CHAPTER ONE

Dim was the moon but anyone could see through the darkness as torches were lit, their rays shining across the field. Indistinct chatter filled the air across the open space as the prisoners uttered words in low tones while some laughed out loud.

They didn't laugh because of something funny but rather, because they had lost hope as their laugh was followed by a loud cry after beating up themselves.

The Dreadhowl pack wasn't a place anyone would dream to be. Once you're enslaved, there's no escaping and every single one knew that was the end of the road for them.

The only time they have a sense of freedom was when they were freed from their cells to roam around in the free space. None could fight back as their wolves had been suppressed by a collar locked around their necks. 

“Hey! Hey!” One of the prisoners crawled on his knees, referring to another. “You're always sitting alone… Don't you have any friends… you can make one with me, don't you think?”

Eirlys shook her head but kept mute.

“Are you thinking about escaping? If it's that… I won't tell. Just take me with you,” The girl who looked like she was in her early 20s, pressed further, now close to Eirlys.

Eirlys struggled to loosen her grip on her legs and soon kicked her so that she fell on her back. 

“Leave me alone.” Her voice barely above a whisper. She turned and readjusted on the pavement she sat on, her eyes darting around the fenced space. It was a wide area and there was only one way out. An iron door constructed at one end of the high fence. It led to the outskirts of the city.

Four guards were stationed at each end of the space. They were always there whenever the prisoners were let out of their cells.

There was no escaping there without the keys and no one could get it. And if anyone could get the keys, they would have to get through the guards, who looked powerful, especially when they shift.

Eirlys sighed, her hairs scattered all over her face. The only way anyone could see her face was if they got too close and they may not. She had always been like that, hiding her face behind her hair.

She bowed, her head buried between her laps, her hands crossed above her head and her legs tapping the ground consistently. 

“You don't get to push me… You braaaat.” The prisoner stood up and lifted her hand, about to land it on Eirlys. But, Eirlys raised her head in a swift meeting her gaze. Her hair flung up into the air and piled up behind the back of her head, revealing her face.

The girl became startled, losing her balance as she staggered backwards. 

“Witch…” she bit down her teeth. “What's with that face?” she pointed her finger at her.

“Go… Don't ever disturb me again.” She smirked.

There was a moment of silence as the girl propelled her head forward, scouting Eirlys face. Eirlys looked away slowly but spied on her. She took her eyes off him as the girl pressed on with her gaze on her, studying her with every focus like a predator monitoring its prey.

“Why are you staring? Just go your way already.” She turned away from her.

The girl bursted into laughter, clapping her hands. “Now I see the reason you're always sitting alone.” 

Her laughter got others attention and in no time, they surrounded her, wanting to know what had happened. 

“Everyone knows her here but she's always alone… and now I know why,” she narrated and stepped a few distance close to Eirlys. She extended her hand and dared to touch her but wasn't bold enough to do it. 

Picture of Eirlys face from her earlier look, taunted her. She immediately dragged her hand for a second and backed away, knowing she would struggle with her. 

Eirlys looked up, her hair flung around a second time and her face became visible to all. There was a moment of silence as it hung in the air. 

Just after that, everyone bursted into laughter. 

“Look at her face.” The girl screamed.

“I guess she's an outcast.” One of the prisoners suggested.

“No wonder she has no friends… who would want to be friends with her.” Another said while laughing.

“No one would want to have her by their side… she's cursed.” The girl howled, her voice echoing.

Eirlys shut out their voices, her palm pressed against her ears, like the words were taking a hold on her. “Just please… stop already,” she wagged her head.

“I'm sorry, Eirlys, there's nothing I can do to stop this from happening… I don't want to lose you but there's nothing I can do about it.”

She remembered those words, sounding audible in her ears like they were uttered yesterday with a broken voice.

“No, no… no, I can't take this “ she muttered.

Her jaw tightened, her hands slightly turning into fist. “Stop this already.” She stood up in a swift and grabbed hold of the girl by her worn out shirt. Her hand hung midway in the air. Her fist was so tight that her knuckles were starting to turn white.

