chapter 1

CARA

The scent of rain lingered in the air, mingling with the sharp tang of fear. My heart pounded like a war drum as I sprinted up the worn stairs of the old building. The cold, damp air bit at my skin, but I didn't stop. I couldn't stop.

“Cara, wait!” Alice's voice echoed through the empty corridors, filled with concern. Her plea was swallowed by the groaning of old wood beneath our feet, but I didn’t turn back.

The shadows seemed to close in around me, tightening their grip as I forced myself forward, tears burning my eyes.“Just leave me alone!” I choked out, my voice raw and trembling. I didn’t care how broken I sounded, I just needed to escape this endless nightmare to find some sliver of peace.

My park is a very big pack. It has many structures and investments to its name,one of these structures being this place, the servant quarters,a place that we the Omegas and lesser packmates call home.

A building that has been left in the mercy of destruction by my alpha, but seeing that his labour, practically servants were increasing in number, decided to renovate the abandoned property.

I ran blindly to my room, not caring about my worried friend running after me. I just needed some space after being treated like a remote-controlled pet, which I already was anyway after coming from the alpha office.

I fumbled with the right key on the lock, but my shaking hands just can’t cooperate with me. But at last, the door opened, and I stumbled inside, locking the door behind me.

Leaning against the door, I slid to the floor, gasping for breath, as though someone whose airway was blocked but was finally released. The tears that threatened to spill out when I was in the Alpha office gushed out like waterfall, blinding my vision.

Holding my head, I tried to block out the tormenting memories.

It all started this morning…

****

(In the morning)

I had just woken up from my sleep, dragging myself out of bed. After a quick, cold wash, I had stood in front of the cracked mirror hanging above the rusted sink, staring at the shadow of the girl I had become. With skin, pale and thin, and cracked mouth. I hissed in pain as I tried nursing my wounds I received recently.

Numerous tending of my wounds and sometimes other of my fellow servants has made me a miniature moving hospital. I hissed in removing the bandages I applied to it the other day. Thankfully, it has joined its fellow mates to imprint a scar on my tender skin.

The faded scars of other punishment I had received for years are still imprinted on my skin.I cringed as I recall the pain of the whip. I could still remember it as if it were today.

The Bane Whip, as it was called, is a whip made for werewolves and dipped in wolfbane specifically so that the scars will resist the healing nature of us werewolves.

It runs along my back down to the top of my shoulder. A constant reminder of my place in the pack.

The alpha pack had so many of us that he got from wrecked and destroyed packs that were invaded by rogues. We work for him and his pack, and we are given a little portion of food and a roof to sleep under. To many of us, we see it as a chance of salvation because wolves without packs become rogues who roam the great woods.

My hair, which was still wet from bathing, was folded up with a towel, but on normal days, it ran down the small of my back. Yes, I know you might wonder how ridiculous it might be, but that was how I was born. With deep hazel eyes to match and a lean athletic figure.

I have high cheekbones and a perfectly shaped nose like I have been told by my friends in the pack.I sighed as the reflection staring back at me looked like someone who was malnourished and hadn't gotten good food for like forever.

Pushing all thought out of my head, I dressed in our normal dirty dress that we the Omegas usually wear to do labor.

I sensed my friend Alice coming out of her room, so I quickly finished what I was doing and opened the door, getting ready for today.

“Good morning, damsel in distress,” Alice's cheerful voice called out. Her grin was wide, her energy somehow unfazed by the weight of our reality.

I rolled my eyes, a small smile tugging at the corner of my lips despite myself. “Who’s a damsel, you old witch?” I shot back, nudging her playfully.

Alice has only been the only person I have bonded with since my stay in the pack. She is a cheerful girl and also a refugee of a pack that was attacked by rogues.We have that in common, and again, she was my age mate, 20 years old.

“Are you ready for the big day” Alice shouted like a baby in my ears. I shoved her off cause she was so loud in my sensitive ears.

