CAGED BY THE ALPHA KING

Chapter 2

An elderly woman was sharing stories with a group of children. “And that’s how the great emperor Asher Knight and the magnificent empress Gina Brown came into the world,” she explained, stifling a yawn. “What happened next?” one child asked, but instead of a response, the old lady fell asleep, prompting a chorus of laughter from the kids.

“Why are all the little ones giggling?” a girl, around seventeen or eighteen, inquired.

“Gina! Granny dozed off in the middle of the story,” one of the boys pouted.

Gina chuckled and pinched his cheeks. “It’s because she’s old; let her rest at night.”

“But we want to hear the whole story! Didn’t you hear it?” the boy insisted.

“Just a little,” Gina admitted.

“Oh no!” the kids exclaimed in unison.

“You all should sleep early so you can get to school on time,” Gina gently scolded.

“Okay, we will! Goodnight, Gina!” The children each gave her a goodnight kiss before settling down to sleep.

Once they were quiet, Gina took the storybook from her grandmother’s hands. “Finally, my curiosity will be satisfied,” she said, hugging the ancient-looking book. She tiptoed to her room, closed the door, and climbed onto her bed, wrapping herself in a quilt. “Hmmm… finally! I have you,” she grinned, opening the pages.

After flipping through a few, she paused at a portrait. She gently caressed the page, feeling a strange familiarity with the figure depicted. Closing her eyes, a wave of terror washed over her. “Oh God! Why am I having such frightening thoughts about this man? He looks so handsome in the portrait, but when I close my eyes, I see a terrifying beast!” Gina murmured.

She read the name below the portrait, and a chill ran down her spine. “The great wolf king, Asher Knight?” she questioned in disbelief. “This was drawn a thousand years ago!” she exclaimed, eyes wide. “Well, in that case, I’m so lucky to have such an ancient piece. It must be worth billions! I could fund this orphanage with it!” Gina smiled to herself.

Meanwhile somewhere..............

A beautiful woman screamed, “I WILL COME BACK, ASHER KNIGHT! I WILL RETURN TO YOU!” Suddenly, her body ignited in flames, turning to ashes in an instant.

“Aaaahhhhhhh… noooooo…” a man cried out, jolting awake in his bed.

“Asher! What happened? Are you having that nightmare again?” a woman beside him asked with concern.

“Don’t touch me! Get out of my room!” Asher shouted, kicking her out of his king-sized bed. The woman stumbled, wrapping herself in the sheets, and stormed out angrily.

Asher retrieved a box from under his bed and opened it to reveal a portrait of himself with the woman, who was seated comfortably on his lap. “Why did you do this to me? Why have you left me suffering for a thousand years? I will never forgive you! You took advantage of my love! I am waiting for you!” Asher yelled, putting the portrait back in the box.

.................................

Gina was now playing in a beautiful garden filled with fruit-bearing trees and rare flowers, where butterflies and bees flitted about. She chased the butterflies, giggling with delight as the sweet melodies of chirping birds surrounded her.

“Gina! My love, come here!” a tall, muscular man called, a heart-melting smile on his face. Gina turned and beamed, running into his arms. “I missed you!” she exclaimed.

He kissed her forehead. “I miss you too.”

“Asher! I have something to tell you,” Gina said, her cheeks flushing.

“What is it? You’re blushing!” he teased.

“I’m… I’m pregnant,” she said, placing his hand on her belly.

Asher’s eyes widened in shock."Is it true? You're carrying my pup!" Gina asked, her voice barely above a whisper. She nodded shyly, a smile spreading across her face. "That's amazing news! Wait! I have a big surprise for you. The timing is perfect for me to give it to you. Close your eyes." Asher gently covered her eyes with his hand. "Just wait a moment; this will be the best and last gift of your life," he said.