She gritted her teeth but could not bring herself to hit the girl but her eyes were locked with the girl’s. The girl fidgeted, her eyes blinking.

The rest of the prisoners drifted into silence like a light bulb turned off from its switch.

“Why can't you just go your own way?” Eirlys questioned, her voice low and breaking. “Making fun of others isn't the best thing to do.” Tears welled up in her eyes.

The girl swallowed hard, unable to respond. She grunted, wanting to say something but could not bring herself to utter a single word.

Eirlys screamed, her arm trembling as she strived to hold back from hitting her. She shut her eyes for a moment and in no time screamed a second time, her hands propelled forward, about to hit her when a loud voice came from behind.

“Enough. That's enough.”

Everyone anticipating Eirlys next move, dispersed themselves and acted all composed. Eirlys turned her head, slowly releasing her hold on the girl. They were no different from each other based on their looks. Both in their 20’s.

“What's going on here?” 

The voice came again. It was the Tyrant. The Alpha of the pack. He walked amidst the prisoners while three guards walked behind him. Everyone bowed their heads as he walked past them. They all knew the Tyrant for his ruthless judgement and the way he dealt with slaves like them .

He walked straight to Eirlys and stood right in front of her. “What happened?” He placed a thumb under her jaw and raised her head so that she made eye contact with him.

Early dared to stare into his eyes, though was silent for a moment but spoke up when his mouth seemed to move. “Why do you want to know, huh? You should know by now.” She shook her head, his hand falling back to his side.

He smiled and nodded. He tilted his head and furrowed his eyebrows for a moment. “Look at me.” He commanded, turning to the girl.

“What's your name?”

“A… A… Aria.” She struggled to articulate her words. “My name is Aria.” She slowly raised her head but could not meet his gaze.

“Indeed Aria…” his fingers spread widely by his sides, folding and stretching. His hand swung into the air and with a loud crack, he landed a slap on her, enough to jerk her head to the other side.

“Hey, no… why did you hit her?” Eirlys screamed and got hold of Aria before she could fall after losing her balance. “Don't fight for me…” she turned to Aria, placing her palm on her cheek.

“Are you okay?” 

But before Aria could respond, the Tyrant held her hand and pulled her close to him. “Don't you see what I'm doing here? I'm trying to help you.” He paused and let out a sigh. “All you have to do is do as I've told you.” 

“Why do you care? Why do you treat me differently… you don’t even know me and now, because of your actions, they all make fun of me all because they think I’m different… just let me be, please.” She let out a deep breath.

He gulped down and extended his hand toward her cheek in an attempt to touch her but Eirlys retracted her head backward.

“Yes, you are different and you know it… don’t blame me for them taunting you… that’s not my fault.” He paused and bit down one end of his lip. “I know you resent me for your enslavement but you should also know this… I don’t decide alone. And ever since you got here, tell me if I'm wrong… you've been treated differently, except that you have no freedom.” He glanced around with his eyes and noticed himself and Eirlys were the center of attention. 

“Everyone back off. Back to your cell.” He clicked his fingers and immediately, the guards overseeing the prisoners all directed them through the entrance. “You too girl… don’t just stand there.” He gestured with his eyes, so that Aria left with the rest.

“I should also take my leave.” She took a step but he stopped her, grabbing her by her wrist and pulling her back. But at that moment, Eirlys stumbled and was about to fall. He held her in a swift and pulled her back toward him so that she rested on him. 

“I’m sorry… My bad.” She backed away and straightened herself, her fist tightened at one side.

The Tyrant nodded. “It’s okay. I’m just trying to help you but you don't see that.”

Eirlys chuckled, her hands crossed behind her back. “You're just trying to help me, right? But you don’t want me out of your sight. If you care for me enough… then you will let me go. You will set me free. But you can’t, right?”

He folded his lips, narrowing his thoughts, not knowing how to respond. “You can head back into your cell… It’s already late.”

Eirlys bowed her head slightly and walked away hurriedly. She smiled and opened her hands, revealing bunches of keys. She folded her hands and walked in through the door.