chapter 210: A Wolf’s Hunger Strike
chapter 210: A Wolf’s Hunger Strike
(Celeste’s POV)
Heavy footsteps echoed down the corridor. I wasn’t surprised. I’d been waiting for this since my confrontation with Scarlett yesterday.
I sat by the window, watching young wolves train below. The door burst open without a knock. Four beta wolf guards entered, standing stiffly in their formal Winter Pack uniforms.
“Miss Winters.” The head guard, Garrett, stepped forward with a carefully neutral expression. “By order of Alpha James Winters, you are confined to your quarters until further notice.”
I nodded once. “I see.”
My calm response unsettled him. He shifted uncomfortably.
“Additionally, no food or water will be provided until you admit to your wrongdoing against Miss Scarlett.”
How ironic. A hunger strike as punishment.
“Is that all?” I asked, showing no emotion.
Garrett blinked in surprise. “You… understand the severity of this confinement?”
“Perfectly.” I stood up, my silver–scarred wolf stirring beneath my skin.
He cleared his throat. “This is a strict confinement. No visitors, no communication. The windows will be sealed with silver barriers at nightfall.”
I nodded again. Four years in Moon Shadow Prison had taught me to endure far worse.
“How long will this last?” I asked.
“Until Alpha James deems otherwise,” he replied stiffly.
I noticed Nina, Ryan, and Mia among the guards. Their faces showed poorly concealed worry. I hadn’t expected Alpha James would punish my loyal wolves too.
“My wolves should be released,” I said firmly. “They shouldn’t suffer for my actions.”
Garrett hesitated. “Alpha James was clear that all those in your service-”
“Are innocent,” I cut him off. “They were following orders. The punishment is mine alone.”
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chapter 210: A Wolf’s Hunger Str…
He frowned, clearly conflicted.
I moved to my dresser and took out a silver bracelet with moon–blessed stones
gift for my sixteenth birthday.
“Perhaps this might help you reconsider,” I said, offering the valuable piece.
Garrett’s eyes widened. “Miss Winters, I couldn’t possibly-”
–
Eleanor’s
“Consider it appreciation for your understanding,” I said quietly. “Just let my wolves leave
before my confinement begins.”
After a moment, he took the bracelet with a slight nod. “I’ll see what I can do.”
He ordered the other guards outside, then pocketed the bracelet. “I can arrange
wolves to be reassigned rather than confined.”
for
your
+8 Point:
“Thank you,” I replied, genuinely grateful.
“Ten minutes to say goodbye,” he said before leaving.
Nina immediately rushed to my side. “Celeste, this is madness! You can’t endure this. Let me
stay with you.”
“No,” I said firmly. “I need you elsewhere.”
“Where?” her silver–gray eyes questioned.
“The pack’s healing grounds,” I whispered. “Watch our… project.”
Understanding dawned – she knew I meant Scarlett’s hunger strike.
“But you’ll be alone,” she protested. “With no food or water-”
“I survived Moon Shadow Prison,” I reminded her with a grim smile. “This is luxury by
comparison.”
Ryan stepped forward. “We could smuggle food to you after dark.”
Mia nodded eagerly. “I know several pack members who would help.”
Their loyalty touched me deeply. After years of isolation and betrayal, having wolves willing to
risk punishment for me felt precious.
“I won’t allow any of you to risk yourselves,” I said firmly. “Follow Nina’s lead while I’m confined. Stay vigilant, but don’t draw attention.”
They nodded reluctantly as Garrett returned. “Time’s up.”
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+8 Point:
chapter 210: A Wolf’s Hunger Str…
My wolves filed out, each giving me a final concerned look before the door closed.
The heavy click of the lock echoed in the sudden silence. I was alone.
I walked to the window, watching Nina and the others cross the pack grounds. The sun was
setting, casting long shadows across the territory.
Soon, the silver barriers would activate. But they couldn’t confine my thoughts, my plans, or my determination.
I pressed my hand against the cool glass, smiling bitterly. Four years ago, Alpha James had
thrown me to the wolves by allowing my imprisonment without a fight. Now he thought
denying food and water would break me.
He had learned nothing.
My silver–scarred wolf settled beneath my skin, prepared for the long wait. We had endured
worse. This time, I had a plan.
Scarlett wouldn’t last long without food or water. Her wolf was weak from years in human
territory. She had never learned to endure hardship.
