Starve her

Two rough hands grabbed me from behind before I could react. Panic shot through me like lightning as I thrashed against their grip, but they were too strong.

I met his gaze one last time as I was dragged away, his golden eyes gleaming with anger. I had irritated him by refusing the meat but what was I supposed to do?!

Meat was disgusting to me.

I felt like crying when the warriors threw me in the said dungeon. It was worse than I had imagined. Cold, damp, and reeking of mildew and rot. I tried to get out but they shoved me inside again and my knees hit the unforgiving stone floor. The door slammed shut behind me, the finality of it settling in my chest like a boulder.

Three days.

Three days without food, without warmth, without knowing what he would do to me next.

I curled into myself, pressing my forehead against my knees. The walls felt like they were closing in, the silence deafening.

And then the memories of my dead brother flowed in my head. What did we do humans to deserve this?!

Tears welled in my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. Crying wouldn’t bring Alex back. It wouldn’t undo the moment those werewolves had torn into him, his screams echoing in my head even now.

I clutched my arms around myself, trying to keep the grief from swallowing me whole.

I had lost everything.

And now, I was trapped in the heart of the enemy’s den, starving, cold, and completely at their mercy.

The only question that was now flowing in my head was that how long was it going to take before hunger overpowered my pride?

I tried to convince myself that I could last. That my will was stronger than my hunger.

But as the hours stretched into what felt like eternity, my stomach cramped painfully, and my throat burned with thirst. The cold seeped into my bones, making my limbs stiff and my thoughts sluggish.

I hugged my knees tighter, pressing my forehead against them as if that could shield me from the reality of my situation.

I was weak.

Weaker than I wanted to admit.

My body screamed for food, for water, for warmth. Every breath I took felt heavier, like my lungs were struggling to keep up. My pride had kept me from eating before, but now, with every second that passed, I wasn't sure how much longer I could hold on.

A faint noise reached my ears. Footsteps.

I didn’t move, but my pulse quickened.

Then, a metallic clank. The sound of the dungeon door unlocking.

I lifted my head, my vision blurry from exhaustion.

And there he was.

The golden-eyed werewolf stepped inside, his tall frame casting a shadow over me. His scent earthy, wild, overpowering filled the small space, making my senses sharpen despite my fatigue.

He crouched down in front of me, resting his elbows on his knees. His gaze swept over me, unreadable.

"You’re still alive," he murmured.

I clenched my jaw. I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of answering.

A small smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. "Humans are more fragile than us. You should’ve passed out by now."

I glared at him, though it took effort to even lift my head.

His smirk deepened, as if my defiance amused him.

"Bring her the meat", 

My stomach twisted violently at his words. "Meat again?", This werewolf seemed heartless.

"Here it is Alpha", 

A warrior stepped into the cell, holding a wooden plate. The thick, iron-rich scent of cooked meat filled the space. It wasn’t raw this time, but that didn’t make it any more appetizing.

The werewolf placed the plate down beside me, then stepped back.

The so called Alpha didn’t take his eyes off me. He was waiting, watching, testing me again.

“Eat,” he ordered, his voice calm, but the command beneath it was clear.

I swallowed hard, my throat so dry it hurt. I could feel my body begging for food, but my mind resisted.

“I told you,” I rasped, my voice barely there. “I don’t eat meat.”

A flicker of irritation crossed his face.

“And I told you,” he said, his voice dipping into something more dangerous, “you either eat, or you suffer.”

I was already suffering.

But if I kept refusing, what would he do next?

I clenched my hands into fists. “I won’t eat it.”

He exhaled sharply through his nose, then stood. His towering form made me feel even smaller, even weaker.

 "Everyone breaks eventually. When you feel hungry, you will eat it"

With that, he turned and walked away, leaving me alone in the dark.

The scent of the meat lingered, thick and suffocating in the damp air. I clenched my fists, pressing my nails into my palms, trying to focus on anything other than the way my stomach twisted in hunger.

I wouldn't eat it. I couldn't.

But the hours dragged on, and the hunger gnawed at me like a beast, hollowing me out from the inside. My lips were cracked, my body trembling from exhaustion. The cold stone beneath me offered no comfort, only a reminder of my helplessness.

I wasn’t sure how long I sat there, staring at the untouched plate but when boots clicked against the stone floor, slow, deliberate steps. I forced my head up, my vision swimming, and found myself staring at the werewolves that had come this time.

The so called Alpha wasn't with them.

"She has still refused to eat the meat beta Henry", One of them murmured.  Beta Henry glanced at the plate and let out a low whistle.

"She really has pride but Alpha Idris is going to break her until she submits", They murmured to themselves.

"Take her to Alpha’s quarters,  that's where he wants her now",  It was the so called beta Henry that spoke then other werewolves nodded their heads.