65 The extra mile …
Nathan
Iy on my threadbare cot , counting the cracks in the ceiling for what felt like the millionth time .
I had no idea how long I’d been here , I stopped keeping count after two years .
The dungeon air hung thick with the stench of mould and decay … this ce usually was meant to hold offenders like rogue wolves but Ramsey after seeing I wouldn’t talk in the holding cells , hadmanded they bring me here .
The pungent smell of sweat and blood is enough to make anyone give in but I held my ground .
The thought of L , staying safe from her vile mate kept me going .
I’d die a thousand times before I give him the tiniest information about her .
I shifted in my bed , groaning softly as my muscles ached from the cold .
My skin where the iron cuffs held , was beginning to burn again but I had long since stopped noticing the difort .
After years in these grim conditions – not being able to tell day and night apart , I had gotten used to the endless hours of silence and waiting .
Through the crack in the wall , light filtered through , casting strange shadows across the damp walls , where moss grew in patches like nature’s halfhearted attempt to decorate my prison .
‘ Ragnar , I called out to my wolf .
“ Do you think they’lle today ? It’s been almost two weeks with no sign of them .
”
“ Maybe they’re not back from the ceremony .
We overheard a guard saying something about it some days ago , right ? ”
“ Yeah , maybe ! ” I was used to either Lenny or Ramseying to ask me about L three times a
week .
“ We should ask for some nkets and candles the next time Beta Lennyes .
It’s getting colder these days .
We deserve that much after staying here for four years , ” Ragnar said again .
Four years .
Four years of the same routine , the same questions , the same silence from my end .
The chains around my wrists and ankles had be almost like old friends- ufortable , unwanted but familiar .
The cell , barely eight feet by ten , was my world , each corner holding memories of nights spent plotting , nning and sometimes just surviving .
–
The sound of footsteps echoing down the corridor barely registered I’d learned to tune out the regr patrols .
But this time, it was different .
The heavy iron gate at the corridor creaked
open
and the sound of boots echoed down the narrow corridor .
I didn’t even bother to lift my head .
I could hear theming .
It was always the same the footsteps , Lenny or Ramsey appearing and then the door would m shut again , leaving me to rot in peace .
But this time , the footsteps didn’t stop at the door .
They entered my cell .
I sighed deeply , not bothering to sit up as Lenny with a few of the other pack soldiers entered .
<
65 The extra mile …
“ Don’t waste your time .
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I won’t say anything today , just like I haven’t for the past four years .
Didn’t know it was four years until a moment ago ,” I chuckled .
“ I’m not here to question you ,” Lenny said , his voice oddly formal .
Making me turn to look at him .
He nced at the soldiers with him and then back at me .
Without a word , the soldiers came forward , kneeling beside me and started unlocking my handcuffs and leg chains .
The metal nked to the floor with a thud .
I blinked in surprise , sitting up slowly , rubbing my wrists , and feeling the hot air against my already irritated skin .
The freedom felt so strange after being so long in chains .
“ You’re free to go , Nathan , Lenny said , stepping back .
I stared at him in disbelief , with brows furrowed .
I could have risked augh but I couldn’t help but think if this was a trick , some new way to break me .
“ That’s a new approach , Beta Lenny .
What’s next ? A friendly chat over coffee ? ”
“ I don’t know how you’ve managed to remain cheerful for four years , Nathan , ” Lenny scoffed .
“ But
this isn’t a joke .
You’re free to leave .
”
“ What kind of game are you ying ? Did your master put you up to it ? ” I asked , refusing to move
an inch .
Lenny didn’t answer .
Instead , he turned on his heel , and the soldiers with him , leaving the cell door open behind them .
I kept rubbing where the chains had left permanent marks , waiting for the punchline , the trap .
But nothing came .
Finally , I wobbled to my feet and approached the doorway cautiously , my muscles tense and ready for an attack that didn’te as I staggered out of the cell .
The small gate leading to the corridor of my cell was equally open .
I peered into the darkness of the dimly lit corridor , noticing that someone was standing in the shadows .
Without needing a light to see his face , I knew who it was .
Alpha Ramsey .
