property of Roman

I have no destination. I have no money. I have no family. I have no home.

Despite that, I'm basking in my newfound freedom. l run absent-mindedly and is unaware of the dangerous threat lurking nearby.

A rumbling and crashing sound in the distance halts my footsteps. The sound is coming from behind an old Italian diner, in the dark alley.

The hairs on my neck are standing up, and my skin breaks out into goosebumps, as a shiver runs down my spine.

Keep walking Shadow. It's probably a pesky raccoon.

I force myself to continue moving forward. I don't want any trouble, I've had my fair share.

As I pick up the pace wanting to avoid whatever or whoever, a loud thud followed by a shrill cry for help .

I freeze as fear creeps into my bones. More noise comes from the alleyway. everything in me is screaming run, but my legs move in the direction of the distressed cry for help.

I begin panting the closer I get to the commotion. the night is still. my rapid heartbeat ringing in my ears.

the pale Moonlight illuminates the smooth concrete. the shimmering glow contradicts the eerie atmosphere.

every step closer to the alleyway feels like it is my last. I feel beads of sweat on my forehead, and my palms are moist.

A piercing scream slices through the silence. The abrupt sound makes me shriek, and i quickly cover my mouth. i quitely creep to the edge of the building, and peek around the corner.

i have a clear view down the alley as my eyes lay on the man emitting the gut-wrenching screams. His face is covered in blood and his left eye is swollen shut.

He is being held by two other men with his arms in their grasps, behind his head,and his knees on the ground.

The men that were holding his arms hostage, were very intimidating. They were tall, and their muscles strained against their fitted shirts.

Im so lost in the showcase of torture before me, Im no longer aware of my surroundings, or the predator behind me.

A strong and rough hand grabs the collar of my shirt, and pulls me behind him, to the end of the alley.

I can't go out like this. I just got my freedom, this can't be happening.

Tears started pouring down my already tear stained face. Amidst my moment of fear, I peed on myself.

This is humiliating. Why is life handing me nothing but lemons? What did I do to deserve such bad luck?

The man holds me by my shirt collar, walks towards the one they address as Alpha, and throws me to the ground in front of him.

"What do you want to do with the kid, Alpha? She witnessed the whole thing." The man with a shaved head and a deep scar across his cheek looks at me, sizing me up with his eyes.

Being at the foot of this monster, I can see his face as the street lights illuminate his facial features and hardened expression.

His  porcelain skin glistens in moons' luminous glow. His eyes are icy blue, cold, and very frightening.

He has strong chiseled features. His wavy jet black hair kisses the top of his broad shoulders. He is well dressed, and his presence radiates dominance, power, and respect.

He's all the things I crave to be. Remembering the sudden horror I had just witnessed, my gaze falls back to the ground.

After what I just seen I'm sure he's going to kill me for it. Any sane person in the line of business he's in would kill me. A man from the shadows suddenly appeared that I was not aware of.

He was tall and slender with a full but short black beard and short black hair with a small grey patch on the right in the front part of his hair.

We locked eyes as he came and stood beside the one they call, Alpha. He looks at me with pity and remorse.

Why did he look at me like that? Like he knows something I don't...maybe...I shake my head as the possibility of him knowing my parents would be highly unlikely, and I gave up having hope while being at the orphange.

He looks at the Alpha and respectfully says,

"Alpha, with all respect, she's just a kid, and she might be of better use alive rather than dead, sir." He bowed his head after stating his opinion.

I can feel the Alpha's gaze burning through me. Im nervous and start panting as I think of all the possible ways he can kill me. I'm an orphan, so no one will for me.

No one would even notice that I'm missing. The realization that I have no one makes my eyes burn as I fight back tears. "Kill me and get it over with." I say, barely above a whisper.

I look up to see the Alpha's eyebrows furrowed. He then grabs my chin and aggressively turns my face from left to right. He let's go of my face and then leans in close to sniff me.

My breath hitches, and I freeze. I can't help but think what the heck is wrong with him? He instantly pulls himself back and lets out a low growl, and his face shows only disgust.

He stood up and looked down at me, his voice deep and his tone sharp. "What's your name, pup?"

"P-ppup? I look at him with confusion stretched across my face. His face hardens after my question, and with instant regret, his foot lands a hard blow straight in my chest. Knocking me to the ground, I start to wither, as I cough and gasp for air.

While I'm still on my back on the ground, he comes to my side and puts his foot and majority of his body weight on the upper chest close to my neck, making it hard to breathe.

I struggle to get from under his heavy foot, but all is in vein as the man doesn't even budge. His eyes never leave mine and his voice laced with all darkness and pure evil, "I don't do kindly to disrespect.

The next time you are in my presence, bow and bare your neck at me and always address me as Alpha, rule number one. Rule number two you don't ask questions I do.

And rule number three, you are now living with my permission, and hereby, as of today, you are now property of Roman. Do I make myself clear?"

I quickly nod because I'm slowly losing consciousness. He adds more pressure as his foot pushes harder into my neck.

My eyes are burning as I hold back tears, and my throat feels like it is on fire.

He seems unbothered by the fact that I'm starting to slip into the darkness. He glares down at me, his face hardens and his eyes are saturated in evil and hate, his voice even darker and deeper than before says the words I'll never forget.

"If I have to repeat any of this to you again, I won't hesitate to kill you."

He releases me, then turns to address the man behind him, but before he does, he says in a much softer voice. "What's your name and where are your parents?"

I stiffened at the mention of my parents but quickly recovered to make sure his question did not go unanswered. I have to follow the rules. Just three rules.

With my head bowed and my eyes never leaving the ground, I respond, my voice calmer than expected.

"Shadow. Shadow Monroe and I dont really remember my parents. I've been an orphan since I was five, Alpha, sir."Hmm." is all he says before signaling his goons.

"Miss Shadow here, will be joining us...Ferro, you're in charge of her. Have someone get everything situated for her stay. I have other business to tend to, but I'll meet you at the house later.

There are some things we have to discuss." My gaze is locked on the ground as I hear the Alpha's footsteps going towards the parked car, blocking the alleyway's entrance.

I hear another pair of foot steps approaching me, and when I turn around to a syringe being inserted into my neck. It makes me dizzy immediately, followed by drowsiness.

Before I completely give into the darkness, I see what looks like a black sack being pulled over my head.

Great. I run away from the orphange just to be captured by a merciless monster.

What a f***ing joke.