LOST

AYLA

I wake up with a sharp gasp, the world around me blurry. My body aches as though I’ve been trampled by a herd of wolves. Every breath sends a sharp, stabbing pain through my ribs, and I can barely lift my head without the room spinning.

The faint smell of herbs and antiseptic lingers in the air. I blink several times, trying to clear my vision. I’m in a small, dimly lit room, the walls bare and the only sound the faint rustling of leaves outside.

A chair scrapes against the floor, and I jerk, the sudden movement sending a jolt of pain through my side.

“You’re awake.”

I turn toward the voice and see Sage sitting beside me, his usually sharp features softened by a hint of concern. He’s leaning forward, his elbows resting on his knees, his fingers steepled under his chin.

“Sage,” I croak, my voice barely a whisper. My throat feels like sandpaper.

“Don’t move,” he says gently but firmly, rising from his chair to adjust the blanket covering me. “You’re hurt. Badly.”

“What happened?” I rasp, trying to remember. The events of the past day are a haze.

Sage’s face darkens, his jaw tightening. “You were attacked. Beaten.” His voice is low, dangerous. “They almost killed you, Ayla.”

The memories rush back like a tidal wave—Sarah’s slap, the blows that rained down on me, the jeering faces of the pack.

“And…” Sage hesitates, his eyes flicking away for a moment before meeting mine again. “You lost the baby.”

The words hit me like a physical blow.

“What?” My voice is barely audible.

Sage’s expression is unreadable. “You were pregnant, Ayla. You didn’t know?”

I stare at him, my mind racing. Pregnant? No. That can’t be true.

“I…” My voice falters. “I didn’t know.”

Sage exhales heavily, running a hand through his dark hair. “Well, it doesn’t matter now.”

“Doesn’t matter?” I echo, my voice rising despite the pain it causes. “Sage, you’re telling me I lost a child I didn’t even know I had, and you’re acting like it’s nothing?”

He flinches, his gaze dropping to the floor. “I’m sorry,” he says quietly. “But right now, you need to focus on surviving. Dwelling on it won’t change anything.”

His words sting, but deep down, I know he’s right.

I close my eyes, trying to steady my breathing, but the grief is suffocating. A baby. My baby. Gone before I even knew they existed.

After a moment, Sage speaks again, his tone shifting. “Ayla, I need you to be honest with me. Did you… try to seduce Caspian?”

My eyes snap open, and I glare at him, anger bubbling up despite my exhaustion. “How can you even ask me that?”

“Because the pack believes it,” he says bluntly. “And right now, their perception is more dangerous than the truth.”

“I didn’t,” I hiss, my voice trembling with rage and hurt. “He lied. He attacked me, and now he’s trying to cover his tracks.”

Sage studies me for a long moment, his eyes searching mine. Finally, he nods. “I believe you.”

Relief washes over me, but it’s short-lived.

“But belief isn’t enough,” he continues. “The pack is out for blood. They won’t let this go easily.”

“What am I supposed to do?” I whisper, feeling utterly defeated.

Sage leans forward, his expression hard. “You let me handle it. But you need to trust me, Ayla. Completely. Do you understand?”

I hesitate, my instincts warning me to be cautious. But what choice do I have?

“Yes,” I say finally.

“Good,” he says, leaning back in his chair. “I’ll make sure you’re protected. But you have to do exactly as I say. No questions, no arguments.”

Before I can respond, a loud crash outside the room startles us both.

“What was that?” I ask, my heart racing.

Sage’s expression hardens, and he rises from his chair. “Stay here,” he orders, his voice firm.

I watch as he strides to the door, his movements swift and purposeful. The door closes behind him, leaving me alone in the quiet room.

The seconds stretch into minutes, and the silence becomes unbearable. I strain to hear what’s happening outside, but the voices are muffled.

Suddenly, the door bursts open, and Nadira strides in, her presence like a dark storm cloud.

“Well, look who’s still alive,” she sneers, her tone dripping with mockery.

I glare at her, too weak to respond.

“You really are a survivor, aren’t you, Ayla?” she continues, circling the bed like a predator stalking its prey. “But don’t get too comfortable. Your luck won’t last forever.”

“What do you want, Nadira?” I ask, my voice hoarse but steady.

She smirks, leaning down so her face is level with mine. “Just to remind you of your place. You’re nothing, Ayla. And no matter how hard you try, you’ll never be anything more.”

Before I can respond, Sage storms back into the room, his eyes blazing.

“Nadira, get out,” he growls, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Nadira straightens, her smirk unfaltering. “Relax, Sage. I was just having a little chat with our dear Ayla.”

“I said, get out,” he repeats, stepping closer to her.

She rolls her eyes but finally turns to leave. At the door, she glances back at me, her smile turning cruel. “Don’t get too comfortable, Ayla. This isn’t over.”

As the door closes behind her, I let out a shaky breath, my body trembling with anger and fear.

Sage sits back down beside me, his expression dark. “Ignore her,” he says. “She’s just trying to get under your skin.”

“She’s succeeding,” I mutter.

Sage doesn’t respond, but his jaw tightens, and I see the flicker of frustration in his eyes.

“Rest,” he says finally. “You’ll need your strength for what’s coming.”

“What’s coming?” I ask, dread pooling in my stomach.

Sage doesn’t answer, and the silence is deafening.

As I close my eyes, exhaustion pulling me under, one thought echoes in my mind.

I have to survive. No matter what it takes.