Chapter 2

Olivia

The pain I felt in my neck and wrist was nothing compared to seeing the crowds that gathered to watch me being punished and chanted for my death.

I need the courage that had me going moments ago because right now, my anxieties are riling up.

“Punish her,”

“Burn her alive!”

“Cut her head and put it on display on the mountain!” the pack members chanted. They want me dead, and brutalized.

My heart beats fast, and I kept tripping as the guard pushed me to the scaffold. I sighted the sharp sword, axe, and rope waiting for me there.

I kept my hands on the edges and tried to climb, for some reason, my muscles were weakened, I couldn't muster up the energy to climb this scaffold.

But as I tried, something cracks on my head and yolk spilled down my face, Goodness! I snapped my head to the direction it came from, the person escaped, but my eyes refused to turn back because it was pinned on someone else in the midst of the crowd, who had his golden eyes on me.

My breath hitched.

Golden, bright and burning like the sun. Who is he? He is tall and… leaving too. He left before I could memorize his features. I wonder who he is because he is the only bright thing I've laid my eyes on, in this gloomy pack.

The guards dragged me on the rough surface, and I winced in sharp pain.

“Stop, I can walk,” he didn't listen but went on to tie me on a tall piece of wood like a thief. My hands were tied behind me to the pole, and my ankles followed. I stood facing the king and his subordinates, I could literally see everything from this angle.

A smirk played on his face before I noticed the two women sitting beside him. The first looked a bit like him and I guess that the former is his sister but then, the group of women dotted at his back in the same attire are who?

His concubines?

Special ladies slave because they looked so young, and restricted.

“What do you want to say to the alpha,” a council member asked, and the whole courtyard dropped dead silent.

I ignored and rolled my eyes. I saw him scoff, but wait for it…

“Young lady, say your last prayers!” he shouted, his face contoured in anger.

Taking in a deep breath, “Oh alpha! Forgive me for not meeting to your poor standards, I am just allergic to cowards, and when I die, I freely offer my brain since yours is as useless as you look,” I said my prayer.

The members gasped in shock because who has the nerves to disrespect the alpha? Me

But a little snicker erupted from one of the concubines, I guess her punishment will be served on a platter later.

Alpha Zeddicus was expressionless, void of any emotions, and I wish I had my powers with me so I will read him. He rested his hand on the armchair and played with his beard.

Another council pointed his finger at me, “We have to cut her head, look she insulted our alpha! Who agrees?"

Like the whole crowd shouted

“Yes”

“Yes, cut it off!”

My throat constricted, I felt the lump in my throat, but tears were for the weaker days, or so I say.

The sky grumbled, and lightning struck like it would be a heavy downpour. I felt alone, in the darkness of the world. I saw a hollow pit about to swallow me, take me away forever but then, I remembered my father's words.

‘Have the courage of a thousand soldiers and you will never lose.’

It replayed in my head several times, and I remembered my people in the cabin, Jake and Cooper, too.

“What should we do with her,” a council asked the alpha, “The people want her killed.”

His eyes met mine, as though he was considering what to do with me. The lady beside him leaned down and whispered something to him.

He hesitated again, before sitting upright. The loud sound of silence slithered into the yard.

“Monroe,” he called, and a guard appeared beside him with a hand on his sheath.

Alpha Zeddicus looked at me, “Rip her clothes,” he ordered.

My breath hitched, what?

Strip me naked? In front of these crowd?

I started shaking and yanking my chain as the guards moved closer to me. He climbed the scaffold, and unsheathed his sword, the sharp glint of it made my heart throb.

“No, you cannot rip my clothes!” I yelled at Alpha Zeddicus.

“I'd love to see what's beneath that piece,” he broached. “Told you your mouth will lead you somewhere.”

“And that's okay for them to see too?” I knitted my brows and beckoned at his people.

He smirked, “You are my slave now, my property, and I get to choose who will see your body,” he added, “Yes, they will watch.”

And I saw some of them gulping and licking their lips like hungry forest animals, perhaps they are.

Without wasting time, Monroe raised his sword and pinned me with a deadly glare. If only he had an understanding heart, he would see the sorrows behind my eyes.

He swiped the sword at me, and my body went numb, followed by the shut of my eyes. I didn't feel the sword, but I heard the tearing of clothes, my clothes left my body, and the cold air stung my skin. I feel real a** naked.

