7. Clash.

~LAYLA~

It is getting dark outside.

I look away from the window above me and exhale, rubbing my left wrist with my callused right palm.

I still can't believe that I am unshackled.

For now.

The grumpy guard who unshackled me called me filth and said his Alpha gave him the order to have me freed from the chains binding me to the wall.

I really contemplated on taking that chance; knock the guard straight out and escape.

But then, I held back because I couldn't risk taking that move. At least not yet.

Being rash could cost me my life. I am not stupid, and I don't want to die.

Nevertheless, I am still locked up in here. Still not free.

The cold floor beneath my bare feet is uncomfortable, but I have grown used to it. Right now, I am sitting on the small bunk bed right at a corner of my cell, staring down at a plate containing my dinner before me.

Six loaves of bread, two hams, and two thick sausages.

My mouth waters at the sight of the meal. To be honest, I am really grateful for the food.

The last time I can remember feeding my stomach was when Kaliq forced a smelly moldy bread down my throat so that I don't die of starvation, which would have led him into losing a lot of bounty money placed on my head.

He nearly choked me to death with that stale bread, but I survived with the food poison already deep inside my belly.

Despite trying to hold back, I still ended up purging out the entire thing the following day, returning my stomach back to hunger land.

I sigh, pushing down the horrible memories.

Eat this gorgeous meal right in front of you for now, Layla. Stop thinking about the past.

Just as I stretch out my hand to take one of the loaves of bread, I hear loud footsteps echoing down the corridor.

I pull back my hand and sit up straight on the bed, bracing myself for another possible round of interrogation.

But as I pay more attention to the sounds of the footsteps, I realize that they sound sharper, not sturdy and deeper like Raelin's.

They also echo more like clanking noises disturbing the peace and quiet of this jail area.

I am still stuck up in my mind trying to figure out what is happening when a shadowy figure appears right in front of my cell and stands.

Everywhere instantly falls quiet again. The clanking noises are no more.

“So, you’re the rogue dirt that Ray is still keeping prisoner.”

My skin instantly prickles at the snarky tone of the female voice that belongs to the shadowy figure still standing outside there. Her scent slithers into my cell, a mixture of expensive floral perfume tainted with a familiar arrogance.

A familiar arrogance that I have experienced before in the past at the hands of some nosy shewolves that tried bullying me and my brother back home.

A home that is no more.

This shewolf, whoever she is, has just added herself to my mindlist of the people I fucking hate.

Sighing, I stand up from my bed and take a few steps towards the cell door caging me in. I stop just a few steps away from the metal bars.

Now close enough, I notice the white florescent lights of the corridors glowing on the female's face and body, highlighting the contours of her face, her fairly tanned skin and body curves, alongside her long legs and stylish black heels.

Those heels must have been the culprits responsible for the clanking noises earlier.

“My name is Layla.” I fold my arms across my chest, speaking up. “Your Alpha is still keeping me prisoner because he knows I am valuable to him.”

I feel like I am utterly lying as the words leave my lips, but I cling to them.

Even if they are false claims, I doubt if this shewolf right in front of my cell knows.

“Is that so?” She takes a step closer, and I catch the blue and green colors of her eyes.

They are striking.

Okay. Alright. Yes, she is beautiful, with her long dark hair and unique set of mismatched eyes.

Her kind of beauty can turn heads without even trying.

I take pride in my own beauty, but that does not mean I am too proud to acknowledge someone else I find to be attractive as well.

However, right now, this shewolf sounds threatening. Like bad news. She also lacks simple courtesy.

I am sure I did not demean or hurt her in any way before.

She is staring at me like she wants to rip out the bars of my cell and sink her claws into my chest. I stare right back at her, not moving a single inch.

“Do you mind telling me your name?” I tilt my head to the side, still holding her stabby gaze. “I just told you mine.”

She lets out a mocking laugh. “You wish.”

“My bad.” I chuckle. “Here I was, thinking we could be friends.”

I hear her make a flimsy little growl.

“Did you just insult me?” Her hands grip tighter around the cell bars.

I almost flinch at her icy tone, but I keep myself grounded with my arms still folded across my chest.

I refuse to let this rabid bitch intimidate me.

“I just thought we could be friends.” I shrug. “Afterall, you are here to see me, aren't you?”

“You’re one lucky little bitch.” She hurls at me. “It’s not every day that Ray decides to keep a rogue alive. Cutting off your tongue will be more than showing you enough mercy.”

I expel a bored sigh, which is followed by a wide yawn.

Damn, I am hungry.

“See, I never asked to be kept here against my will. But don't worry. I'm sure your Alpha has more important things he is dealing with than wasting his precious time on me.”

Her eyes narrow into piercing slits at my words, her voice dropping to a deathly whisper.

“That’s all the more reason why he needs to send you to hell. I don't know why Ray is still keeping you alive, but trust me, I'll find out. And when I do, you will wish you never stepped your bloody feet into this pack.”

Her eyes are flashing with anger. She takes a step back, expelling a furious breath and flipping her curls back.

She is trying to compose herself, but the fury in her eyes is still glaring at me.

“I care about my pack, about Ray.” She continues. “He is mine, and I won’t let a worthless thing like you ruin everything we've built together.”

What the hell is wrong with this bitch?

“Raelin Michaelson is an Alpha.” She points her index finger at me. “You are nothing.”

A surge of anger rush through my veins the instant her merciless words stab into me. I clench my fists, pushing down the burning feeling.

This bitch is trying to provoke me, but I am far too smart to let her think she can succeed in getting a rise out of me.

I can’t help but let out a bitter laugh.

“You're wasting your breath,” I say coldly. “I know I don't belong here. And as you can see, I'm the one behind bars. You have nothing to worry about, princess.”

She huffs, clearly irritated that I did not scratch her itchy craving of watching me cower before her. She turns on her heels and starts walking away.

“Hey, you still haven't told me your name!” I shout after her disappearing figure.

No response.

I laugh, still hearing the annoying clanking noises of her stupid heels marching down the corridor.

The sounds become fainter and fainter until I no longer hear them anymore.