warmth spread through my body, and I suddenly became aware of how cold it was in the hut.

"Where am I?" I asked once more, my voice steadier.

The old healer smiled kindly. "You're in my humble abode, deep within the forest. You were brought here by some good samaritans who found you. They told me they discovered you wounded in the woods. They brought you here as quickly as they could."

The mention of the good samaritans brought back hazy memories of their voices, talking and comforting me as I faded into unconsciousness.

My thoughts drifted back to Dante, to the night he took his last breath. His lifeless body appeared before my eyes, an image I couldn't bear.

The old healer watched me closely, her eyes filled with a knowing wisdom. She sensed my turmoil. I was beginning to realize there was something peculiar about this woman, something beyond her age.

In the corner of the room, I noticed an ancient-looking wolf pelt hanging on the wall, its glassy eyes seemingly watching over the hut. This wolf pelt seemed to be more than just decoration, and it made me wonder about the healer's connection to the supernatural world.

As the warm broth filled my belly, my strength slowly returned. The old woman's presence was reassuring, and I felt like I was in the presence of a wise sage. There was more to this hut and this healer than met the eye, and I couldn't help but wonder what secrets lay hidden beneath the surface.

******

Corrigan's pov

The hours passed by, and I found myself in a state of restless reprieve. The old healer's constant coming and going had me baffled, her interactions with the villagers deepening my intrigue. Each visitor would be greeted with an aura of serenity, her wisdom marking her as someone extraordinary.

She would pause between tending to herbs, casting a knowing gaze in my direction. "You are beautiful," she would remark with a warm smile, to which I could only offer a courteous "Thank you."

Amid the bustling atmosphere, my attention was abruptly drawn to a haunting sight on the wall – a cross-shaped bag that uncannily mirrored the one Lucien often bore in his wolf form. It was an unsettling omen that sent shivers down my spine, and it did not escape Crystal, my vigilant wolf. She sensed an imminent threat, her unease intensifying as she strove to communicate with me through relentless whispers in my mind.

"Corrigan, danger. This place, something's not right. We must run!"

But I, resolute and dismissive, maintained my unwarranted assurance.

"Calm yourself, Crystal. There's no need for panic. We're safe here. The old healer means no harm."

Crystal's warnings persisted, her fear palpable in her words.

"No, you must listen. It's dangerous. That bag – it's a sign. We're in peril. Please, let's go."

Yet, my stubbornness refused to yield to her pleas.

"I appreciate your concern, Crystal, but we need to trust the old healer. She's offered us refuge."

Crystal's voice faded into silence, overpowered by my determination. In doing so, I unwittingly silenced my only ally against the encroaching darkness that awaited us.

*****

As the golden hues of evening cast their warm embrace on the forest, the old healer who had refused to reveal her name started moving about, placing things in order. I kept watching her for a while until she turned towards me.

"My dear," the old healer called me, her eyes gleaming with a glint of amusement as she began gathering herbs and arranging her primitive tools. "Would you lend an old woman a hand in clearing away the remnants of the day?"

I hesitated, my instincts divided between the inescapable curiosity that burned within me and the disquieting sense that something extraordinary, perhaps even dangerous, was afoot. However, her smile, filled with ancient wisdom, convinced me to assist her.

"Of course," I replied, my voice a mixture of intrigue and uncertainty. "What's the occasion?"

She chuckled softly as if sharing a secret with me. "A guest is coming. One who is both familiar and unfamiliar. It is a rare and auspicious visit."

I watched her move gracefully around her dwelling, her fingers dancing with purpose, and I couldn't help but be drawn further into the mysterious atmosphere that enveloped the hut.

"Is this guest of yours a friend or a stranger?" I inquired, the questions bubbling up as I sorted through her cluttered shelves.

The old healer's eyes twinkled with secrets held close to her heart. "Both, my dear. Both."

The cryptic nature of her response left me both baffled and intrigued. We continued to work together in silence, and it wasn't long before our combined efforts had the small space looking tidier than ever.

As we toiled, my wolf, Crystal, whispered her doubts persistently.

"Corrigan, this is not right. Something is amiss here. We must be cautious."

"Hush, Crystal. The old healer seems harmless."

Despite my reassurances, my wolf's persistent unease clung to me like a shadow. And in the back of my mind, I couldn't help but wonder if my instincts had led me astray, yet again.

We worked together, side by side, preparing a simple dinner. The old healer regaled me with stories of her life, her voice a soothing tonic for my frayed nerves. She offered me a towel and fresh clothes, recommending a brief reprieve before dinner.

As I bathed, the events of the previous night haunted my thoughts. Dante's face, his heart-rending pleas for help, replayed in my mind, filling me with a profound sense of guilt and sorrow.

