"I've had it with your intolerable behavior in this pack!" Grandfather roared at me.
I was seated in a chair in his office, grateful that he didn't make me to stand because my thighs were killing me terribly. I would need to dress them properly soon.
"You ..." Grandfather's voice bellowed, "I'm going to make sure you get sold to the Nightshade pack, you'll see!" He said in fury, his blond brows were furrowed and his eyes were etched with hatred.
The Nightshade pack? No ...
"Grand – I mean, your highness, please, you can't send me there ..." I pleaded with him, leaning forward from my chair.
"Silence! You have caused enough troubles for us in this pack, your behavior is just so disastrous that your presence is becoming a plague!" He declared at the top of his voice.
I gulped in a lump of saliva and sunk back into he chair.
He also relaxed into his bigger chair, rubbing his fingers on his temple. "If only your parents were here ..." He sighed, shutting his eyes momentarily.
There we go again, always trying to bring up my parents whenever he thinks I've done something bad.
"But if it weren't for you! ..." He wanted to yell again but he suddenly began to cough heavily.
The junior guard rushed over to him but he raised his hand to stop him.
"Just – get her out of here, lock her up till they come for her." He said in his throaty voice, his eyes red.
'That's what you get for always trying to blame me for my parents death!'
The guard grabbed hold of my chains and I quickly stood up so he wouldn't get a chance to pull at my neck. But that only got me into more pain, I almost fell due to the pain in my thighs.
With one glance at my grandfather who was already making use of his ink, feather and piece of parchment, we headed out.
The sound of the cell doors been shut was something I was already familiar with. If you asked me, I'd say most of my days on Earth were spent in the dungeons.
I wasn't feeling comfortable with all the stings on my thighs and so I dipped my hand into my dress and brought out a small brown rat which was asleep.
"Fubs, wake up." I patted the tiny furball but it still took a while before it jerked awake, squeaking in protest.
"Wake up, you lazy thing. I need you to get something for me." I placed it on the ground next to me as it rolled around for a while before facing me.
Leaning in towards it, I said, "I need some rags to dress my wounds, can you get that for me?" I whispered to it but it only gave a squeak as response. That was a yes!
"Good boy, you know where to get it, right –" before I could even finish my statement, it had scurried off as fast as it's tiny feet's could carry it.
Releasing a deep breath, I managed to place my legs properly and rest my back on the muddy wall of the cell.
I tried to force myself into a little slumber, trying to ignore the dung smelly breeze coming in from the narrow window, or the occasional attempts of flies trying to perch on my injured thighs.
Soon enough, I was drifting into blackness ...
...
"Hey wait up," I called at the tiny brown rat as I ran after it, trying my best to keep up. How can it be so fast if it's just a rat?
"Wait!" I called again as the rat made a turn by a large shrub. I quickly followed suit so as not to lose it.
But I didn't spot it when I made the same turn it had made.
"Where'd you go? I just want to take you home, to show you to mum and dad –" I tried to get it's attention by giving it sweet promises, something I learnt from Dad. But I meant all that.
"Come on, just come back, please." Sadness was beginning to descend upon my young heart. Why wouldn't it come –
I heard a sudden shriek from the bushes ahead and before I knew it, the same brown rat came rushing out. It landed in my arms, running around in a frenzy.
"Wh –what happened, what's going on?" I asked in genuine confusion.
And then that was when I heard it, the low sound of a deep growl. I took a step back as fear began to etch in. The rat had already found its way into one of the numerous pockets in the jacket Dad had gifted me just recently.
The bushes ahead shifted, slightly at first, but then it jerked violently and in a snap, a large brown head of a wolf popped out.
Either I had screamed first before taking to my heels, I had no idea. All I could remember was that I didn't look back at all, I just kept running.
But soon enough, my tiny leg hit a tree root and I was hurled into the dirt's of the forest ground.
"Ah!" I screamed in pain.
The growl sounded again and I turned around on the ground, only for me to set my eyes on three smallish wolves.
I scrambled on the ground in fear, unable to stand in my feet. I needed no one to tell me that they were rogues, every parents have told their children about them.
