ZEPHYRA POV
"Zebra!" Lola, my master's daughter scream with an high pitched voice
"Zephyra!" Cat, my wolf, corrects, rolling her eyes at front of my mind.
"Bring my snacks, you harlot!"
I suck in a breath as the origin of that name resurfaces
'Her father is the one to blame!' Cat snaps while I limp with the tray to Lola's table.
"Took you forever." One of her friends, dressed like the name Lola called me, grabs Cheerios.
I pass fruits and drinks to the others, placing the rest before Lola.
I turn to leave, but a painful yank on my scalp drags me to my knees.
Already infected from a rod slashing me three days ago, pain explodes through my body.
I bite my tongue until I taste blood
"I have al-al-always told you to-to-to s-s-serve me on your knees!" Her foot pins my neck to the cold floor.
My throat is too dry to scream or tell her to stop shouting:her stammering worsens when she does.
"Lola get dressed!!" Lady Morgan's scream saves me from more kicks.
"Alpha Van is coming! Everyone get...."
At the mention of Alpha Van, Lola dumps the tray on me, crushing my feet as she races to her room. Her friends leave too.
I poke out my tongue to lick the juice dripping down my chin: my only drink since last night.
"GET OUT!!" Being human doesn't make her better than a witch.
I stumble to the kitchen. Other staffs rush past with cleaning tools.
'Staff get paid. You're a slave, Zeph.' cat corrects while I ignore
"I want everywhere spotless, sparkling!"
Lady Morgan's voice sends us into a frenzy.
******
Forty-five minutes later, we're locked in the shed. Our stench a suffocating scent
"Any idea who's buying one of us this time?" one slave asks.
"What is the use of knowing who? The bastard buying or not buying us only benefits them"
Zara, the human I share room with says bitterly while I force my eyes to stay open
I don't blame her. This household is well known among wolves for selling slaves
Especially abandoned Omegas & rogues. We're considered premium by some & worthless by most.
I slump against the plank wall, ready to rest while listening to their gossip.
"Alpha Van," Meg, our mother figure replies. "CEO of Evander Health Web. His company was crowned Best in Produce of wolfsbane and citrus for Wolves & Omegas who can't heal."
Alphas. Omegas. Wolfsbane.
Words I'll never relate to.
"He's also the hottest but most ruthless owner of Shades Casino,"
Her voice drops to a low whisper as she moves closer. A trait I've seen most humans use for top secret
"His pack is about to be chained to Solam Pack by The council because he hasn't found his mate"
An Alpha having no mate is just like us rogue having no Family... Incomplete. Half cooked
"He.."
Ding ding.
The telephone chirps. Meg answers with trembling hands. We hold our breath.
"Okay, Lady Morga....." She's cut off.
She picks two people to follow her
I stretch my legs as they exit.
'I beg the gods he buys us.'
'He's ruthless. You want another round of...'
My chest tightens. Cat flattens in fear at the memory I refuse to name. His face. Hands tearing my clothes. His weight crushing me.
The door opens.
"Zephyra and Zara are next."
Meg's voice softens.
"Take a cup of drink along."
****
A thick scent hits me as I enter. Not perfume. It's Earthy, chilly, like winter mornings by the sea.
Fire slices through my veins. The scent wraps around me, making me feel stronger. Full. Like I've finally eaten after starving.
The witch on the right sofa.' Cat informs me, flaunting her newfound power.
I never had Cat until 14 months ago, when Lord Zade happened to me.
'Lola beside... Alpha Van? Twin Sam on the large sofa and on the high table beside Alpha Van is.....ARRRRGGGHH'
"These are the rogue slaves....."
Cat's scream cuts off at Lola's words.
I don't need to lift my head. Lord Zade is at the high table. I feel his eyes like hands I've spent months trying to forget.
When did he come back?
My heart slams against my ribs.
'Please kill me today. I can't serve him. Not tonight. Never.'
"GET OVER HERE!" Lola yells
In panic, I release the saucer.
My eyes widen in horror as it lands on spotless leather shoe.....
"Please, please kill me!" I collapse at Alpha Van's feet, forehead nearly touching the floor. Cold bites through my thin dress.
"You harlot!" Lola shrieks.
"Lick it off now!" Twin Sam presses my neck down toward the unmoving Alpha.
Sam's touch makes my skin crawl. Just like his father.
'Don't touch me... Leave me!' Cat's pleas make me dizzy. Sweat breaks across my skin.
I rush to clean Van's trousers with trembling hands, ready to use my tongue as I shove away memories of Zade's voice: 'You're a dirty rogue. Serving me is your only worth.'
"Lick him clean!" Sam and Lola bark.
I nod. To save myself. Buy a few hours.
A growl rumbles from Alpha Van's chest: so deep I feel it vibrate in my bones.
Shame burns my cheeks as I bring out my tongue. But then....
He stands away. Swift.
"Alpha, forgive me! I'll do what you want." My bones crack as I crawl faster to him, tears cascading down my face.
Tonight will be my funeral.
Sam grips my neck, lifting me. Pain explodes down my spine. Through clouded eyes, I see him raise a bottle
"You stupid, stubborn, cheap rogue...."
I wait for impact. Blood. Pain.
Nothing.
I risk looking up.
Alpha Van holds the bottle mid-air, gripping Sam's wrist, staring at me
His eyes held the weight of a treasure on fire
"Alpha Van! Let him punish her!" Lola's mum yells & Lola concur
He takes the bottle and strides to Lola. Each step deliberate. Terrifying.
He holds her gaze then slam the bottle against the wall behind her.
Glass explodes. Mother and daughter scream.
Zara tilts my head down.
Normally I'd flinch. Instead, Cat leaps with joy. 'He doesn't fear them!'
Not flinching feels good. New.
"Forgive my slave, Alpha. I'll discipline her."
Lord Zade's finally speak. Fluid
"I'll punish her myself. Remind her she's my slave." He continue
'I'm not your slave!' Cat snarls.
Metallic taste coats my tongue from biting too hard.
'Someone's calling me,' Cat says with joy I ignore. Now isn't the time to explore new power
"I'll take her as my slave."
My head shoots up.
Big. Muscled. Towering. Alpha Van dominates the room, unwavering
Shocked voices erupt.
My heart stops. Blood runs still.
I can't be with another man.
"How much does she cost, Lady Morgan?"
"I'll give her to you free as an apology," she purrs. Lola protests loudly.
Free? I'll be his pack's whore. Passed around. Used. Broken.
Lord Zade isn't good, but he's better than many wolves taking me.
"She's not for sale." Lord Zade's voice silences the room. And.... I'm grateful.
A graveyard have heard more noise than here.
"May I ask why, Wolf?" Alpha Van's tone is challenging, deep, clipped.
Both men face each other. The air crackles with power.
Lady Morgan stands between them.
"Don't mind him, Alpha." She glares at me. "Zephyra, follow him."
Her gaze turns on her husband. A challenge. She knows why he wants me to stay.
"Go pack your stuff," Alpha Van orders, eyes locked on mine.
"My staff will handle the transfer documents." He tells Lady Morgan
I remain still, gaze pleading: I don't want to. Please.
I can't take another man. Not his hands. Not his weight. Not his words.
"You'll be fine, my little wolf."
My chest twists at a voice I don't recognize. Deep. Warm. Safe. That's not Cat.
"What stuff would someone with no pack have?" Lady Morgan sneers.
I bite my lip until blood blooms.
Please. Just let today end.