After my bath, I went back to the room she showed me. I felt a mix of relief and nervousness. My thoughts were all over the place, entirely unprepared for the shock that awaited me.

There, right before me, stood Lucien. His presence was like a nightmare coming true, a dark and eerie aura surrounding him. It was as if he had effortlessly caught up to me, despite all my desperate attempts to escape.

My wolf, sensing the impending danger, let out a low, fearful growl, and in my mind, her voice was clear and haunting: "I warned you." The gravity of the situation couldn't be denied, and the stakes had never been higher.

"Lucien!" I whispered in shock, my eyes widening.

The following morning, I awoke with a heavy heart, the weight of my sorrow almost suffocating me. The tears I had shed throughout the night had left my eyes swollen, and I couldn't overcome the overwhelming sense of despair that clung to me like a shroud. I wished desperately for an escape from the torment of my circumstances, the torment that Lucien had subjected me to.

As I lay there, still lost in the realm between dreams and reality, Lucien's imposing figure suddenly loomed in my doorway. His presence, like a storm cloud, cast a long, dark shadow over my fragile emotions. I felt my heart race in response to his commanding presence, and I knew that I was about to face another ordeal.

"Get up," his voice pierced through the stillness, devoid of any warmth or concern.

I hesitated for a moment, gathering the remnants of my shattered courage. My voice trembled as I finally found the strength to speak. "Lucien, please," I implored, my words quivering, "I don't want to stay with you."

His reaction was swift and ruthless. His gray eyes bore into mine, unyielding and unapologetic. "I don't recall asking for your opinion," he retorted with an air of domineering authority, "You're my mistress now, and you'll do as I say. You don't have the right to question my orders."

His words left me reeling, a crushing sense of powerlessness descending upon me. I swallowed hard, my voice barely above a whisper, as I made one last desperate attempt, "But I can't be with you, not after everything..."

Lucien's eyes remained locked onto mine, his gaze unrelenting, and his voice colder than the unforgiving winter wind. "You'll do as I say, Corrigan, or you'll find out how much worse it can get. Remember, I know where your father is. Don't make me find him."

My heart clenched at the mention of my father. The one person who had always protected and guided me. He was missing, and I had no idea if he was safe or in danger. My voice was filled with resignation as I whispered, tears brimming in my eyes, "Fine, I'll do it. I'll move into your chamber."

Lucien's eyes never wavered, his dominance and arrogance on full display as he declared, "Good. Now get up and start packing your things. You'll move into my chamber today."

I nodded, my spirit utterly broken, as I began to gather my belongings. The room that had once been my sanctuary now felt like a cage, and I was the reluctant occupant. The fear of what awaited me in Lucien's chambers gnawed at me, but it was nothing compared to the overwhelming longing for my father. His absence was a void in my heart, and I clung to the distant hope that he would return and rescue me from this nightmare.

As I moved my belongings into Lucien's chambers, each step felt like a sentence in a prison of my own making. I couldn't escape the fact that I was bound to a man who I had once rejected, a man who now held my fate in his hands. My defiance had been replaced by obedience born out of fear and desperation. The thought of reuniting with my father was the only flicker of hope that kept me going, the one thing that gave me the strength to endure this torment.

*****

Two weeks had passed since I reluctantly moved into Lucien's chamber, and my life had transformed into a living nightmare. Lucien, the alpha who I had once rejected years ago, had returned to haunt me, making sure to remind me of the karma that now clung to me like an inescapable curse.

In the privacy of our chamber, his treatment of me was nothing short of oppressive. He showed little regard for my feelings or opinions, his actions reflecting the dominion of an uncompromising alpha. The once strong-willed and assertive Corrigan had been replaced by a shell of her former self, weak and submissive in the face of Lucien's overwhelming presence.

Lucien's demeanor was a constant storm of dominance, and he made sure to flaunt his authority even before the maids who served us. His words were laced with arrogance and disdain, each interaction a painful reminder of the power he held over me.

*****

That evening, as we sat in our chamber, he barked a command at me, "Corrigan, fetch me a glass of water."

I hesitated for a moment, my eyes meeting his cold, gray gaze. "Lucien, can't theaids help you with it?" I whispered, my voice quivering with a hint of defiance.

He shot me a withering glare, his patience wearing thin. "You forget your place, Corrigan," he hissed, "I am the alpha here, and you will do as I command."

Sensing the futility of resistance, I bowed my head and murmured, "Yes, Alpha."

The maids who were present busied themselves with their tasks, casting furtive glances at our exchange. They whispered among themselves, and I could hear their hushed voices carrying judgment and pity.

