Absolute darkness.
All I could see was black: endless and suffocating. The blindfold dug painfully against my eyes. My head was pounding in pain from the pill Adrian forced me to swallow. I felt disoriented, the ringing in my ears going on and on, defeaning despite the silence surrounding me. Other than that, the only thing I could hear was my heavy breathing.
I didn't know how long I was hanging. Adrian dragged me straight to his playroom after meeting with the Rogue. Then he proceeded to tie my arms and hang me from the ceiling, feet dangling on the floor with just the tips of my toes barely touching the ground. My shoulders... my legs... my feet... everything was already aching.
As time stretched on, I could feel the tendrils of panic slowly seeping in. Goosebumps rose on my skin, and I had to continuously bite my lip, using the pain to ground myself. This torture was nothing new. Adrian had done so much worse to me, yet I found myself succumbing to his games again for the first time in a long while.
Just when I was on the edge of hyperventilating, I felt a cold touch against my bare abdomen. The sensation was so raw and sudden that it made me jump.
I gasped, willing my pounding heart to settle down. "A-Alpha...?"
Adrian didn't answer, but I knew he was circling me by the scent alone of ashes. There was a sharp tone of sulfur in his smell, showing just how agitated he was.
His fingers trailed down to my navel until it rested just above my mound. His touch was gentle, a stark contrast to his turbulent emotions. Somehow, his calmness was even more terrifying.
"Chiara," he whispered hoarsely. "Tell me... who do you belong to?"
"I belong to you, Alpha." The words fell off my lips easily. It was a chant I've long since memorized, accompanied by the familiar bile and twist in my gut.
I heard Adrian's footsteps as he walked behind me. With the blindfold on, all my other senses were heightened. His breath against my ear was hot. Stiffling. "Is that true?"
"Yes, Alpha." My heart thudded even louder.
"I don't think you're telling the truth."
The first lash was always the most painful. I didn't even have time to prepare myself before the leather hit my bare bottom. I cried out and lifted my legs in an attempt to get away from Adrian. He simply grabbed me by my waist and pressed me against him as he grounded his hard cock on me.
Adrian grabbed my hair and pulled my head back. The strain in my shoulders intensified. I whimpered and wiggled against his hold, but he just gripped me tighter.
Snarling, he asked again, "Who do you belong to?!"
"You, Alpha!" I screamed back.
The whip cracked again for the second time. It was more bearable, but the sting was still there.
I swallowed my anger— anger at Adrian, anger at myself for my helplessness, and anger at the situation. He didn't care what my answer would be. He knew anyway what the exact words that I'd say. This whole thing was just a means for him to let out his frustration on someone.
It further solidified my theory that Adrian needed the Rogue for something. He's mad enough to dole out punishment because of the Rogue, but he chose not to go against him and instead hurt me.
Adrian continued whipping me, the crack of leather mixing with my cries and his grunts. By the time he stopped, my behind was burning. And when his cold hands caressed my stinging skin, I shut my mind from everything.
Lush forests sprawled beyond my consciousness. Instead of chilling fingers, I felt the soft touch of the breeze. My wolf yipped and barked as she chased butterflies on the winding path through the trees. Silken fur covered my skin, and the thrill of carefree speed accompanied me until the whimpers stopped, the grunts faded, and numbness sunk in.
***
When I woke up, it was already past midnight. Adrian had carried me back to his bedroom. I could feel his naked chest against me, his arms curled around my waist, pinning me in place. Thankfully, he's sound asleep. He finally managed to tire himself out enough to slumber.
I considered smothering him to death. There's a gun stashed in the drawer beside the bed. It was loaded and had a silencer. Could I pull the trigger faster than his wolf's instincts? After that, what then? Could I just walk out of the compound without anyone knowing what I did?
The temptation almost won out, but I knew better. Adrian would have me subdued even before my fingers touched the drawer.
I shook my head and focused instead on my body. It was sore, and my nether regions had a burning ache. My hands, from my elbows down to my wrists, were also covered in welts. I ignored everything, wrapped my chaotic emotions in a neat mental box, and shoved it back into my mind. I found it much easier to deal with what happened this way. At least I didn't have to think about it until I was ready.
Carefully, I scooted away from him and out of the bed. A low grump escaped his lips, but his eyes remained closed. I breathed a sigh of relief, grabbed a short-sleeved robe, and tip-toed out of his room.
The hallway was already dark when I came out. Only the glow of the moonlight coming from the row of palladian windows illuminated the place. My room was directly across Adrian's since he liked to keep me close. However, a faint pull urged me to continue walking beyond my door.