ROAR!
One of them suddenly leapt for me. Out of fear, I covered my face with my forearm but I didn't feel any weight on me afterward.
I peeped through and I saw a new but familiar wolf rolling along with the one which had attacked.
"Dad!" I cooed excitedly.
My Dad's larger black wolf stood above the attacker and looked at my direction. I could see the smirk on its face and I couldn't help but smile back.
It was when another wolf made to jump at me that I snapped out of it. A large wood crashed on its face and another hand grabbed my, pulling me along.
I looked up to see my mother, fear etched unto her face as she dragged me along.
"Mummy...what–about Daddy?" I asked amidst gasps for breath.
"He'll be okay, come on." She said without looking at me. We kept on running.
"Aaaaaaoooowwwwlll!!!" A loud cry echoed in the entire forest, Mummy instantly pulled to a stop, looking back.
I recognized that cry also, "Daddy?" Tears were already starting to well up in my eyes.
Mummy carried me and found a place to hide me. Patting my head she said, "You stay here, okay. I'm going to go and get Daddy." She placed a quick peck on my head before she hurried off.
I stretched my hand out after her, tears rolling down my eyes uncontrollably.
"Don't leave me, please ..."
It was not until several hours later that some of the pack guards found Fubs and I where we were hiding.
...
I was forced awake by a sharp pain on my thigh. I looked down to find Fubs clawing at my injured thigh.
"Wh –what was that for –" I asked in confusion as I took the small pile of rags next to me. "Thanks buddy."
I immediately went to work and begun to tie the rags around my thighs. But Fubs was still acting uneasy, running around and squeaking madly.
"What's wrong?"
With several squeaks and screeches, I understood what it had been trying to tell me.
"Shit, they're here already?" I quickly scrambled to my feet, but it was too late. The doors to the cell was barged open and several guards walked in, most of them in whom I knew were not from our pack.
"Oh no!"
The Nightshade pack is well known for their unmatched influence in the whole of the Westlands, which is one of the most prolific continents amongst the four.They were also well known for their ruthless battle sense – easily taking their enemies and subduing them – and then they put them through the most horrible kind of situations afterwards.And that wasn't all, rumours have been flying around recently that illegal street fights and duels were popular in Nightshade pack. And of course, these duels often lead to deaths – gruesome and unpleasant ones at that.Hence, Nightshade pack isn't somewhere one would want to wake and meet themselves in. But as fate would have it, that's where I am being sold to.I knew grandfather must have had to write that I was his granddaughter for them to come. Nightshade wasn't the kind of pack to be seduced by a slave trade offer of only one single slave."Move it, you slug!" One of the guards from my own pack snarled behind me before pushing me forward
"Rise!" A new voice bellowed in the hall, and everyone stood and scrambled to their feets.Of course, we all tried to get a view of the infamous Alpha but he was surrounded by several men, probably his beta and some guards.Murmurs were echoing in the hall and it now took a strong will from the guards to keep us mute.The Alpha cleared his throat and it seemed to be amplified by something. Everyone could now see him, including myself.What? With the way my Asian 'friend' had explained his attributes, I was expecting to see a middle aged ugly and grumpy looking giant. But standing before us all was just a young, – probably in his mid twenties like myself – overly handsome, averagely built and sexy looking man.He was nothing like the description I had received. But – how ...how can someone of such beauty be so gruesome and cold hearted?"As most of you might have heard of, I am Sirius Night, Alpha of the Nightshade pack." He said, his voice was like the most beautiful song I have ever
