CHAPTER TWO

The night was darker than usual, and it was hard to see the clouds. Carly's footsteps were almost soundless on the forest floor. She had been running for days, fleeing from her life of slavery and endless torment. After her parents passed away, she was left alone in enormous debt.

Her recent captors were the Wolves of Lamine City. She had to escape from them and reach her secret apartment where they wouldn't find her or notice her presence. However, she was later captured by the Wolf Rogues of Ramine City, where she found herself hiding.

"Hey, you! Come here! You think you can escape from us?" A rough voice called out. "Come clean this mess up."

I gasped in shock, looking at the water Alpha Arnold, the leader of the Evil Wolf pack, had spilled on the floor. As I bent over to clean it, I felt another splash of water pouring all over my body.

"Oops, my bad," he laughed menacingly. I was thoroughly displeased and disgusted with his childish act. I wiped up the water and drained it into the bucket.

"Carly, get over here, you fool!" Alpha Arnold called my name angrily, waving at me.

"Yes, Alpha Arnold?" I responded respectfully.

"Drop the silly act. You still have a lot of work to do before we put you up for the slavery trade." I nodded, giving him a reply.

I moved the mop across the tiles. Alpha Arnold was controlling and always a principled wolf, making me clean multiple times a day.

"We have important visitors this evening. Make sure you arrange everything and prepare 29 chairs and tables for the guests," he ordered.

"Yes, Alpha Arnold," I said, bowing and kneeling down, my head lowered as he gave his orders. "Is there anything else you want me to do?"

"Don't let your filthy smell drive these guests away. Behave appropriately and follow every order they give, as well as the ones I'm giving you now."

"I don't have a choice," I whispered silently.

"Yes, it's your choice, not mine," Alpha Arnold replied rudely. "You can stand up now," he instructed. "What are your duties tonight?"

"I don't have any duties tonight, apart from the ones you just gave me."

"Good. Go arrange everything and don't try anything foolish like running away again, or else you'll be skinned alive."

"Yes, Alpha Arnold, I will adhere to all your words," I said, feeling pained by his harsh words. His tone grew even more menacing towards the end of our conversation.

"Go back to your cell and put on the new outfit I placed on your table," he said with pride. "Your old outfit looks torn and rough, and you reek of a bad stench. Apply some good sprays and change into a new outfit."

He bolted out, walking through the wolf pack's apartment, leaving me alone with the remaining slaves who seemed just as hopeless.

---

I trudged back to my cell, determined not to let Alpha Arnold's threats break my spirit. I had come too far in my quest for freedom.

The other slaves, their eyes dull and eerily scary, barely glanced at me as I passed by.

I found the new outfit in my cell as instructed—a simple dress of coarse fabric—lying on the table. I changed quickly, wincing at the cold touch of the material against my skin. After applying the spray Alpha Arnold had mentioned, I felt marginally better, though his words still humiliated me.

The evening approached swiftly. Carly worked tirelessly, arranging the chairs and tables as instructed. The hall needed to look perfect for the visitors, whoever they might be. She knew better than to ask questions; curiosity could be a dangerous thing in this place.

As she moved about, setting the tableware and ensuring everything was in place, her mind wandered back to the days before her capture. Life had been far from easy, but it was nothing compared to the torment she endured now. Her parents had always been there. Losing them had left a void she doubted could ever be filled.

"Carly!" Alpha Arnold's voice snapped her back to the present. She hurried over, not wanting to provoke his wrath.

"Yes, Alpha Arnold?"

"Did you prepare the special wine for the guests?"

"Yes, Alpha Arnold, it's ready."

"Good. Make sure it's served perfectly. These guests are not to be trifled with."

Carly nodded, swallowing her resentment. She knew that any mistake could lead to severe punishment. She moved quickly, fetching the wine and making sure everything was perfect as the guests began to arrive.

The visitors were a mix of high-ranking wolves from various packs. Their conversations were filled with discussions of power and territory, things that were far beyond Carly's concerns. She focused on her tasks, hoping for them to finish what they came to do.

"Hey, girl," one of the guests called out, his voice dripping with disdain. "Bring me more wine."

Carly complied, moving quickly to refill his glass. As she did, the guest grabbed her wrist, his grip tight and painful.

"What's your name?" he demanded.

"Carly," she whispered, trying to pull her hand away.

"Carly, huh? Pretty name for a slave," he sneered, finally releasing her. "You better hope you don't spill that wine."

Carly nodded, backing away slowly, desperate to avoid further confrontation.

Finally, the guests began to leave, their laughter echoing in the hall. Carly let out a sigh of relief, hoping she could retire to her cell without any more trouble. But as she started to clean up, Alpha Arnold approached her, a smirk on his face.

"You did well tonight, Carly," he said, his tone mocking. "But don't think for a second that means you're off the hook. You still have a lot to learn about serving your betters."

"Yes, Alpha Arnold," she replied, her voice barely audible.

"Go to your cell. Tomorrow will be another long day."

Carly nodded and made her way back to her cell, her body aching from the day's labor. As she lay down on the hard, cold floor, her thoughts turned to escape once more. She couldn't stay here forever. She had to find a way out, no matter the cost.

---

The moon cast a silvery light through the small window of her cell, highlighting the resolve in Carly's eyes. She knew the risks were high, but staying meant a life of endless torment and degradation. As she lay there, a plan began to form in her mind—a plan that involved more than just running. She needed allies, and she needed to learn more about the weaknesses of the Wolves of Lamine City.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the faint sounds of footsteps outside her cell. Carly tensed, expecting another round of torment. But instead, a shadowy figure appeared at her door.

"Psst, Carly," a voice whispered. "It's me, Aiden."

Aiden was a fellow slave, one of the few who still had a spark of hope left in his eyes. He slipped into her cell, closing the door quietly behind him.

"Aiden, what are you doing here?" Carly asked, her heart pounding.

"I overheard the Alpha talking. They're planning something big, something that could be our chance to escape," Aiden said, his eyes shining with determination.

Carly's pulse quickened. "What did you hear?"

"They're moving a large shipment of silver weapons tomorrow night. It's our best chance to get out while they're distracted. We can sneak out through the old tunnels under the storage building," Aiden explained.

"Are you sure it's safe?" Carly asked, doubt creeping into her voice.

"It's risky, but it's the best shot we have. Are you in?" Aiden asked, extending his hand.

Carly hesitated for a moment, then grasped his hand firmly. "I'm in. Let's do this."