Olivia hummed thoughtfully, her fingers deftly maneuvering as she continued her work. “Any news on when this will stop?” she asked, her tone tinged with worry.
I shook my head, a heavy weight settling in the pit of my stomach at the thought of the endless cycle of punishment that awaited me. When Olivia finally finished, I looked at her with gratitude, taking in the sight of the blonde-haired girl who had become my lifeline in this turbulent sea of sorrows.
Sitting up, I carefully donned my shirt, the fabric feeling foreign against my newly healed skin. “I think we should stop this healing,” I declared.
“Is there a reason why you want me to stop this?” Olivia asked, her voice laced with curiosity.
I hesitated for a moment before replying, “Because it’s illegal. If they find out you’re the one healing me, they will hurt you. Who knows if they suspect you right now.”
Olivia scoffed at my concern. “Relax,” she reassured me. “I wear a mask every night I come here. No one would know. Besides, we’re in the basement, where the healers keep their supplies. No one would suspect a thing. I can’t let my friend suffer at the hands of injustice.”
I shook my head, adamant in my decision. “It’s best we stop. Amira will solve it.”
Olivia laughed bitterly. “Solve? Why can’t you see, Liana, that your so-called sister is using you?”
“She’s not,” I protested, my loyalty to Amira unwavering.
Olivia sighed, her expression pained. “I think I know your diagnosis for your loyalty… Stockholm syndrome.”
I recoiled at Olivia’s words, “Stockholm syndrome?” I repeated.
Olivia nodded solemnly, her gaze unwavering as she met my eyes. “It’s a condition where hostages develop feelings of loyalty and affection towards their captors,” she explained gently. “It’s not uncommon in situations like yours, where you’ve been subjected to manipulation and abuse by Amira. She gives you a little of hate and then a good thing and next thing you would be like a loyal dog.”
I swallowed looking down at my arms. Could it be true? Had I truly become so ensnared in Amira’s web of deceit that I couldn’t see the truth?
“But… but Amira is my sister,” I protested weakly.
Olivia reached out and placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. “I know it’s difficult to accept,” she said softly. “But sometimes, the people we trust the most are the ones who hurt us the most.”
“It’s not true,” I insisted, my voice trembling with emotion. “Amira knows you heal me. I believe she does, but she doesn’t say anything. Do you know why? Because she loves me and won’t do anything to hurt me. And see, she even wants you to come with us for the annual check-up. I think she cares. Stockholm syndrome? I don’t have that. I just have a sister and sisters fight all the time. She is working on it, the whippings will stop soon, you will see.”
Olivia shook her head, her expression grave as she turned away, her silence speaking volumes. She probably thought I was mad. I felt a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach as she turned and left.
Clutching my knees to my chest, I felt the tears welling up in my eyes, hot and bitter against my cheeks.
Who was I deceiving…it was obvious, I should know by now that Amira did not really care for me much but yet here I was. I had nowhere else to go. So I had to believe that one day it would all be fine.
****
After much preparation and anticipation, they were finally setting off to the capital where the Lycan’s King mating ball would be held in his grand mansion. I sat beside the Coachman whereas Olivia, Amira, and Max stayed inside the carriage. This was the first time I was leaving my pack and heading to the capital, so it was no wonder that my stomach was filled with butterflies. After all, I knew all about the tyrant Lycan king Alaric.
There were countless rumors surrounding him, from slaying an entire pack himself, to killing his family for power and to having a hideous appearance befitting someone cursed.
For generations, Lycan kings have been cursed. They were unable to sense or find their mates. In regards to this, the Imperial Summit mating ball was made, which all high-ranking unmated wolves were required to attend.
However, anyone chosen by the current Lycan king meets the unfortunate fate of death before they even mate. No one knows what caused it, it was a secret kept by the castle. This was the fifth time the king was selecting a mate.
Hopefully it would be his last.
