Chapter 8

As April lay unconscious, Jessica and Gift, a fellow slave who had once given April her food, carefully tended to her wounds. Jessica's hands trembled as she applied salve to the deep cuts and bruises that marred April's body. Tears welled in her eyes as she saw the extent of the damage Amelia had inflicted.

"She didn't deserve this," Jessica whispered, her voice thick with emotion.

Gift nodded solemnly. "None of us do, but we have to stay strong for each other."

Just then, Lydia walked in, her expression was a mix of pity and resolve. She sighed as she looked down at April, knowing what was to come next. "We have to get her cleaned up. Lord Marino wants her tonight."

Jessica's eyes widened in horror. "No! She can't go through more pain. Look at her!"

"I don't have a choice, Jessica," Lydia replied, her voice soft but firm. "Help me get her to the bathroom."

Together, they carefully lifted April and carried her to the bathroom. As soon as the cold water hit April's wounds, she woke up with a gasp, her body convulsing in pain. She cried silently as they bathed her, every movement causing agony. When they finished, they dressed her in a simple, clean gown and Lydia led her to Vlad’s chambers.

# VLAD'S CHAMBERS

As April entered Vlad’s chambers, she saw him lying on the bed, casually operating his phone. He barely glanced at her.

"Good evening, sir," she greeted weakly, her voice barely above a whisper.

Vlad’s eyes flicked over her dismissively. "Strip, lay down, and spread your legs," he commanded.

April stood frozen, unable to comply. The thought of more pain and degradation was too much. Seeing her hesitation, Vlad rose from the bed, irritation flashing in his eyes. He grabbed a whip and approached her. For the first time, he noticed the fresh wounds on her face and body. A flicker of something—perhaps regret or pity—crossed his features.

"Who did this to you?" he demanded.

April hesitated, not wanting to betray Jessica’s kindness. But as soon as the whip cracked against her already bruised skin, she cried out, "Amelia! Amelia did it!"

Vlad’s face darkened with fury. The anger he felt towards Amelia was almost as intense as his anger at himself for feeling anything at all for this broken girl. He dropped the whip and turned away, his desire extinguished by the sight of her suffering.

"You've killed my mood," he growled. "For that, you will be punished"

Without another word, Vlad dragged April to the center of the room and bound her hands to a hook hanging from the ceiling. He picked up a different whip, heavier and more brutal, and began to lash her mercilessly. Each strike was a testament to his frustration and rage, each crack of the whip a symphony of pain that echoed through the room.

April's screams filled the air, but there was no one to save her. She endured the punishment silently after the initial screams, her mind retreating to a place far away from the agony that was her reality. When Vlad finally stopped, she was barely conscious, her body hanging limply from the bonds.

He called for someone to take her back to the slave quarters but then changed his mind. Instead, he unhooked her and let her fall to the cold, hard floor. He left her there, stepping over her broken form as he walked out.

**************

Vlad stormed down the hall to Amelia’s quarters. Bursting in, he found her preening in front of a mirror. She turned, her face lighting up when she saw him, but her smile faded at the fury in his eyes.

"What did you do to April?" he demanded, his voice a low growl.

Amelia’s eyes narrowed. "I taught her a lesson. She touched you, Vlad. She's just a slave."

"She is my property," he snapped, taking a step closer. "If you ever touch her again, I will personally kill you."

Amelia's eyes flashed with anger and fear, but she masked it quickly. "Why do you care so much about a slave? She's nothing!"

Vlad grabbed her by the throat, his grip tightening. "She is mine. And you will remember that."

He released her roughly, watching as she stumbled back. For a moment, fear flickered in her eyes, but she quickly replaced it with a mask of defiance. Vlad turned and walked out, leaving Amelia to her rage.

As soon as Vlad left, Amelia's fury exploded. She screamed, smashing everything in her room. Her hands bled as she clawed at the walls, her mind a whirlwind of jealousy and rage. How dare he protect a slave over her? She had dedicated her life to him, endured countless missions, and done everything he asked. And yet, he showed more concern for a broken, bleeding slave than he ever had for her.

# LAWN

Outside, Vlad lit a cigarette, inhaling deeply as he tried to calm his racing thoughts. The lawn was quiet, a stark contrast to the chaos within. Mikhail joined him, his expression unreadable.

"Rough night?" Mikhail asked, lighting his own cigarette.

"You could say that," Vlad replied, exhaling smoke. "We need to discuss the upcoming drug exchange with The Eagles. Julien Bordeaux and Léon Marseille are expecting us."

Mikhail nodded. "We need to ensure everything goes smoothly. They've been reliable partners so far, but we can't afford any mistakes."

"We won't have any," Vlad said, his voice firm. "Make sure our men are ready."

Mikhail looked at him, concern flickering in his eyes. "Is everything alright with you, Vlad? You seem...off."

Vlad took another drag of his cigarette, staring into the distance. "Just dealing with some internal issues. Nothing I can't handle."

Mikhail nodded, though he wasn't convinced. He knew Vlad better than anyone, and something was definitely off. But he decided to leave it for now. They had bigger issues to deal with.

" Mother called and said that your presence is needed in the Pack tonight, because of an important meeting held because of you" Mikhail said, puffing out smoke but Vlad just walked off leaving him alone.

" Alone again" Mikhail muttered smoking harder, his eyes turning red.

# FERAL FURY PACK

Feral Fury Pack Royal meeting hall, a meeting was called by the Luna and the elders. Vlad sat at the head of the table, his presence dominating the room.

"We need to discuss the upcoming festival of maidens," she began. "An Alpha cannot lead without a Luna, and the pack needs stability. Vlad, you must choose a new Luna."

Vlad's expression darkened. He had killed his fated mate in a fit of rage, and the memory still haunted him. But he knew the elders were right. The pack needed a leader, and he needed to provide one.

"I understand," he said, his voice clipped. "But it will be my choice."

"Of course," the Luna replied. "But we will call upon the pack's witch to help you choose. She will ensure that the woman you pick is blessed and suitable to stand by your side."

Vlad nodded, though his mind was elsewhere. The thought of taking another mate was distasteful, but he knew it was necessary. The meeting continued with discussions of the festival and preparations, but Vlad's mind kept drifting back to April, lying broken on his chamber floor.

As the meeting concluded, Vlad felt a sense of dread. The festival of maidens was approaching, and he had to make a choice that would affect the entire pack. But with April's face haunting his thoughts, he couldn't shake the feeling that his life was spiraling out of control. The delicate balance of power, loyalty, and fear that he had maintained was beginning to crack, and he wasn't sure how much longer he could hold it together.

He walked away from the meeting hall heading back to his room when he had his mother calling but he chose to ignore it because he wasn't in the mood to reply her.

As soon as he entered his chambers, Vlad stared at the ceiling, his mind a tumultuous storm of anger, guilt, and confusion. For the first time in his life, he felt a crack in his resolve, a vulnerability that he couldn't afford. And it was all because of a broken, bleeding slave who had somehow, against all odds, begun to thaw his frozen heart.