Alpha Sirius' POV"Arrgh!" I yelled loudly, raining barrages of punches on the poor guard. He was laying there on the floor, his face looked like a mangled mess. That was the work of my hands.This is what I usually do whenever I needed to take out my anger."Next?" I turned my gaze around and said. The guards lined up behind me shivered without saying a word. Of course, none of them would want to experience what their fellow comrade had experienced.I grabbed one of them however and threw him at the wall angrily. Then I moved over to him and aimed a punch at his head but he dodged it and slipped away.A smile crept up my lips, I like the ones who fight back."Show me what you got!" I told him before bolting towards him.As I rained punches at him, images of what I had done in the slaves hall flashed through my mind. I didn't know exactly what I was angry at, I was just angry. What I did...|Flashback|"Don't you hurt her!" I yelled at the top of my voice but I didn't care. He touched
Anastasia's POV. After the horrible drama that the Alpha had showcased, I and surely, everyone else in the slave hall found it difficult to get some sleep. The scene was just too gory to shake off, especially for me. This Alpha surely has some anger issue. What does he even want with me in the first place? If I could remember well, I was too worthless for anyone to be interested in me. The next morning, we were woken up by the sound of a large gong by a guard. It was so loud and sudden I almost vomited my heart. I quickly scrambled for my clothes and when I had out it on, I and Chi Chi ran out of the hall. Luckily for us, we had both been assigned to the cleaning duty, so we were still stuck together. I had grown up as a slave in my pack without any friends, but apparently that was about to change with Chi Chi around now. "Hey Anna, pass me the scrub." Chi Chi said. I was busy mopping the floor of the latrine room with a wet rag while Chi Chi and another slave were busy scrubbing
Anastasia's POV."Where is she?" I heard a familiar booming voice ask. There was no doubt it was Alpha Sirius. Oh no, he mustn't find me here. I looked around the office hastily, and lucky for me I saw a small duster by the shelf.I grabbed it and slowly went out of the office, hoping he'd buy whatever lies I was about to tell him."A–Your Highness, I–I'm here." I stuttered with my head bowed."There you are, what were you doing?" He asked.I shakily replied him, "I was just cleaning up your office, your highness."He didn't say anything afterwards and the silence was making me cringe and feel nervous. Then I heard his footsteps approaching me. My heartbeat froze. Beads of sweat formed on my face and my hands won't stop shaking.He stopped when he was just an inch away from me. The closeness was choking, but in a good way."What's your name?" He asked in a low voice, goosebumps wrapped my skin and my cheeks flushed."A–Anastasia, your highness." I responded and he hummed before walkin
Anastasia's POV. My head throbbed painfully as a groan escaped my lips. I slowly cracked my eyes open and I met myself in a dimly lit room. "Where am I?" I asked myself in a hushed tone, looking around with a mixture of fear and confusion. Sweat was pouring down my face. "Hello? Anyone there, why am I here?" I asked, hoping for someone to come out and talk. I didn't like these kind of situations and it was making me feel nervous. Suddenly, I heard clapping behind me and I shook in fear. "Who's there?" I asked cautiously. The clapping continued and got closer to me. Goosebumps rose on my skin and I squeezed the part of my dress I could reach. "Look, please just let me go okay, I –" I wanted to plead but I was interrupted by another round of clapping from before me. Two masked people emerged from the darkness. They were dressed in all black robes, making the situation more tense for me. With sweat covering my entire face, I said, "Look whoever you guys are, I think you go
Anastasia's POV. I and the Alpha hadn't said a word since we finished our moments of sexual bliss. I laid in his arms tracing my fingers on his firm chest. My head was also rested on his chest and I loved the way it rose and fell in symphony with his breathing. I had never been so intimate with anyone in my life. Yet, I was sure that even if I had, it wouldn't have been as blissful as the one with Alpha Sirius. The way he held unto my waist as he thrust into me was something I could never dream of forgetting. Lucky for me, he was my mate, I could get more of it anytime. I had never gotten anyone to tell me how it felt to find one's mate. No one told me of the experience or the scenario it had to be. But I was sure that Alpha Sirius was mine, I just felt that bond...so strong... "Are you okay?" He asked me. I guess I was thinking to much, I had stopped tracing my fingers on his chest. I looked up at his captivating blue eyes and smiled before nodding. He smiled back. There was sil
