4. Tayla

Chapter four

Tayla

I groaned, feeling unbearably sore all over. As I slowly blinked, my eyes opened, and the morning sun filtered lazily through the window where I was lying. I shifted my gaze to the ceiling, and for a moment, I thought I was having a pleasant dream. Then I realized I was awake and in a real-life nightmare.

I slowly pushed myself to a sitting position on the bed and looked around. The room was familiar. Panic set in then as I realized I was in the castle. His castle.

No…no…no…

I vividly remember going to the woods with Asher and how he forced me to take my bath in front of him. I remembered him shifting into his wolf and how I started running away. Oh God …I transformed into my wolf for the very first time.

The image of Asher's cold, grumpy face flashed before my closed eyes. Anger surged through me as I thought about him. What a horrid man.

For a second, I thought I had escaped after waking up…but then I saw the luxurious room. The draped velvet curtains. The plush sitting coach. How would I ever be able to escape this castle with guards who now knew how I operated?

My eyes trailed down to the cotton gown I was wearing. I didn’t recognize it.

Did he….? Was he the one who changed my clothes? I shook my head in horror.

Just then, my head turned to the door as I heard it open slowly. Had he come here to talk?

What was I supposed to do now? Spit in his face this time, or throw a pillow? Both seemed too soft.

With terror in my eyes, I watched the door creak open, but to my surprise, it was a young maid about my age who walked inside. Her clothing was simple but clean, and her blonde hair was tied back in a braid.

“You are awake,” she said, holding a basket of clothes. “I should go get you something to eat. You look famished.”

She dropped the wicker basket to the side of the door and left. She came back after some time with a silver tray of food and approached me on the bed.

“Thank you,” I said, taking the tray from her. “What’s your name?”

“Nora,” she answered. “Is there anything I can do for you?”

“My…my…” I didn't know how to put a sentence together. Was I supposed to ask if she changed my clothes? I felt embarrassed and at a loss for words.

“If you are wondering who changed your clothes, that was me,” she said gently. “Alpha Asher assigned me and another maid to change your clothes when you arrived.”

“Oh. Thank you,” I said, sighing in relief. “Where is Asher, by the way?” I asked.

“He’s in his room,” she responded without further embellishment.

At least I wouldn't see his face for a while then, hopefully.

But then the door opened, and Asher walked in. I glared at him and noticed the scar on his eyebrow. I felt sick in my stomach looking at his face.

"It's cold," he muttered, rubbing his hands together.

I breathed heavily. Nora quickly stood up and walked out of the room with her head bowed. Now, I was left with him alone in this room.

"You should wear a sweater or dressing gown over that. The castle is always a bit chilly. Everything you may need is in the wardrobe," he said, his tone surprisingly gentle as he motioned to the dresser.

"I don't need it." I brushed off his suggestion, still feeling the weight of his past actions lingering in the air.

He was acting kind and caring after restraining me with wolfsbane to stop my transformation, but the memory still haunted me.

Should I trust him? No. He's likely just trying to build a false rapport to get what he wants.

“You belong to me…for now. If you want things to work out for us, well, then you need to listen,” he said.

I stepped down from the bed and walked toward the wardrobe to grab something warm. The weather was cold today. I would concede to that notion.

“Hurry up and meet me downstairs,” he said before briskly walking away.

I pressed my lips into a thin line before selecting an ankle-length, peacock blue cape from the wardrobe and draped it over my shoulders.

I stepped out of my room and into the heart of the castle. The interior looked dingy. Tall, dark curtains hung from every window, covering the natural lighting in the castle. Only the burning of candles from the chandelier illuminated the long, stone halls. I descended the stairs and spotted him outside of a large set of double wooden doors.

Stepping outside, I saw Asher standing at the far end with two guards who were arranging bows and arrows for him. I frowned slightly. What was he up to now?

Bows? Arrows? Why did he ask me to come down?

I walked up to him, and he turned around, looking at me with his angry, cold eyes. Why the sudden change in demeanor? His stare made me uncomfortable. I hated the way he looked at me as if I was his slave.

He returned his gaze back to the bow and arrow and grabbed one before shooting it at the target across the lawn. It hit right in the middle, and I gasped. His aim was excellent.

Turning back to me, he said, “Go stand right in front of the target.”

I shivered at his words. Was he about to kill me?

I stared at him with eyes wide. Was he planning to take my life? What was wrong with this man?

