Chapter 8

I woke up the next morning with a heavy heart. The weight of sadness almost crushed me. My eyes were swollen with tears that had flowed during the night, and I could not overcome the darkness that covered my head like a blanket. I desperately wanted to escape the pains of my condition, the pains that Lucien had put me through.

As I lay there, still lost in the world between dreams and reality, Lucien's figure suddenly appeared at my door. His presence cast a long and dark shadow over my feeble soul like a storm cloud. In response to his opinion, I felt my heart was troubled and I knew that I was about to face another trial.

"Wake up," his voice sank into silence, devoid of warmth and concern.

I hesitated for a moment and mustered up the remnants of my shattered courage. When I finally found the strength to speak, my voice shook. "Lucien, please, I don't want to be with you," I begged, my words shaking.

His response was swift and brutal. His grey eyes, weak and sad, bore into me. "I don't mind asking your opinion. You are my mistress now, and you will do as I say," she replied loudly. You don't have to question my orders. "

His words made me shudder, and a feeling of sadness came over me. I swallowed hard, my voice barely above a whisper as I made one last effort, "But I can't sit next to you, never…

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's missing, I don't know if he's safe or in trouble. My voice was filled with resignation as I whispered, tears welling up in my eyes.

"Okay..... I'll do it. I'll move to your room."

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 shook my head, my soul, very broken, as i began to pack my things. The room that used to be a sanctuary was now like a prison with me as its occupant. The fear of what awaited me in Lucien's room troubled me, but it was nothing compared to my deep desire for my father. His loss left my heart empty and I clung to the distant hope that he would return to rescue me from this nightmare.

As I moved my things into Lucien's room, each step felt like a prison sentence of my own making. I couldn't escape because I trusted someone I had rejected before, someone who held my destiny in his hands. My resistance was replaced by obedience out of fear and desperation. The thought of being with my father was the only glimmer of hope that kept me going because I was able to endure this pain.

*****

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 demeanour 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, grey gaze. "Lucien, can't aids help 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 became a constant thorn in my body, a source of shame and pain every day.

Sometimes I don't think about it but this is my punishment for the choices I made years ago. Lucien's ruthlessness and authority made me unwilling to carry the burden of my past actions while living in this endless hell.

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 harm. 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 life now was a stark contrast to the life I had once known, and I couldn't help but wonder how it had spiralled into this living nightmare.

Memories of a time when I was free and wanted as if it belonged to someone else. Before, I was confident and decisive; I was not afraid to express my opinion 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 and tried to escape the negative situations that had become my daily life. The silence of the night is filled with the cries of my past decisions, each leading to this painful moment.

At one point I believed I had made the right choices and followed my heart. Now I can't escape the feeling that I am paying for my past actions.

The room that used to be my place of comfort has turned into my prison. It felt like the walls were closing in on me and the wind was blowing under the weight of my shame. I couldn't help but question how I had let my life take this terrible turn.

I thought of my father, who I always turned to for guidance and protection. He's missing, I can't imagine but he's safe or in trouble. The thought of his return was the only glimmer of hope that kept me going, a distant and impossible dream. Tears welled up in my eyes when I thought about my current situation. I wanted a way out, to end the problems that had become my daily life. I knew I had to find a way to break the chains that tied me to Lucien, to regain my independence and self-respect.

But when I was sleeping, I thought that day would come. I was uncertain about my future and I wondered if I would survive this life of torture that has become a new experience for me. I woke up that morning with a headache as I was arranging the feather lashes on the bed when Lucien's commanding voice broke the silence.

"Corrigan, come here."

I obeyed, walking to where he stood near the window. His gaze did not waver as he commanded again,

"Kneel."

I hesitated for a moment, shame burning inside me. But I knew that stopping it would hurt more. Reluctantly, I sank and bowed my head.

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 saw the eyes of the servants upon me, their presence a reminder of my shame. I longed for the day when I could escape this nightmare, but it was an impossible dream.

My life has become an endless pang of pain, a reminder of my past mistakes. Lucien's presence was a constant punishment for the choices I had made. Every day I long for a glimmer of hope, a way to break the chains that bind me to my tormentor.

As I knelt there, the weight of my past and the brutality of my present burdened me and I sank into despair. I can only hope that the balance will change and a way will be found to escape this endless nightmare.