My wolf was silent inside me, but I could feel her closer to the surface than ever before. I didn't think much of it, though. I was more curious about the pull that was calling me. It's an enticing sensation, unlike anything I've ever felt. The... rightness... of it was confusing. It was as if I was destined to hear and answer its call.
The pull led me towards the balcony overlooking the garden. The full moon casted a blue-white sheen over the red-blooming roses, making everything look ethereal. It would've been perfect if not for the blot staining the otherwise mystic scene.
The Rogue stood on the balcony, eyes focused on the garden below him. He'd cleaned up already. His hair was still wet, likely fresh out of a shower. The faded jeans hugged his legs nicely and showed his well-toned muscles. His upper body was clad in a brown leather jacket. He looked like a blight against the backdrop of the pretty night garden.
The Rogue turned to me as I stopped on the threshold that separated the balcony from the hallway. His lips quirked into a smile, but it fell quickly when his eyes landed on my arms.
"You..." His voice was hoarse as his sentence trailed off. A thunderous expression flashed in his face, and he took a step towards me. I backed up immediately. Perhaps sensing my agitation, he smoothed his expression and raised his hands. "I won't hurt you."
I pursed my lips and kept my eyes trained on him. "Why are you here?"
The Rogue tilted his head, sighed, and brought down his hands. "Why are you here?" He asked me back.
Why was I? I recalled what led me to this place. It was the call— that alluring call... but where was it?
Looking around, I tried to search for its source. I found nothing, and the call was gone.
My shoulders slumped, and I turned to leave. "Nothing. I was just walking by," I answered. "Try not to idle in the halls. You will make the Pack Alpha suspicious."
The Rogue scoffed and approached me. This time, I managed to school my expression and stay in place. "I don't care about that stupid mutt."
A harsh exterior and even harsher words. I couldn't help but wince, my eyes automatically sweeping the surroundings. For a heartbeat, I feared Adrian had heard us and come to punish me again. Despite my efforts, his sadistic endeavors were still fresh in my mind.
The Rogue remained quiet after that, and we stood side by side.
I decided to break the silence when it became too much. "What does the Pack Alpha need you for?"
Surprisingly, my question made the Rogue smile. The gesture looked odd on his sharp face but lightened his severe features. There was a spark in his grey eyes as he looked down on me. "What's your name?"
I furrowed my brows as I stared back at him. "W-what...? I asked you first."
"You can call me Lance," he answered, ignoring my protest. "If you tell me your name, maybe I'll tell you why I'm here."
"You probably already know me."
"Prooobably," he said, elongating the word. "But I'd rather hear it straight from you."
I just stared at him, baffled.
"So?" He raised a brow.
"That's stupid," I snapped.
The Rogue laughed, a tinkling sound that confusingly lifted my mood. I realized that his eyes crinkled almost close when he did so, and he had dimples when he smiled wide enough.
His laughter died down eventually, and he looked at me again with a softer expression. "Kale and arugula are good for surface wounds. Make sure to clean it." Then, he waved and turned around to walk away. "See you soon, Madam. As your bodyguard, I'll make sure to protect you."
I watched him leave after that, my mind running a million miles a second. My hands clasped the welts on my exposed arms. I'd forgotten about them already when I saw him standing on the balcony.
The Rogue—no, Lance—was a puzzling person. Did he mean what he said about protecting me? Could he even, despite his willingness? I doubted it. After all, what were we but simple slaves to our own goals? Adrian needed him. Lance needed something from Adrian, so he accepted his offer. And me? I needed to escape from this hell.
Lance was puzzling, but no puzzle was complex enough for a desperate person. I'd crack him soon, and then I'd pave my path to freedom with my own bloody hands.
