Chapter 5

Sweat made it’s was in a slick line down my face, some drops catching on my eyebrows and lashes, others making their way down my nose or over my cheeks.

My arms, stretched out to my sides, were strained from holding my body up and the ropes holding them dug into my wrist and made indents there.

The pole that I was tied to was tall but they hadn’t tied me where I could stand. Instead, my back arched, sending my chest forward, and my feet sprawled in front of me, my heels pressed into the soft ground.

The position was the least bit comfortable and five long days had since passed since I’d stood on my feet. Instead, I hung from a tall pole, arms stretched to my side, clothes soaked in sweat, the field around me bare and void of residence, the sun beating down on me.

I could feel my throat squeeze with thirst and my stomach grumble and ache with undying hunger.

The energy for much thought had left me a couple days ago, the sun sucking my energy from me and the moon steeling my sleep.

I felt, for the last few days, that I was living outside of my body yet feeling the pain inside of it.

“This is pitiful,” a young woman said from in front of me. Her hands sat on her narrow hips and her skin glistened with new sweat.

I didn’t raise my eyes to meet her, I only watched for sake of her antics. She liked to come here at high day and taunt me, knowing there was nothing I could do without the aconite burning against my raw skin.

“You smell horrendous,” she said, her feet carrying her in a circle around me.

“And you’re soaked in sweat.”

I don’t bother to react, my eyelids heavy from lack of sleep, my body exhausted from lack of water, lack of food, lack of sleep, and the excruciating blazing sun.

“This is the hottest peak in the territories, you know,” she bent her knees then, crouching before me,” you’ll die here.”

I feel her claw graze against the skin under my chin, pressing into the flesh there, forcing my head up.

Her eyes were a brilliant blue, icy and cold, so chilly that many might shiver.

I’d dare say that the young woman before me might be beautiful, if it weren’t for that sadistic gleam in her eyes.

Holding my eyes, attempting to devour any fear, she slides her claw down my throat catching the fabric of my loose, damp, dangling shirt. In one swift motion the damp fabric was sliced, the heavy fabric falling and dangling at my shoulders.

She smiles, a cheshire grin making her face its home.

“Not scared?”

I don’t answer, I just stare back at her, eyes unwavering.

Rogues might fear things, maybe Alpha’s, packs, pain, death; but I shared none of those fears.

“Heather,” a sharp voice like that of a dagger through satin sliced through the air, pausing the confident females actions.

Quickly, the female before me sprang up, her arms straight to her sides and her chin up as she stood at attention for her approaching Alpha.

I let my eyes fall then, my head following them, I hadn’t the energy to entertain the bipolar Alpha.

“Alpha, Beta,” the females voice was flat, level, respectful, but her actions were far from it.

“Training is still in session. You should be in the field with the others,” the Beta said.

“I was just checking on the prisoner,” Heather said.

“That isn’t your duty,” the Beta’s feet moved forward, his boots catching my eye as he advanced slowly towards her.

“I just haven’t seen anyone up here to check on him. Thought I’d see how he’s faring,” Heather was confident in her words but the aura from her Alpha was overpowering her confidence.

“Common wolves are not allowed on the hill,” the Alpha snarled, stepping forward.

“But I…” Heather began.

“No, my office, now,” the Alpha’s snarl and low growl left no room for argument.

“Yes Alpha,” I could hear Heather’s steps as she retreated, her feet carrying her quickly.

The Alpha snarls at the retreating female, her hands shaking at her sides as I glance up.

“Alpha,” the Beta’s voice breaks the extended silence, the tense Alpha locked in her place.

“Get him down,” she said, but her voice was hardly even a whisper.

“Release him?” the Beta asks.

“No. Take him to Belden’s. Request room seventy-two,” she doesn’t leave time for him to respond, she simply gives her orders and leaves, following the same path the confident Heather had taken.

“So, what’s the damage?” the Beta asks from the corner, his arms crossed over his broad chest.

“Outside of dehydration and lack of nutrients, he’s perfectly fine. His healing rate is excellent,” the doctor said as he pressed his stethoscope to my bare chest, listening closely.

“What does that mean?” the Beta glances from the aged doctor back to me, eyebrows furrowed.

“It means that regardless of his omega title, his parents were most likely very strong and highly regarded and respected individuals.”

I allow my mind to drift as they discuss my heritage.

I remember my mother and father well. I remember their smiles, their laughs, their strength, their pride, their love for each other and for me.

Slowly, I drift back to reality, the door opening and closing with a click.

I move my eyes up to meet the brilliant viridian gaze of the stubborn Alpha Axel. She holds mine for only a moment, her gaze penetrating but not invasive. It felt so nice to be under her gaze, to feel their warmth, but it never lasted long.

“Update me,” she said, eyeing the doctor and her Beta.

“He just needs some water and some food, everything else is fine,” the Beta said, arms still crossed.

“We think, due to his rapid and exceptionally high levels and rates of healing, that his parents may have been high up in the Lycan hierarchy,” the doctors voice was excitable, his aging smile stretching across his fatherly face.

“Do we?” the Alpha crosses her arms, turning her full attention to her Beta, her brows raised.

“It is possible. Maybe that’s something you should ask him,” the Beta points to me, a mocking smile on his face as the Alpha stiffens, her head turning so her eyes can upraise me.

“Fuck.”