Greyhound

Elora's POV 

The horseman with Damon’s head in his hand, raised it high and gave a warning to everyone in the throne room.

My father sighed ruefully, “That was foolish of him, I apologise.”

The horseman scoffed, “You are not to blame. Children of this era have always been so naive. Perhaps, it's time we brought back the Scarlet-Crest era.”

For the first time in a long time, I saw my father shrink in fear. What was so fearful about some Scarlet-Crest era? Perhaps that was one of the times in the era of war?

He swallowed hard and dropped his head

The horseman simply shook his head and walked away. The other horseman still had his index claw out. I didn't even wait for him to ask before stretching my hand towards him. He made a clean cut on my thumb and gestured for me to press it on the parchment, which I did without complaint.

I was still in shock of Damon’s swift death. I had no feelings for him, but he was still a wolf that had siblings to take care of. I decided not to ask anymore questions, to prevent anyone else from dying.

Once the sealing was done, the horseman rolled the parchment and tucked it inside his uniform. He shook hands with my father, “It is done. We will take it from here.”

My father smiled, “Understood. It's a pleasure doing business with you.”

‘Business? You just sold your daughter off!’ I retorted inwardly.

I decided to take one last glance at my mother, but she had left already. Maybe she couldn't stand watching me go through this. Maybe she didn't know about the trade in the first place. She had been my only friend, and I trust her. 

‘I’ll come back for you, mum,’ I made a vow on that spot as the table mystically returned to its prior spot.

The four horsemen gathered before me, towering over me like giants.

“Shall we?” The one that killed Damon asked with a sly smile. I hated him with my every being.

But what could I do? Nothing. Absolutely nothing.

I turned and we walked out of the palace in silence.

Waiting for us outside were four brown horses and a one-horse carriage.

‘Is that why they call them the four horsemen? Why would wolves need those though?’ I wondered as they climbed the horses and pressing a brown hat on their heads.

It was just me and the carriage next to me. They just left me there to make a decision. They probably wanted to torture me if I ran the other way — not like I could with my bound ankles, but I wasn't stupid. I hopped into the carriage and sat down.

The driver hopped down and closed the door. Then he climbed back to his seat and took hold of the horse’s saddle.

The four horseman kicked at their horses’ belly and the driver of my carriage whipped the saddle.

…

It was a long ride to Greyhound. We didn't arrive at the kingdom until the following noon.

The four horsemen then took a turn toward the magnificent palace that was far away, while my carriage rode me to a backend of the kingdom.

The atmosphere gradually changed from a bustling metropolis to a damp, smoke filled, muddy area with small and old-looking wood houses.

I wanted to be surprised, I wanted to act sad, but what was the point? I already knew my fate before I left Dunham. This was going to be my life now.

The carriage suddenly stopped and I was thrown forward due to the inertia. The driver opened the door and cut my binds.

Then he hollered, “Off you go, princess!”

I rolled my eyes at him and alighted the carriage. At that moment, I felt a whack on my butt. The subtle rage that had been brimming in me since Dunham, ignited into flares.

I turned immediately and slapped him with all my strength. 

Y-Yeah, I shouldn't have done that.

As I hit him, his head turned the other way and he groaned. I smiled as I saw the outline of my fingers on his cheeks. My training must have paid off for me to hurt another werewolf, who was probably stronger than me.

But then, he shook his head and shot a death glare at him. He growled, “You worthless dreg!”

He didn't scare me and I was ready to hit him again. However, three other men came out of nowhere and stood by his side, their eyes filled with the same anger and… Lust?

“You shouldn't have done that, princess. But don't worry, we won't hurt you. We don't hit ladies after all,” one of them said with this underlying tone of deceit.

His companions laughed and one of them picked me up and slung me over his shoulder. I struggled to wriggle myself free, but his grip was tight.

They took me away towards the woods just up ahead. I stared at the other slaves and cooks that just sighed in melancholy and looked away, continuing their jobs. It seemed I wasn't the first victim. Not like they could do anything to help anyway.

Getting into the woods, I was thrown down, lifted up and pushed against a tree.

They cackled as they unzipped their pants and dropped them. They were going to force their disgusting selves on me!

Like getting abandoned by my kingdom wasn't enough, like being sold off as slave wasn't enough, I was going to lose my virginity to a group of deranged men?

Am I cursed or what?

The carriage driver was the first to come at me, running his hand down my back. He was about to tear off my dress, when I heard a whoosh, then a yell.

I no longer felt the man’s grip on me, so I turned in puzzlement. My eyes went wide when I saw the rider’s right arm twisted the other way. He laid on the floor, yelling in anguish. It was like a song to my ears.

Then I saw a man walk up to me, tall and charming. His hair was blonde and so long, it caressed his shoulders. His eyes were deep brown, I could almost mistake them for black.

He smiled at me, his voice deep and dominant, “You must be Princess Elora, the new intake.”

“Y-Yes,” I nodded like a woodpecker. “Yes, sir.”

He held up his smile, “Oh, please. The name's Alaric Greyhound.”