The need for escape

Sidney rested his incredulous gaze on Hayden, then scoffed—he found it overly absurd why Hayden was acting this way because of a girl. None of them have any information whatsoever on whom she might really be. 

“In that daft head of yours, has you even considered who the fuck she might be?” Wesley spoke from behind with a crossed hand. Hayden merely dipped his hands into his soaked pocket. He pulled out a packet of cigarettes, but tossed it in a corner once he saw it's too wet. 

“What the fuck are you all getting jittery for, huh?” his question came as a sultry whisper as he dived his fingers delicately into his hair. No one could deny how astoundingly handsome he seemed at that moment. 

Sidney clenched his fist in anger—for some reason, he didn't want that girl in the palace at all. He lowered his head, while gritting his teeth furiously. 

“Hayden” he called plainly but softly. “You do know how much I hate peasants, right? Then why the fuck did you bring her in here!” The toxicity in his tone was undeniable—goosebumps dominated his arm, then subsequently, black fur sprouted out thinly. 

Hayden glanced sluggishly at him, unfazed by Sidney's lack of self-control; Sidney has the tendency to let his wolf out at slight provocation. 

“You're behaving quite childishly right now” Wesley scoffed irritably from behind. Sidney faced him with a sneer lingering on his lips. 

Jayson felt apprehensive and wanted so badly to resolve the issue amicably, but what can he do? — he's the weakest among the Jackson's. He got his wolf pretty late, terrible at physical combat, has the worst physique and…his indecisiveness is kept problematic. 

Jayden, however, didn't give a damn. He's currently tapping repeatedly on the screen of his iPhone, seemingly engrossed in texting a girl. He's a toxic playboy whose main interest is getting numerous girls laid—being an Alpha wasn't mainly his concern, but his father literally forced him into It. 

While Wesley and Sidney were about to throw another fistful, the entrance of Axel halted all actions. Sidney's wolf calmed down instantly as Axel strolled casually In. 

Sidney paved the way for Axel as he came to stand in front of Hayden, who's leaning against the door of the infirmary. 

Hayden, on the other hand, had his head bowed to the marble tiles—he had no intention of indulging in any conversation with his father. 

“Boy” Axel's icy tone basically could send shivers down someone's spine. Hayden did as instructed, but a resounding slap landed on his right cheek immediately. So hard was the slap that his lips bled instantly, yet he didn't flinch nor move a muscle. 

“You impudent little runt!” Axel grunted angrily with beaming red eyes. Hayden maintained eye contact, refusing to look away. 

“How dare you bring a peasant into the palace! A freaking rouge to be exact! How gusty of you!” Axel yelled while restraining himself from slapping him again. 

Hayden stared at him with unfeeling eyes; he'll be damned to portray any form of emotions in Axel's presence.

“She's a slave I brought, old man. Is there a problem with bringing her here?” Hayden retorted calmly. “A slave?” Axel repeated with an arched eyebrow. 

“It's a lie, dad. A fucking lie! That thing was run over by Wesley. Hayden was never obliged to save that piece of shit!” Sidney dissented loudly from behind. 

“Sid's right. I ran over her because she foolishly ran into the road; it wasn't my fault” Wesley defended himself. “And she's a rogue, right? A smelly one, though. So, leaving her there wasn't a big deal” Jayden added with a careless shrug. 

Jayson curled his fingers into a ball, oblivious of what to say. Axel returned his angry gaze to Hayden, who's staring flatley at him. 

“Your slave, you say? Well, that won't happen!” He declared vehemently. Hayden was made to oppose when the door was opened from within—he almost crashed to the ground, but held his stance. The doctor came to inform Hayden about Kiera being awake, but when he noticed the tense atmosphere, he wanted to withdraw. 

Then again, Axel forcefully and angrily made his way Into the room. The quintuplets followed quickly. 

Kiera, weak, feeble and perplexed about the whole thing, gasped inaudibly in surprise. Now her head was wrapped in bandages, her previous wounds were treated, but the pains in her abdomen remained. 

The numerous eyes gawking at her successfully got her feeling anxious, apprehensive, frightened and confused as hell. She clutched tightly to the sheets and bitten her lips frightfully. “Look how disgusting she is!” Sidney blurted, totally displeased by her presence—he felt he'd fall ill if he stayed there any longer.

Jayson cast his pitiful gaze on her, but Wesley and Hayden persisted their plain faces. 

