Chained to the Enemy Alpha-Chapter 119: Empty

Zayn held Lily’s hand as they descended the narrow stone staircase that led to the dungeons. The air was damp and musty, just as she remembered. A cold shiver ran down her spine as she wrinkled her nose from the stench.

Dungeons held nothing but horrible memories for Lily. Hours curled in corners under darkness, waiting for death or punishment. Lily froze, unable to take another step forward.

Zayn turned back.

“You have nothing to fear,” He said gently, voice filled with warmth, “Trust me, Lily.”

Lily stared at his outstretched hand. Taking in a deep breath, she nodded as she put one foot forward. Then another.

When they reached the bottom, a long corridor stretched before them, lined with cell doors. Two guards immediately straightened and rose to their feet.

“Alpha,” They acknowledged in unison.

They were stunned to see Lily, too.

“Luna,” They greeted her too.

Lily gave them a small nod.

“We’re here to see the dog,” Zayn declared.

One of the guards stepped forward, “It’s in the second last cell, Alpha. We’ve bandaged his wounds as requested, but...”

Zayn narrowed his eyes. “But what?”

“The wound is festering, Alpha. He may need more extensive treatment if he is to live.”

Zayn’s jaw tightened. “I’ll consider it.”

Zayn and Lily walked down the corridor towards the cell. Zayn took the key he’d gotten from the guards to open the cell door. It creaked open slowly. Lily flinched at the sound of it. She gripped onto Zayn’s arm tightly.

Lily peered into the cell. She squinted her eyes for a better look, but only saw darkness.

“Go ahead,” Zayn urged gently. “I’ll be right behind you.”

Lily looked back into the cell. She found her feet rooted to the ground. She turned back to Zayn, shaking her head. She couldn’t move.

Zayn held up a torch, allowing light to shine into it. In the far corner, huddled against the wall, was a figure she almost didn’t recognize.

Lily recalled the last time she had seen her brother. His hair was always meticulously groomed and combed back. The grin he had made her skin crawl.

Now he was slumped by the wall. His hair hung in greasy clumps around his face. His skin was covered in dirt and filth. Dark-stained bandages wrapped around his abdomen.

A heavy iron collar encircled his neck, attached to chains bolted to the wall. The sight made Lily’s stomach twist.

She turned back to Zayn, shaking her head. She couldn’t move.

Zayn reached out his hand.

“I’m right here, Lily, you have nothing to be afraid of,” He reassured her.

‘What if he—’ Her hands trembled as she signed.

“What if he attacks you?” Zayn finished for her. “He won’t get the chance. One move, and I’ll kill him where he lies.” His voice was calm, matter-of-fact. “You have my word.”

His promise to her helped Lily relax a little. With newfound courage, she stepped cautiously into the cell. Her heart pounded in her chest.

Sensing movement entering the cell, Xavier stirred. The chains rattled as he shifted, his eyes fluttering open. When he saw Lily, something flickered across his face—recognition, desperation, something else she couldn’t name.

Lily jumped back instinctively, nearly colliding with Zayn, who placed steadying hands on her shoulders.

“Easy,” he murmured. “Look at him, Lily. Really look.”

Zayn raised the torch in his hands, allowing light to enter the cell and illuminate Xavier’s face. Lily’s eyes grew wide as she took a closer look.

His once handsome features were now gaunt and hollow. His eyes were vacant, unfocused.

The stench hit her next, and it almost made her want to throw up. Dirt and grime covered his body like a layer of protection. He was broken.

When she looked closer at the bandages, she noticed fresh blood seeping from them.

Xavier opened his mouth, as if trying to speak. But instead of words, only a guttural sound emerged. His hand reached toward her, fingers trembling and filthy, nails cracked and encrusted with dirt.

Lily stared in disbelief. Was this her brother? The man who had tormented her throughout her childhood, who had held her down while their father beat her, who had laughed at her tears?

She looked deep into his eyes, expecting to see the hatred she’d grown familiar with. But there was none. It was filled with desperation, almost a plea for help. Perhaps he hoped she would save him.

Any thoughts of mercy disappeared from Lily when memories of Xavier’s cruelty flooded her mind. His hands around her throat, his knife against her skin, his laughter as she bled.

Heavy footsteps approached from the corridor. A guard appeared carrying a wooden bucket, the contents sloshing over the sides.

“Permission to feed the dog, Alpha,” he asked Zayn for permission.

Zayn nodded. “Proceed. Lily, stand behind me.”

She complied, moving behind Zayn’s broad shoulders as the guard entered the cell. The guard tapped the ladle against the bucket. Xavier stirred again. He looked over and noticed the guard and the bucket.

“Time to eat, you mutt,” The guard spat as he tossed a spoonful of gray gruel onto the filthy floor.

The gruel was mixed with the filthy water on the ground.

As soon as the gruel landed on the ground, Xavier lunged forward as far as his chains allowed. On all fours, he pressed his face against the stone floor, licking the meagre portion with his tongue.

When he’d consumed every speck, he clawed toward the guard, barking and growling for more. The guard responded with a swift kick to Xavier’s ribs, sending him sprawling back.

“No seconds!” the guard yelled before turning to leave the cell.

Xavier curled into himself, whimpering softly. He was trying to make himself look small. Lily felt sick to her stomach. She saw a fragment of herself in him.

She once lay on the cell floor too, curling into herself just like how he was doing now.

The brother who had terrorized her for years was now reduced to an animal, begging for scraps on the floor.

“He can never hurt you anymore, Lily. Never,” Zayn said, placing a hand on her shoulder.

In her darkest moments, Lily had imagined what Xavier’s retribution would be like. She wished for him to suffer as she had suffered. But seeing it felt different.

She did not feel relieved or at peace. She felt hollow.

Empty.

Without another word, Lily turned and fled the cell. She brushed past Zayn and the guards. She felt her chest tightening. She needed air; she felt like she was about to suffocate.

“Lily? Lily!” Zayn called her name, his footsteps echoed her own as he followed her up the stone steps.

But Lily didn’t stop. She couldn’t.