CHAPTER 3

Angelina's POV

I lost count after ten but soon after that, they stopped long enough to get me a plate of cheese and bread and a glass of water.

“Eat up, human,” one of them teased, “With an attitude like that you’re going to need your strength.”

         “With a face like that you’re going to need a miracle,” I spat back, chiding myself not to cry as he moved closer to me with a growl but the second guy held him back.

“She’s just being a bitch, Joe,” he tried to calm the first guy down, “Relax,”

         “That’s funny, coming from the guys who had to gang up on an eighteen-year-old girl just to beat her,” I scoffed, “Three against one isn’t great odds.”

“I don’t think we beat enough respect into her, Rider” the one I now know is Joe said as he pulled the food away, “Every single disrespectful word you say is another whipping.”

The whip landed on my back again and I arched it with a groan.

By the time they were done my voice was hoarse from screaming and I had tears and snot free falling down my face.

“Her screams sound even better than her father’s,” Baxter said and my ears perked at his words.

        “They’re like music to my ears,” I heard Rider agree.

“Where is my father?” I asked weakly and they turned to me.

       “She still speaks.” Rider mused.

“I want to see my father,” I ignored him, tears rolling down my eyes.

I don't want to give them the privilege of seeing my tears so I quickly wipe them off before it became noticeable.

       “You don’t just make decisions around here,” he laughed, “You ask the Alpha and he will tell you if you’re allowed to.”

“Alpha? Who is Alpha?” I questioned, trying to remember where I’d heard that name before, “What kind of name is that?”

       “That isn’t his name, human,” Baxter snarled, “But he is the man who just left here.”

“I want to speak to him.”

      “You don’t just demand to speak to him; he comes to you,” he smirked proudly, “Now eat up darling; you’ll need the energy when he returns.”

“I would rather die than eat your food.”

      “You should learn to pick your battles wisely,” he uttered firmly, “If you show all your cards too early then you’ll lose.”

They left while muttering between themselves and I groaned as I tried to move into a more comfortable position but my back wouldn’t let me move.

I remembered what Baxter said and my stomach grumbled as I looked at the food and I cursed and picked up a chunk of cheese.

I forced myself to chew the cheese and before I knew it, I had devoured everything. Despite them being complete assholes; they served good food and not stale or moldy cheese. 

I was drinking the water when it hit me.

Leslie was talking about a werewolf book today and Alpha is what they call their leader, but why am I thinking of Leslie’s fantasies?

There is no way they are real. I’m sure Alpha is just the guy’s nickname.

That was the last thought in my head before I began to feel dizzy and everything went black.

****

I woke up a while later to a numb but cold feeling on my back. I reached back to touch it but was stopped by someone clicking their tongue in disapproval.

I looked up and saw Alpha staring down at me.

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” he said, “It feels nice to see you on the floor where you belong.”

As much as I wanted to speak, I forced myself to keep my mouth shut to avoid more whippings.

“I see you’ve learned to keep your mouth shut,” he smiled and I rolled my eyes, “Are you ready to tell me about the secret?”

        “I already told you; I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I mutters in exhaustion.

“Tell me the truth,” he growled.

       “I am telling you the truth,” I sat up and winced when I felt a searing pain in my back, “I want to see my father.”

“How did you know he was here?” he asked, “I thought you haven’t been in contact with him for two years?”

       “Your goons let it slip,” I spat, “I want to see him. Only God knows what you’ve done to him.”

“You are not seeing him until you tell me the truth.” He concluded.

      “I don’t know what you’re talking about and you have no right to keep my father away from me.”

“You are not seeing him and that is final,” he growled and I froze.

He rose to his feet and slowly made his way over to me then crouched and gripped my chin in one hand.

Having him so close to me made the hair on the back of my neck rise. My breath started coming out in pants and my heart was pounding in my chest but not in a good way.

“I can smell the fear on you,” he whispered, “And it smells divine.”

       “Let me go,” I tried to wrench my chin away but he gripped in tighter to the point of pain and I whimpered.

“Tell me the truth or I will snap your pretty little neck like a twig.”

       “I’m flattered that you think my neck is pretty,” I teased and he scoffed, his hand moving to my neck.

“I am not playing games with you.” He squeezed until I was gasping for breath and then let go.

       “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I managed in between my wheezing, “So please let me go.”

He looked taken aback by my request and let out a humorless laugh.

“You are not leaving here until I get my truth.”

I hacked a cough, trying to get as much air as possible.

        “I have a bio exam and I’m already failing,” I pleaded, “If I miss it then I have to take the course again next year; please let me go.”

His laughter increased in volume and he let go of my chin.

“You aren’t leaving here,” he smiled, “Not for any reason. The only thing that drags your body out of here other than you telling me the truth would be your death.”

I heard something like shuffling above us and I let out the loudest scream I could muster.

“Help,” I screamed, “Someone please help me. I’m stuck here with a psychotic man.”

He laughed at my attempt but I wasn’t derailed and screamed even louder.

“Do you need a megaphone?” he asked in a teasing tone that made my skin crawl. “No one can hear you?”

     “I don’t believe you.”

“We’re in the enchanted forest,” he said, “There isn’t any human for miles.”

      “What?!" I exclaim in disbelief. "You are a psychopath.”

“And you are the daughter of a killer,” he deadpanned. “I hope you rested well; because you are going to need it.”

It was at his words that I realized I did rest well. Well enough to not even realize when someone rubbed an ointment on my back to numb the pain.

“You drugged me,” I said finally and he raised a brow in shock.

       “You’re unusually smart,” he smirked, “Use that brilliance to figure out my secret and you can leave.”

“I already told you; I don’t know any secret that you might need and I don’t know anything about the death of your wife. I don’t even know your wife.”

     “You’ll know soon enough,” he promised and he made his way out of the cell just as those three men returned.

“I hope you’re ready for us,” Baxter grinned widely.