CHAPTER 4
1177 Words
L E I L A N I
The sunlight streamed through the curtains, bathing the room in a golden glow. I opened my eyes, blinking against the light.
It was a new day.
I sat up, rubbing the sleep from my eyes. The bed was empty, and the sheets were cold.
He was gone.
I had expected him to leave. But a part of me had hoped that maybe, just maybe, he would stay. That last night had meant something.
But he was a monster, and monsters didn't care about humans.
I sighed and climbed out of bed, padding over to the window. I pushed the curtains aside and squinted at the bright sunlight. The pack's territory was beautiful, a sprawling landscape of mountains and forests.
If only the inhabitants were as peaceful.
My stomach growled, reminding me that I hadn't eaten in days. I made my way over to the pitcher of water and poured myself a glass. I drained it and then refilled it, gulping down another.
Surprisingly, there was a plate of freshly made food on the counter. Bacon, scrambled eggs, pancakes, and freshly brewed coffee. I didn't know who had prepared it, and I didn't care. It smelled divine.
I ate, and it was the best food I had tasted in ages.
The door opened, and I jumped, nearly choking on a bite of pancake.
Alpha Barron stood in the doorway, a furious scowl on his face. "You."
My blood ran cold. "Alpha Barron."
Suddenly, three guards stormed into the room. They flanked Alpha Barron, their eyes hard and cold. The same three guards who had brought me here last night.
"You're in a lot of trouble, girl," Alpha Barron said, stepping into the cabin. He looked around the room, his gaze landing on the empty side of the bed.
"B-but, y-you gave me to him…" I said, fear rising like bile in my throat. I knew what this meant. And the thought alone made me want to vomit.
"And you thought you could enjoy whatever little freedom you thought you had? You should have come back the moment he was done with your filthy, human body. He could have taken you anywhere and no one would have stopped him."
"I was asleep! I didn't know-"
"You're a filthy liar!" Alpha Barron roared. "Take her to the cell and don’t let her out until I say otherwise."
The guards descended on me, and I tried to escape. They caught me easily and dragged me out of the cabin.
Alpha Barron followed, a cruel sneer on his lips. "You're a stupid human girl. Did you think you were worth anything? No one would pay for you. Your life means nothing, and now, you're going to pay for it. Pay for making him embarrass me last night."
I didn't respond. What was the point? Nothing I said would change his mind. Nothing would spare me from the punishment.
The guards dragged me through the camp, and the wolves turned to watch. Their eyes were filled with a mixture of disgust and glee.
They hated me.
The guards threw me into the small, dark cell, the heavy door slamming shut behind them.
I was alone.
Alpha Barron glared down at me through the bars, his eyes full of hatred. "You're going to pay for what you've done. I'll make sure of it."
"When will you stop punishing me? What more do you want from me? When will you let me go? I’m of no use to you, all of you! All you’ve done is punish me for something that is not my fault."
He sneered, and the hatred in his eyes sent a shiver down my spine.
"You will never leave this place, human. You belong to us. We own you. And I'll punish you whenever I see fit. Just like the others."
I looked around the small cell. It was cold and damp, the air heavy with the stench of despair. I could feel the hatred and pain radiating from the other cells.
My fellow slaves.
"Now, you're going to be punished. You will learn your lesson, even if it's the last thing I do."
Alpha Barron unlocked the door, and the guards grabbed me, dragging me out of the cell.
I struggled, but it was useless. They were too strong, and I was too weak.
"You're going to wish you had never disobeyed me." Alpha Barron promised, his voice full of malice.
The guards dragged me to the middle of the camp, where a large wooden post had been erected.
My heart sank.
They were going to tie me to it.
"No!" I cried, struggling against the guards. "Please! Don't do this!"
Alpha Barron ignored me, barking orders at the guards.
I was forced onto the post, and the ropes were wrapped around my wrists and ankles, securing me in place.
"Please! Don't do this!" I screamed, tears streaming down my face.
"You will learn your lesson, human." Alpha Barron growled, his eyes flashing with anger.
I looked around the camp, my heart pounding. The wolves had gathered, their faces cold and expressionless. They were eager for the show.
Alpha Barron turned and walked towards the main lodge, a satisfied smirk on his face.
"Wait! Don't leave me here! Please!" I cried, desperate.
But he was already gone.
The guards followed, leaving me alone, tied to the post.
I hung my head, sobbing. The sun was beating down on me, and I could feel the skin on my back starting to burn.
I was helpless, and the wolves were ready to watch. Ready to tear me apart.
The crowd was buzzing with excitement, their voices echoing around the camp. They were like a pack of hungry wolves, waiting for their prey to be delivered.
And I was the prey.
"Look, a human," a female wolf called, her eyes flashing.
"I heard she was with one of the alpha's last night," another wolf chimed in.
"She probably thinks she's better than us," a third wolf spat, her voice dripping with venom.
"I bet she thought he was gonna keep her," a male wolf laughed.
The taunts and insults were relentless, and I could feel the hatred in their words. They despised me, and they wanted me to suffer.
It’s been one year of suffering. One year of being a punching bag for the monsters that captured me and the others.
One year since the world has seen the last of humanity.
This was not the future I had envisioned. This was not the future anyone had envisioned. We were all pawns in a game we never chose to play. And the wolves were determined to win, no matter the cost.
If I don’t find a way to escape this hell hole as soon as possible, my body would be torn apart piece by piece until there is nothing left of me.
They would kill me, and it would just be like another day in the park for them. I needed to act soon, and fast.
- Writer
