5. FireHeart Pack

CHAPTER 5

PYRA's POV:

I groggily struggled to open my eyes, feeling the cold sink deep into my bones.

No matter how much I tried to open them, to move an inch of my eyelid, they refused to bulge. It was as if they were heavily weighed down by an invisible force like a thousand bricks pressing down on them.

'Was I dead?' I wondered.

Was this how the afterworld felt?

I felt like a prisoner, imprisoned in my own body.

I could remember unquestionably falling to my death off the cliff, the crashing impact with the water's surface, and the excruciating pain that still lingered vividly in my mind.

I knew I was dead at that moment since no one could have ever survived that impact.

But… the persistent throbbing of my heart and the feeling of the blood mixed with anguish coursing through my veins told me a different story.

I realized I wasn't dead after all. The pain and coldness after my rejection were too real and intense to ignore.

But where was I? Why was it so cold here?

"Wake up, goddammit!" A thick, gruff voice boomed, piercing through the air, followed by a torrent of icy water that rained on me, jolting me back to my senses.

My eyes flew open as I gasped for air, trying to catch my breath against the cold. My vision was heavily blurred as the frigid water enveloped me.

"W-what…" I stammered, trying to make sense of what was happening as my vision slowly started returning.

I frantically looked around and noticed I was in a dimly lit room. It was damp, and only a single fire torch lit the place up, casting it in shadows.

I tried to move my hands to wipe my face but heard shackles. I took a subtle glance and saw that my hands and legs were chained to the wall like a prisoner.

'What's happening?' Panic settled in as I frantically searched for answers and the reason I was currently in this position. I was supposed to be dead or even washed up by the river banks, not in this place.

"Finally, she's awake." The same voice I heard before the cold water splashed on me spoke out, making me look up at the tall shadow appearing before me.

Once my eyes were fully open and balanced with the darkness of the cellar, I noticed a man hovering over me; his facial expression had hardened.

"I thought you would sleep forever." He spoke, his deep voice reverberating through the small space. "Lukas, inform the Beta that she's awake now. Hurry!" He ordered someone to be behind him.

"Wh-where am… I?" I struggled to form a sentence as my throat was dry.

The man ignored me and only paced repeatedly in front of me.

I tried screaming to seek aid, but no sounds came. All I could feel was a pain in my throat and heart as I realized the state I was currently in.

I struggled against the restraint, but it was too strong

"Calm down, girl. You'll only make things worse for yourself." The man said as a looming figure appeared before us.

"Struggle all you want, spy. But you aren't getting away that easily. You'll tell me all I need to know." His deep voice was all I could hear before I saw a handsome man step into the light of the torch.

"Beta Thane! You're finally here." The man who was with me when I woke up said, slightly relieved.

The man they called 'Thane' was a tall, pale-skinned man with a low buzz cut and a light brown stubble that framed his jaw. He was dressed in simple pants and a shirt. His blue, piercing eyes stared straight at me as he approached.

I was unable to talk but only stared as Beta Thane exchanged conversations with Luke, the guy who left to call him.

They finally finished, and Beta Thane turned to me, stoic.

"Who are you, and why are you in my pack's territory?" He asked, his deep voice low and threatening. His eyes narrowed and were filled with so much hate that I shrank in fear.

He reminded me of Natalie and her gang.

"I asked you a question. You either answer now or choose the hard way. WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE IN THE FIREHEART PARK!" He growled.

My eyes widened at his words... Fireheart pack?

I had never been outside of my pack, but this was the first time I had heard of such a pack.

Thane approached me and held my chin hard, his claws slowly tracing the side of my jaw. I whimpered from the pain, unable to say anything as a lump formed in my throat and tears brimmed in my eyes.

"You're quiet, why? I know your smell. You reek of them," he said in disgust. "You reek of the smell of the FANGBORN pack." He spat on my cheek.

"You're a spy, right? You came here to get information to gain advantage in this war, am I right? Speak now!" he snarled.

I shook my head, trying to deny what he was saying, but my voice betrayed me as I completely lost it.

"Well, I guess some torture would make you expose your secrets. Luke, bring in the silver and mistletoe."

"Yes, beta."

Beta Thane's eyes gleamed with a light of cruelty as he nodded at Luke, who brought needles, and all sorts of apparatus—a large bucket of what I could only guess as the silver and mistletoe must be contained.

'No, please, no' I tried to say, but the words were stuck in my mouth. I shook aggressively as Thane approached.

"Beta, are you sure this is the right option? Luna didn't authorize this!" The guy who poured me the icy water said, his eyes holding pity.

"Shut up, Bryan. I'm in charge here.” Thane growled at him. "We will get to the bottom of this and show her what happens to spies that enter our territory."

"I'm sorry, but I can't watch this." Bryan exited the room, leaving me with beta Thane.

‘No, come back. Help me!’

My heart hammered as Thane picked up a silver blade and dipped it in the bucket. It glinted in the torchlight, promising pain.

"Tell me, spy," Thane sniggered, his deep voice dripping with benevolence. "What were you sent to discover? What was your mission?"

I shook my head immediately, heavy pools of tears streaming down my face. "I… no …. argh!” I screamed in pain as the blade tore into my skin.

Thane chuckled. "Wrong answer. You answer me directly and do not waste my time." His eyes held pain and malice as he looked at me.

"Don't even deny you're not a spy, for immediately the pack warriors who were patrolling the territory found and brought you here, we were attacked."

"You were sent as a distraction, and they used that opening to their advantage. To bring us down." Thane pressed the edge of the knife to my cheek, and I could feel the searing pain as my skin burned.

I screamed, my crooked voice letting out a piercing sound. "Please, I'm not a spy. Please stop." I managed to let out, but it fell on deaf ears.

"Lies, you speak. I can't believe anyone from the FANGBORN PACK, you all are monsters!"

I shook in fear and desperation. "Please, you have to believe me. I was attacked and exiled from my pack. I'm innocent. I was only trying to escape..." I said, finding my voice as adrenaline rushed through my veins. He had to believe me that I was telling the truth.

"Liar," the blade was getting closer to my eyes as my vision grew hazy and unfocused.

"STOP!" A sweet, feminine voice shouted, and I slowly looked up to the source.

I stared at the most beautiful woman I had ever seen. Despite my haziness, her beauty was palatable.

She had lengthy, dark hair that cascaded down her back like waterfalls. Her skin was as flawless and light as porcelain, yet shimmering in the darkness was a contrast to her red, ruby lips.

Her piercing emerald-green eyes seemed to pierce into mine.

I smiled as I knew the moon goddess had finally come for me.

Finally, the sweet embrace of death.

I closed my eyes to the harsh reality as darkness enveloped me.