The young woman sitting by me stopped her game and watched me rant in astonishment. When I ran out of angry words, she clapped her hands in succession, and it echoed in the silence."Well said, Princess, but I think someone lied to you, just like they lied to some of them over there," she said, pointing to a point in the room's corner. "Over there in the blue dress is Princess Kit of the Blue Brook Pack. She was given away as an alliance gift to the Lycan King and found herself as a slave here the very next day. Following her is Princess Yvette from the distant pack region of the werecats. She was told that she was to be matched with the Lycan Prince. She has not gotten over the deceit that led to her being here, but she is infatuated with the prince. You will do well to avoid her mostly. "I rubbed my arms, soothing the rough spots from the previous itching, and pondered on all she had said. I was not a gift, but a slave. Then who was she and how did she know all that she did? She mu
The screaming continued, drawing my attention. My wolf, a grey-furred affair, was alert, nipping at me to discover who this incessant screamer was. I strolled to the open window and looked out only to see a young woman tied to a pole. Two warriors stood on both sides, whipping her maliciously. She dodged some of the whippings but suffered the brunt of their cruelty. Her clothing was in shambles, threads loose and hems in disarray.I summoned my right-hand man, and he raced to my side promptly."Yes, my Lord," he replied adequately, his head slightly bowed. I turned my back on him and watched the torture session out in the fields."Do you know who that is, Ryker?" I tapped my fingers on the sill, unconsciously counting the number of whips falling on her back."Yes, my Lord," he repeated, bowing again. "That is Princess Miatta of the Black Fur Pack, and she is being punished for speaking against your father, the Alpha.""On whose orders?""Beta Logan, my Lord," he bowed finally, and I d
I had not told her the cause of my wounds, and neither had the guard who had come with me, but I didn't bother asking her how she had found out. I had learnt not to expect answers to questions like that from living with my mother for so long. Athena handed me a woolen dress. She explained that she had ripped my old clothes off of me in order to get to every wound.Some of the fabric was glued to the sores and I screamed as she tried to pry them as carefully as possible. The new dress was soft and cool to the touch, like the ones my mother used to make. Nostalgia brought tears to my eyes, and Athena wiped them on my behalf."Save your tears, young one. Your journey has just begun. Crying will not change your destiny. Do not stray from your path again; the next time will be fatal.May the Goddess be with you. " She blessed me and touched my forehead delicately. The lycan waiting outside grunted to express his impatience, and she clicked her tongue at him."Do you mean to hurry me, Kareem?
MiattaAfter the meal, the slaves dispersed, leaving the newcomers behind. Addy wished me luck and left for her duty post. It turned out that Yvette was the head of all the slaves, and this was because the Lycan Prince had an affinity for her. We were eleven in number, and she made us file out before her. Her group waited at a corner, obviously not leaving without her."I don't want to say welcome to you all because I'm not glad you are here, but nevertheless, the Lycan King needs more slaves at his disposal. I will give a brief introduction for your benefit."Thank you, Prefect Yvette," the slaves chorused in union like brainwashed animals. I bit on my lower lip to hold back a laugh, and she went on, pleased with herself."There are five groups of workers here represented by colors, and they are as follows: Group Blue, Group Red, Group Brown, Group Black, and Group White. Each group has a leader in charge who makes reports and brings complaints to me on behalf of the group. No group
"Hey, I'm Miatta," I introduced myself, making an attempt to be polite."I know," she replied, smiling. "Everyone knows you. I'm Ryan. After your scrabble with Sigma Desdemona, the others wanted to know who you were, and now with Yvette. "You are kind of famous actually."My group's task for the week was to work on the garden, and I was elated. I had prayed to the Moon Goddess earlier, requesting that she spare me from dish duty just yet, and she must have listened to my unusual petition. My group had fifteen members, which meant our jobs would be easier and faster.I was disappointed a little to notice that neither Addy nor Ramona, the only two people I could recognize from a crowd, were in my group. Elena was our leader, and she was like Addy; funny and patient, so I felt better afterwards. She gave each of us tools and allocated us to different parts of the garden.I got a blunt pair of shears, and when I complained about the inefficiency, she dropped a rock into my palms. I did no
MiattaIt was already sundown after our gardening task. Elena led us back to the dark room, our hands on our shoulders on a straight file. I caught myself occasionally looking out for the helpful stranger, but he had indeed vanished. I thought of asking someone if they had seen him too, to confirm that he hadn't been a ghost or a trick of the light, but remembering how they had laughed instead of coming to my aid earlier, I kept my question to myself. In the dark room, I was reunited with Addy, and she welcomed me warmly."So...how was your first day in the garden?" She shuffled to the left, creating a seat for me beside her. She was in Group White and they had been assigned to room sanitation. Ramona was in the same group as Addy, and she sat close to us too, humming a tune lightly."It was a new experience but not as unpleasant as I had thought," I admitted, leaning against the wall. It had taken me some time to get used to the pair of scissors, but in the end, I had gotten the hang