“Did your brain freeze? Go stand in front of the platform!”

My eyes moved to the guards who had finished arranging the bows for him. They had looks of pity on their faces as they glanced at me. The more I looked at them, the more anxious and worried I became. Was this a game?

I looked at Asher, but his hard glare silenced me.

His demeanor left me feeling empty. With the cold weather setting in and the sky darkening, I couldn't help but wonder how he intended to hit the target without hitting me.

"It's getting dark. How do you plan to aim accurately?" I asked, hoping he would let me go.

"I'm not blind, Tayla. I can rely on my wolf senses to hit the target dead-on," he asserted, his confidence unwavering.

This was really cruel and heartless! I gritted my teeth, clenching my hands into a fist as I walked towards the target in the grass. I stood a few inches away from it, hoping that Asher would aim at the wood and not my head.

As I stood there, it began to rain. The rain poured down, soaking my cloak. I felt the cold biting through my skin, and my teeth gritted against each other. My lips trembled as the rain continued to pour down.

It didn't take long before my body was completely drenched. Meanwhile, guards had brought an umbrella to hold over his head to stop the rain from wetting him.

He grasped the arrow to the bow, pointing it toward me. I gasped, closing my eyes as I braced myself for what was about to happen.

A rush of air tousled my hair as something thudded against the wood above me. I opened my eyes to meet his gaze. I hadn’t been hit, thank God.

He released the bow and then turned to the guards. "Take her to her room and ensure she's well-fed," he ordered.

Feeling diminished, I couldn't shake the sensation of being treated like a pet at his whim. The rain continued pouring heavily, and my body trembled uncontrollably.

The sound of thunder brought goose bumps to my back. I felt anger boil inside my blood as the guards approached me.

Was this how my life would be every day for eternity? No! I would not let him continue to treat me like this when I was only defending myself that night.

I took one step backward as the guards reached out for me before turning around and running toward the far gates. I could only hope to reach the gate successfully before getting caught.

I could feel the cloak turning heavy as it was now soaked with rain water, and my feet left wet imprints on the ground. I heard the sound of a guard's voice, sending a shiver down my spine. I could feel fear gnawing into me as I realized he was gaining on me.

What was I supposed to do now? Without a second thought, I dashed toward the maze on the right side of the castle. The maze loomed large and imposing before me, and I wondered if I could navigate my way out successfully.

The sound of the guards closing in spurred me into action, and I began to run faster.

Glancing back, I gauged the distance between myself and the guards. Only fifty meters or so. Damn.

As I lunged forward, my footing gave way, and I stumbled to the ground. The impact was harsh. My head collided with a large rock as I hit the ground.

Tears welled in my eyes as I attempted to move my body, but I could feel my vision fading to black.

Pain shot through me as I felt blood trickling from torn skin. The guards reached me and pulled me up, their firm grip pulling me from the wet earth.

My eyelids grew heavy, making it difficult to focus. It was as if I had lost control of my body as if I were being dragged into darkness. It didn't take long before I lost consciousness. Again.

…

The chirping of birds somewhere roused me from my sleep. A gentle humming filled the air, accompanied by the touch of a warm hand holding mine. I instinctively pulled away.

I felt the sensation of a wet cloth soothingly wiping my hands and legs. Confusion swirled within me—what was happening?

The cold rush of air brushed against my face, causing me to inhale deeply. Slowly, I opened my eyes, gazing at the ceiling above me. A small chandelier adorned with cream-colored candles hung from above, casting a soft glow in the room.

My gaze shifted downward, where I saw a woman dressed in a maid uniform diligently wiping my body with a wet cloth. Clad only in a white robe, I lay upon a plush velvet-covered mattress.

"Oh, goodness!" the maid exclaimed, startled, as she jumped away from the bed. The bowl of water she had been using spilled onto the mattress, dampening my robe.

With a quick turn, the maid dashed out of the room, leaving me alone in bewilderment.

Where was I? I wondered, slowly pulling myself up.

Struggling to piece together the events that led me to this unfamiliar place, I found my mind frustratingly blank. It was as if my memory had been wiped clean, leaving me unable to even recall my own name.

Hearing the door open, I turned my head to see the maid enter with a man. His cold, unpleasant expression made him appear older than he was. His hair looked dirty and almost matted from months of not brushing and washing. His skin looked dry and dull. There were lines of wrinkles on his forehead, and hair covered his body—at least, what I could see.

