Twenty three

LOVETH'S POV

My body trembled uncontrollably, fear rippling through me under the weight of his cold, unrelenting glare. His eyes burned with such hatred that I wished I could vanish, dissolve into nothingness, and escape his wrath. But wishes were futile here, and the terror in his voice pinned me in place.

"Are you ready to talk now?" His tone was devoid of any warmth, a frozen blade slicing through the air.

"I..." My voice cracked, barely a whisper, betraying the turmoil inside me.

I wanted to plead my case, to find the words that might shield me, but his stare was suffocating. His presence loomed large as he rose from his chair, and instinctively, I stepped back, colliding with the quard stationed behind me. The guard’s grip tightened painfully on my arm, and I gasped, wincing.

The alpha growled-a low, menacing Sound that sent a chill through the room. The guard's hand immediately released me as if burned. Was the growl meant for me or the guard? I couldn't be sure, but it didn't matter. The room was suffocating with danger. 

The alpha took a measured step toward me, and I shuddered, feeling the walls close in.

"Perhaps you should exercise some restraint," the elderly man beside him interjected in a calm but firm tone. The alpha barely acknowledged him.

"The more time we waste, the slimmer the chances of finding my sister. If you can't stomach what comes next, leave." His words dripped with venom, and the man flinched, though he didn't move.

Instead, he leaned closer to the alpha, murmuring something too low for me to catch. His defiance surprised me, but it also terrified me. Would this man pay with his life for daring to oppose the alpha? Wasn't he frightened by the raging alpha? Although he was speaking in my defense but what if it cost him his life?.

The alpha's response was a guttural snarl, sharp and threatening. And without another word, the elderly man stormed out of the room, the door slamming behind him with a deafening crash. 

I flinched, trembling at every sudden noise as my nerves frayed further. The alpha turned back to me, his presence suffocating as he grabbed my jaw in a punishing grip. Pain seared through my face, and I whimpered, my breath hitching. But then, something shifted. His hand fell away abruptly, as though my skin had burned him. He began pacing furiously, his energy volatile and dangerous. I dared not move, my limbs frozen in terror as I watched his every step.

"For the last time, where is my Sister?”, he said, his voice eerily calm now, though his eyes promised anything but peace. I knew not to deceive myself into thinking he was calm.

"I don't know!" The words burst out, cracked and desperate, accompanied by tears streaming down my cheeks.

 I've said this countless times and I'll say it again. I don’t know his sister.

"I've told you already" I cried. "I don't know anything about her or... or any murder!"

His eyes narrowed, his fury darkening. 

"Have you forgotten the sting of the whip so soon? Speak, or I'l have them use spiked ropes this time."

Spiked ropes. My heart plummeted at the thought. Surviving the first round of punishment had been a miracle; another would surely kill me. He was definitely planning to murder me then. But how could I say anything when I didn't know what he was talking about?

"I swear", l sobbed, shaking uncontrollably. "I know nothing about your sister. Please, believe me!"

"Get the whip" he commanded coldly. I dropped to my knees in an instant, desperation overtaking my pride.

"No! Please, not that! Anything but the whip!"

He stared at me for a long time, as if debating on a decision, his gaze piercing, weighing my words-or perhaps my worth. The room felt suffocating, the air thick with tension. Just then, a guard entered the room and approached him, whispering something into his ear. Whatever the guard said caused the alpha's expression to shift. And without another word, he stormed out of the room, leaving me crumpled on the floor.

I sobbed quietly, the flood of tears beyond my control. The weight of uncertainty pressed down on me like a crushing wave. No matter how much I tried to stop the tears, they kept flowing freely.

 Would I Survive this? What fate awaited me at the hands of the ruthless alpha?

 The door flew open again, and I flinched, my body bracing for the worst as I stood on my knees instantly, ready to plead my case. But it wasn't him. A tall woman with a hard, unforgiving expression stepped inside, her presence commanding the room.

"The alpha sent me”, she announced curtly, her voice echoing with authority.

Relief washed over me momentarily as I noticed she carried no weapons.

"Get up," she ordered, and I obeyed immediately, scrambling to my feet.

"Where are you taking her?" one of the guards questioned, stepping forward.

"To her new duties" the woman replied sharply.

"Duties?" The taller guard raised an eyebrow.

"She'll serve as a low-level maid until the alpha decides her fate," the woman clarified with biting indifference.

The guards exchanged glances before stepping aside, allowing her to lead me away. I followed her, struggling to match her brisk pace.

"Pick up your feet, human," she snapped. "Unless you want me to drag you."

I bit back a retort, my legs already aching as I hurried to keep up. I certainly don't have super speed like them. I am just human that's if I can still remember clearly. I was practically running to keep up with her. So what else could she want from me?.

 Tears threatened to spill again, but I swallowed them down. 

"At least, It's better than dying”, my subconscious whispered. 

Yes. But a low-level maid?. I was definitely going to be wishing for death. 

Her pace didn't slow until we descended a creaky staircase into a dimly lit basement. The air was thick with the stench of decay, making me gag. We continued walking further away from the rest of the rooms, until we stopped in front of an isolated room at the end of the hall.

Even with my senses, I could perceive the stench from a fae. The wonan crossed her hands over her chest and motioned for me to go further.

"This is your new home" she said, a cruel smirk tugging at her lips. 

“I..my..”, I hesitated, the rancid smell assaulting my senses. 

The smell was too bad. How could I go further talk more of sleeping inside there? Even the dungeon didn't smell this bad. 

Before I could respond, she shoved me forward, forcing me into the room. 

"I didn't give you a chance human. Go and have a look at your room",

Not wanting to infuriate the large woman further, I listened to her, holding my breath as I stepped into the room. It wasn't much. Infact the space was barely livable-filthy walls that I would have to curl myself up to sleep. Cracked tiles, and a thin, soaked mattress that reeked of mildew. My stomach churned. How can they ask a person to live here? It wasn't even a suitable position for an animal to live. 

After checking out the room, I stepped out, only to come face to face with a crowd.

"Who is this?" One asked.

"The alpha sent her to us. She's our new toy",

What!!? Toy? I could vividly see the excitement on their ugly faces and it frightened me. Someone instantly pushed through the crowd and some supplies were thrown at me.

"Clean it or don't" she sneered. "But you're waking up at four, so make your peace with it." With that, she turned on her heel and left, taking the other onlookers with her.

Alone in the foul-smelling room, I sank to the floor, tears streaming once more. I need not be told that this was another hell for me. 

How much more of this could I endure? How far would this hell stretch?