Chapter 2

Berrilyl's POV 

The man’s expression darkened. "Feel free to punish her as you see fit," the masked man muttered, walking away.

The burly man stepped closer, towering over me. "From now on, you’ll call me Master Cain. Disobey, and you’ll regret it."

“Or what?” I challenged, defiance surging through my exhaustion.

The slap was brutal, sending me sprawling to the ground. Before I could recover, Cain ordered whips to be brought, and the lashes came fast and cruel. The pain was unbearable, tearing screams from my throat.

“Are you ready to comply?” he demanded.

“No,” I sobbed. “I won’t do it.”

“Double the whips,” he growled. The beating resumed with relentless ferocity until a voice cut through the air. “You will either comply or die!” 

“Then kill me! I don't care!” I yelled.

“That’s enough.”

The guards froze. I looked up through my tears to see a man clad in royal blue, his face concealed by a mask. The Alpha.

“What’s going on here?” he asked coldly.

“She refuses to join the slaves, Alpha,” Cain explained. “She’s demanding a death sentence.”

“Oh, she’ll get one,” the Alpha replied indifferently, his words chilling me to the core. “But not today.”

He stepped closer, addressing me directly. “Hello, princess. They say you’re causing trouble.”

“I won’t talk to a coward hiding behind a mask!” I spat.

Surprisingly, he chuckled. “There’s no need for more punishment. I’ll handle her myself. Bring her.”

The sorry glances thrown at me told me that I wasn't prepared for what was awaiting me and I wasn't wrong.

I was led to a room with no furniture except a table and on it lay the decomposing body of my husband, Owens.

The sight completely shattered me into a million pieces. I tried to get close but his guards blocked my path. 

“What… What are you doing with his body? Isn't it enough that you killed him?” I gritted. 

“No,” he shrugged. “It’s not enough. While I intend to hand his head over my pack walls, I have very big plans for his body.” 

“You monster!” I charged towards him but the guards pulled me back. 

“Now, listen carefully to me, princess. You will go back out there and do exactly as you are told or I might just show you how much of a monster I really am,” He said calmly. 

Tears brimmed in my eyes. 

I couldn't let him do whatever he wanted with my husband's body. It was bad enough he died because of my brother and I.

“Why…” The words were choked with sobs. “Why are you doing this to me? What exactly did my brother do to you?”

“Don't blame your brother for this, Berrilyl. You are just as guilty as he is,” he said. 

I was even more confused. He wouldn't tell me who he was and I couldn't think of anyone I could have hurt. 

“Why can't you just cut the chase and tell me who you are?” 

“I did. You were the one who forgot!” He spat. 

“Cage Milton?” I asked. “I don't know how else to tell you that I don't know who that is.”

“Don't you dare lie to me!” He growled.

“Then show me your fucking face!” I shot back and he reached for the mask. 

“You should watch your tone, else you'll lose that tongue of yours!” The guard warned. He was the same guard that took me out of the dungeons. 

He had to be someone important to answer so casually for the Alpha. 

“Make me!” I huffed. “Since when did you become his mouthpiece?” 

“Please ignore her insolence. She is just a spoiled brat grieving a dead man,” he pleaded.

“How dare you!” I fired. “You have no idea what it feels like to be in my shoes so forgive me for not throwing myself at your Alpha’s feet! He claims he is someone I hurt but I am very certain I have never seen him in my life! Even if I have, I am certain I didn't take anyone's life! I am not a monster like him! He should show his disgusting face if he dares!” 

“Are you stupid?” The guard snapped and I flinched. “If he takes off the mask you are going to die, you fool!” 

Die? From seeing his face?

I genuinely thought the masks were some sort of trend. I didn't realise they were actually protecting themselves from direct contact with him. 

“Why?” I blurted before I could stop myself.

No one bothered to answer me. 

“Take her back to Cain. I'm sure she will be more cooperative now that she knows what is at stake,” Alpha Cage said. 

My fists clenched hard but I couldn't argue. 

“My brother is not going to let this slide, I promise you. You will suffer for everything you've done!” I threatened as they dragged me outside. 

