Chapter 47: Chapter 47

CHAPTER FORTY SEVEN

ROXANNE

I gingerly collected the letter from the maid, Fabiola. “Thank you,” I said and closed the door behind me. I was puzzled. Hadn't Ryker told me there wouldn't be any letters and if he wanted to see me, he would come to my room?

Or… was he trying to be romantic?

I took my seat at the dressing table and a smile danced on my lips as I stared at the white envelope. My heart pounded loudly in my chest. Our last disagreement wasn't nice but I didn't think he would want to make up so soon.

Well not everyone was like me who could hold a grudge till eternity.

What if it was bad news that was in the letter? I twirled it as I battled with my instincts on whether to leave it or not.

Deep down I wanted him to come here begging. Okay, perhaps I was being delusional. Ryker was too egoistic to beg in person so maybe his letter was the only way to reach out to me. And it wasn't everyday I got a letter— actually it was my first letter so, fuck it!

I ripped open the seal and brought out the white paper. It smelled like it was scented with the morning glory. I opened it and read the contents. It was in Ryker's writing:

Hearts wounded by the words of our mouth. Feelings torn apart by mistrust. Would you let me fix my wrongs? Please meet me at the Hall of shadows, where wounded hearts once danced. Yours, is mine to heal.

Your sucker, Ryker.

It did sound cringe or maybe weird because I had read it in Ryker’s voice and the two didn't resonate. The Ryker in this letter and the one I knew, were two different people.

All the doubts I had of him were gone. Although it was cringe, it tugged at my heartstrings. I mean this was Ryker’s first letter to me, who wouldn't be excited.

I placed the letter on my dresser and hastily went to wash up in the bathroom. I had been too lazy but this surge of energy that came with his letter made me realise I had missed him.

I shampooed my hair with cranberry, just because he had once told me he loved how nice my hair smelled. When I was done, I hastily blew out my hair and then set it into curls even though I knew a little wind was all it needed and my hair would be a perfect mess again.

I chose the dress he had gotten me— the golden one that made me feel like royalty. I slipped it on and decided to go extra by wearing some jewellery. “Too much,” I said as I glanced at my reflection in the mirror. “Simple is elegant.”

I took off the jewellery and slipped into my fluffy slippers. Yes I knew it was a wrong choice but I wasn't ready for the discomfort heels gave and besides, the dress was long enough to hide my feet.

Who cared what I wore under?

I sprayed a little bit too much perfume till I got irritated and started sneezing. Not my fault but I needed to smell irresistible. I wanted my scent to invade his senses till he fell on his knees and asked for my forgiveness.

Ah! I was such a dreamer.

One last glance at my reflection, I was ready. I grabbed the letter from my dresser and opened my door. As expected, the guards blocked my path.

“You're not allowed to leave ma'am,” they protested.

“Maybe my window can come in use,” I said and grinned widely. I enjoyed the scowl on their faces but if the Alpha was at the venue, I didn't want to keep him waiting.

I handed the letter to Xeus, one of the guards. “It's from the Alpha. Go through it.”

They frowned at me before taking the letter. I watch their eyes widen in amazement. I would do the same. I bet they've never seen the soft side to their Alpha.

“Can I go now?” I ask, batting my lashes.

They parted the way and I hastily passed through, turning back to blow them a kiss.

“Is the Alpha interested in the outcast now?” I heard them say.

“The Alpha wrote a love letter.”

“More like an apology. Look— he said please!”

“Pinch me someone.”

“Ow I didn't mean you really should. Go and learn your literature.”

I giggled childishly and picked my skirts as I began to run happily. It felt as though I was in the middle of a fairy tale and my life was beginning to fall in place.

Sigh, maybe I was just too excited.

The halls of shadow were in another aspect of the pack territory. It was a bit far from the pack house.

“What does she have on?”

“Her footwear is cute though.”

“What is she? Twelve?”

I ignored them. I couldn't care less. I'm not going to get my ankle in the process of reconciling. I was exhausted from running but I kept going. I was eager to see the Alpha again.

I bumped into someone.

“Whoa! Careful.” Beta Miles said. “Roxanne?”

“Hi Beta, sorry,” I apologised without stopping.

“Where are you going in such a hurry?” He inquired.

“To the Alpha.”

He said something but I couldn't hear. My attention was fixed on the beauty ahead.

There in the distance, it was. Its golden walls gleamed in the moonlight. I kept racing till I was before its golden doors. I was wondering why such beauty had a dark name.

I pushed open the doors of the hall and cringed at the eerie sight there. It was covered in cobwebs and dust. Almost like it hadn't been used in years.

I waited outside, wondering why Ryker would ask to meet in such a place. An eerie feeling washed over me.

I shouldn't go.

Screw Ryker and screw me for thinking he was going to meet up to apologise. This was maybe one of his games. As I turned to leave, a letter dropped at my feet.

“What the fuck,” I muttered underneath my breath.

Go. Run away. It's a trick. Ryker is not here.

