Her Vulnerability

The iron gate of the cell shut behind her as she stood, facing her new room for the next few days. She moved her eyes to the stone walls and the floor, which hadn't been cleaned who knew how long.

She took a deep breath. She used to be the one sending others to such a place, but now she was the one in there.

'So, are you satisfied now?" Elaine asked angrily. "We almost died there. You... you're a curse in Nala's life!"

Standing there, she felt a presence at the entrance. She turned her eyes to see Rowan. Beside him, a guard opened the door. Rowan made his way inside.

He stared at her with furrowed brows. Radella didn't react to his presence, but when she thought the staring match wouldn't end, she broke the silence.

"What are you doing here?"

Rowan frowned but gave a faint smile. "You do have guts now. Shall I say you've grown up?"

Rowan's smile faded, and his face wrinkled. People could change, but not to such an extent.

When she waited, the strangest part was that the man kept getting closer with his steps. She knew he was doing it on purpose but couldn't understand the reasoning behind his actions. She remained where she was until they were an inch from each other.

The Nala he knew was supposed to feel shy not even face him with those empty gaze.

When Rowan leaned in, almost touching her lips, she stepped back.

"Were you happy that I rejected you?" he asked, his voice teasing but tinged with annoyance.

Rejection? Now she started to understand. So the man was Elaine and Nala's mate but he rejected them. Then, why he acted like that?

She crossed her arms over her chest and with a neutral tone asked "Why are you trying to act nice. For what I understood, you refused her"

He was surprised that she talked about herself as a third person. Rowan gritted his teeth. Indeed, he had dumped her, but he couldn't understand why the bond never disappeared.

He took a breath and pulled a small bottle from his pocket. "Let me check your wound. If you plan to go against the pack and those Eonians, at least you should be in good health."

"You don't need to bother. I can take care of myself." Saying that she moved and sat on the floor

"Stop being stubborn!" he growled, almost startling her.

She frowned looking at him. Who did he think he was to order her around? She hated his guts. If not for the fact that he was Elaine's weakness, maybe she would have thought of something to do with him.

He took some medicine from his small bottle and applied it carefully on her knee, the he would glance at her face to see if she was in pain.

Her forehead wrinkled, but she endured well not even a sound.

"When did you learn archery?" Rowan asked

She glared at him before moving her eyes away. "What will be happening to me in the coming days? I assume I won't just be sitting here."

He remained silent for a moment not tyring to believe she changed a topic. "I'll make sure that doesn't happen to you."

When Rowan finished, he left.

Watching him leave, she was sure of something—this man cared for Nala. Thinking about Elaine's reaction whenever he touched her, she sighed, unsure of anything anymore.

Her whole life, she had never been in a relationship, as all she cared about was power. She didn't know what a mate bond was, so regarding Rowan and Elaine… she had to bury it and focus on her goal.

The whole day in a spell she tried to cast spells. She used a lot of energy as she forced herself that her vision turned blurry.

Someone stepped inside, changing the atmosphere of the entire dungeon. He walked down the corridor, unconcerned, and wherever he passed, guards bowed.

When he reached Radella's cell, he said nothing as a guard opened the door for him.

Arthur glanced at Radella, collapsed on the floor. His face darkened slightly. "That Menelyck bastard—how could he be so cruel to such a pure soul?"

He watched Radella's face and was surprised at how she sweated and struggled as if she were having nightmares.

He moved closer and scooped her into his arms before walking outside.

She slept for who knew how long and suddenly jolted upright in bed. She sighed with relief and muttered, "A dream."

Her mind flashed back to the last time she was in the dungeon. But now she was in a huge bed.

She climbed out of the bed and walked to the window. The sky outside was dark.

"Elaine, where am I?"

'Shouldn't you be asking... how are we here?'

Before Elaine could explain further, the door creaked open. She turned sharply to see a man holding a tray of food. His face lit up with a smile as he noticed her.

"You're awake. How do you feel?"

She stared at Arthur in confusion, but anger quickly built up.

'Radella, don't let that monster near us. Leave here immediately!' Elaine's urgent warning rang in her mind.

Radella froze, startled by Elaine's tone—she had never reacted like this. Her gaze shifted to Arthur as he set the tray on a nearby table.

Arthur stepped closer, glancing at her. "I see you're doing well," A smug smile on his face. "I got you out of the dungeon. No need to thank me. I told you, we share an interesting relationship."

"Of you forcing yourself on me?" Radella coldly cut him off. That was what Elaine told her. This man once tried to force her.

Arthur's smile disappeared. His face tensed, and the room seemed to grow colder. A dark grin spread across his lips.

"So, you remember. But let me correct you—I didn't force you. You wanted it too," He turned and sat on the bed. "Unfortunately, we never got our moment. This time, I want to make it right,"

A chill ran through her. There wasn't a doubt she couldn't beat him and the only exception was to ran. She turned her gaze toward the window as she was closer to it than the door.

Arthur licked his lips, clearly understanding her thoughts. "This... makes everything... interesting."

She rushed to the window and tried to open it, but it wouldn't budge. Her hands felt cold, and she noticed the glass was covered in ice. Of course, she shouldn't have forgotten—Arthur's element was ice.

She froze. She had never imagined herself in such a situation. Death by strangulation was better than to what she was trying to escape.

"All the girls fight to get me into their bed, and yet you... Just be honest—you want this," he said

She felt something grip her ankle. Looking down, she realized it was a massive ice hand. It yanked her back, throwing her to the floor, pain searing through her back.

She struggled to her feet. Arthur wasn't the casual man she'd seen in the hall but the monster who had attacked her years ago.

But she wouldn't let him win. Her hands moved to the daggers strapped to her thighs beneath her dress. She had them from Nala's house for precaution..

Arthur's eyes gleamed as he saw her exposed skin. He licked his lips again and tilted his head. "You're really going this far, huh?"

She lunged at him with all the speed she could muster, striking with her daggers. Arthur dodged effortlessly, grabbing her wrist and pinning her arm behind her.

He shoved her onto the bed, his body pressing down on hers. She struggled, but his grip was unyielding.

"I'll kill you!" she snarled through clenched teeth.

He chuckled, lowering his head to her neck and inhaling deeply. "Your scent... it's intoxicating."

In a flash, he tore the back of her dress. Shocked, Radella screamed, "You monster! I'll kill you! Don't touch me!"

It had been a long time since she'd wished for someone to save her. She had always been the threat, the one others feared. But now, she realized how vulnerable, pathetic, and weak she was.

Suddenly, the door banged open with a deafening crash. Before she could see who it was, the weight on her back lifted. A loud thud followed.

Raising herself, she looked to see what had happened. Arthur was on the floor, slammed hard against the wall.

Someone had saved her. But her eyes widened in disbelief as she took in the person standing before her. Was she truly rescued, or had another monster appeared?

"Get out of here!" the figure growled at her.

His once-blue eyes now burned red. She recognized those eyes but didn't want to linger. Wrapping herself well, she walked out the room.

"Menelyck!" Arthur roared. "What the hell is this?!"

Menelyck moved with blinding speed, grabbing Arthur by the throat and pinning him to the wall. His fingers burned with fire, his body radiating heat.

Arthur counted with ice, cooling himself while glaring at Menelyck with confusion and rage.

"How dare you touch her!" Menelyck growled with fury.

Arthur gritted his teeth. Menelyck hadn't cared if she lived or died. But now he seemed enraged beyond reason.