... ...Claudine's POV...... Claudine laid motionless on the bare floor rubbing her rumbling stomach while her eyes roamed the ceiling's expanse, her eyes wandered upwards, tracing the cracks and random stains on the ceiling and lost in her thoughts"As Claudine gazed up at the stained and tattered ceiling, her mind began to wander back to her foster home, a place she once thought was the epitome of misery. But now, as she lay in the dingy cell of Bayford, she couldn't help but laugh at her naivety. The worn, grey plaster above seemed to mock her, reminding her of the cracked and faded dreams she'd once had. She thought of her foster parents, their cold and mocking gazes, and the endless days of drudgery and despair. But it was more bearable compared to this. Bayford was a different kind of hell, one that made her foster home seem like a mere purgatory. And yet, she couldn't help but chuckle at the absurdity of it all, at the fact that she'd once thought she'd hit rock bottom, only to discover that there were far darker depths to plummet.Kris's eyes lingered on Claudine's face, noticing the far-off look in her eyes. She seemed lost in thought, a mixture of emotions playing across her features. He leaned in, his voice low and gentle. "Hey, what's going on? You've been staring at that ceiling for minutes. Is everything okay?" Claudine's gaze snapped back to his, a hint of surprise in her eyes as if she'd forgotten he was there. Kris's expression softened, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "You can tell me, Claudine. I'm here to listen." He settled in beside her, his presence a warm, comforting weight, inviting her to share her thoughts.Claudine's gaze drifted back to the ceiling, her voice barely above a whisper. "I was just thinking about my life, where I came from. I don't know much about my parents, but I was abandoned in an orphanage with only a necklace to remind me of my mother. And then, when I was fifteen, I was adopted by a Werewolf family. But it wasn't out of love or kindness. Their daughter needed someone to torture, someone to make her feel superior. And I was the victim." Claudine's voice cracked, the memories still raw and painful. "They made my life a living hell, Kris. But I never thought I'd find a place worse than that... until I came to Bayford."Claudine paused, her eyes lifting to meet Kris's gaze, and was met with a sympathetic expression. His face was a mask of compassion, his eyes filled with a deep understanding as if he could feel the weight of her words. His lips were parted slightly as if he was about to speak, but he remained silent, letting her know that he was fully present, fully engaged in her story. Claudine searched his face, looking for any sign of judgment or pity, but all she saw was kindness and empathy. Emboldened by his supportive expression, she took a deep breath and continued her story, her voice barely above a whisper.She once killed a cat because it kept me company; tears flowed down her eyes as she remembered Lumos, her white fur. She could almost hear her purring in her ears. Her body began to shake, and tears streamed down her face like rain. Kris's heart ached, seeing her so vulnerable, so broken. He instinctively pulled her close, wrapping his arms around her in a gentle embrace. "It's going to be okay," he whispered, his voice soft and soothing. "It's okay, Claudine. You can stop crying." But she couldn't. The dam had burst, and her grief poured out like a flood. "She killed it because... because it kept me company," Claudine sobbed, her voice cracking. "Because it loved me... because something loved me." Her words were a heart-wrenching cry, a poignant reminder of the depths of her pain. Kris held her tighter, his own eyes stinging with tears as he absorbed her anguish. She couldn't stand that, couldn't stand that I had something that loved me. So, she... she snapped his neck, right in front of me." Claudine's gaze fell, her shoulders trembling, and her sobs increased after picturing the blood stains on the floor and Lumo's head hanging on Arielle's hand. Quiet in there, the prison guard snapped but this didn't stop her from crying her heart out. After a while she composed herself and continued speaking; when they found out that I was the alpha's mate it made things worse they said I wasn't deserving of it and they locked me here hoping I'd rot and die and he(Denzel) doesn't even know that am I'm here I don't know what to do Claudine said sobbingKris's grip tightened, his arms a safe haven as Claudine's body shook with sobs. He didn't try to offer solutions or words of encouragement; he simply held her, letting her know he was there, present in her darkness. Her sobs could still be heard; he gently stroked her hair, looking at her like a brother looking at his crying sister, comforting her with his words. "We'll figure it out, Claudine. Together. You're not alone in this," he said with a comforting whisper. His words were a promise, a vow to stand by her, no matter what lay ahead. As Claudine's tears finally slowed, Kris handed her a gentle smile we'll get through thisShe closed her eyes, wishing that everything would go away when she woke up, and everything would be fine. With that in mind, she fell asleep on his shoulder only to be woken by the harsh voice of the prison guard, and she realized it was morning. A bright light stung her eyes; she squinted, trying to adjust to the bright light, wondering if she was still in Bayford prison. Then she heard the guard's voice, which was a harsh reminder of her reality, a place where freedom was just a distant memory.
