The Vow

5 YEARS LATER

"You have a new mark. Alpha Roman wants the job done by tonight. You know the drill,

dont get caught and no witnesses. He wants the job done clean without a mess." Ferro hands me the beige folder, and the components inside are photos of a middle-aged man with red short hair and freckles.

He's wearing a suit and tie in most of the photos and is always at the court or city hall, meaning he has to be someone of importance, maybe a politician or another lawyer.

Looks like he has a routine outside of his business meetings. Sigh, routines. Makes you an accessible target, which is why people are killed so easily.

Once I scan over the photos, I close the folder and nob my head in acknowledgment of the request given to me. Ferro, who I've become surprisingly close to while being Roman's personal hitman or woman, I should say.

Ferro taught me everything and has been like a father figure to me. He's been there for me through all the rough and horrible moments I've had to suffer through.

"Don't forget we have a training session tomorrow, Principessa." I looked up from the folder he had just handed me and met his gaze..

"You know I'll be there, Ferro." he smiles and nods his head at my response. Ferro knows I don't talk much. Other than Ferro, no one has heard me speak in almost 3 years.

I wasn't what you'd call mute because Ferro and I would talk. It was always short, but I did talk. It was 3 years ago after Alpha Roman's punishment that my voice went into hiding.

The thought still puts fear and sadness in my heart, but it's short-lived. Ever since that day, I've changed. I felt something inside me stir, and all that sadness and helplessness faded and turned into pure anger and hate.

I'm literally a walking ticking bomb. Ferro began teaching me defense and protection techniques and also how to kill without leaving a trace. I've become the monster that I never wanted to be.

From the time Alpha Roman captured I was put in the care of Ferro, he was supposed to keep close watch over me and tend to me. Roman said it was Ferro's punishment for not letting him kill me. Though I'm grateful for Ferro, I wish he had let Roman kill me.

FLASHBACK

Roman wanted to make an example of one of the warriors. He and his family were trying to escape after contacting the council of wolves about Alpha Roman's treatment towards his pack and about his drug trafficking affairs amongst the humans.

The family of four was caught outside the city in the woods just a few feet away from the neighboring city.

Every warrior, Gamma, Beta, scout, and pack mule were all present in one of our underground warehouses where the drugs are cut and sorted. We all stood there confused but not bold enough to ask why or what for.

Our questions were answered when Mr. Jon was thrown to the pavement already beaten and bloody.

Mr. Jon's pretty emerald green eyes weren't visible due to his face being severely swollen as he looked up from the ground and met my gaze.

He gave me the sweetest smile, and I was so confused because I knew he had an idea of what was going to happen to him, but he still....smiled.

Behind Mr. Jon was an infuriated alpha. You could see the black fur slowly sprouting off his shoulders and arms.

In one quick motion, Roman grabbed Mr. Jon by the head with a fist full of Mr. Jon's hair.

"This is how you repay me by betraying me? You are a traitor, and traitors do not live to see another day. Oh, and don't worry, your mate and pups will be joining you as well."

Roman let go of his head and threw him forward as he began to plea for his family's life. My stomach dropped when Mr. Jon's mate was being dragged in by Khan, Alpha Roman's cousin.

Khan was just as evil, if not more, because he finds joy in torturing others. Khan tortured and killed his own parents and still has no remorse; if that insists evil, then I don't know what is.

Khan threw Jon's mate to the ground and then kicked her in her stomach and face repeatedly. Roman orders Khan to stop kicking the woman I felt sorry for and told him to bring in the kids.

I have seen many faces hard at the mention of the kids. I could tell by the faces that not many agreed with Roman's actions, but it didn't matter. No one dared challenge him he'd be digging your own grave.

Two kids younger than me were escorted in. I could see the fear in their eyes as they looked at their parents barely recognizable.

Tears start falling from their eyes as their mother cooes soft nothings to calm them down. As I look away from the family, I instantly lock eyes with Roman, and he has this undeniably sinister smirk on his face, making him look like the devil himself.

"YOU!" He growls and points my way. His voice sounds demonic, and it sends a shiver down my spine.

I began to panic because I've tried my best to avoid trouble due to not wanting anymore beatings.

He growls louder, getting aggravated at my hesitation, so I start to move towards him to dodge any conflict.

I stand in front of him, a shaking and shivering mess, and he laughs before grabbing me by my shoulder and moving me towards the kids that are now hugging each other, crying and looking at me pleading

We come to a stop, and he puts a cold to the touch small gun in my hand, directing my index finger to the trigger and points it to the kids.

My eyes never leave theirs, and before I know it, my own tears are flowing freely from my eyes. He leans to my ear and whispers, "There are 4 silver bullets in this gun, I want you to put a bullet in the pups head first and then his mate. This is what happens to traitors in the Bloodstone Pack. Do you have the guts... little girl?"

My breathing increased, and I was shaking so much the gun was about to slip out my hand. I'm not a killer. I'm not a killer.

I won't let him make me into one. I dropped my head and slowly started to drop the gun. I looked at Roman with sad eyes, hoping to change his mind or to get someone else to do it, but his expression was unchanging, and he was still waiting for me to pull the trigger.

"I-I can't d-do it.." My voice so soft it came out as a whisper. Before I could look up, I heard a clink of a gun, and judging by the direction it came from, I knew Khan how a gun pointed in my direction.

"Sigh, what a pity, I obviously did not make myself clear, I don't give a sh*t if you can or can't, you will shoot them or...Khan will kill you first and then kill them. Decision is yours."

I looked at the kids, and my heart sank into my stomach. I can't do it. Im not a monster. Three gun shots rang into my ears. During my hesitation, Khan shot both kids and their mother.

Mr. Jon's scream was the most horrific. I stood there stunned at what had just happened before my eyes. They all laid there lifeless.

A deep demonic voice brought me from my thoughts. "You should've killed them.." Then a fist connected with my face, knocking me to the ground, and the metallic taste of blood invaded my mouth.

Before I could recover, more fists were coming at me, pounding my head and face in.

I was beaten senseless all night until sunrise. I had a broken nose, 2 broken ribs, and my eyes and jaw were both swollen shut, and I was covered in bruises that were black and purple.

It was the worst day of my life.They left me in that warehouse with the family's dead bodies. The smell of blood and decay invaded my nostrils, barely hanging onto life myself.

That day, I vowed not to shed a single tear during my torment and to always protect myself or anyone who can't fight for themselves. I will no longer be anyone's punching bag.