Fated To Three, Betrayed By All… Until She Rose novel Chapter 144

**Healing Slowly But Surely**
*By R. Joseph*

**Her Royal Prisoner**

Chalice.

1

It felt as though I was submerged in an endless ocean, sinking deeper into a chasm that existed solely in my mind. Each time I tried to drift off into sleep, the image of Leilani’s face would materialize, hovering just above me, her laughter echoing like a haunting melody as she pointed a perfectly manicured finger in my direction.

This vision tormented me relentlessly, pulling me from the depths of slumber with a jolt. My heavy eyelids fluttered open, and I took a moment to survey my surroundings, dread pooling in my stomach.

To my absolute horror, I realized I was confined within a holding cell.

Here I was, Chalice Blackthorne, the cherished daughter of Beta Malakai Blackthorne and his wife, reduced to a mere prisoner in a cell designed for criminals.

15:17

1/12

Her Royal Prisoner.

Tears stung my eyes, blurring my vision. The humiliation of being locked away in such a manner was almost unbearable, yet the most painful truth was that I was not just the daughter of my parents; I was the Luna of this pack. They had no right to treat me like this.

They had absolutely no right!

The dank, acrid stench of the cold, cement walls invaded my nostrils, sending a wave of nausea crashing over me. I scrunched my nose in disgust as my stomach churned, a tumultuous mix of hunger and revulsion.

I retched violently, my body convulsing in response to the turmoil within me, but the pain didn’t alleviate the bizarre sensation that had taken root in my gut, nor did it stop the tears that streamed down my cheeks like a waterfall.

Suddenly, a movement in the shadows captured my attention. I lifted my head slowly, wincing as a sharp pain shot through me, squinting into the darkness. My heart raced when a bright light flooded the room, and I was met with a familiar figure standing stoically to the side, hands clasped behind his back, his head bowed low.

More tears spilled from my eyes, and shame washed over me as I dropped my head, my voice trembling as I whispered, “Lou?”

“Babe.”

“Lou, what are you doing here? Don’t you realize you shouldn’t be in this place?”

As soon as the words escaped my lips, Louis looked at me as if I had grown a second head. Mischief danced in his eyes, but he merely shrugged and replied, “I’m guarding your cell.”

The irony was maddening!

“And do you honestly believe the Alphas will let you off the hook when they discover that—”

“Chill out. They won’t find out anything until you tell them,” he snapped, irritation lacing his tone. “My older brother, James, is a bit under the weather, and I’m just here to help him with his rounds and keep an eye on you since Alpha Kael assigned him to this cell.”

“Oh,” I murmured, awkward silence enveloping us like a heavy blanket. My gaze fell from his face to the floor, and I shuddered when I felt his fingers brush against my bare shoulders. He murmured softly, “Look at the men you sacrificed everything for, Babe. You fought so hard to be with them. You literally discarded me, tossed aside what we had just to chase after them… and now, look at where you are. You’re miserable.”

“Lou, please…”

“It’s just a day after your wedding, and while you should be off on your honeymoon or somewhere far away, dancing on a yacht, here you are, stuck in a holding cell, withering away and being punished for something so utterly trivial.”

I closed my eyes once more, allowing the weight of shame to engulf me. Perhaps it was desperation, but as his words sank in, filling me with a despair I never thought possible, I pressed my lips together and cried out, “Help me, Lou.”

I felt him tense.

“Help me. They won’t let me go, and I’m pregnant… The child growing inside me is yours too, and even though I might deserve this torment, he doesn’t. Please.”

Lou’s eyes widened in surprise as my plea registered. He cupped my face in his hands, lifting it so our eyes met, his warm breath brushing against my skin as he whispered, “Don’t toy with me, little miss Blackthorne.”

“I’m not,” I insisted, my voice breaking before I added with newfound determination, “I swear to the goddess, Louis, I’m not lying.”

A flicker of something unrecognizable crossed his features. He stepped back, straightening to his full height, and murmured, “I’m sorry.”

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