“Alice, it's just a party,” I replied. I can't make out why my friend was always joyful and happy despite living in this hell hole. Sometimes, I can't help but envy her carefreeness.

As we made our way to the pack hall for breakfast, Alice chattered on about the upcoming party, a grand celebration where Alpha's son would be officially named the heir. Seeming very excited for the so-called party.

We were sitting at the table set aside from the rest of the dining tables with my fellow slaves, more of listening to Gossips that was flowing throughout the table.

Alice and Julia mostly argue on the park party that is upcoming a week after.

Julia mentioned that the party will be where Alpha's Son will be officially declared next in line to be the new Alpha.

What!? Cara shouted her voice a little higher than a slave gossiping about her alpha.

“Really Alice, keep it down” shifting on my seat, my eyes darting around the table.

“Oh my God, Alice,” Julia whispered. “Sorry, I was just shocked” Alice apologised.

I was curious as to know the latest gossip that Julia had probably told Cara,

I couldn't help but turn towards them with expectant eyes. Cara leaned and whispered to my ears that the king of rogues was spotted near a neighbouring pack.

I widened my eyes in shock as the “king” as was his title, was a well-known figure in the whole of Ellorin.

Though it was not proven, many regard him as the king of rogue wolves and consider him the strongest wolf no alpha has defeated till now.

“No wonder” I exclaimed, the security In the pack was tightened, and this morning on my way to the dining hall I could feel the tense atmosphere among the warriors of the pack as they patrolled with alertness.

Julia was one of us, but she worked in the Alphas house, so she quickly became Alice's friend and gossip mate. That's Gossips with her every morning, therefore making her an acquaintance.

The meal continued with Julia and Alice chattering around me about the latest gossip in the pack.

We finished eating, and just as we were to stand up, Aaron, who is also a refugee but works with the Alpha as his office errand boy came up to us.

“Hey Aaron” Alice greeted him. Aaron pretended not to hear her as he turned to me.

“the Alpha summoned you to his office” he uttered

Looks of surprise plastered on my friends face.I continued to think of why the Alpha wanted to see me. I was shivering as stories of the alpha I had heard started replaying in my head. My Alpha is not generally a kind or compassionate leader. His brutal ways of handling his pack members made everyone afraid of him.

I was led to the pack house where the alphas office was located. A three story building that was the biggest in the Pack. I shivered as I was led to his office. Alpha Black was a huge bulky man who had ribbed muscles with an imposing air. menacing tattoos were drawn all over his huge arm, which is the size of my head in width.

I bowed my head as his alphas' presence was pressuring me.

“Cara sit down” he said in his bariton voice, surprisingly gesturing to me.

I sat down with him, facing me with those piercing eyes of his.

There’s something important I need to discuss with you,” he began, his tone cold and matter-of-fact.

“From now on, you will no longer be part of this pack.”His words hung in the air, freezing me in place. I couldn’t comprehend what he was saying, couldn’t process the implications.

“You have been selected,” he continued, his voice like a hammer driving the words into my skull, “as a sign of goodwill for the relationship between our pack and a neighbouring one.”

I blinked, the reality of his words crashing over me like a tidal wave. My chest tightened with fear and confusion. To be sent to another pack as a gesture of goodwill? What did that even mean? My mind raced through the possibilities, each one more terrifying than the last. Would I be a servant? A concubine? Or worse?

“Cara, you should be grateful,” Alpha Black said, his voice cutting through my panic. “This is an honor. A service to the pack that saved you.”

But there was nothing honourable about it. I was being sold, handed off like a piece of property. My thoughts spiraled, a storm of fear and anger that I couldn’t control.

It felt like the world was closing in on me, and I couldn't breathe. When I could not take it any longer , I bolted out of the alphas office, running through the pack down to the servant quarters.

*****

(Back to present)

Tears streamed down my face as I recalled the Alpha’s words. What did it mean to be offered to other packs? The thought of being used by another Alpha chilled me.

i was jolted awake from my thoughts by loud banging on my door.

I stared at the door, my heart pounding, anxious on who it is and what the person wants.