Chapter 53: Chapter 53

Sierra pov.

It had been an excruciating ordeal, a relentless torment that I endured, yet I persevered. I acknowledge that I deserve the consequences that have befallen me today. I made a solemn vow to myself never to succumb to the illusion that love would liberate me.

Now, I have become an outcast in the village, relegated to the role of a lowly maid. Every villager treats me as though I am a space, an insignificant void in their lives.

As I toiled, I observed my mother's tear-filled eyes, unable to bear witnessing her daughter in such a wretched state. Anguish engulfed her, shattering her spirit at the sight of me.

A desperate urge surged within me to run into her arms, seeking solace. However, I suppressed it, realizing that it would only amplify my suffering.

While washing the dishes of the villagers who had just feasted in celebration of the clan's bountiful harvest, I was handed their leftovers as my meager sustenance. The tears welled in my eyes as hunger gnawed at my insides.

My starvation had reached such dire proportions that even a morsel of food held the power to make me faint. Without a second thought, I devoured the scraps, becoming a target of ridicule for those who observed.

Engrossed in my menial task, I suddenly sensed a presence and heard my name whispered. "Sierra?"

Startled, I turned around, locking eyes with Nora. In that moment, the plate slipped from my hands, shattering upon impact with the ground. She gazed at me, a mixture of astonishment and disbelief etched upon her face.

Embarrassment engulfed me as she beheld my deplorable state. I wondered what explanation I could possibly offer her now.

"Nora," I murmured, meeting her gaze with sadness in my eyes. Taking a deep breath, I mustered the courage to speak again. "This isn't what it appears to be."

Her anger flared at that point, and she swiftly pulled me away from the prying eyes, dragging me into an empty corner.

"What do you think you're doing?" Her voice resonated with fury, her demeanor brimming with indignation. I averted my eyes, unable to find the words to answer. Yet, she forcefully turned my face toward her, her expression reflecting heightened distress.

"Tell me, Sierra, what has happened?"

For a moment, I closed my eyes, desperately trying to gather my thoughts, searching for the right words to convey the torment that had plagued me for months.

"Nora," I called her name, looking up at her. "I think it's best we don't talk about my life now. What about you? It's great you came," I said, trying to change the topic. But she held my hands and pulled me closer.

"I have had enough of all this!" she yelled, her eyes turning yellow. "Where is she?" she asked, her breath quickening.

She let go of my hands, her face contorted with anger, and started heading towards the castle. I followed, calling her name, but she refused to stop or even look at me. I knew if I didn't stop her now, she was going to make a huge mess.

"Nora, please," I tried calling her, but she refused to look at me and walked away. I could see how fast she was walking, and everyone on the street stopped what they were doing, looking at us.

As soon as I got closer to her, I pulled her back and turned to face her.

"Nora, you have to stop now!" I yelled at her as she turned to look at me. "Please, stop," I begged her, tears welling in my eyes.

She calmed down a little, pulling me closer to her. "How can I stop, Sierra?" she said, looking worried. "Look at you, just look at what they did to you, and you want me to keep quiet? Just let me go, Sierra. Maybe if I break Alex's bones, she will know how to behave."

As she was about to move past me again, I pulled her back.

"No, Nora, it's my fault. I hit her on the head with a broken plate. It's my fault, so this is my punishment."

After saying that, Nora walked in front of me.

"I don't care what you did, Sierra, but you should never be treated this way."

With that, she pushed me and walked away, and I followed once more, yelling for her to stop.

After we arrived at the castle, I saw how she stopped and looked at it, and before I knew what was happening, her claws came out, and her eyes turned yellow.

"Nora," I called out to her, desperately hoping to catch her attention. However, all I could hear in response was a menacing growl emanating from her throat. "Nora!" I shouted, raising my voice in an attempt to break through her detachment. But she adamantly refused to acknowledge me and continued walking towards the castle.

In a frantic pursuit, I raced towards her, desperately trying to halt her progress. As she pushed open the castle doors, her gaze fell upon Alex, who stood beside a bed of flowers, accompanied by a group of maids.

Nora's eyes met Alex's, and in that moment, I witnessed fear flicker in Alex's eyes. She nervously stepped back, clutching her cheek where Nora's claws had left their mark.

"Nora, please let's talk this out," I implored, my voice filled with concern.

Ignoring my plea, Nora continued her determined stride towards Alex. As she drew nearer, I observed the intensity with which Alex regarded her, awaiting an explanation.

"Hey, Nora, you never told me you were coming," Alex remarked, her tone betraying a mixture of surprise and unease.

In response, Nora raised her claws, launching an abrupt attack at Alex's face. I watched in disbelief as Alex recoiled, shielding her cheek with trembling hands, her gaze fixed upon Nora.

"What is wrong with you?" Alex yelled, her voice echoing through the tense air. Nora's growl grew even louder in response. "You will know what is wrong with me soon," Nora uttered, her voice strained, as if her inner wolf was on the verge of seizing control.

Aware that things could spiral out of control if Nora's wolf took over, I reached out towards her. However, before I could intervene, Nora swiftly dashed towards Alex, forcefully shoving her to the ground.

"This time, I will kill you," Nora threatened, her voice dripping with venom. But just as she prepared to strike, a commanding voice boomed.

"Stop!"

Turning to see who had spoken, I beheld Henry gazing at me. In that moment, tears welled up in my eyes, overwhelmed by the tumultuous events unfolding before me.