Claire

I got up at some point in the night to use the bathroom, but I had otherwise stayed wrapped in my blanket, staring out into the forest. The hopelessness of my situation had consumed me and I didn't think there was a way out of the darkness.

I wasn't sure I wanted one.

I know Bennett had tried to talk to me, but I couldn't focus on anything he said, staring blankly at him, not really seeing him. I had smelled Rowan in the room, but I didn't think he had spoken to me. I watched the sun travel across the sky. They had pretty much left me alone for the morning and into early afternoon. It was awhile after they had tried to get me to eat lunch that I heard the door open. A man I didn't know sat next to me on the couch and I looked up at him.

"She's been like this since last night. Won't eat or drink, doesn't talk, doesn't even look at us." Bennett says obviously concerned as he paces in front of me by the window, his arms crossed against his chest as he watches me. The man checks my temperature and sighs.

"Well, she doesn't have a fever. Does anything hurt, Claire?" He asks and I nod.

"My stomach. I think it's just a stomach bug. I don't feel hungry and I'm tired." I lie smoothly. It's only partly a lie. My stomach feels sick everytime I think about food and I am exhausted, the hollow feeling inside of me seemingly eating up every ounce of energy I had. The man nods and stands.

"She's probably right. Stomach viruses are very common for humans. She'll be alright in a day or two, just let her relax. When she feels better start off with simple soups until her appetite returns. She may vomit, that's normal as well." He says and Bennett's shoulders sag with relief before he nods.

"Thank you, doctor." He says before dismissing the man. He leans down over me, eyeing me worriedly before clenching his jaw. He slips behind me on the couch and pulls me flush against his body, leaning his head down into my neck and breathing me in, reminding me the only reason they haven't killed me is because I smell good and they need an heir. The reminder makes some more tears fall and Bennett must feel my body shudder with sobs.

"What's wrong? Did I hurt you?" He asks and I nod. He did hurt me, just not in the way he's asking. He sighs and pulls away from me, standing from the couch and sitting next to it, looking at my face.

"Do you need anything? Something to drink?" He asks and I shake my head.

"Please just talk to me, Claire." He pleads and I bite my lip, trying to force myself to stop crying.

"I'm just sick, Bennett." I tell him and he sighs again, obviously upset he can do nothing to remedy the situation.

"Wouldn't you rather lay in bed?" He asks and I shake my head vehemently.

"You guys are too hot." I say and his face falls.

"You can lay in a different bed." He says. I nod my agreement, but make no move to get up. He stands and slips his arms gently under my back and knees before lifting me and tucking me securely into his chest. He carries me to the room closest to the one we usually share and sets me gently on the bed.

"Do you want to shower?" He asks and memories of my shower with Rowan come barreling back into my mind. The disgust and self loathing bubbles up again and my face screws up into pure agony as I sob again shaking my head.

"NO! JUST LEAVE ME ALONE!" I scream and Bennett pulls back from me, obviously surprised by my breakdown. He recovers quickly and wraps his arms around me.

"Shhh... It's ok, little one. You don't have to shower. Just stop crying please. It kills me to see you like this." He coos in my ear and I relax against his touch. As soon as I stop crying I pull away from his embrace and his face falls.

"I'll let you rest. If you need anything just call for me." He says, obviously defeated. I don't respond, just stare at the wall already missing the windows and forest view.

I stay like this for the rest of the day and late into the next. Bennett stops by frequently to check on me. He brought some soup once, but the smell made me dry heave. He quickly took it from the room and the sound of me retching prompted Rowan to make an appearance. He stood next to me with his arms crossed just observing me until Bennett came back. I thought he would enjoy having Bennett all to himself again, but he seemed annoyed by my weakened state. I had finally stopped crying, pretty sure dehydration had set in as well, but I didn't have the energy or desire to drink anything. I stayed tucked comfortably in bed, staring at the blank wall, occasionally turning to look at the ceiling. The longer I stayed like that, the more frequent Bennett's visits became. He was obviously becoming more distressed by the hour. I heard he and Rowan arguing at some point, but didn't care enough to try and make out what they were yelling about.

The lowest point came when I no longer had the energy to stand for the bathroom. I urinated myself in bed. Disgust flared in me again, but it was no worse than when I allowed myself to be used by Rowan. I felt a small sob try to escape me, but didn't bother to voice it. My sobs were useless. My tears wouldn't win me my freedom. The next time Bennett came to check on me, he sniffed the air and lifted my blanket before looking at me with pity. I thought I'd feel embarrassed, but I didn't care anymore.

Let them see what they've done to me.

"Let's clean you up, Claire." He says quietly. I hear him go to the adjoined bathroom and turn on the shower before returning to me. He peels my clothes off gently before lifting me and setting me on the bench in the shower. He tries to hand me the sprayer, but I look away from him and lean against the cold tile wall. He sighs and hooks the handle back up, adjusting it so the warm water sprays on me. He leaves me alone and I hear the rustle of the sheets being stripped from the bed before he returns.

He strips down and walks into the shower with me. Usually I would be scared, but I feel nothing but indiffernce. He cleans me tenderly, much kinder than either of them have treated me thus far. His eyes rake over my body, but concern is the only thing in their depths. He eyes my protruding ribs and pale skin worriedly. He dries me carefully and dresses me in his clothes again before taking me back to the bed we share.

"We'll replace the other mattress." He explains as he lays me down. I don't say anything.

"Claire." His voice breaks on my name and I look at him.

"Call me 'Human'. It's all I am." I say quietly. He looks at me curiously before shaking his head.

"Not to us you're not." He says, stroking the back of his hand down my cheek. I pull away from his touch and his wolf whines in response. I see movement from the corner of my eye and look to see Rowan standing in the doorway, his arms crossed over his chest and eyebrows furrowed as he stares silently at me. I avert my gaze back to the wall, not saying anything else. They both leave, but leave the door open. I hear them talking quietly in the hall. I'm not sure how much later it is, but the doctor comes back. He asks my mates a few questions, I don't listen to the answers, and looks at me concerned.

"Can I examine her privately?" He asks. Rowan growls a little at the request, but Bennett puts his hand on his shoulder and pulls him towards the door.

"We'll be in the hall. If you need something, Claire, just yell." He says before closing the door behind them. The doctor sighs and sits next to me on the bed.

"I tried to give you a couple of days to pull out of this, but I can't lie to them any longer. I don't know what they'll do when I tell them what's really going on. You should prepare yourself." He says and I can't help but scoff.

"They've already stolen my life, my will to live. They can have whatever else they want. I'm tired of fighting."