My life had become a torment, a constant reminder of my past rejection of Lucien. His presence was an unyielding thorn in my flesh, a source of daily humiliation and suffering.

At times, I couldn't help but wonder if this was my punishment for the choices I had made years ago. Lucien's ruthless and domineering nature had left me with no choice but to bear the weight of my past actions, as I navigated this living hell with no end in sight.

Every day seemed like an unending cycle of submission and despair. Lucien's words were like icy daggers, each command a reminder of my powerlessness. I had become a shadow of my former self, a once-strong and assertive woman reduced to mere obedience.

The maids who served us had become reluctant witnesses to my humiliation. Their eyes held both judgment and sympathy, as they watched me carry out the tasks Lucien assigned, no matter how degrading or trivial. It was as if they pitied me, but their loyalty to the alpha kept them from offering any support.

As I lay in the cold silence of our chamber that night, the weight of my new existence bore down on me like an unyielding burden. He lay beside me sleeping peacefully like one who meant no hard. I wondered why he would want me beside him if he hated me that much. "Could he still be in love with me?" I thought to myself.

But I doubted it. No one would treat someone they loved this badly. My lif now was a stark contrast to the life I had once known, and I couldn't help but wonder how it had spiraled into this living nightmare.

The memories of a time when I was strong-willed and free-willed haunted me, as if they belonged to a different person altogether. I had once been confident and assertive, unafraid to voice my opinions and stand my ground.

But now, I had been reduced to a shadow of that woman, forced into submission by the dominance of Lucien, the alpha I had once rejected.

I closed my eyes, trying to escape the harsh reality that had become my daily existence. The quiet of the night was filled with the echoes of my past decisions, each one leading to this moment of torment.

I had once believed that I was making the right choices, that I was following my heart. But now, I couldn't escape the feeling that I was paying the price for my past actions.

The chamber, once a place of comfort, had transformed into a prison of my own making. The walls seemed to close in on me, and the air felt thick with the weight of my humiliation. I couldn't help but question how I had allowed my life to take this tragic turn.

I thought of my father, the one person I had always turned to for guidance and protection. He was missing, and I couldn't help but wonder if he was safe or in danger. The thought of his return was the only glimmer of hope that kept me going, a distant dream that felt increasingly out of reach.

Tears welled up in my eyes as I reflected on my current situation. I longed for a way out, for an end to the torment that had become my daily reality. I knew that I needed to find a way to break free from the chains that bound me to Lucien, to regain my independence and my sense of self.

But as I drifted into a fitful sleep, I couldn't help but question whether that day would ever come. The uncertainty of my future loomed over me, and I wondered if I would ever escape this life of torment that had become my new reality.

***++

I woke up that morning, my head aching really badly as I arranged the fur blankets on the bed, Lucien's commanding voice shattered the silence. "Corrigan, come here."

I obeyed, walking to where he stood near the window. His gaze was unwavering as he issued another order, "Kneel."

I hesitated for a moment, the humiliation burning deep within me. But I knew that defiance would only lead to more pain. Reluctantly, I sank to my knees, my head bowed.

Lucien's cruel words sliced through the air, "You are nothing, Corrigan. Remember that."

Tears welled up in my eyes as I whispered, "Yes, Alpha."

I could feel the maids' eyes on me, their presence a constant reminder of my shame. I longed for the day when I could escape this living nightmare, but it felt like an impossible dream.

My life had become a relentless cycle of torment, a reminder of my past mistakes. Lucien's presence served as a constant punishment for the choices I had made. Each day, I yearned for a glimmer of hope, a way to break free from the chains that bound me to my tormentor.

As I knelt there, the weight of my past actions and the cruelty of my present circumstances pressed down on me, leaving me in a state of despair. I could only hope that someday, the balance would shift, and I would find a way to escape this never-ending nightmare.

That night, I was lying in our chamber, wondering how my life had turned into a never-ending ordeal of pain. It was a far cry from the life I once knew, and I couldn't help but ponder how I had ended up in this living nightmare.

"Oh Dante, I miss you deeply" I muttered under my breath.

In the past, I had been a strong and independent person, unafraid to speak my mind and stand up for myself. But now, it was as though I had lost all that strength, and I had been reduced to submission by Lucien, the alpha I had once rejected.

As I closed my eyes, the quietness of the night allowed memories of my past decisions to flood my mind. I had believed that I was making the right choices, following my heart, but now I felt as though I was paying a heavy price for my actions.

Our chamber, which used to be a place of comfort, had become a prison of my own making. It felt suffocating, as if the walls were closing in on me. The air in the room seemed thick with my humiliation, and I couldn't help but wonder how I had allowed my life to take this tragic turn.

