I need a clear head. I grab new clothes in the closet and head to the bathroom. It really is long enough for me to take a shower with this horrendous thing still hanging on my ankle, but it’s a real pain to take my clothes off, even for a dress. I take my time in the bathroom, washing my hair and body with cold water to try and think. I’m too angry to make good decisions right now. I keep thinking about what to do. I can’t let Damian do this. I know how stubborn he is, but I just can’t let him win. I understand I went too far, but this is not security, this is a punishment.
I get out of the shower and start dressing up. I randomly picked some black lingerie, but I realize this shackle is a nightmare to even put my panties on! I can somehow manage to pass the underwear through the hole, but that means I can’t wear pants if I have this thing on! By chance, I choose a sweater dress that I can put on with no difficulties, but I’m still mad!
I glare at my reflection in the mirror, with my wild black curls falling all over my shoulders. I look like an angry lion, but I also realize my eye color has slightly changed. From a natural dark blue, my wolf’s recent awakening has given it a new shine, like two sapphires. Even if I like this change, it doesn’t minimize my anger one bit. I’m not going to go along with this change. ...But what should I do?
“...I don’t understand,” says Tonia. “You can get mad like this at the Boss, the most powerful wolf in the City, but you let your pack abuse you for years? What’s wrong with you?”
“It’s not the same fight,” I sigh.
And I know this won’t be an easy one either...
“Nora, please.”
I keep ignoring him, sitting as far as I can on the bed, watching the sunset outside. It’s already been two days, but I won’t give in.
“Nora, I don’t mind if you give me the silent treatment, but you have to eat. Please.”
I’d rather starve than allow this. I need Damian to realize that. I tried yelling, begging, crying, but since putting myself in danger is the only way to make him react... I’m never going to allow this. I need him to understand how mad I am. He hasn’t been violent, but this isn’t any better than the days I was locked up in a basement.
With Bobo lying behind me, like a big cushion, I feel a bit better despite the hunger and dizziness I’m trying to fight off.
I know Damian is mad at me for doing this to myself. But he doesn’t have any right to do this. He’s torn between the fear of losing me to someone else, to a pack that wants to hurt me, and seeing me like this.
“Nora, look at me, please.”
I finally turn to him, and I can see the horror in his eyes. I’ve lost weight. More than I can afford. I see him try to breathe, calm himself. He takes my hand, and I don’t fight him. I don’t have the strength to push him off, to be honest. He brings them closer and slowly kisses my palm. I can’t hold back a smile. He’s about to surrender; I know it. He understands.
I’m starting to understand how hard it is for him. To let go, to trust me. Damian is a man who controls absolutely everything around him, including his family. But I won’t give him that power over me, and it... terrifies him. If he could, he’d probably lock me away just like this forever, in his golden tower. He sighs, and his hand goes to the shackle. He useshis strength and tears it in a few seconds with an annoying metallic sound.
“...Thank you,” I whisper.
I caress his cheek. I’m strangely proud of him. I know I should be angry, but I don’t have enough strength left for that. I see all the craziness in his eyes. His fear, his anger, his love for me.
“Boss, she needs to eat...”
“Leave us.”
Tonia and Bobo exit the room without discussion.
We keep staring at each other for a long, long time. Until the suns sets, until it’s completely dark outside. After a long while, I smile.
“Damian, I promise I won’t leave again without telling you. But you can’t, ever, do that to me again. Don’t restrain me. It’s like I’m back in that basement all over again.”
His eyes darken, hearing my words. I know how much Damian suffered from all that happened to me, but it’s over now. He finally nods and leans forward to kiss my forehead.
“Don’t do something like that again, Nora. Take Bobo and Tonia with you, and tell me, or Nathaniel.”
“So, you are okay with me going out again?” I ask.
Why does this feel like such a victory? I’m so happy, my heart goes wild. I see him frown.
“Yes, I am, if you just promise me to not do such a reckless thing ever again. Don’t let these people hurt you again, Nora.”
“I won’t, I swear. All I want is for you to trust me. Look.”
I place a bit more space between the two of us, and focus on my breathing, closing my eyes. I hear my clothes tearing up and slowly, let my inner wolf take over in front of his eyes. I shapeshift completely into this pure, white wolf. He smiles, amazed.
“You’re beautiful...” He whispers.
