Underwater: The Silent Luna novel Chapter 299

Chapter 299

When she was done sipping the water gradually, the women helped carry her to the bathroom. Ashley was too tired to feel

embarrassed when they stripped her down and lowered her into the tub. Warm water closed around her skin, and she let out a shaky

breath. The women washed her body and hair gently, wiping away the stink of the dungeon, the sweat, the fear and the

helplessness. It should have felt humiliating, but it did not. Not really. It felt like being brought back from somewhere dark.

They cleaned her until the water no longer looked dirty and her hair no longer clung to her face. Then they helped her out, patted

her body dry with a towel, and led her back to the room. She dressed in a sheer gown because that was all that was available. It was not what she would have chosen, but at that point, clothing was clothing, and the soft fabric against her clean skin felt like mercy.

A bit of her strength returned, enough for her to whisper thanks to the women. She meant it. She was amazed by the treatment she was receiving. No one treated her this nicely at the McCloud mansion. That thought came bitter and sad. She had driven into enemy territory and ended up receiving more kindness from strangers than she had known in the place that was supposed to be home.

Sebastien seemed nice to people who were not his enemies. Too bad he had stabbed her. She might have liked him a little bit.

“You may lie down. I will bring you some soup,” Odette said.

“Thank you,” Ashley said weakly.

She lay down as Odette left, her mind still trying to catch up to her body. Everything had shifted too quickly. She did not know whether this was mercy or preparation for something worse. She did not know if Sebastien had ordered her cared for because he was kind, curious, or careful. She did not know if she should continue with her plan when she finally saw him or escape the first chance

she got.

Odette returned with a bowl of tomato soup, and Ashley ate it gladly. She hated tomato soup. She had always hated it. But in that moment, it tasted delicious. Warmth slid down her throat and settled in her empty stomach. She had to eat slowly because her body could not take much at once, but every spoonful made her feel a little less like she was disappearing.

“Thank you,” Ashley said again, meaning it even more.

“Rest; the Alpha will come to see you. I have told him you are too weak to go to his office,” Odette told her.

Ashley was stunned by that too. Odette had spoken for her. Someone had considered her weakness instead of using it against her. Someone had told the Alpha to come to her instead of dragging her across the pack house half-dead. It was strange and warm and frightening because kindness always became confusing when one was waiting for cruelty.

Odette left, and Ashley sat in bed, waiting for the Alpha to come. She did not know whether to follow through with her plan or leave when she was strong enough. The mission had sounded clearer before hunger and thirst broke her down. Now she could still think of Joseph, still think of the truth, still think of why she had come, but she could also think of the cell. She could think of the

silver bars. She could think of how quickly courage became regret when no one came.

Soon sleep came for her, heavy and impossible to fight. She lay down and allowed it to pull her under.

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Underwater: The Silent Luna