9
~Lisa's POV
I was starving. It wasn't just hunger anymore. It was the kind that clawed at my insides like a beast, sharp and constant, refusing to let me sleep. My stomach had been empty for so long that it hurt. Every time I shifted on the cold floor, every breath I took reminded me of how drained I was.
They had locked me in without food or water. Not a single drop. Not a crumb. I didn't know how long it had been. Hours? A day? Maybe two? I had lost track. My throat was dry and sore, and my lips had started to crack. I couldn't even cry; there were no tears left in me.
I sat against the wall, hugging my knees to my chest, staring at the door. It was quiet in the room, so painfully silent. My mind kept drifting, looping through memories of when they helped me during our young days. They were so sweet to me.
But now? I was nothing more than a prisoner. An unwanted presence, they didn't know what to do with. I shifted again, flinching at the sting in my back. Sleeping had been impossible. Every time I closed my eyes, the hunger brought me back. I had been awake the entire night.
When the morning light slipped in faintly through the tiny, barred window, I blinked against it, my vision hazy. I wondered, just briefly, if today would be the day they'd finally release me. Or maybe they'd just forget I existed. I didn't know which thought was worse.
My head jerked up when the door creaked open suddenly. A maid stepped inside, her face cold and her voice sharp.
"The Alphas are waiting for you in the lounge," she snapped.
Her tone was as if I'd done something wrong, as if I was the one who needed to be scolded. I blinked slowly, struggling to push myself up. My limbs felt heavy, like they were made of stone.
As I tried to steady myself, I asked softly, "Where are they?"
She scoffed and rolled her eyes, clearly annoyed. "Just move. Don't make me drag you."
I didn't say another word. I just nodded faintly and followed her. As we walked through the hallway, my steps were slow, and my legs wobbled with every movement. I clutched the wall once, trying not to fall.
The other maids were there. I didn't even notice them at first until I heard their whispers, loud enough for me to hear, soft enough to pretend it wasn't meant for me.
"Look who thinks she's special," one of them sneered, her lips curled with disgust as she crossed her arms, watching me with narrowed eyes like I had no right to walk the same halls as her.
"The triplets' mate? More like their mistake," another hissed from behind a pillar, and a few of them snickered like children sharing a cruel secret.
"Gold digger. That's all she is," a third one added with a smirk. "Probably thought she'd land herself in silk sheets and diamonds. Instead, she got what she deserved, locked up and starving."
I tried not to flinch. Tried to keep walking. I had to act like I didn't hear them, even though each word stung sharper than the last. They were blades dressed as whispers.
"Outcast," another spat, her voice harsh. "She doesn't belong here. She's just trash who got lucky. And even that luck's run out."
"Thought she could crawl her way to a better life," one more chimed in with a bitter laugh. "She probably thinks just because she's linked to them, she deserves respect."
I kept my head down, eyes on the floor. Their words sliced through me, but I didn't have the strength to respond. I wanted to scream, to defend myself, but my mouth felt like it had been sewn shut. Their voices followed me down the hall like shadows, clinging and heavy.
When we got to the lounge, the maid motioned toward the entrance, and I stepped in. My knees almost buckled when I saw them.
Kael. Damon. Rowan.
They sat together like royalty, so calm, so powerful. Their eyes locked on me as soon as I entered. I quickly knelt, lowering my head as the maid had told me to.
They said nothing at first. Just watched.
Then Kael spoke. His voice was steady but cold. "Get the tubs ready. We're bathing soon."
I hesitated. My hands trembled slightly.
"Are you releasing me?" I asked quietly. "Can I have something to eat or drink first? Please. I haven't eaten. I haven't had any water."
For a moment, there was silence. I thought maybe, just maybe, they would show some mercy. Maybe they would see how weak I was, how desperate.
But then Rowan scoffed. "Hungry and thirsty? Did you think you were here for a holiday?"
Damon smirked. "You want breakfast in bed, too? Maybe a glass of orange juice and a pastry while we run you a hot bath?"
Their laughter filled the lounge, loud and cruel. I clenched my jaw, swallowing the lump in my throat. It hurt. Everything hurt.
Then Kael's voice cut through the noise. "Get the tubs ready now."
I nodded silently and stood, swaying slightly as I made my way toward their chambers. My legs were trembling, but I kept moving. My vision blurred at the edges, and I had to blink hard to focus.
The hallway stretched ahead of me like it would never end. Every step felt like I was dragging a boulder behind me. My head spun. The walls tilted slightly. I pressed a hand to the side of the corridor, trying to keep my balance.
I made it halfway to the bathroom before the dizziness became too much. My vision went black for a moment, and my knees gave out. The floor rushed up to meet me.
I collapsed.
The cold marble hit my cheek. I tried to push myself up, but my arms wouldn't move. Everything was spinning. The light above me pulsed like a star. I heard footsteps rushing, someone calling out, but it sounded far away, muffled like it was underwater.
And then there was nothing but darkness.
No hunger. No pain.
Just quiet.