Anastasia's POV. It had been a full week since I disclosed my awareness of the secret contest to the Alpha. Fortunately, he had no issue with it. Since the moment he abruptly exited the space and reappeared unannounced, our bond had grown even more affectionate. Whenever he departed for his duties, I eagerly awaited his return, longing for his company and affection. I could tell he felt the same way because upon his arrival, he wasted no time in embracing and passionately kissing me. I relished those moments immensely. "Stay still Fubs, you haven't taken a bath in weeks." I grumbled as I struggled with this resistant rat in my hand. I was in the bathroom, trying my best to scrub it but it was thrashing around and squeaking madly in protest. "Fine!" I said in frustration." It could stay dirty for all I care, after all it's just an animal, what does it need a bath for? After taking my own refreshing bath, I stepped out of the bathroom and put on the new red robes my beloved h
Anastasia’s POV.I woke up early today, and I hated that I did. Ever since Alpha Mathias had decided to treat me like …well, unlike a maid, Madame Sheryl had seemed to reduce the workload I get. I wasn't on morning dining duties like before anymore. My chores would only begin from early noon.I guess waking up early has just been a part of me. But now I have nothing to do for the next five hours.Well, I could use that opportunity to rest and take my medications. I stood up from the bed and walked to the table. There was a jug of water there which I drank from.I looked at the door, hoping Dane wasn't there to listen to me. I went to the small shelf at a corner of the room and opened it. There were a bunch of clothes there ; clothes I did not personally own but were given to me.Moving the clothes aside, I unearthed the medicines I had hidden there. Going back to the table, I began to take them according to how they were prescribed.I still haven't decided what I was going to do about
Mathias' POV.I can't deny that I actually felt a bit nervous calling her. I mean, I know that I'm the Alpha and I shouldn't fear anything but…sigh…I don't know why anytime she's around, my heart raced multiple times. It's like a chain reaction, one that connects her presence or the thought of her to my heart directly.Even now, as she opened the door to my chamber, I could feel my heart skipping.I tried to remain calm as she shut the door behind her. The way she interlocked her hands in her front and looked around the room gave her a cute ambiance. She really looked so innocent and delicate. Someone I wouldn't dare break.I saw that she didn't see me where I was. I was sitting behind a thick curtain in my study across from the door. I decided to announce my presence.“How are you?” was what I could come up with as I stood up. Luckily, I hadn't startled her. The smile that spread on her face made my heart jostle with exhilaration. I decided not to show my reactions.Walking around th
Anastasia's POV.“Bring them over here, Ginny.” I said, making way for her.I watched as she struggled with lifting the large wooden crate of vegetables on the cart. We were supposed to transfer about twenty of them to the kitchen store this morning and we have only carried two. I can't blame us though; here I am, a helpless pregnant maid who isn't even meant to be seen doing strenuous work and Ginny, well, her arms are just too slender.“Here, let me help,” I said as I approached her.“What? No, Anna, you're…” she objected, cutting herself off. Her eyes darted around to check if no one was within ear’s reach. “You're pregnant,” she whispered with concern etched in her tone.I shrugged, “Pregnant, not helpless or lazy. Come on, let's lift this thing.” I said dismissively as I crouched to lift the crate.She opened her mouth but closed it back and sighed, “If you say so,” she crouched also and on a countdown, we lifted the crated with our joint strength, unto the cart.See, not so bad.
