CHAPTER 3

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CHAPTER THREE.

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BRINLEY.

The smell of burned flesh and blood flooded my nostrils, my guts churned, and the bile rose in my throat, threatening to escape. However, more hands grabbed me and threw me on what felt like a metal table. Something cold brushed against my arm, and I squirmed. "508, I am going to inject you with morphine. So you won't be in so much pain," I opened my mouth to protest when someone jabbed a needle in my arm. Instead, my legs began to feel like jello, and my arms grew weak.

"Tyler?" 

"Tyler?" as I called for Tyler, I felt heat just above my hip. Pain coursed through my body as they sucked the hot brand from my right hip almost to my belly button. The pain was so intense I kept losing consciousness. My screams echoed through the small room when I would come too, and more people tried to hold me down. That wonderful smell of honey and woods and it's intoxicating.

Soon I felt all the hand's on my body move away when a growl erupted, vibrating the floor. "What the fuck do you all think you're doing?" A deep husky voice said calmly but deadly. I couldn't see because I was still wearing my blindfold. The room fell silent.

"Answer me." He Growled louder. One of the men cleared their throat, "Beta, Kyle. Said this was your order, sir," "What's done is done," He told them. I felt tingles spread along my body as the man lifted me from the table. Strong arms held me tightly against a hard chest. My eyelid was heavy, and I fought hard against sleep. I wasn't sure why but I felt safe wrapped in his arms. Finally, I couldn't resist the rest any longer, and my eye's closed, pulling me into the Darkness.

I woke up feeling weak and dizzy. When my eyes finally adjusted, I realized that I wasn't lying in my bed. Instead, I was lying on a cloud mattress; the beds we slaves sleep on are hard and uncomfortable, with springs pressing against your body. Finally, it hit me; the smell was all around the room.  

'Someone's coming,' Sage warned me. 'Who?' I replied. Sage shook her head, 'Whomever this person is. The woods in honey smell belongs to them,' I nodded. 'Remember, no one can know about you,' sage rolled her eyes, 'Duh, watch yourself, Brinley,' Sage told me before moving to the back of my mind. The door opened, and a tall, broad man walked in carrying a tray full of food. "You're awake. How are you feeling?" His voice was rough and deep; its sound gave me goosebumps. "My stomach and side hurts. But I'm fine," He sat the food tray on my lap. "Eat," I nodded, "Thank you," I told him and looked down at the plate full of food—eggs, Bacon, Toast, Coffee. "Do you want some?" I offered. He glanced at me from over his shoulder, "I ate already. It would be best if you ate,"

I took a bite of eggs, grabbed a piece of Bacon, and took half of it into my mouth. "What's your name?" I said with a mouth full of food. The man stood in front of the bed and met my gaze. "Why do you want to know?" I pursed my lips, "Curious, I guess." "Thomas." "Thomas," I repeated. Finally, he nodded, "And your name?" I shook my head, "508," I made a mistake in telling Tyler my name. I won't do that again.

"You had a name before you came here. What was it?" Again I shook my head, "Why don't you ask the Alpha King? I cannot tell anyone my name, so ask him if you want to know it." The man raised his eyebrow and stared at me. His gaze was intense. His eyes fell on my lips, and I looked down. "Tell me 508. DO you feel strange around me?" I swallowed the Bacon in my mouth. I looked back into Thomas's silver eyes, "Yes," I admitted. I feel oddly strange around him, the way his smell clouds my mind and how my skin feels when he touches me. If I didn't get rejected, I would swear Thomas was my mate, but half-breeds like me don't get second chances. "Why do you think that is?" I asked him. His forehead creased, "You don't know?" Thomas asked, confused. I nodded, "I know about mates. I don't know why I am feeling that towards you." Thomas walked over to me and removed the tray from lap-sitting it on the table next to the bed. "You have a mate?" "I am a slave, am I not?" "I didn't ask you if you were a slave. I asked if you have a mate," Thomas said, clenching his jaw. I shook my head, "I was rejected. So no, I don't have a mate," 

A silence fell between us. Then, finally, I looked at Thomas and took him in. Thomas was tall, with broad shoulders, strong arms, tight legs and thighs, and a firm round butt. From what I could see. His black hair hung just above his shoulders, and half was tied in a bun; his silver orbs pull you in. Thomas was a fine piece of a specimen, that's for sure. His face was perfect, carved, and shaped to perfection by the gods. "I have to go. I'm going into town with one of my slave friends." I told him standing from the bed, only inches away from his body. "I'm your second chance," I shook my head, "Half-breeds like me don't get second chances," I informed him. Thomas brushed his lips lightly against mine and tingles spread across my lips. "Do you feel that?" I nodded my head, "Yes, but...."

"No buts," He cut me off, "I'll only let you leave this room if you promise to meet me." I furrowed my brows, "How am I going to that?" He smirked, "Figure it out. I'll be waiting by the pound," Thomas said and walked towards the door; I walked over to him cautiously, placing my blindfold back on.

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"What happened to you yesterday? I waited in our room, but you never came back." Julia said. Julia and I walked to the town; she knew a shortcut through the woods. "My escort came for me, and I had to be branded." Julia nods in understanding. "Did you get branded as well?" She nods, "All slaves must be branded with their slave number." Julia shrugged. "Why?" She shook her head, "If the Alpha King sells you off," I pursed my lips, "He does that?" Julia nodded, "Every couple of months," I shook my head, "With my luck, I'll be out on my ass," Julia chuckled. "Your funny," "Glad you think so," 

"Julia, can I ask you a question?" She nods, "Of course."

"Where's the pond?" Julia's forehead creased, "Why do you want to know?" I started fidging my fingers. I do that a lot when I'm nervous. "Can you keep a secret?" Julia rolls her eyes, "Of course, I can. I'll tell you a secret, and you tell me yours," I nodded. "I'm in love with Xander," I arched my eyebrow, "Who's Xander?" She gave a look that said are you kidding me? "Xander Caputo. The Alpha King," I mouthed an '0'. 

"I hope it works out for you," Julia smiled, "Me too. Now, what's your secret," I exhaled a deep breath, "It seems I got a second chance, mate. His name is Thomas, and he wants me to meet him at the pond at dusk," Julia looked happy about the news, but more so, I think it's because I am not after the Alpha King. "Having a mate now won't change things with Xander. But I am happy for you, although I know everyone in the palace, and I've never heard of Thomas before." I shrugged, "That's the name he gave me. Are you going to tell me how to get there?" Julia nodded, "Yes. Go out the back door of the kitchen closest to our rooms. Once outside, go past the greenhouse through the woods for about a mile. You'll come to a pond with a waterfall." "Thanks," Julia nods, "No problem. Now let's get you something to wear for tonight." I shook my head, "After Starbucks," Julia rolled her eyes, "Fine,"