I should listen to my instincts but I found myself picking up the letter. I slowly opened it and read the content there:

You must have been disappointed. Why did he bring me here? But you can step out though and I will love you from a distance. Or you could walk in and dance with me.

Bewilderment overwhelmed me. What was Ryker up to? I glanced around and shuddered. Now I know why it was called the halls of shadow.

“Every disappointment, they say, is always a blessing,” Rykers voice boomed through the hall, making the hair on my neck stand.

I chuckled. “Screw you because this is really a big disappointment, Mister. I know you aren't a preacher of love but this is the worst way to express it, you know.”

“Is your mind made up? Do you want me to love you from a distance or do you want to walk in and dance with me?” He asked tentatively.

I pursed my lips. “I'm gonna hate it but I'll dance with you and don't you dare step on my toes.”

He giggled,“Don't worry I'm quite experienced and I promise tonight is going to be the best night of your life.”

I took a deep breath and stepped into the halls of shadows. The moment I entered the doors slammed shut making me quiver in fear. I gulped and turned to look back at the doors as a knot formed in my stomach. “Was that err… necessary?”

“Privacy,” he said flatly.

I picked the hem of my dress and walked down the aisle. Red lights turned on manually and Rose petals began to pour from above. It was weird but I liked the little effort he had put in. But what baffled me was why he hid in the shadows. I glanced around in discomfort. It appeared as though it was just us both but it seemed like a thousand eyes were watching me.

When I got to the stage of the hall, I saw a black chair with another letter on it. Okay, now I was getting exhausted. All I wanted was for us to make up so I could go back to the comfort of my bed.

“I must say, you do look stunning. I like the fact that you put in a lot of work in your appearance,” he said in a hoarse voice.

I picked up the letter and read the three words there: Have your seat.

I'd be lying if I said everything that was going on didn't scare me. My instincts screamed at me to get the fuck out but rather I took my seat and regretted it immediately.

My hands and legs were hooked by cuffs from the chair. My heart beat in palpitation as the red lights went off. I glanced around the darkness in fear, the lump in my throat too hard to swallow. “Ryker…” I whispered.

There was an eerie laughter as the figure stepped out of the shadows. I knew because I felt them behind me. They leaned closely till they were able to whisper in my ears. “How dumb can you get sweetie?”

Now it was another voice that boomed through the hall. One I didn't recognise. “Ha it's so easy to get you.”

“I always doubted my talent. Until now,” they continued.

I flinched as their hands touched my bare neck. “How are you going to rate my voice acting skills,” they said, in my voice.

Hearing my voice leave their lips I knew now that I was good as dead.

“What do you want?” I demanded.

“That tone is what you shouldn't be using on me,” they scolded. “I was actually never listened to so when I was bored I listened to everyone talk and I learnt how to speak in your voices. It was so fun but I had no one to show,” they said. “But now, I have you.”

“Fuck you,” I cursed.

“Stop talking. I've heard people talk for too long. Now is your time to listen to me,” they said.

I scoffed, “You're nothing but a sadist.”

“You know what, I've had enough,” they said and stood before me.

I tsked. “We haven't even started yet. Weak much?”

Before I knew it, the unseen assailant plunged the blade of a knife, deep into my stomach. I writhed in agony as I felt liquid dampen my dress.

“Now that's better,” they said and pulled out the knife. “I like obedient girls.”

They kicked my chair till it came falling down and then knelt beside me. I struggled to turn over but was stopped by the searing heat that engulfed me. All I could see was red that they waved near my face.

“You bastard,” I cried out.

“Shh now pretty, don't cry,” they said and grabbed my leg, their hands caressing. “I've always been envious of how slim and long and pretty your legs are. Then I thought, why not adorn it with my design?”

With that, the person pressed the device deep against my skin, burning deep into my flesh and repeating it everywhere on my legs and thighs.

I cried out in pain as my skin burnt. “Tell me, is it hot enough?”

But I couldn't speak. I could only scream out and writhe in pain. “Do you know what this is?” They taunted and pressed the searing object to my neck, revelling in my cries of anguish.

“Your skin heals so well, I'm so jealous of you. Not long ago you were with hideous scars and now they're disappearing. Being the creative designer that I am, I said why not give you new scars? Something that could make you smell again. Your brother said you were disgusting to the sight but the Alpha, he looked at you as though you were precious,” they continued sadistically and burned me in the shoulder.

I screamed as my skin sizzled under their assault. “I got this new iron for you,” they mocked. “It did cost me a lot of bucks but for you, I would go any length. I see you put your hair in beautiful curls but sadly I don't want anything beautiful on you. I'll help you fix that hair now.”

“Don't,” I warned.

They scoffed and put the iron in my hair while I lay helpless as the device sizzled my hair. I whimpered, my body felt like it was in flames and I couldn't fight back. I just let them burn different sections of my hair.

“Now that's beautiful,” they said and kicked me cruelly in the lips. Tears wet my cheek and by now I was sure I had cried a river.

“Let's play the game of hide and seek,” they proposed in a menacing tone. “I'll release you to run and if I catch you, I'll kill you.”