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Chapter 14

Marielle

Present Day

"Marielle, where the fuck are you?"

A distant voice came from above. There were others too, but they were too muddy for me to comprehend. I groggily opened my eyes and spotted white fluffy clouds floating in the blue sky above me. My numb body aroused slowly with aching pain as I started to regain consciousness. Soft dirt cushioned my fingertips and instantly memories of what just occurred flooded my brain.

I couldn't believe I managed to escape and as lucky as I was to be alive, I needed to get out of here. For once I was glad to be on the smaller side. The dugout was still cramped even for me, but I had enough room to move around a little if I wanted to. Helios would never stop teasing me when he found out I could still fit in here.

I started to shift towards the tight opening when my right foot erupted in a withering pain. I cried out loudly in agony and dropped my head back with a shaky breath as I fell back on my back. This was going to be harder than I thought.

"Mari!" Someone exclaimed and a dark figure replaced my view of the sky, dimming the sun rays from above. "I told you we should've checked here."

A wave of happiness washed over me when I heard Helios' familiar voice. His face was covered in worry as he looked down at me with exhausted eyes.

"I told you not to do anything rash and what's the first thing you do?!" Alana came into view, glowering at me. "And why can't I sense you, Mari? What the fuck happened to you?"

I winced at her tone, my head hanging low with shame. I should've gone to them and instead, I ran like the coward I was. I deserved to be in this mess.

Helios sent her a look, snapping," Not the time."

"She could've gotten herself killed!" Alana articulated forcefully.

"I know, I didn't mean for any of this to happen." I whispered, averting my gaze from theirs. It was far from enough, but I didn't know what else to say.

"Ignore her, Mari. We're gonna get you out of here," Helios promised, reaching out and moving his hand toward the mouth of the burrow. A curse left his mouth as he jolted his hand back with wide eyes as if he hit some invisible force field. The tips of his fingers were bright red and his skin started to peel. "What the hell? It burned me."

"Stupid shit must've cursed the entrance," Alana groaned, slapping her hand to her forehead. "We have to tell Rowen."

My heart lurched at the sound of his name, the pain in my chest worse than any injury I carried. I feared when I would have to face him again. I hated knowing I wouldn't be able to control my emotions and how much he had affected me. I hated that I would still surrender my heart to him, while he would rather stomp on it. He would just think I was pathetic.

"We'll be right back," Helios sighed deeply, locking eyes with mine. "Everything will be okay, Mari."

"Wait-" I pleaded hoarsely, but they were already gone. I whimpered, shivering in the nightly air," Don't leave me alone."

I was answered by the heavy wind. I cried. So much, my throat felt raw. That's all I ever did these days. I was the cursed one destined for a life I could never have. I wished that demon wolf killed me, but I was denied that pleasure, too. I locked my arms around my knees and rested my forehead on them. I wanted to go home to my family.

I never should have come to the ball.

I never should have come out of hiding at all.

It felt like years before they returned, the sound of multiple footsteps stomping against the earth. My stomach clenched painfully as I caught Rowen's scent, longing to hold on to him like I had done just before. It was now something I knew I would never have again. My eyes closed shut. There was no escaping him once I was freed. I would have to face his rejection again.