I thought about my father, the one person I had always relied on for guidance and protection. He was missing, and I worried about his safety. The hope of his return was the only thing that kept me going, a distant dream that seemed further away with each passing day.

Tears welled up in my eyes as I contemplated my situation. I longed for a way out, a chance to break free from the chains that bound me to Lucien and regain my independence.

But as I drifted into a restless sleep, I couldn't help but question whether that day would ever come. The uncertainty of my future hung over me, and I wondered if I would ever escape this life of torment that had become my new reality. My eyes opened again, I was crying subconsciously, I began to cry, my heart aching severely.

My sobs echoing while I lay. I couldn't help but feel the weight of my despair pressing down on me. It was as though the walls themselves were closing in on my misery. Each tear that streamed down my face was a testament to the pain I felt deep within.

As I wept, the sound of my own sorrow filled the room, drowning out everything else. It was in that moment, amid the echoes of my pain, that something unexpected happened. Suddenly, Lucien stirred in his sleep.

I turned to see him, my vision blurry from tears, and my heart skipped a beat. He had wrapped his strong arms around me in a tender embrace, holding me close. It was as if he had heard my cries and responded to them with a touch of compassion I hadn't expected.

In that vulnerable moment, he muttered softly, "I love you."

I was stunned, my sobs catching in my throat as I stared at him in disbelief. The words he had spoken were like a balm to my wounded heart, but they also left me questioning their sincerity. Could it be that, beneath his tough exterior, there was a glimmer of genuine affection?

As I looked at him, his face was relaxed, and he slept with an innocence that contradicted the ruthless alpha I had known. His features, usually marked by an imposing presence, now appeared almost peaceful in slumber.

I couldn't help but wonder if I had imagined his declaration of love. Had it been a dream or a product of my own longing for some form of tenderness in this cold and unforgiving world?

I cautiously moved away from his hold, trying not to disturb his peaceful sleep. The room was still, and the silence hung heavy in the air. I continued to watch him, my heart torn between hope and skepticism.

I saw a side of Lucien that I hadn't expected. He appeared almost vulnerable in his sleep, his expression free from the usual hardness that marked his demeanor. It was as if the weight of his responsibilities and the struggles of his role as an alpha had temporarily faded away.

I couldn't deny that his words had taken me by surprise. They had been uttered with a sincerity that had struck a chord deep within me. But I couldn't ignore the countless cruel and domineering actions that had defined our interactions.

"Did he really love me? What if he truly loved me and was just punishing me for my crimes?"

As I sat there, contemplating the complex enigma that was Lucien, I couldn't help but wonder if there was more to him than met the eye. Was it possible that he truly cared for me, even in the midst of the torment he had subjected me to.

I watched in awe as Lucien stirred from his slumber, his eyes slowly opening to meet mine. His words, uttered with a soft sincerity, filled the room, "I truly love you."

My eyes widened in shock. The unexpected declaration left me stunned, my heart racing as I tried to process what had just happened. It was as though a ray of hope had pierced the darkness that had enveloped my life.

Before I could fully comprehend the situation, Lucien drew me close, his strong arms wrapping around me in a gentle embrace. Time seemed to stand still as he leaned in and planted a tender kiss on my lips.

I was taken aback, my mind racing as I tried to make sense of this sudden display of affection. It was a stark contrast to the harsh and domineering alpha I had known. His kiss was a gesture of tenderness that left me both bewildered and conflicted.

In the hushed moments that followed our unexpected kiss, Lucien's gaze bore into mine, his eyes filled with an intensity that seemed to strip away all pretenses. He spoke in a voice that held a touch of regret, "I'm sorry for how I've treated you, Corrigan. I know I've been harsh and unkind, and I regret it."

His words were a balm to my wounded heart, and I felt the walls I had built around myself begin to crumble. It was as though a weight had been lifted, and for the first time, I saw a vulnerability in Lucien that I had never imagined.

Tears welled up in my eyes as I responded, my voice trembling, "I've been living in a nightmare, Lucien. I've longed for the person you are right now, and I never thought I'd see this side of you."

With a deep breath, I found the words to respond, "Lucien, I appreciate your apology. It means a lot to me, and I want to believe that there's more to us."

His gaze never wavered, and he replied, "I know I've been ruthless, and I can't erase the pain I've caused you. But I'm willing to change, to be the person you need me to be."

"I forgive you, Lucien," I said with a small smile, my heart aching to let go of the past and embrace a different future.

His eyes softened, and he squeezed my hand gently. "Thank you, Corrigan. I won't let you down."

We leaned in for another kiss, sealing our commitment to a new beginning.

But as our lips met, a sudden howl echoed in the distance, a mournful cry that sent shivers down my spine.