The scent of roses still lingered, cloaking my body like a comforting blanket. It's the only buffer I had against the murderous thoughts running in my head because fuck me... those damned wounds...I kept repeating my meeting with my mate as I lay on my bed. I purposely snuck out in the middle of the night, hoping to find where she was staying. When my wolf felt her presence near the garden balcony, I stayed until the bond led her to me.It took all my control to stop my wolf from ravaging her right then and there. We were feeling equally betrayed and desperate, a yearning so painful it rivalled the one I've always harboured in my heart. Even in her bed-rumpled state, my mate looked oh-so-fucking delectable.And then I saw the welts, and all lustful thoughts went out the window.I swear when I saw that bastard Adrian again, I would strangle him with my bare hands. I would take great pleasure in seeing his black and blue face under me, the light in his eyes dimming as I exact his judgm
"You left too early last night."Adrian's voice was measured, and his face looked calm and composed. I tried to get a read of him as we continued eating in the dining room, a spread of breakfast and pastries separating us. Despite my efforts, I couldn't determine whether he was simply curious or hiding his anger.After seeing the Rogue... or Lance, I returned to my room last night. I couldn't bear to stay in the same space with Adrian, and my brief talk with Lance left me unbalanced. I hoped Adrian would be calm enough when morning came, and we could return to our previous routine.Routine meant predictable actions. Routine meant I could plan ahead.But this, Adrian Galway, hiding his emotions? It meant bad things.I swallowed another bite of food before answering him. "I needed something from my room, and I figured you wouldn't want to be disturbed in your sleep. So, I decided to stay back."Adrian hummed while meticulously slicing a slab of bacon. I watched his deft fingers move, im
Between the murderous thoughts running through my head, thinking how dare these mutts threaten my mate, and the nauseating indignation as to how she could think I couldn't protect her myself, deep down, I knew what Chiara was doing.Still, when the shifters moved closer to our position, I couldn't stop the snarl that ripped from my throat. My wolf pushed against the confines of my body, begging to be let out and lay havoc. Elongated canines dug deep into my lips, and claws slipped from my fingertips.Depending on the Alpha, the effect of his dominance could vary. Adrian's dominance was a toe-curling chill that sunk deep into a person's bones. It was designed to instill fear, immobilize, and bend others to his will. Fitting for someone of his designation.As for mine?I didn't need the theatrics. Out in the woods, where I had no one to rule, and everyone else was my enemy, it was better to keep things straight to the point.The shifters gasped and fell to the ground like puppets with t
I smiled at Connor as he approached us, but deep inside, my heart was pounding. Lance looked unaffected, though. Perhaps slightly angry, with a slight furrow between his brows and lips quirked down. Other than those reactions, he seemed wholly calm.I wished I could be as composed as him. My hands were already starting to shake again, and I had to repeatedly pinch my skin to ground myself. There was a prickling feeling on my neck, as if someone was watching me. It's as if Adrian was staring at me with disappointment.'Who do you belong to?' His voice inside my head asked.'You belong with me. Too broken for anyone else other than her Alpha. I own you, Chiara. You're mine. Mine, mine, mine—'"Madam?"I jolted out of my trance and found Connor staring at me worriedly. The mismatched colors of gray and blue in his eyes were more prominent in the early morning sun. He wasn't looking at me like I was a traitor set for the gallows. He wasn't readily dragging me towards the compound and tell
Run.Run as fast as you can.Don't look back. Don't falter. Just keep running. Just keep -"Ahhh!!"My internal mantra got interrupted when my feet tripped over an exposed root. It sent me tumbling down a small hill, scrapes and cuts marring my fair skin. I couldn't stop myself from yelping, and no sooner than the sound left my lips, I heard the telltale barks of wolves in the distance.I scratched my neck for the millionth time that night, desperate to dislodge the metal choker around it. My nails came out crusted with both dried and fresh blood. The silver choker served as a twisted reminder of my position and inability to shift into my wolf. It would've been much easier if I could run faster than my two human feet.No time to dwell on it, though. My time was running out.With a huff, I planted my hands on the ground and pushed myself up. I willed my legs to keep working, resuming my escape deeper into the forest. The bright moon lit up my path through the winding trees. I could vag
Three Years AfterWincing, I dabbed the make-up brush harder against my skin. The foundation gradually concealed the finger-shaped marks around my neck. After I put on the choker again, it would look like nothing had ever happened.Just the way I liked it.Every day, it got harder to cling to my quest for revenge. It started with the hope of taking out the Pack Alpha and gaining my freedom. Reality soon dashed it, and my next goal became much less until it devolved into the simplest things.Silent protests, never-spoken insults, and vague jabs against my tormentor. I took my wins, no matter how small, to keep myself sane and continue fanning my dwindling fire.My wolf whined in my head as I finally finished my make-up and put on the choker again. The silver metal was cold against my skin, and I gulped as its familiar weight settled on my neck. It was encrusted with diamonds to complement my ball gown. Nevertheless, its meaning hadn't changed.It's been years since I shifted into my wo
