chapter 5

"It's time to head back," Lily said, her voice strained with exhaustion. Dark circles hung under her eyes, and her shoulders sagged as if carrying a weight far too heavy for someone her age. She looked like she didn't want to go back out there, and it made me feel even more dreadful. Had anyone ever tried escaping, or were they all just too scared?

I nodded, even though a million questions buzzed inside my head. But everyone around me seemed so tired, so defeated. It was as if they had already accepted their fate, and it was terrifying to realize how easily despair could settle into their bones. Each step I took felt like I was dragging a ball and chain, my heart racing with fear. I could almost hear it pounding in my ears.

When we emerged back into the courtyard, the atmosphere had shifted. The grand event seemed to be winding down, but the tension remained thick in the air. Some of the creatures were leaving, while others continued drinking heavily. A few couples were tangled together in the shadows, lips locked in passionate, animalistic kisses. It was a disturbing sight-this mix of elegance and raw, primal behavior.

I looked to my left and felt a pang of sorrow. A group of werewolves had gathered around a scrawny human slave. He was on all fours, his body trembling as they threw bones at him, taunting him to bark and howl like a dog. He was so thin that I thought he might snap in half. My fists clenched at my sides, and a wave of nausea rolled through me. I wanted to help him, to scream at them to stop, but Lily nudged me hard, pulling me along.

"Don't look," she whispered urgently. "Keep your head down. You can't do anything for him."

I swallowed the lump in my throat and forced myself to keep moving, but a seething hatred burned in my chest. These beasts were monsters, devoid of humanity. They didn't deserve mercy. They deserved to suffer for the atrocities they committed.

A tall man stepped into our path, his presence halting us. He had dark, curly hair that framed his angular face, and his light brown eyes seemed to glow with an eerie, golden hue. "There you are," he said, his voice surprisingly gentle as he reached out to grab Lily's hand. His touch, though soft, seemed possessive.

"I have something for you," he murmured, pulling Lily closer.

She glanced back at me, giving a sad, fleeting smile before she was led away. My heart twisted for her. I had no idea what he intended to do with her, but my imagination filled in the worst possibilities. I hoped she would be okay, but in this place, hope felt like a fragile, pointless thing.

I took a deep breath and turned, but before I could take another step, I felt a looming presence behind me. It was as if the air had thickened, the temperature dropping. I spun around quickly and froze, my heart skipping a beat. It was him. The Alpha.

I took a step back instinctively, but his hand shot out and grabbed my wrist in a vise-like grip. His touch was rough, and his fingers dug into my skin, sending a jolt of pain up my arm. Without a word, he began dragging me through the courtyard. I stumbled, trying to keep up with his long, purposeful strides, nearly tripping over my own feet. Everyone watched us with a mixture of curiosity and amusement, whispering among themselves. I could feel their eyes burning into my back, but I couldn't focus on that. Right now, I had bigger problems.

He led me into a smaller room off the main hall, slamming the door shut behind us. The room looked like a private office, though it was far simpler than the grand hall. A wooden desk stood at the center, papers strewn across it carelessly. Before I could take in my surroundings, he shoved me hard against the wall, his hand wrapping around my throat in one swift motion.

I didn't even have time to scream. His grip was tight but not enough to crush my windpipe-just enough to show me who was in control. His eyes bore into mine, cold and furious, a storm brewing within their silver depths. I felt a strange sensation, a tingling warmth where his hand touched my skin. It made no sense, but I ignored it, overwhelmed by fear.

"What is this? Who are you?" he demanded, his voice a harsh growl that reverberated through the room. It sent shivers down my spine.

"I... I don't know what you're talking about," I choked out, gasping for breath. "My name is Elizabeth."

"What are you?" he snarled, squeezing a little tighter. "What magic are you using? Speak!"

"I'm just... human," I managed to say, my voice a strangled whisper. My vision was starting to blur, black spots dancing in my peripheral vision.

He released me suddenly, and I dropped to the floor, coughing and sputtering for air. Tears welled up in my eyes, and I clutched my aching throat. He turned away from me, his face contorted in rage. In a flash, he grabbed the desk and flipped it over, sending papers flying everywhere. The crash echoed in the small room, making me flinch.

"What the fuck is this?" he shouted, his voice shaking with barely controlled fury. "A joke? Is this some kind of sick joke?"

I huddled in the corner, trying to make myself as small as possible. My heart was pounding so hard it hurt, and my hands trembled as I held them up in a feeble attempt to shield myself. What was his problem? It wasn't like I asked to be his so-called mate. I didn't want this any more than he did.

He turned to face me, his eyes burning with anger. "Stand up," he ordered.

I hesitated, still coughing, but I pushed myself up slowly, using the wall for support. My legs felt like jelly, but I managed to stand.

"I reject you," he spat, the words filled with venom. He grabbed my arm again, this time even rougher, yanking me back toward the door.

I cried out, stumbling after him as he dragged me into the courtyard. The entire crowd fell silent, all eyes turning to us. It was as if the entire place was holding its breath. He threw me to the ground like I was nothing more than a piece of trash. I landed hard, the impact sending pain shooting through my body. Tears streamed down my face, but I quickly wiped them away with the back of my hand.

"I reject this human filth," he announced, his voice echoing across the courtyard. "Whatever sorcery this is, whoever is testing me, try harder. She will be nothing more than a slave in this house for the rest of her miserable existence. She won't last long. I will see to it that she is punished for this farce."

The laughter started slowly, a few cruel chuckles at first, then it grew, rippling through the crowd. A tall blonde with striking crystal-blue eyes stepped forward, sneering down at me. She tilted her goblet and poured the remainder of her drink over my head. The sticky liquid dripped down my face and neck.

"Ooops," she mocked, smirking as she turned away. "Clean that up, will you?"

I stayed on the ground for a moment, feeling the humiliation burn through me. My cheeks were hot with shame, but there was a tiny spark of something else underneath-rage. This was what hell felt like, and I had only just stepped into it. But I wouldn't let them break me. No matter what, I wouldn't stay a slave here. I would die trying to escape. And if I ever got the chance, I would make sure every single one of these monsters paid for what they had done.

He should have just killed me when he had the chance.