I frowned slightly. Who was this man?

As he approached, his gaze swept from my head to toe with disbelief. Confusion swirled within me. Why did everyone seem so shocked and surprised, as if they had seen a ghost?

"Tayla, you're awake..." he trailed off, his voice tinged with a mix of astonishment and uncertainty.

Tayla? Was that my name? I repeated it silently in my mind, searching for recognition.

"What am I doing here? How did I end up in this room?" I questioned, casting my gaze towards the window where the birds continued to chirp melodiously in a vine of roses.

He sat down beside me on the bed, his hand reaching out to touch my face. I frowned and pulled myself backward. A fluttering sensation stirred in my stomach...but why?

"Why can't I remember anything? Why can't I even remember myself?" I asked, frustration creeping into my voice.

"You don't remember?" he asked, his deep voice tinged with concern.

I nodded, feeling a sense of unease creeping over me.

His gaze shifted to the maid standing in the corner, and she slowly nodded in confirmation. My frustration grew as I longed for someone to explain what was happening to me.

"Who are you?" I questioned, seeking answers.

"I am Alpha Asher of this pack,” he introduced. “You must have suffered from amnesia when you fell unconscious after hitting your head.”

My eyes narrowed in disbelief, feeling a bit suspicious about him. Something seemed off. I tried to remember what happened, but my mind was blank.

"I am your husband, and we've been married for one year now," he replied, his words landing like a heavy weight upon my shoulders.

Married? To this man? And for a year? I blinked several times. My face drained of color as if I had just seen a ghost.

How could I have been so blind to marry such a man as this in the beginning? He looked so grungy and irritating. His beard was overgrown and twisted in on itself.

His fingernails were long and dirty. He looked unpleasant to the eye. My nose scrunched in disgust as I continued staring at him. Was this some sort of joke?

“You don't have to worry about anything now. I will ask the maids to get you some food,” he said.

I frowned, trying to process his words in my head. Before I could open my mouth to voice out my thoughts, he trailed his fingers across my cheek, and somehow, I felt relaxed.

“The truth is we have been married for a year now, and we left to visit your family in Silvermoon. While returning back home, we were involved in a carriage accident that led to your head wound and loss of consciousness for months,” he explained.

“The doctor said you are lucky to be alive,” he uttered, his words giving me assurance. “You don't need to overthink it, as it's a temporary condition, and your memories will be back soon. Just eat healthy and rest, my love.”

He seemed nice and gentle; he was everything a woman wanted in a man despite his appearance. And most importantly he looked into my eyes as if I was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. I couldn't tell if this was a trap, but he seemed genuine and I was calm around him.

Just then, the door opened, and a maid walked in with a tray of food. After eating and having a refreshing bath, I stepped out to see Asher sitting on the couch. I looked at him, wondering if he didn't have anything better to do. He'd been watching me for hours now.

Deciding to get some fresh air in the garden, I walked toward the door, ready to open it, when I heard his voice.

“Where are you heading to?” He questioned.

“The garden,” I replied.

“No…. No…. You need to rest,” he muttered.

“I've been in this room for hours. I need to step out for fresh air,” I said in a polite tone. “I just recovered my consciousness, and I'm still trying to process everything.”

“What do you mean?” He stood up, taking a step forward.

“I don't feel myself, Asher. It feels like I'm in the body of a stranger,” I explained. “I still need to ask around to understand—”

“Are you doubting me?” He tilted his head, a small frown forming on his face.

“I can't just remain in this room,” I said. “I want to know what's going on…out there.”

He narrowed his eyes at me. “You don't need to know anything except that you are healthy right now again.”

I shook my head. “I want to see others. I need to know more about what happened to me.”

His expression darkened as he closed the distance between us. I felt fear creep into my spine.

“You will go out when I say so,” he said. “And as for what happened, I already explained everything to you. What else do you need to hear?”

“Ash—”

“You need to trust me, Tayla,” his voice turned gentle, and he looked at me warmly.

Trust him? I scoffed. I barely knew him except for the explanation he gave to me. He was still a stranger. Something had to feel more like myself around here. I still wanted to ask around before I trusted anyone.

He took another step closer, his tall frame towering over my small height. He held my chin, raising it to look at him.

“Get some rest. If you need anything, just ring the bell, and the maids will be here,”

With that, he turned around and left the room, leaving me trapped.