My heart quickened slightly , but I kept my expression nk as I wobbled toward him .
As usual , his presence filled the air , his cold , calcting gaze was locked on me .
Lenny and some soldiers stood a few paces behind him .
I stopped a little distance away from him and bowed my head in reverence .
“ Lycan Leader ! ”
“ I told you to stop greeting me , Nathan … I know you mock me in your heart .
“ Just like you , Alpha Ramsey , I am tied to serving you for the rest of my life .
Not something I would have done willingly if I had a choice .
”
He scoffed and turned to the soldiers , waving his hands slightly .
“ Leave us , except you , Lenny .
”
As soon as we were alone , I leaned against the wall to support my legs which still felt like
G5 The extra mile …
rubber under me .
“ You’re free to go , Ramsey finally said .
“ The soldiers will not stop you .
”
“ And to what do I owe this unexpected generosity , Lycan Leader ? Do you expect me to believe that after four years , you’re just letting me walk out of here ? No strings attached ? ”
He didn’t respond immediately , instead , his gaze bored into mine , mockery and amusement glinting in his eyes as his eyes hovered the length of my body .
Then , in a measured tone , he
asked .
“ How does it feel , to spend four years of your life , locked in a dungeon not deserving of an Alpha heir … over a woman who means nothing to you ? ”
A slow smile spread across my face as I chuckled softly , crossing my arms .
“ What makes you think L means nothing to me ? ” I straightened , meeting his gaze directly .
“ She means everything to me or rather , we mean a lot to each other , so much that I’d dly take another four years in a dungeon worse than this for her .
”
Annoyance shed in his eyes but he quickly suppressed it .
He always tried to suppress his emotions around me – some power y I think but I thought it was funny .
“ You’re a fool , Nathan Tanner , he muttered under his breath .
“ You think you’re some sort of hero ? Do you think she would care that you did this ? L is nothing to and you’re nothing to her
I arched a brow in his direction and stepped forward , closing the gap between us .
“ You can convince yourself of that , Ramsey , if it makes you feel better .
But we both know the truth .
” I paused , my voice softening .
“ Wait until she hears what I’d had to endure … whose arms do you think she’de running to? ”
“ Pray to the Goddess , Nathan – you believe in her , don’t you ? Pray that nothing on earth ever makes you cross my path wrongly again .
I’m not sure I’ll be as lenient next time .
”
Iughed , my eyes still fixed on him .
“ You should know by now that your threats don’t work on me anymore .
” I tilted my head , studying him .
“ Tell me , how does it feel ? ” I asked , drawing closer
to him .
–
“ How does it feel seeing and knowing that another man is willing to fight for your mate for the woman you love so much that you’ve been searching for , for four years ? ”
“ I do not love her ! ” he growled .
I ignored him .
“ Doesn’t it shame you , Alpha Ramsey ? Doesn’t it tear you apart that I’d go the extra mile for L – something you couldn’t do ? ”
I watched as a muscle in his jaw jumped my words struck a nerve .
But I didn’t care .
I reached out , adjusting his cor with deliberate slowness , loving the way his entire body went rigid at my touch .
“ Deep down , you know it , I continued , still whispering .
“ You know that no matter what you do , no matter how much you try to hold onto her , L will always be beyond your reach .
“ She’s my mate , Nathan Tanner … she doesn’t have her wolf and I may have rejected her at
65 The extra mile …
hundred times but she’s still tied to me and still belongs to me .
”
Iughed , leaning to his ear , and said with a cold voice .
“ That’s why you do not deserve her .
You think women aremodities to be toyed and yed around with .
From what I see , you didn’t grow up with lots of love and you don’t know how to treat a woman especially one like L ”
“ And you know ? ” he retorted with a smirk turning to stare at me .
“ You’re just like me in so many ways .
Holding on to a woman who doesn’t even know you have these feelings for her ”
Then I stepped back , smiling at him , choosing to ignore his words as I said in a loud voice .
“ You’re beginning to grey , Alpha … maybe you should rest more and stop running around in circles .
Thank you for releasing me .
I am grateful , I swear ! ”
I patted his shoulders onest time and brushed past him , walking down the corridor .