I winced as their hands roughly grazed my wounds. They didn't even try to be gentle.

I was taken back to Cain whose expression immediately changed on seeing me. I could already tell he hated me and frankly, I hated him too. 

I hated all of them!

“Get her to work!” The guard instructed, shoving me to the ground. In a matter of a few minutes, I was bound by chains and given a pick axe to join the others in the mines. 

The work was gruelling, my body screaming in protest with every swing.

“You’re holding the axe wrong,” a girl beside me whispered. She was as thin and dirty as the others but had kind eyes.

“Is this better?” I mumbled, adjusting my grip.

“Yeah,” she said with a small smile. “I’m Liah. You?”

“Berrilyl,” I replied weakly.

“You’re not from around here.”

“I’m Alpha blood. A princess,” I admitted.

Liah’s grin faded. “ It's written all over you. It must be tough for you.”

“It is,” I sighed. “Just thinking about the fact that this would have been my honeymoon makes me feel like screaming my lungs out.” 

“Honeymoon? You recently got married?” Liah’s eyes widened in shock.

We didn't even realise we stopped walking until the whips hit our backs. I let out a small cry. I was certain that my back was utterly destroyed with bruises. 

I set to work immediately. 

“What happened?” Liah asked. I was surprised she seemed unaffected by the lash. “Don't worry, with time you get used to it.” She answered before I even asked the question.

I wasn't looking forward to that. I just wanted to get out of here as soon as possible. 

“My groom was killed on our way back to his pack. They slit his throat right before me…” I shut my eyes tightly, unable to get any more words out. 

“I'm so sorry about that. I can't even imagine how you feel,” Her hazel eyes dampened with pity and it made me feel more pathetic.

“He could have just killed me too… death is a whole lot better than this life I have been subjected to. At least then, I could be with my husband,” I sniffled. 

“I'm so sorry…” 

“You know what's worse? I don't even know why. Your Alpha claims I offended him, but I'm not even sure I've ever heard his name, and he wouldn't take off the damn mask!”

“Trust me, that is a good thing,” Liah said almost immediately. “No one has ever seen the Alpha's face and lived to tell the story.” 

“Why?” I asked.

“I don't know—something about a curse. Why do you think his Beta and personal guards wear masks? They say his gaze burns like the blazing sun,” she said. 

My eyes narrowed at her. 

“Have you ever witnessed it? It sounds like a made-up story to me,” I said. 

“Well, no one wants to find out,” she chuckled. “Alpha Cage is a very cold-hearted and ruthless man, although many claim he used to be the most kind-hearted and thoughtful person they knew, but I highly doubt that. I've witnessed him kill off people without remorse and I can boldly say he is more heartless than the devil.” 

“Not for long,” I muttered.

“Why'd you say so?” She asked. 

“Because my brother is going to tear down the world to find me and when he does, your Alpha will be begging for death,” I said.

“It's good to see you sound so confident,” Liah smiled. “I hope he comes for you.” 

Soon, the work for the day ended, but I was asked to stay behind because my output was lower than everyone else. 

My worms were threatening to eat up my intestine but I couldn't leave until the work was completed. 

“You're still here?” Cain snickered. “You've barely filled a bucket and you have three more to go.”

“I'm working as hard as I can,” I answered in a monotone. I was well aware we were the only ones left in the mines and it made my skin crawl.

“You won't be able to leave if you fill these buckets and the mines are very dangerous at night!” He pointed out. 

I didn't offer any response to his statement. I just wanted him to go away.

“But I can let you off now,” he said suddenly and I stopped. 

“You can?” My eyes narrowed suspiciously at him.

“Yes, I can and I will,” he moved closer. “You just need to do as I say.” 

“What do I have to do?” I asked as he closed the distance between us. The lust dancing in his eyes felt like a thousand needles pricking my skin. 

“Let's start with you taking off that dress,” he whispered and I felt utterly disgusted.

“I think I prefer we start with you losing your balls,” I sneered, kneeing him directly in the balls and he let out a groan.

I didn't waste another minute before dashing out.