Fear washed over me, realization dawning on my face. I wasn't alone. I could barely see the end of the cage, the dim light casting a silhouette on that part.
"W..who's there" I stuttered, peering into the darkness.
One by one, they began to come forward into the light. My eyes quickly scanned each of their faces, my heart clenching as I concluded that I was in a cage with what looked like two families— two men, their wives, and two kids each.
One of the men, more stricken in age than the other, pointed at me. "You…you're the Alpha," he blinked rapidly. The others shared gasps of agreement.
I was confused. No, rather, I wanted to zero out the possibility of those people being wolves from my Pack.
One of the children stepped out. "Alpha Diane?" My heart dropped with a pang. The little boy looked at me, his eyes a mixture of fear and compassion.
"It is her!" The rest murmured, bowing their heads to show respect to me.
My mouth ran dry. I didn't know what to say. My face fell, my eyes threatening to well up with tears. After a short silence, I finally found my voice "I am no Alpha. I have let the Pack down"
I let my parents down too.
They all drew close to console me. One of the women patted my shoulder "Don't be down on yourself, Alpha. The two Packs have been at war for ages, but when you came, you ended that war and brought a truce. Where others want violence and blood, you crave peace. This is why we look up to you"
The second added "You will forever be our Alpha, Alpha Diane. We are no longer afraid because we have you here."
I looked up at each of them. Their words were fulfilling, but it didn't make me feel any different. I gave a small smile. "Thanks," they nodded.
I let out a deep exhale and looked heavenward. I looked back at them "Where are they taking you all?" I asked.
The man replied this time "We do not understand the language they speak to each other…..we have no idea what they plan on doing to us"
I bit my lower lip. I wanted to assure them that everything would be all right, but what was the guarantee? I wasn't even sure myself.
What felt like hours passed. The children eventually fell asleep, whereas, the rest of us were wide awake.
I kept thinking about Daniel. Compared to me, Daniel was much more emotional. I was worried for him, worried that Ariadne was using him. He just wanted to feel important but fell into the wrong alliance.
I wished I could see him and talk some sense into him.
The sudden sound of keys jingling caught all our attention. My nose wiggled at the strong stench of alcohol. My heart began to race with an uneasy feeling.
Three men staggered in, their faces flustered, with smug smiles spreading on their lips. The pervert from before stood behind with his hands tucked in his pocket.
"Go on, bring her out" he ordered them, a wide grin sitting on his face. Was he the captain? I wondered. My heart was pounding hard against my chest, my hands quivering. But I hid my fear.
The other two came up to the cage, their eyes lingering on me.
"W..what is going on?" One of the women asked in a shaky voice. I assumed a protective stance in front of the families, my eyes narrowed unyieldingly.
I lowered my voice, responding "Don't worry, I think they're here for me"
"What! No, we can't let them take you" they began to panic.
The cage was opened and I was dragged out, but not easily. "What's this about? Where are you taking me?" I asked. They brought me before the third one. His face lifted with a smirk.
He extended the back of his palm to my face, caressing my cheek. "You're going to meet someone very special," he said. I pulled my face away, my eyes filled with disgust.
He gestured with a slight head tilt, telling them to leave us. He dragged me himself to a different cabin, opened the door, and shoved me inside.
I fell to the ground, but got up immediately, rushing towards the door. "Hey!" I yelled before he slammed the door in my face. I let out an exhale, cursing inwardly.
My heart dropped when I heard a voice.
"Keep the noise down"
I spun around and a quiet gasp escaped my lips.
There, on a circular platform where the moon's ray shone the brightest, sat a majestic grey wolf, his furry back facing me.
I stood, watching him, my head slightly tilted. Was he…. moonbathing?
He broke the short silence. "A woman as an Alpha King…" He let out a soft sigh, muttering "What has this generation come to?"
I narrowed my gaze. Another gender-biased person. He suddenly began to shift back to his human form. The sight was mesmerizing, I couldn't look away no matter how hard I tried.
His once furry back turned into smooth porcelain skin, glistening under the moon's ethereal glow. His hair, long and silk, cascaded gracefully down to his shoulders. He still had his back to me, shirtless and clad in nothing but sleek black trousers.
He walked up to what I deemed his 'throne' and sat on it. His brown eyes narrowed evenly on me, his hand grazing his beard. He broke the silence "I take it that you don't know me"
I said nothing.
"I am Owen Hawkins, captain of Grim Umbra Pack warriors." he paused before saying, "It was an honor putting your warriors to sleep, ex-alpha Diane. They fought well"
The corner of my lips twitched. He was mocking me. I tried to brush his words over my shoulder, replying "The others, what do you need them for? Where are you taking them?"
Owen completely ignored my questions, humming "Hmm, you're just like Alpha King Ariadne. Young, beautiful, fierce, and opportune. If it weren't for the 'prophecy' and Ariadne's father dying, neither of you would become Alpha, rather you'd be where you belong"
He shrugged nonchalantly "What's done is done anyway. Now….." his fox-like gaze sized me. "Entertain me"
I needed a moment to grasp what he said. My brows shot together, "What?!"
His face was indifferent. "I have the power to throw you into the hands of my men to do whatever they like with you." He smirked, "After all, the Alpha never said to deliver you unscathed. If you don't want to swallow up six cocks at the same time, you better start doing something to arouse me"
The tip of my ears twitched. I leaned to the side, the corner of my lip curling up "Are you trying to scare me?" I was baffled. He was a mere captain whereas I was an Alpha. My power was limitless with or without my wolf. The bane coursing through my veins was the only thing stopping me.
Nevertheless, I could go hand to hand any time.
"You don't seem to understand what's going on" he stood up and closed the space between us, our faces minutes apart. "You're defenseless against me, little princess"
My heart was racing. I raised a brow "Really?" Without warning, I raised my knee and hit him in the crotch.
Owen let out a sharp grunt, his brows snapping together as he fell immediately to his knees. "Fuck!" He cursed under his breath, grasping his member.
I gave him a dirty look, sneering "There! Hope you're aroused, you pig." I looked away from him, averting my eyes to the door. I rushed to it, my eyes searching around hastily for a way to open the door.
Before I could make a move, a hand grasped my hair from behind, forcibly pulling me away from the door.
"Where do you think you're going" Owen forced me to face him. His calm, resting face had turned into a canvas of fury and evident agony.
I winced as he grabbed my chin, his grip tightening. "You think you're getting away that easily?" He gritted.
We locked eyes "What? You haven't gotten enough" I asked. In a swift motion, I tilted my head back, returning with a force that collided my forehead with his nose.
"Argh!" He cried out, his voice overlapping the crunching sound of his nose bridge. I watched with satisfaction as blood streamed down to his upper lip. He lifted his hand to his nose. It was a bloody sight.
I may have angered him too much.
"You bitch!" He cussed angrily, his claws lengthening. He struck my face, throwing me to the ground with a thud.