Mumble and cackle fills the arena.

I opened my eyes, to look down on my body, I realized my white chemise was still intact. Monroe smirked at me, and raised the sword again, probably to take down the remaining garment.

My stomach flipped, he poked at the center of my stomach, the coldness of it made my stomach flip.

But we heard, “Stop,” from the alpha.

Monroe turned his head at him and so did I, he raised his right hand at us.

“This is enough, maybe some time we will continue,” he moved to stand. “I need a long rest now, send her to the private dungeon,” he ordered Monroe.

The councils and others furrowed their brows in confusion.

I saw him turn to an older woman by his right, “Serve her the biggest punishment a sui generis can get," he declared before leaving.

“Yes, my lord,” she replied.

They bowed, and the other council trailed behind him, not without glaring at me.

I didn't know what happened or what changed his mood, but whatever, I need a long bath. Soon, the crowd dispersed. Monroe and one other guard unchained me, before dragging me out.

The clothes were left there, ruined into shatters.

*********

**********

Dusk.

The sky is grazed in grayish color, the moon is far from appearing, but the lights from the candles placed in every corner of the castle brightens it.

“Fetch the full tank, and be on bed before lights out!” Dini the head maid commanded before closing the kitchen door. I picked my clay pot and held it safely in my arms, while going to fetch water.

After the harassment in the courtyard, I was locked up in a dirty old room beside the kitchen, they didn't touch me again. But I've been refused food, and have just been chugging water to fill up my tummy.

I threw the vessel into the well and started to drag the water. I held the rope tightly so it won't slip, but it's heavy and it feels like I'm the one being dragged. Plus, the rope is cutting through my palms.

Sweat dripped down my face as I struggled, soon I felt two hands on my back.

“Goodness!” The rope slipped from me.

“Who the hel-”

I turned, and my gaze fell on the man I saw in the courtyard earlier, the golden eyes. My breathing seized, he stared down at me with raised brows, and he was too close.

Holding me, his arms wounded around my spine, he was too close, and I almost pushed him away, but he just saved me. Just a little more push, and I will be joining the rope deep down the well.

“a-Thank you,” I whispered, “I was fetching the pot and uh-umm- it seems the rope slipped from my hand," I tucked a piece of hair behind my ear and I blinked at his beauty.

His lips curved to one side with his smile, and he enchanted me with it, “Dini, do not tolerate clumsy slaves,” he said, his hands still on me. His voice is finely textured, sweet and rich, but…

Who is he?

He waved before releasing me, and continued, “It's fine, I will help you with that though,” he passed to the well, a faint scent of blueberry cake hit me, my tummy rumbled. I tried hard not to lick my lips, does he use a blueberry scented body wash?

He bends, “I have been in your position once, I thought I would be beheaded," he said and chuckled.

My position?

“Are you a slave?” I found my curiosity taking over before thinking twice.

His little smile plastered on his face before adding, “Of course, I am,” he started to drag the rope up, “What did you think I am?”

I wiped my hand on my gown, feeling nervous. “Oh, no, I didn't" I told him quietly so I don't disturb others that are asleep, “It's just that you don't look like a slave," I shook my head searching for words, “Like the others I've seen.”

“Others?”

“Here,” he hissed, and I reached out to collect the vessel from him.

He drew the water fast enough, and I wouldn't have done it without him. I looked up to appreciate it.

“Thank y-”

The pot slipped from me and shattered into pieces, my heart pounding faster than normal.

What? How?

His eyes color has changed to red, a bold, daring red color. I've never seen this in my whole existence, but I've heard of a breed that possesses it…

A demon-werewolf

He is a demon!

I froze, feeling my fingers shaking with pulses. Screaming in my mind that moon goddess save me this one last time, my limbs are burning up now, and I started to plan an escape.

“Are you okay?” he asked when I wouldn't move, he took a step towards me and I stirred back. “Hey, what's the problem, this pot is expensive and Di-”

“You are a demon?” a question with a thousand words.

He stilled, and his brows knitted together in confusion. But when he bent to see the view in the well, I didn't need a rising bell before darting wherever.

I ran for my life.

How is he a demon? I was completely enchanted by him, was that it?