Alpha James would do anything to save his precious biological daughter. He would release
Matthew’s father to end Scarlett’s fast, never realizing he was playing into my hands.
I closed my eyes, ignoring the thirst already clawing at my throat. This was a game of
endurance, and I had trained in the harshest school imaginable.
Two days passed in isolation. The hunger was manageable – my wolf had adapted to irregular feeding in prison. The thirst was harder. My lips were dry and cracked, and a
headache throbbed behind my temples.
I occupied myself studying the small pot of wolfsbane flowers in my quarters. The plants were
beautiful but deadly – a reminder of the poison Grace had slipped into my wine at Scarlett’s
request.
The door suddenly banged open. Alpha James stormed in, his golden eyes blazing with fury.
Two beta guards followed him.
“Search her quarters,” he commanded harshly. “Every corner, every hiding place.”
I remained seated, watching calmly as the guards overturned furniture and emptied drawers.
“Looking for something?” I asked, my voice raspy from thirst.
Alpha James glared at me. “Where is it? Where are you hiding the food?”
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chapter 210: A Wolf’s Hunger Str…
I raised an eyebrow. He couldn’t believe I was enduring the fast so easily.
“I’m not hiding anything,” I replied calmly.
After a thorough search, one guard finally said, “Alpha, there’s nothing here.”
Alpha James’s jaw clenched. He stepped closer, scanning my face. “How are you doing this?
Three days without begging for mercy?”
I met his gaze steadily. “Perhaps you’ve forgotten what I endured in Moon Shadow Prison.”
“Check behind the bookcase,” he ordered, ignoring my comment. “She must have a hidden
compartment.”
The guards found nothing but bare wall.
“Sir, there’s really nothing,” the younger guard said hesitantly.
I pointed to my cracked lips. “As you can see, I haven’t had water or food. Just as you ordered.”
He narrowed his eyes. “Moon Shadow Prison,” he muttered. “You learned to endure there.”
“Yes,” I agreed softly. “Some days they wouldn’t feed us for nearly a week, especially during
silver–chain torture sessions.”
A flicker of guilt crossed his face before his expression hardened again.
“What did you do to Scarlett?” he demanded.
“I don’t know what you mean,” I replied, unable to hide my satisfaction.
“She hasn’t eaten in two days!” he roared. “She’s refusing all food and water, claiming it’s
atonement.”
My plan was working perfectly. Scarlett had taken my threat seriously.
“Perhaps she feels genuine remorse for the omega wolves,” I suggested innocently.
He stepped closer, his wolf surging beneath his skin. “She was nearly delirious this morning,
mumbling about promises and consequences. What did you say to her?”
“We had a conversation about actions and consequences,” I said simply.
“You threatened her,” he accused.
I shrugged. “I merely pointed out some truths she’d been avoiding.”
His claws extended slightly before he forced them back. “If she’s harmed because of your manipulation-”
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+8 Points
chapter 210: A Wolf’s Hunger Str…
“Then what?” I interrupted, standing despite my weakness. “You’ll throw me back into Moon
Shadow Prison? Exile me? You’ve done your worst already.”
He fell silent, momentarily startled by my defiance.
“My daughter is refusing medical treatment,” he said, his voice slightly lower but intense. “She
insists she must continue her fast until certain conditions are met.”
“What conditions?” I asked, though I already knew.
His golden eyes narrowed. “The release of Matthew Sterling’s father from detention.”
I allowed a small smile. “How interesting.”
“What game are you playing?” he demanded, fury returning.
“No game,” I replied evenly. “Perhaps Scarlett simply recognizes an injustice.”
He scoffed. “Scarlett has never cared about justice before.”
“People change,” I suggested.
He stared at me, his wolf’s energy pulsing with rage. “You’ve threatened her somehow.”
I remained silent.
“Listen carefully,” he said, voice dropping dangerously. “If anything happens to Scarlett
because of this hunger strike, I will hold you responsible. And I will find a punishment worse
than Moon Shadow Prison.”
His threat brought only satisfaction. My plan was working. Alpha James was worried enough
about Scarlett that he would do anything to end her fast – including releasing Matthew’s
father.
“I understand perfectly,” I replied without flinching.
He turned abruptly, ordering his guards to follow. At the doorway, he paused for one final
threat.
“This isn’t over, Celeste. Not by a long shot.”
The door slammed. I sank back into my chair, exhausted but triumphant.
My weakness from hunger and thirst was real, but so was my victory.