Gina felt a rush of excitement and confusion. "I can't wait anymore! Open my eyes!" she urged. Suddenly, a sharp pain pierced her abdomen, and she felt a warm fluid seeping out. Asher removed his hand from her eyes, and she was met with his cruel smirk. Her gaze dropped to her belly, and her eyes widened in shock—Asher had plunged a knife into her stomach, showing no sign of remorse.

"I told you it would be the best and last gift for you," he said, pulling the knife out only to stab her again. The world around her morphed into a dark, terrifying place devoid of life.

"Why... why did you do this?" Gina gasped, her breath coming in heavy sobs.

"You deserve this," Asher replied calmly, tossing her to the ground.

Gina managed a faint smile. "I will come back! I will come back!" Suddenly, her body began to glow like a raging flame, transforming into a vicious fire.

"No... Gina! Ginaaaaa!" Asher screamed, reaching out for her, but she created an invisible barrier between them.

Gina smiled, saying, "I'll see you in the next life."

"No! Don't..." Asher's voice was filled with desperation.

"NOooooo..." Gina jolted awake, her heart racing. She touched her body; her temperature was high, but she didn’t have a fever. "What a strange dream!" she muttered, wiping the sweat from her forehead.

"Gina! Gina! Open the door!" Marry, the old caretaker of the orphanage, knocked on her bedroom door. Gina quickly straightened her hair and climbed out of bed to answer.

"Happy eighteenth birthday, my child!" Marry greeted her, holding a small cupcake.

"Thanks, Miss Marry!" Gina smiled, blowing out the candle.

"My child, what happened to your neck?" Marry gasped, noticing the glowing mark.

Gina touched the birthmark and winced in pain. "It’s burning! I don’t know why."

"Let me see!" Marry said, concern etched on her face. "Did you scratch it? Or did a bug bite you?"

"I don’t remember clearly," Gina replied.

"Can you give me something to put on it?" Gina asked.

"Yes! I have an ointment gel that will help, but remember, don’t let anyone touch it, or it will get worse," Mary warned.

"Okay! I’ll be careful," Gina promised.

"Do you know the phoenix birthmark is rare? It means you have the spirit of a phoenix," Mary said.

"Come on, Marry, we live in the real world. It’s just a birthmark. Don’t exaggerate," Gina rolled her eyes.

"Don’t pretend you don’t care. I know you’re interested in this kind of stuff," Mary teased.

"Not me! I’m not a kid anymore," Gina insisted.

"Anyway, the orphanage committee sent a notice that you have to move out. Now that you’re an adult," Mary said.

"I know. I’ve prepared everything. Don’t worry, I’ll leave today," Gina replied with a sad smile.

Marry forced a smile and said, "Take care of yourself. The path may be hard, but don’t lose faith in yourself and God."

Gina nodded, smiling back.

"We will miss you, Gina!" a child exclaimed, hugging her.

"Me too!" Gina hugged him back.

"Will you come to visit us?" another child asked.

"Yes! I will," Gina assured them.

"Be good and don’t bother Marry. Eat healthy and stay happy," Gina advised.

"Gina! Take this. You’ll need it. Whenever you feel lost and darkness surrounds you, this will show you the way," Mary handed her a bracelet with an ancient design.

"Thanks, Marry," Gina said with a smile, her heart heavy as she walked away.

She went straight to her rented apartment, organizing her belongings. Once she finished, she headed to the nearby grocery store. As she exited, she noticed a strange man staring at her.

"Excuse me, do you want something?" Gina asked.

"You! I want you," he replied, suddenly revealing fangs. Fear gripped her, and she tried to run, but an invisible force held her in place.

As he approached, ready to bite her neck, a light from the bracelet blinded her. Gina was confused as her vision blurred, and she fainted on the spot.

Meanwhile, in the werewolf realm…

"Asher! They know about her existence. What should we do?" Jason asked.

"We need to find her as soon as possible," Asher ordered.

"But we don’t know where she is!" Jason protested.

"Take me to that old witch, Maya," Asher commanded.