NatalieI awoke the next morning feeling like I had been trampled by a stampede of actual wild horses. Every inch of my body throbbed and ached, protesting the simplest movements. Even rolling onto my side in the rickety bunk sent fresh stabs of pain through my bruised ribs. Groaning softly, I sat up and gingerly probed the lump on my temple where my head had been smashed cruelly against the hard ground. The swelling had gone down some, but the area was crusted with dried blood and exquisitely tender.My memories of last night's vicious ambush in the dark were hazy, blurred by panic and pain. But Lucas' handsome, cruel face flickering in the shadows was seared into my mind's eye. He had orchestrated the whole thing - I was utterly certain.Yet another twisted game of his, designed to humiliate and terrify me into complete submission. Clamping down on the raw fury that threatened to choke me, I focused on simply getting to my feet. Survival first. Vengeance later.I washed and dressed
LukeI reclined lazily in my office, boots propped up on the heavy oak desk as I reviewed security plans for the upcoming quarter. Being one of the triplet Alpha to be, of the Nightwalker Pack meant my days were consumed with official duties. Not that I minded the power and authority - quite the contrary. I reveled in keeping the rabble in line through fear and intimidation. As a future Alpha, it was my birthright.A knock at the door heralded my assistant Marcus entering with an update. I waved him in impatiently. "This better be good news, Marcus. The perimeter breaches last month were unacceptable. Have the flaws been shored up or do heads need to roll?""The fence has been reinforced and additional sentry posts established per your instructions," Marcus assured me. "We've increased patrols as well - no one will be sneaking through."I nodded approval, tapping my fingers on the desk. "Excellent. Can't have rogue wolves wandering in, contaminating the bloodline. Now, was there some
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