Axel heaved a deep sigh before speaking. “Your name, child?” 

Kiera's heart skipped three consecutive beats at the sound of his voice; it was totally laced with authority. 

“K…k… Kiera Dawson” she stuttered unintentionally, but their gazes were far too intimidating. “What pack are you from, Kiera?”

Now, she was unable to respond to that—should she tell him her father fled from the Crimson Moon Pack because of his unforgivable crimes?

“Kiera?” Axel called again due to her hesitancy to reply. Those dark eyes of hers soon got teary, and she bit her lips hardly more, making blood gush out of it. 

“You can't speak, bitch!” Wesley thundered, making her flinch scarily. “Hey… Wesley” Jayson tried to caution him, but a glare got him gulping down nothingness. 

“How sure are we that you're not some lowly thief?” Sidney's harsh tone spoke. “N…no sir. I.”

“Don't talk when you're not asked, girl! You have no idea how much I distaste breathing the same air as you. So shut your mouth” Sidney wasn't latent—even his eyes showed his hatred for her. 

Axel needn't contemplate on the issue—she'll be sent out — now. Before he could pronounce his judgment, Jayden spoke. 

“Say, dad, let's make her our slave. An official one” he smudged seriously, his eyes practically eye raping her. He's seen numerous ladies, but…she; there's something more to that bewitching face of hers. He can't deny how alluring her curves are—he feels he'll die if he doesn't have her on his bed. They all cast confused gazes at him, Kiera inclusive.

“Slave?” Sidney scoffed. “Don't tell me you've taken a liking to that thing?” he added hatefully. 

“What If she tries to run away?” Wesley muttered from behind, and Jayden smirked.

“She won't. I mean, not after we've branded her like a real slave”.

Kiera's eyes doubled in size with her body trembling like fuck - fear overtook her system and his words sounded…so ridiculous to her ears. But…when they all agreed, she knew she was doomed. 

There she sat tongue-tied as they all left, but one stayed to stare at her blankly for a second. He didn't utter a word, then left. 

Subsequently, guards rolled in, then scooped her off the bed. 

“Wait! Wait! I can't…wait!!” She tried to reason with them but was totally ignored. Kiera kept shivering due to fear until she was taken away. 

*****************

Seated magnificently on the thrones were the Jackson's. Hayden was present, watching intensely as she was tied. Jayson, although timid, watched on. Sidney still wasn't comfortable with the decision yet didn't dissent.

Jayden and Wesley wore smiles on their faces and watched on.

Here in the ballroom, she was gagged with a handkerchief with her eyes covered with a blindfold, then made to kneel on the floor. 

Kiera's entire body shook continuously In fear—never did she imagine something like this would happen to her. The doctor who treated her was very nice, so why didn't he tell her about this. 

Of course, she's practically a rogue, but being treated as a slave. Did she run away from her father just to get into something more shitter?

Her thoughts were interrupted by the loud thud of a bucket. She gulped down emptiness—Kiera had heard about a slave being branded. Isn't it…. Utterly painful?

On the other hand, Hayden maintenanced his gaze on the guard who brought out the lengthy iron from the bucket of coal. The iron had a rounded surface which embolized the symbol of the Crimson Moon Pack. “Jeez” Jayson almost looked away as Kiera's were ripped over, revealing her blemish filled back. 

Muffled pleas elicited her lips as the steamy hot iron drew closer, yet no one paid attention to her. 

“Oh yeah!” Jayden grinned brightly, immediately the rounded surface of the iron kissed her back deeply. 

Kiera shook tremendously and would have broken free if not for the guards who held her arms firmly. Tears soaked the blindfold rapidly as the pains were too much for her to bear. 

Even Wesley wasn't able to keep a straight face—it undeniably looked excruciating. 

“Enough already!!” Jayson could no longer stay mute. The guard withdrew the iron from her back, revealing a blood symbol which now was a part of Kiera. She fell weakly to the fall, crying profusely due to the pain.

A tear slid from Jayson's eyes before rushing to her. He crouched then scooped her off the floor quickly, much to the amusement of Hayden and the vexation of Jayden, Wesley, and Sidney. 

“What the fuck are you doing?” Jayden demanded, standing up. 

“She's now a slave, right? I'm taking her to my room, since I can do whatever I want with her. So fuck you Jayden!!!!” Jayson screamed before storming off with a pitiful Kiera.