NatalieThe day dawned bleak and dreary, matching my hollow mood perfectly. I dressed numbly and made my way to the kitchens for another endless day of toil and torment. Ever since Lucas had stripped me bare and forced me to eat from his hand like a dog, the fight had gone out of me.I moved through my chores on autopilot - scrubbing, chopping, carrying. The daily indignities passed in a weary fog. I kept my eyes down and my shoulders hunched, willing myself invisible. It was safer to be mute and unremarkable.The one bright spot was Mary slipping me extra scraps when the guards weren't looking. I would have starved on my rationed meals alone. Her small kindnesses meant the world in this harsh place.I was hauling a bucket of stale dish water outside when the summons came - all slaves were to report immediately to the central courtyard. Dread curled in my gut. Sudden assemblies never meant anything good.With Mary's arm supporting me, I limped across the compound to join the gathering
NatalieThe lash bit into my back again, tearing another ragged cry from my throat."That's fifteen," the guard intoned coldly. "Only five more to go."I sagged in my restraints, breath coming in short, pained gasps as blood trickled hot down my skin. My back felt like it had been shredded to ribbons by the brutal whip.Fifteen lashes so far for daring to defy Lucas during his twisted water torture game earlier. Even though I had survived the challenge itself, my "bad attitude" warranted correction. So said Lucas as I was dragged away bloody and half conscious by his thugs.The remaining slaves had watched in silent horror as they beat me into the dirt right there in the courtyard. I was to suffer the consequences publicly as a warning to them all - obey without question or face wrath. Lucas himself had not stayed to oversee the punishment, but his chilling promise echoed in my mind. "Discipline her properly. But not so severely that she can't work tomorrow."Was he angry about my vi
Lucas I reclined in my study, boots propped up on the desk as I reviewed recent security logs. After the perimeter breaches last month, I had tripled patrols and added sensor drones. So far there had been no further issues. Good - as head of pack security, any lapses reflected poorly on me.A knock interrupted my reading. "Enter," I called. My assistant Marcus slipped inside, inclining his head. "Apologies for the interruption, Alpha. But there is a... situation brewing in the central square I thought you should be aware of."I sat up, frowning. "What sort of situation?" Any disruptions to pack stability needed to be addressed swiftly."It's the slave Natalia, sire. She is being punished for insolence. Publicly." Marcus cleared his throat. "The Head Beta ordered the lash, but he is...enthusiastic in carrying out his orders. I thought perhaps you may want to intervene before lasting harm is done."I was on my feet and striding to the door before he finished speaking. "Show me. Now."
NatalieThe lash bit into my back once more, tearing another ragged cry from my throat. "Just five more strikes to go," the guard intoned coldly.I sagged in my restraints, shaking. It was the third brutal punishment this week on Lucas' orders. Ever since I had recovered enough from the previous incident to return to the kitchens, he seemed intent on finding any excuse to see me thrashed bloody.My continued defiance fed Lucas' cruelty. He was determined to break me, body and soul. But some stubborn core of pride refused to buckle, even as pain and hopelessness eroded my will bit by bit.The final vicious strikes fell, leaving me barely conscious as they cut me down. Only Mary's steady hands kept me from collapsing to the courtyard stones. She alone showed me any shred of kindness in this hellish place."Hush now, you're alright," Mary soothed as she helped me limp back to the slave quarters. But we both knew it was a lie. I was anything but alright.Lucas' relentless torment was unr
NatalieThe harvest moon cast its pale light over the slave quarters as I lay wide awake, mind racing. After weeks spent secretly planning and gathering intelligence with Maria, we were finally making our escape attempt tonight. Heart pounding, I sat up slowly so as not to wake the others. Maria and I had crafted a simple disguise for me - binding my chest and cutting my hair short to pass as male. It was risky stealing knives from the kitchen, but a necessary risk.Once dressed, I crept silently from my bunk and slipped outside. The grounds were still except for the occasional patrol of guards. I skirted them easily, making my way toward the rendezvous point Maria and I had agreed upon - a shadowed alcove near the kitchens.She was waiting there just as planned, a tense smile breaking across her face when she saw me approach. "You're here! Are you ready?" she whispered.I nodded, excitement and fear mingling in my gut. "I have been ready for this chance for a long time. Let's go qui
Lucas Another day, another endless mountain of administrative tasks awaited my attention. Being one of the triplet Princes of the Nightwalker Pack meant my time was consumed with matters of security, law enforcement, and combat readiness. It was rewarding work, even if the bureaucratic details occasionally grew tedious. I took pride in keeping our territory and members safe through a combination of vigilance, fear, and brutality as needed. As future Alpha, it was my duty. I was reviewing surveillance drone logs when a knock interrupted me. "Enter," I called. My assistant Marcus stepped inside briskly, inclining his head. "Good morning Alpha. Apologies for the interruption." I waved a hand. "It's fine. I was about to lose my mind staring at another minute of grainy aerial footage. What news?" "It's regarding the slave Natalia, sire. I have received some...concerning reports that I felt should be brought to your urgent attention." I sat up straighter, frowning. Natalia was my p
NatalieI was only brought back by the creak of the cell door opening again some time later.Immediately I was on high alert, cringing away from the intruder despite the pain. But it was only Mary returning, her kind features drawn with worry."I warned you nit to try that Nat," she warned urgently. "Now, that you're caught, you must be able to stand and work, or it will go worse for you." The thought of putting my ruined back to any labor was unimaginable. But refusal was not an option. Jaw clenched, I nodded and somehow found my feet with Mary's assistance. My legs trembled violently, only barely supporting my weight."Yes you warned me, I guess I was blinded by the thirst of freedom." All too soon, heavy footsteps signaled the arrival of my captors. The lead guard studied me critically in the torchlight seeping from the hall. "Yes it's her," he grunted. "Get a move on, slave."They hauled me back through the maze of underground corridors toward the slave quarters. My senses swam
Lucas The days crept by with no word of Natalia, though I had ordered only standard deprivation, nothing permanently damaging. Part of me was tempted to go observe her directly, but such irrational impulses needed to be mastered."No, I don't care. Attachment bred weakness." I yelled.But the night the slave girl was finally dragged back into the kitchens, I arranged to be present. I told myself it was mere curiosity to see the effects of her punishment. In truth, I needed to witness that essential fire still burning within her.She's like motivation to me. The fire in the girls eyes never extinguishers. I bet her father must be a proud Alpha.When Natalia was shoved stumbling into the room, I noticed immediately the vacancy in her hollow gaze, the way she moved automatically, numbly. This timid, broken creature barely resembled the girl who once gazed at me with such defiant pride.The realization chilled me unexpectedly. But before I could examine it, the cook was berating Natalia