Anastasia's POV. Clicking my tongue as I paced around the room nervously, I didn't know what to tell the guard I was going to do. I am having second thoughts about telling him I was heading to the infirmary. What if he decides to come with me? Then it will be discovered that I am pregnant, and then everyone will know and ….sigh….calm down Anna. I sat on the edge of the bed, thinking over my options. You know what, I’ll just go, I don't need to think about it. I stood up with a new wave of courage and walked towards the door. I moved my hand back from pulling the doorknob before releasing a long breath and walking out. He was right there, standing like a warrior he was. I pretended like he wasn't there, walking past him towards the stairs. I didn't hear him say anything and so I thought I was good to go. Not until I began to hear pounding footsteps behind me. I swung my head around and saw him sternly walking after me. With raised brows, “What is it?” I asked. He raised a brow
Anastasia's POV.“You won't tell us. Then it's a shame because we are here to rip you of your undeserving privileges.” She spat, her voice dripping with contempt. The trio dropped their trays on the desk and began to advance towards me.Oh Goddess…I stumbled backwards as they drew nearer. My eyes darted around the room but I found no way of escape. I looked at them, the malice in their gazes. They weren't going to stop.“Stop!x” but I said anyway.“We can talk this through .” I tried to negotiate.Swetlana shook her head, a wide grin playing on her lips. “There's nothing to talk about, only to your ancestors” stepping over the stool.Okay okay, I shouldn't panic. I'm a werewolf, they are just normal humans ..I hope so. I should have a bit of an advantage over them, even though I have no wolf. I swallowed a lump, waiting for them to get close enough.Swetlana, a grin spreading over her lips, “Frana, bring out our gold price,” gesturing to the fat one on her left.My eyes narrowed as F
Anastasia's POV.My face flushed as the memory of how the Alpha had me in his arms rushed into my mind. His touch was electric and it sent unknown waves throughout my body. For the first time in my life, I felt …safe.It was peaceful, so calm, so…loving.I remembered the confession he made to me a week ago. With what he did tonight, was what he said true? Did he really feel that way towards me? I was feeling so insecure even with him. I didn't want to be rejected again.It was also still unclear to me why he wanted me. I was merely a slave – although now a worker who earns wages – and nowhere near his class. He was a freaking Alpha! The peak of nobility in every pack. We were two different worlds apart, I doubt he would really want me. I would only be used and tossed aside…like before…I pushed the thoughts behind my mind and scanned the room I was in. It greatly contradicted the one that the Gamma had locked me in.The lack of foul stench was the first thing to be thankful of. And th
Mathias' POV.Four hours! That was what it took for Orice and I to rescue Nadine, take down Zandor's guards and return to my castle. Yes, it wasn't such a big deal.That punk really thought he could strike a deal with me. I had to remind him who he was dealing with.“Open the doors.” I said to the guard stationed at the door, who was looking at us quizzically.I ignored his apologies and walked into my castle. Ahh, home sweet home. This castle may have been built hundreds of years before I was even born, but it still felt like mine.Of course it was, I'm the Alpha.“Orice.” I called and turned around abruptly, bringing Orice and Nadine, who were behind me, to a stop.“Yes Alpha.” He answered respectfully. Sometimes, this man makes me forget we were best friends.I gestured to one of the guards nearby. “Let him show her to her room, she's welcome as a noble here.” I said. I noticed the glance from Nadine, her eyes filled with gratitude.Orice and I watched the guard escort her away and
Anastasia's POV.I groaned as another shot of hunger panged the centre of my stomach. I rolled on the dirty floor in pain. This wasn't my first time going days without food but that was when I was still at my Grandfather's pack. Back then was when I might not see anything to eat for three days straight.But the last few weeks I have been here, I have been eating accordingly. It may not be the best diet but at least I haven't gone a day without food for weeks now. And that was why it was somehow strange for my stomach to experience lack of food so suddenly again.“Shit!” I cursed under my breath as another wave of hunger attacked me. I am surely going to die here…My mind screamed the Alpha's name. He was the only one that seemed to be able to save me now.Where had he gone even? I have been to three different packs to be sure Alphas don't need to sneak out of their own castles if they had any urgent things to attend to.Another wave of pain shoots through my stomach, interrupting my
Anastasia's POV.“What? Why…what's going on?” I snivelled but my words landed on deaf ears.I was dragged down the hallway, my legs hitting the debris on the way. They didn't even let me stand upright.They dragged me around a corner into a dark corridor.“Where are you taking me?” I asked, panic slowly filling up my heart.I got no response as they continued to drag me down the dimly lit narrow corridor. Soon, they stopped but didn't let go of me.I heard the sound of locks and creaking of doors before I swung around.My ass landed on the hard ground with a thud and I groaned in pain. I sat up on the floor, wiping my sweaty face before looking around at where I had been tossed in.It was a small room; very dark and smelly. There was nothing but an old dirty jug in a corner of the room.I heard the door creaking again and I immediately crawled towards the guards.“Wait!” I wailed, kneeling before them and using my hands to hold the door. “What have I done? Why am I here?” I asked urge