THREE

Brielle

"She's not dead, just unconscious." A gruff voice pierced into my consciousness and a foot hit my stomach, pulling me out of my daze.

I hunched forward, holding my stomach to prevent any more attacks.

"Yep, she's very much alive. Who are you, rogue? Answer before I kill you for trespassing." The voice threatened, and I felt my heart race in fear.

I avoided their gaze. "Please, don't hurt me. I don't mean any harm." I pleaded, fear enveloping me as I recalled what my father used to do to rogues and trespassers.

I had no idea I had trespassed. If I wasn't at the border, that means...

No!

That means I was in the neighbouring pack... The cruel Alpha king, feared across all kingdoms and known for being unforgiving.

Those guards! They did it on purpose.

I was good as dead. Only the goddess can save me.

A hand held my collar roughly, dragging me up to my feet.

I avoided my gaze, not allowing them to take my eye contact for deviance.

"Hm. She looks harmless."

Relief washed over me, but just briefly as he grabbed my face roughly. "And pretty too, maybe I'll take her for myself." He grinned darkly, his yellow teeth visible under the dark light and I shivered.

Take me? I began trashing in his hold, but he held me tighter. He couldn't take me. I cannot allow him to take me.

His eyes darkened as I tried to pull away, and his hand came crashing on my jaw. "Stop that if you want to live for another second you whore."

My head and jaw throbbed as I felt the taste of blood on my tongue, and my eyes flowed with tears.

Was this what my fate was? To be used and discarded?

The other guard laughed darkly. "You can't take her, lo. You took the last one."

He turned to shoot a glare at his partner, while I stood, pleading with the moon goddess that something delivered me from this fate.

"Well if I can't have her, we would just hand her to the king."

I said deliver, not make worse. The stories that were said of him were the most terrifying. Some said he killed rogues on sight.

That was a fate I didn't want.

"Please don't take me to the king! I'll do anything." I cried, but his hand gripped my throat, dragging me to face him.

"Let me hear your voice one more time, and I would make sure you never talk again. Clear?"

I shook like a leaf as he turned back, and dragged me into the pack like an animal.

They threw me into a cold empty cell and the cold hard floor sent shivers down my spine as they locked me in.

My jaw hurt and my head spun with the million possibilities of how I was going to die, and I crawled to the bars of the cell, looking up at the guards who were retreating.

"Please let me out! I don't want to die!"

They ignored me and shut the door loudly, the echo bouncing off the walls as I was emerged in darkness, and I held my body with my little hands, my tears flowing down like a river.

Father was so fast to disown me and throw me out like I wasn't his child. Everything I've ever done was for him. Did I deserve such treatment from my family?

Tears poured down my face as I gripped my aching jaw. Why did you leave me mother? If you were here, things would have been better.

If you were here, I would know how love feels-

The sound of the large door opening cut off my train of thoughts and I scrambled to the corner of the cell.

They were here to take me to him. To my death.

The footsteps echoed through the cell and the footsteps halted when they reached my cell door.

I held my mouth with my hands to stop the sobs that threatened to escape.

"Come out." The voice different from the earlier guards echoed heartless through the cell and the door flung open.

I stayed frozen in the corner. He was here to drag me out to my death.

"Are you deaf rogue? Do you want me to drag you out myself?"

I stumbled to my feet, reluctantly accepting my fate and the guard put cuffs on my hands and dragged me to my fate.

This is my fate. I was going to die. Like the low life they called me.

I followed him through the dimly lit corridors, my heart pounding with each step. He dragged me forcefully, pausing when we reached a tall door.

I swallowed harshly as he pushed the door opened.

"Your highness. The rogue is here."

And before my eyes adjusted to the light, the most beautiful scent wafted into my nose, and a loud growl echoed from the inside.

"Is the moon goddess now a fucking joker?"