"Let's all welcome, Galway's Pack Alpha, Adrian!"The host's voice boomed throughout the ballroom, and the guests turned their heads to us as we entered. My hand was in the crook of Adrian's elbow. He expertly maneuvered us through the crowd, greeting each of them as he walked toward the center. It didn't escape my attention that none of them even glanced at me. I was used to being ignored by everyone, although the reasons why they did so varied. Some hated me for my position. Despite being practically a property to Adrian, I had some perks. Nothing could grant me power, but I could at least live a comfortable life —well, as comfortable as I could— while being subjected to Adrian's sadistic side.However, everyone also knew that I was off-limits. The Pack Alpha was a notoriously ruthless leader. When it came to his... interests, he was over-protective with them. Or perhaps it's better to say that he was possessive and obsessed. His violent tendencies were enough to deter anyone from
Smack!My shoulder throbbed as the bloody bastard brought down his baton against it. I snarled and tried to shrug the mutt off, but my cuffed hands didn't help. Instead, I fell on my knees, my teeth knocking painfully from the impact.Hands gripped the scruff of my shirt, dragging me forward."If you can't even walk, we might as well just break those legs. They're fucking useless anyway," one of the patrols drawled as he looked down on me.I glared at him and bared my teeth. "Bold of you to assume you can just lay your hand on me, mutt."Derisive laughter came from the wolves surrounding me. "Are you blind, too? Or maybe just plain stupid. We've caught you, Rogue.""You're all bark but no bite!" Another hollered, followed by a round of chuckles."No, that's wrong," someone wheezed in while laughing. "He's no wolf. Not like while being tied up like a pig in slaughter. Oink, oink!"I gritted my teeth and stayed silent while they laughed their assess off. If I could just break away from
I smiled at Connor as he approached us, but deep inside, my heart was pounding. Lance looked unaffected, though. Perhaps slightly angry, with a slight furrow between his brows and lips quirked down. Other than those reactions, he seemed wholly calm.I wished I could be as composed as him. My hands were already starting to shake again, and I had to repeatedly pinch my skin to ground myself. There was a prickling feeling on my neck, as if someone was watching me. It's as if Adrian was staring at me with disappointment.'Who do you belong to?' His voice inside my head asked.'You belong with me. Too broken for anyone else other than her Alpha. I own you, Chiara. You're mine. Mine, mine, mine—'"Madam?"I jolted out of my trance and found Connor staring at me worriedly. The mismatched colors of gray and blue in his eyes were more prominent in the early morning sun. He wasn't looking at me like I was a traitor set for the gallows. He wasn't readily dragging me towards the compound and tell
Between the murderous thoughts running through my head, thinking how dare these mutts threaten my mate, and the nauseating indignation as to how she could think I couldn't protect her myself, deep down, I knew what Chiara was doing.Still, when the shifters moved closer to our position, I couldn't stop the snarl that ripped from my throat. My wolf pushed against the confines of my body, begging to be let out and lay havoc. Elongated canines dug deep into my lips, and claws slipped from my fingertips.Depending on the Alpha, the effect of his dominance could vary. Adrian's dominance was a toe-curling chill that sunk deep into a person's bones. It was designed to instill fear, immobilize, and bend others to his will. Fitting for someone of his designation.As for mine?I didn't need the theatrics. Out in the woods, where I had no one to rule, and everyone else was my enemy, it was better to keep things straight to the point.The shifters gasped and fell to the ground like puppets with t
"You left too early last night."Adrian's voice was measured, and his face looked calm and composed. I tried to get a read of him as we continued eating in the dining room, a spread of breakfast and pastries separating us. Despite my efforts, I couldn't determine whether he was simply curious or hiding his anger.After seeing the Rogue... or Lance, I returned to my room last night. I couldn't bear to stay in the same space with Adrian, and my brief talk with Lance left me unbalanced. I hoped Adrian would be calm enough when morning came, and we could return to our previous routine.Routine meant predictable actions. Routine meant I could plan ahead.But this, Adrian Galway, hiding his emotions? It meant bad things.I swallowed another bite of food before answering him. "I needed something from my room, and I figured you wouldn't want to be disturbed in your sleep. So, I decided to stay back."Adrian hummed while meticulously slicing a slab of bacon. I watched his deft fingers move, im