Miatta When I returned to the dark room, I was royally miffed and didn't want to speak to anyone. Addy's group members surrounded her in silence and my guilt pinched me severely. Addy, innocent Addy was in the state she was because of me and there was nothing I could do about it. Ramona was teary and she indulged in her tears, tugging on Addy’s still hands. Her long golden locks were scattered around her face, framing it like a halo. I approached the group tentatively, the other slaves watching me curiously. “May I?” I asked no one in particular but they adjusted to create some room for me to huddle around their fallen leader. No one said a word to me and I was oddly pleased with their silence. At least they were not pointing accusing fingers at me even if their hearts were against me. I took Addy's hand and pressed on the knuckles, focusing all my concentration on her face. There was a technique my mother used to bring some of her agitated patients out of unconsciousness. She woul
MiattaYvette stepped away from the Lycan Prince, her mouth agape with shock. I had done the exact opposite of what she had probably been expecting. I remembered that I was not supposed to be causing any trouble because I had pledged my allegiance to the Lycan King, and so, I was to be seen and not heard. I rose to my feet and executed a perfect curtsy that would have put Addy's to shame."Is that all you have to say, Miatta?" The prince relented, and it turned out that Yvette was not the only one I had managed to disappoint with my good wolf act. He adjusted his stance, and I said nothing more, waiting for him to leave."Do you even know the punishment for your offense?" He continued speaking, encircling me in the process. I was tempted to follow his movements to prevent him leaving my line of sight, but it would not suit my objective. I was not afraid of many people, but the Lycan King was an exception. The lycan surrounding me was about to join that exception list. It felt weirdly
Lucas I watched her sleep though it had not been induced of her own accord. Ryker had shortened her breath and brought her to me in my room. At first, when I saw her, I thought she was dead because of how limp she laid in his big arms. However, after he explained the lengths he had to go to ensure he returned with her, I took her from him and placed her where she belonged; beside me in my bed. Since then, sleep deserted me, rendering me a guard over her. I threaded her hair between my fingers, combing gently and letting the soft tresses slide away. Her scent was light as she was unconscious but once she was awake, it would fill the air with its mouthwatering vanilla aroma. Her clothes were dirty from wherever she had been, dry clumps of dirt gluing to various areas of the dress. It was ruined for sure and eventually, I had to take them off her to prevent her from developing a rash. Undressing her came with its own difficulties. She would sigh occasionally in a sensual manner and my
“I can't believe you chose Lucas over your freedom, Miatta,” Addy kept saying over and over again after I had sent Ryker away. The pesky bodyguard had seen me on my back from the path and had suggested that I came with him. “No,” I had said to him, not taking more than a minute to make up my mind. “The festivities are over and he no longer has a reason to keep me cooped up in his room. It will be best for all if I returned to the slave room where I belong.” He was not convinced by my act of martyrdom but knowing Ryker, I was confident that he would not force me to do anything I didn't want to. He respected me not just as his master’s mate but as a person. He waited to see if I would change my mind but instead, I walked around him and continued on the route I had earlier set out. Lucas would not be pleased with him but I tried not to think about how Lucas was feeling. Bringing my roaming thoughts to the present, I saw disappointment boldly written on Addy’s face. I was disappointed
Miatta “You can't be serious, Miatta! You want to turn back now? Think about what you are about to do!” Ramona admonished at the top of her voice. I pulled her into the shadows and slapped my palm onto her mouth. “Unless you want to be caught and dragged back to that land of bondage, I suggest you lower your tone and listen to me!” She swallowed twice, her eyes damp and became calm. When I was sure she would not break down in tears, I lifted my palm off her lips and gave her my back. I couldn't explain the feeling I was having but I just couldn't leave Red Bone Pack. My heart was there, lying asleep in the woods while my body was planning on leaving. It just didn't seem right. “Once I get you over the mountains, you will go on without me. Don't look back, don't think about this land, about Addy or me. I will be fine. Stick to the shadows and when it is dawn, run as fast as your legs can carry you. You are a wolf and you can easily find your way once you channel your senses in the
