Chapter 35: A Potential Ally
297words
"Then don't let him find out," I pleaded. "I'm not asking you to free me. Just get a message out. Please."
Sophia hesitated, conflict clear on her face. "Why should I help you? Or them?"
"Because we're family," I said simply. "And because deep down, you know this is wrong."
She pulled away from my grip, her expression unreadable. Without another word, she collected the tray and left the room.
I slumped back in the chair, unsure if I'd made any progress or simply made things worse. All I could do now was wait and hope that somehow, Liam would find me before Richard could put his plan into action.
Days passed in my underground prison. Richard visited regularly, alternating between attempts to persuade me with family loyalty and thinly veiled threats about what would happen if I continued to refuse. Each time, I remained resolute, though my hope of rescue was beginning to fade.
Sophia brought my meals, and while she remained outwardly cold, I noticed small changes—lingering a moment longer than necessary, asking subtle questions about my time with the pack. Seeds of doubt were growing in her mind, but would they bloom quickly enough to help me?
On what I estimated was the fifth day of my captivity, the routine changed. Instead of Sophia, Richard entered with two armed guards.
"Time for a change of scenery," he announced. "I think seeing our operation might help you understand the importance of our work."
The guards unbound me from the chair but kept my hands secured with zip ties. My legs were weak from days of limited movement, and I stumbled as they led me through a series of corridors into what appeared to be a sophisticated laboratory.
