Thalia's POV:
"Thalia?" I heard someone call out for me, then the knock came softly. I stirred from where I laid, knees drawn to my chest, forehead pressed against the cold wall, listening to the voice of guards training outside.
There was another knock, then the voice followed. "The Alpha has sent for you."
I recognized Mira's voice at once. She was one of the new maids, and was barely fourteen.
I rose slowly, my muscles groaning in pain. My knees buckled slightly as I stood, and for a moment I gripped the bedpost to steady myself.
Opening the door, I said. "I'll go." Then quietly, I walked past her.
On the way, I passed two maids scrubbing the tiles near the dining hall. But the moment they sensed my presence, they all turned and glared at me.
I was already used to the glares and gossip, so I quickly made my way upstairs and headed to his room.
When I reached his door, I knocked once.
Receiving no response, I pushed it open to see Alpha Ronan seated on the edge of his bed shirtless, with a goblet in one hand.
"You came slowly." He said, setting the goblet down. "I don't remember permitting you to take your sweet time."
I bowed my head. "Forgive me, Alpha."
He stood, strode toward me, and without warning, he seized my wrist and yanked me down. "Get on the floor."
My knees hovered just above the ground, but I could not do it.
"My body still aches." I murmured, hoping he might pity the truth. "I am still sore… from last night."
The slap came out of nowhere, as his hand landed on my cheek and twisted my head to the other side.
"Your body?" He spat. "You forget it belongs to me. Sore or not, you'll do as you're told. And don't think I haven't noticed you acting as if you had opinions, lately. You dared speak back to Madam Rosanna seven days past. I should've had you whipped."
I kept my mouth shut, but I couldn't stop the tears from spilling.
"You think to cross me?" He growled, dragging me forward by the arm. "You forget yourself."
He threw me onto the bed like a doll and before I could process everything, his fingers were already tugging at my dress.
Suddenly, something inside of me snapped. "No!" I shouted. And then—almost without thought—my knee drove straight into his groin.
He gasped, eyes wide with shock and stumbled back, curling over himself and cursing the heavens.
With that I scrambled from the bed to run.
I could only run two feet away before he lunged. His hand clutched my ankle, and I fell hard, my chin striking the floor. He rolled atop me and wrapped his hands around my throat.
"You little bitch," He hissed. "How dare you?"
I struggled, nails raking down his face, legs kicking as my lungs screamed for air. Then, I got him again. My knee found its target once more, and this time he howled.
I pushed him off and staggered toward the door. I was so close. So close.
But he was faster. He rammed into me from the side like a beast, and I crashed into the glass table. The sharp corner met the back of my head with a thud and blood spilled down my neck.
My vision blurred, and the world spun.
Soon I felt nothing but the sharp pain at the back of my head as I cried to the universe. "Anyone or anything out there, if you can hear me—please… please…"
Suddenly, everything went blank.
When I opened my eyes again, I found myself in a strange room filled with the scent of potatoes and old grain.
I glanced around to see barrels, and sacks.
The storage room?
I sat up fast, ignoring the throb in my skull. My dress was still torn, but no longer soaked in blood.
How?
I leapt to the door and tried the handle. Locked.
"Hello?!" I shouted, banging with both fists. "Is anyone there? Please!"
Silence.
I sank to the ground, heart racing, head spinning.
Why am I alive?
I touched the back of my head hoping to see dried blood crusted behind my ear, but there was nothing when I pulled my hand back.
I wanted to cry, or scream, or just curl up and disappear. My body hurt in too many places to count, and my mind was even worse. Nothing made sense. How was I still breathing? Why wasn't I dead? Was this mercy… or some kind of joke?
Minutes passed—or maybe hours before I finally heard footsteps, then a key turned in the lock. Suddenly, the door creaked open to reveal a familiar face.
"Felicia…" I called out.
She stood holding a tray of water and bread. Her eyes widened the moment she saw me. "Thalia? You look like you've seen a ghost."
I scrambled to her, gripping her arms. "Please—what day is it?"
Felicia frowned. "What?"
"The date—please! Tell me!"
She blinked. "Did you hit your head or something?"
"Felicia, please!"
"It's… the Eleventh Day of the Fourth Month."
I froze.
No.
That couldn't be right.
I staggered back, my fingers trembling. "That's not possible…"
Felicia stepped in and shut the door behind her, setting the tray down on a crate. "What's gotten into you? Madam Rosanna only locked you in here 'cause of your sass earlier this morning. You're lucky she's letting you out tonight."
I wasn't listening anymore. My ears were ringing.
The Eleventh Day of the Fourth Month.
Seven days before Rolan killed me.
The Goddess… She heard me?
Tears welled in my eyes as my legs buckled. I dropped to my knees on the stone floor, pressing my palm to my chest.
"I have another chance…" I whispered.
Felicia knelt beside me. "What are you talking about?"
I shook my head, smiling through the tears. "Nothing. Just… thanking the moon."
Because this time—I would not wait for Rolan's wrath. I would not be dragged like an animal. I would burn the chains before they could find my wrists again.
I had seven days.
Seven days before death came for me once more. And this time, I would not be around when it arrived.