The scent of roses still lingered, cloaking my body like a comforting blanket. It's the only buffer I had against the murderous thoughts running in my head because fuck me... those damned wounds...I kept repeating my meeting with my mate as I lay on my bed. I purposely snuck out in the middle of the night, hoping to find where she was staying. When my wolf felt her presence near the garden balcony, I stayed until the bond led her to me.It took all my control to stop my wolf from ravaging her right then and there. We were feeling equally betrayed and desperate, a yearning so painful it rivalled the one I've always harboured in my heart. Even in her bed-rumpled state, my mate looked oh-so-fucking delectable.And then I saw the welts, and all lustful thoughts went out the window.I swear when I saw that bastard Adrian again, I would strangle him with my bare hands. I would take great pleasure in seeing his black and blue face under me, the light in his eyes dimming as I exact his judgm
Absolute darkness.All I could see was black: endless and suffocating. The blindfold dug painfully against my eyes. My head was pounding in pain from the pill Adrian forced me to swallow. I felt disoriented, the ringing in my ears going on and on, defeaning despite the silence surrounding me. Other than that, the only thing I could hear was my heavy breathing.I didn't know how long I was hanging. Adrian dragged me straight to his playroom after meeting with the Rogue. Then he proceeded to tie my arms and hang me from the ceiling, feet dangling on the floor with just the tips of my toes barely touching the ground. My shoulders... my legs... my feet... everything was already aching.As time stretched on, I could feel the tendrils of panic slowly seeping in. Goosebumps rose on my skin, and I had to continuously bite my lip, using the pain to ground myself. This torture was nothing new. Adrian had done so much worse to me, yet I found myself succumbing to his games again for the first ti
Adrian was mad.I could feel it in how he gripped my waist, fingers digging into my skin. That would bruise, for sure. It was another thing I had to hide and ignore.But what I was most concerned about was the man kneeling before us. I watched him from the corner of my eyes, drinking in his scruffy appearance and bloodied face. Matted dark hair stuck to his tanned forehead, and his dark gray eyes were shadowed. There was a flash of hurt and sorrow, but they were gone so quickly that I thought I might've just imagined them. A faint scent of pinewood permeated the room, making my wolf stir for a bit before returning to slumber again. It wasn't surprising, given how much she's been hidden.The man looked at Adrian and me with mild interest. They called him The Rogue Wolf. His story had haunted packs for more than a decade: a wolf-shifter who had gone mad and slaughtered his members.Rumors said that it must've been a disease that caused his rampage, while some theorized that he was simpl
Smack!My shoulder throbbed as the bloody bastard brought down his baton against it. I snarled and tried to shrug the mutt off, but my cuffed hands didn't help. Instead, I fell on my knees, my teeth knocking painfully from the impact.Hands gripped the scruff of my shirt, dragging me forward."If you can't even walk, we might as well just break those legs. They're fucking useless anyway," one of the patrols drawled as he looked down on me.I glared at him and bared my teeth. "Bold of you to assume you can just lay your hand on me, mutt."Derisive laughter came from the wolves surrounding me. "Are you blind, too? Or maybe just plain stupid. We've caught you, Rogue.""You're all bark but no bite!" Another hollered, followed by a round of chuckles."No, that's wrong," someone wheezed in while laughing. "He's no wolf. Not like while being tied up like a pig in slaughter. Oink, oink!"I gritted my teeth and stayed silent while they laughed their assess off. If I could just break away from
"Let's all welcome, Galway's Pack Alpha, Adrian!"The host's voice boomed throughout the ballroom, and the guests turned their heads to us as we entered. My hand was in the crook of Adrian's elbow. He expertly maneuvered us through the crowd, greeting each of them as he walked toward the center. It didn't escape my attention that none of them even glanced at me. I was used to being ignored by everyone, although the reasons why they did so varied. Some hated me for my position. Despite being practically a property to Adrian, I had some perks. Nothing could grant me power, but I could at least live a comfortable life —well, as comfortable as I could— while being subjected to Adrian's sadistic side.However, everyone also knew that I was off-limits. The Pack Alpha was a notoriously ruthless leader. When it came to his... interests, he was over-protective with them. Or perhaps it's better to say that he was possessive and obsessed. His violent tendencies were enough to deter anyone from
Three Years AfterWincing, I dabbed the make-up brush harder against my skin. The foundation gradually concealed the finger-shaped marks around my neck. After I put on the choker again, it would look like nothing had ever happened.Just the way I liked it.Every day, it got harder to cling to my quest for revenge. It started with the hope of taking out the Pack Alpha and gaining my freedom. Reality soon dashed it, and my next goal became much less until it devolved into the simplest things.Silent protests, never-spoken insults, and vague jabs against my tormentor. I took my wins, no matter how small, to keep myself sane and continue fanning my dwindling fire.My wolf whined in my head as I finally finished my make-up and put on the choker again. The silver metal was cold against my skin, and I gulped as its familiar weight settled on my neck. It was encrusted with diamonds to complement my ball gown. Nevertheless, its meaning hadn't changed.It's been years since I shifted into my wo