a's

ng this chapte

til we reached a narrow staircase. Uncertainty settled over me as we descended, each step echoing with the hollow sound of the guards' booted f

on shackles around my wrists. "You're the only one down here. The Alpha deals with those w

e on the frigid stone floor, bound and helpless. Soon after, the quietness seeped

y of Viola... and now, the capture of Ryan. Once again, I had

elm me. But I didn't give it a chance. I was Lyra Everg

f the muck and grime that clung to my

oilet and a sink with a bit of soap and a rag. The air was dry, although bit

away from the ceiling. In Wolfsong's cells a grown wolf

ment alright. I squashed

uld see m

he tap on and splashed frigid water onto my face. The cloth, old and worn

gh to take awa

my clothes stained them into

's b

ause of hurting him. I hadn't meant to, really. I ju

before I f

he had looked so pale and lifeless, that cocky swagger of his reduced to a helples

ugh my veins. As the pounding of my heart picked up the pace, I heard the snarls and growls of wolves approaching.

with a tin cup of water and a small plate of food. I ignored the delicious

e me n

icked my eyes while the meat and

ht had a fist squeezing my he

ed, and each time, I proved them all wrong. I resolved to find a way out of this prison, and to make everyone see th

would b

determination, reminding me that this setback would not defeat me. I would rise above it, just as I a

"And I will not be held captive. Not by these bars, not by my past, not by anyone." The fire within me burned brighter t

emerged from the shadows. I recognized him as one of the guards who had assisted me the night b

the motivational speech t

ull a key out of his pocket and inserted it into the lock. After entering my cel

ought enough battles to feign

h, I think you know what I am after. Put up a stru

e wind of his missed attempt stinging my cheek. No time to think - react

ed, but a feral gleam came into his bloodshot eyes. I pressed the attack, fist meeting flesh with a satisfying thwack

to our brutal ballet. He shoved me, and my back scraped the rough wall

ts echoing in the cell – it was too much, too close. Fear gnawed at my resol

ost drowned out by his scream. For a moment, the fight we

ne last stan

hands, both heaving breaths,

ry. I was almost too tired, too slow. bu

him past. His head hit the wall, and he c

sted kind of triumph bubbled up in my throat. The guard

in his ass when a shout rang