DID HE SERVE YOU WELL?

"Oh no! I messed up." Those were the only words I could manage to utter, staring at the dramatic scene around me.

My heartbeat increased rapidly with the growing realization that I hadn’t just escaped one trap, I’d stumbled into another, and with strangers I didn’t recognize. Who were these three? They didn't look like anyone from the packs I knew.

Then, the memory of Clara hit me like a shock of cold water. She was all alone in that room, defenseless. If they caught on to my escape, she’d be their next target, I had to get to her before it was too late.

I tried to lift their hands off me as quietly as possible, avoiding any further disturbance, so that I could escape easily from this place.

"What are they eating? Are their hands made of dumbbells?" Why are they so heavy?" I couldn't help but curse my weak strength, struggling against their grip. Lifting those arms felt like a workout in itself, but I finally managed to crawl out of bed.

I can't walk out in this naked state, but where is the dress which I was wearing last night?

My gaze dropped to the floor, where clothes were scattered everywhere, mine, however, it was torn apart as if a wild animal attacked it, "oh God! How am I supposed to go out now?"

I'm freezing to death here! The cold breeze touching my body is sending a shiver in my spine, as I looked at my own reflection in the mirror, I'm just looking like a skeleton covered by a thin layer of skin with bruises all over my body.

With a deep breath, I grabbed one of their oversized shirts, pulling it over my sore body, since it's the only way for me to walk out without showing off my naked and bruised body.

Every step felt like a huge punishment, a reminder of the pain that pulsed through me, especially the pain in between my legs is damn huge not even allowing me to walk properly.

Using the wall to steady myself, I forced myself to step forward. I had to find Clara before it's too late, I wasn’t sure what they might’ve done to her, and it was all because of me. "Stay safe, Clara, I’m coming for you!"

As I neared the corridor, my pulse quickened at the sound of frustrated voices of the guards nearby, "Are they searching for me?" I hid myself against the wall, barely daring to even breathe hoping not to get caught by any of them.

The guards were patrolling, their expressions seemed to be tensed and uneasy. I ducked into some nearby bushes, praying they wouldn’t find me, sometimes I'm thankful for not having a wolf, because of that, people can't sense my presence around them.

"Did you hear? Those three are here," one of the guards whispered, his tone hushed but sounded serious.

These weren’t regular patrol guards, they looked different, dressed in dark cloaks. "Who are they?" I wondered within myself about their identity.

"Do you know anything about that golden key?" One of them asked with a curious tone, his companion quickly hushed him while checking his surroundings. "Shhh, don’t say it aloud. We’re not allowed to mention the golden key openly, if they find you talking about that, they'll stone you to death!"

"I understand," the first man replied, his voice sounded tensed. "This wedding is our only chance to get into the shadow organization, through Alpha Kelvin." His words hold some kind of uncertainty, and the other man nodded. "Once we’re in with Alpha Kelvin, we’ll have protection within the organization. It’s the only way to stay safe from those monsters."

Just then, a third man ran up to them, his face flushed and he is trying hard to catch his breath. "What are you doing here? The organization meeting is about to start."

I recognized him, he is a beta from a nearby pack. The two men glanced at each other, nervous. "It’s a daring move, holding a meeting while those three are here. How can they manage this without stirring up trouble?"

The third man shook his head. "This marriage is meant to gather the organization’s members, so relax. As long as our Lord controls the golden keys, no one can touch us."

He spoke with expression confidence filled with arrogance, next another voice being low and steady came out of doubt, "So, what's the initiation task for us to get into the organization?"

The other man leaned in, pulling him close to whispering in his ear, "Serve them the blue tea which is poisoned, as soon as it's done, lifetime membership in the organisation is guaranteed."

A chill settled over the group as they looked frightened, "Wait," one of them mumbled, glancing around as if someone might overhear, "how deadly is this stuff?"

The third man shifted uneasily, casting a wary glance toward the entrance, "According to Alpha Kevin, it’s not lethal. But it’ll drive a wolf mad for a couple of hours. Just enough time for them to lose control and attack any other Alphas nearby, if the plan worked well, those three would face judgment from the Tribunal. They might even lose a golden key as punishment.

"That sounds amazing!" Those two couldn't help but to be amazed by the plan.

"That’s the plan," the third man whispered urgently, as if he is in a rush to leave, "Now let’s get out of here before anyone sees us together."

As they turned and left, I stayed hidden for a minute with a racing heart, "Did they mention my father?" A cold realization settled over my heart, "What kind of organization is he involved with? And all those people who come to see him, are they part of this organization, too? Whom they're trying to poision? How can they be so cruel?"

Though my mind is messed up with all those thoughts, I'm only in a helpless situation striving hard to live, and I can't save any other person here.

Noticing that they were gone completely, I forced myself out of my hiding step, every step a painful reminder of my fragile state. But Clara was all I could think about at this moment.

Just as I thought I was near to that place, I collided with someone, and looked up to see Alpha Theon standing before me. His gaze was sharp, and stern making me uncomfortable with his presence.

"Why is he here?" I kept my head down, hoping he hadn’t noticed anything suspicious, I'm sure he might never know about my mother's plan of using me as a breeder or something, so as long as I don't act suspicious, he will not mess with me.

But as I tried to slip past him, he grabbed my arm, pulling me back with a firm, unyielding grip. "Where do you think you’re going, ugly duckling?" He sneered with a cold tone.

"Let me go," I whispered while wincing in pain as his fingers dug into my arm.

He pinned me against the wall while his mocking grin widened leaving me to be surprised, "Last night, did you enjoy yourself with an omega?" He taunted me with a smirk while pinching my chin hard, "Did he serve you well?"