Chapter 11: Parade
The stampede grew increasingly near. The dungeon door smashed open, and at first I couldn't make out their bodies until they finally came into the light.
My eyes widened at the horror in front of me.
They were guards, and they all looked murderous—like they could rip me apart in seconds.
Instantly, I pushed myself back against the wall, watching as they stopped in front of my cell door. Some held torches in their hands, others carried long whips.
I'd seen those whips before. They were used in my pack.
"Today, you shall be introduced to the Morthrune Pack, the land of the gods, and you will feel how it felt to be cast away."
One of the guards said, and the rest roared at his words. Their screams filled the air, echoing off the stone walls like a battle cry.
My body trembled with fear, my heart beating increasingly fast. The cell door was ripped open, and two guards walked in without giving me the chance to speak.
Their hands came upon my body, binding chains all around me like I was livestock. They pushed me hard off from the wall and dragged me out from the cell, screaming behind me like I was their greatest prize ever captured.
I held my head high as they pushed me out from the cell, their hands roughly gripping my arms. I bit my lips hard to stop the tears that threatened to spill from my eyes.
The glowing moon was the first thing that hit my face. Its soft, warm light gazed down upon me, and for a second, I stared at it, lost in its beauty—the first beautiful thing I had seen since this nightmare began.
Their rough push sent my head jolting forward, breaking me from my moon-gazing. My eyes landed on the scene in front of me: large buildings with walking lanes, horse stalls scattered around, massive structures, and large banners. Wolf banners... and dragon banners.
My breath hitched. They had taken our dragon banners and made them theirs.
This was Morthrune Pack—the highest-ranking kingdom until my father decided to attack with the other lords.
The people stared at me, laughter drifting from their faces. Some held disgust, some anger, some pity. Their roars filled the air, sending shivers through my body. Their hateful stares were so evident, burning into my skin.
Their voices rose with disgust and hatred.
"Kill the princess!"
"Make her our personal slave!"
"Let's group fuck her slave cunt!"
"She doesn't deserve to live... Slave... Princess slave..."
"Hahahaha!"
They all screamed, each word piercing through my ears like daggers. The chains around my hands and legs made my steps unsteady and painful.
The guards walked me through the maze of people, all staring down at me like I was some sort of monster.
They started throwing different objects at me—vegetables, fruits, stones, pieces of glass. The objects smashed against my body, leaving bruises and cuts, but never once did I drop my head. Never once did I break down in tears or look at them with defeat.
Instead, my head remained high, like the Lancaster I was, like the princess my father had taught me to be.
I wasn't some weak, pathetic creature who would crumble at their words.
Because I had watched this same scene twelve years ago. I had seen this exact scenario play out.
I had watched Draven Gravestone being dragged through my pack and stoned by my people. Even though I was only nine, I had seen it all. I had stared right into his eyes and watched, just like everyone else.
And today, the tables had completely turned.
I was the one being stoned, being mocked, being paraded to his people like a trophy—like their biggest victory.
We walked through the lanes and stopped in front of a massive building.
It was an enormous castle, so huge and imposing—perhaps double the size of the Moorlands castle.
The crowd followed behind us as we walked into the castle and down the halls. You could hear their roars from behind us, their anger, their curses growing louder with each step.
The huge doors pushed open, and he was the first person my eyes landed on.
He sat on a high platform, with black staircases leading up to it. Right above everyone else, he sat on a massive throne made of swords—sharp, blazing silver swords.
One stab from any of those blades could send me to the afterlife.
His eyes bore right into mine, and mine right into his.
His jaw looked clenched, eyes narrowing and then tightening, obviously displeased that I dared to gaze directly at him. But I didn't care what he thought.
He'd already done the worst. Why should I be scared now?
Around the room sat twenty-four council members—some in knights' armor, some women who wore long black gowns.
And among them, I saw that same woman from before. Her eyes held so much hate, so much disgust, and a smirk that screamed how much she was enjoying this moment.
One of the guards suddenly kicked behind my knees, sending me crashing down. My cheek smashed against the cold ground, and I tasted blood.
"Here is the slave, Alpha. She has been welcomed by the pack. Morthrune has received her."
One of the guards behind me announced, his voice pitched high enough for everyone to hear.
"What shall be done with her?"
One of the knights asked, leaning forward with interest.
I hadn't failed to notice how their eyes stared down at me, the lust burning beneath their gazes.
"Maybe we could fuck her. I haven't actually fucked a princess—the most majestic, favored princess now turned into a slave. Fucking her would be a dream come true."
One of the men growled, and I bit my lips, trying to stop myself from speaking.
"Yes, it would be amazing. That white hair of hers could be passed down to one of my pups. Maybe she could be a breeder for each and every one of us. Having her genes would be magnificent."
Another said, and I almost convulsed at his words.
I couldn't believe all these men had once been slaves to the lords—the same lords my father had thrown parties for. All these men sitting around this table had been slaves, and now they were speaking such vile words.
They were just like my father. No difference.
The only change was that the tables had turned.
"Yes, the pack's breeder would make so much sense..."
"Enough!"
His voice thundered through the room, sending everyone into immediate silence.
The room became dead silent, making me snap my head toward him in shock.
"She won't be anyone's breeder, nor do any of you get to fuck her. She will be my personal slave, and I shall be her master. And for that, she shall be introduced to court as my personal property and initiated."
My heart stopped. For a second, I felt the world freeze around me. Then my eyes widened in horror.
Every resolve I had ever held came crashing down, shattering beneath me like broken glass.
I could wish for anything else. I could wish to be a breeder, to bear this messed-up kingdom's bastard pups, but I couldn't bear being introduced to court.
No, I couldn't.