Miatta By the time I returned to the path, I was exhausted from running all the way. My lungs were screaming at me for exercising that hard and I had to stop myself twice from falling on my face. I was still far from the secret passage and I pushed on, using my honed abilities anywhere the moonlight could not reveal to me. My conscience stabbed at me with every step I took and I starved it by thinking less of what I had done and more on what I was about to do. I would be home sooner than I ever anticipated since arriving at Red Bone Pack and I wasn't going to let my nosy, star-stricken wolf ruin it for me. Suddenly, I heard a mild rustling of leaves from somewhere behind me and I froze in place. My mind raced to conclusion that perhaps Lucas had not been sleeping after all and had trailed behind me. I gulped through a tight throat and held my breath, crouching into a squat. Whoever it was, I was determined not to be discovered. The footsteps drew closer and I peeped from where I was
Miatta Lucas dropped into a crouch, bones snapping and rearranging within him. His shifting phase looked painful yet intriguing, drawing attention to the spectacle. Thick sheaves of hair grew out on his neck and back and he howled long into the night. It caused shivers down my spinal column as I marveled at his animalistic beauty. Suddenly, he leapt off the ground, somersaulted in mid-air and landed gracefully on all fours. His clothes were in shreds at his feet and I stood in quiet adoration. His wolf had ink-black, almost oily fur, covering him from his head to his powerful paws. He sniffed at something in the air and turned his head towards me in expectation. His eyes were darker and mystic, compelling me to do anything he asked. In either form, he was a sight to behold and I was proud he was mine, all mine. As shifters, our eyes represented the colour of our fur. The eyes were the window to the soul and our animals were our soul. Without them, one was condemned to a unfulfilled
Miatta The festival night was heated and the excitement filled the air. Mated couples sat next to each other, necking and flirting openly while the single ones hoped for a match from the Goddess. Slabs of meat were served starting from the royal household and later, it was distributed amongst the pack. Even the slaves got a bit of everything though it wasn't in large amounts like those of the freeborns. Lucas gave me no excuses to leave his sight and was super clingy throughout the night. He decided he wanted to feed me himself and I obliged him to take any suspicions off me. He was charming and the little he knew, the better for both of us. However, I couldn't help searching the crowd for Addy. It was almost time for the free run and I had not set my eyes on either she or Ramona. My wolf was itching for action and I could feel her nipping at my guts. The lunar sensation was getting to her and I had to get away before I was pushed off by her. Our empty meal bowl lay at my side and
Miatta My visiting hour was up and I escorted Addy and her group back to the dark room. She pulled me in for a final hug and whispered shortly in my ear: “Do not forget your promise to me.” She had asked for my word and I had given it selflessly. Addy had never asked anything of me in the past and now that she had, I didn't want to let her down. Ramona was coming with me by nightfall. There was to be a wolf run and during that period, every shifter was free to do what he pleased, slave or freeborn. Many found their mates on the day of the Moon Festival while others just mingled sexually for the fun of it, a one-night only orgy. It was at that time when everyone was distracted that I planned to leave with Ramona. On my way back, shadows had fallen along my path, protecting me from the harsh sunlight. The weather was not hot however as chilly winds clashed with each other. Goosebumps were aligned on my upper arm and I rubbed my relatively warm palms along them. I mentally made plan
Mood SwingsMiatta “You bathed the Lycan Prince?” Ramona exclaimed, her eyes large in wonder. I grimaced, attempting a shy smile while Addy burst into laughter. “Well, he didn't give me a choice!” I retorted, wanting to defend myself. They were on garden duty but I sat with Addy, reminiscing the past events of the week. They were on garden duty but I was in a shade, discussing with Addy from there. Ramona chopped unevenly at the flowers, reminding me of the first time I had done the job. Lucas had come to my aid but then, he had been Luke to me. Subconsciously, a smile grew on my lips, my protest forgotten. “Someone is thinking of someone special,” Addy teased, using her shears skillfully like they were an extension of her arms. She was just so capable at everything, the shifter version of perfection. She juggled her brows at me, not losing sight of the shrub she was trimming. When I nodded in Ramona's direction, she twisted her neck at her understudy and gasped in horror. “Ramona
Miatta After my bath with Lucas, I began to give more thought to returning home. I loved Lucas truly but I loved my family first. They meant the world to me and I had to see them again even if it was for the last time. Lucas was uncharacteristically quiet, giving me more time to ponder my plans. “What do you think about Beta Logan?” he suddenly asked, taking me by surprise. I didn't know why he was asking me about the sneaky lycan and so, I was unsure of what answer to give him. Personally, Beta Logan made me uncomfortable in my own skin but I couldn't tell Lucas that because it would lead to him asking more questions. “I think he is very loyal to your father.” With my back to him, I heard rather than saw Lucas approach me from behind. He tugged on my arm, pulling me onto a stool. I didn't resist him, going along with whatever he wanted. He pinched the bridge of his nose, meditating on whatever he was about to say. “Cut the crap, Miatta. I asked you what you think of him as he i