Chapter 2
1584 Words
Alora
My heart pounded in my chest. The man behind us walked backwards into a nearby alleyway. A large white van was parked in the narrow space. At the sight of it, my flight or fighting instincts kicked in.
I couldn't let him get me inside that van.
I struggled against him, digging my feet into the concrete floor, thrashing in his hold. But it was useless as he was much stronger than me, taller and bigger. He covered my mouth with a large hand, so I could not scream even if I wanted to. Tears pricked at my eyes.
Another man came out from the driver’s side door. It was so dark, I couldn't see anything but a vague silhouette of him. He walked around the front of the car to the passenger side, sliding the backdoor open behind me.
Then, a silky black material was draped over my eyes. And I could feel him securing my hands with some kind of zip-tie. They pushed me into the van, sitting me in a corner of the vehicle.
They both got into the car and the engine roared to life. Not a moment later, we sped out of the alley.
I didn't say a word. I was scared out of my mind, biting down on my bottom lip to stifle all my crying.
Are they going to kill me? Or even worse, sell me?
I swallowed through the massive lump in my throat, trying to calm down. I tested the restraints on my arms. They were so secure, I could barely move an inch.
Breathing through my nose, I tried to calm down. Taking deep breaths.
Eventually, the car slows to a stop. I heard both men get down from the car before the back door slid open. My restraints were cut off, the blindfold sliding off my face.
The first thing I noticed was another person in the vehicle.
“Dad?” I yelled, crawling towards him. He was blindfolded as well, but he wasn’t restrained. I cradled his face. “Dad?”
“Alora,” he moans. At first I thought he was out of it, but then I noticed the bruises and the swelling. He was beaten into a pulp.
My heart pulled, and the urge to cry again overwhelmed me, “Oh, Dad!”
“Alora,” his voice was scratchy and raw, “What are you doing here?”
I pulled off the blindfold, noticing that his left eye was swollen shut. Slowly he blinked up at me, trying to reach out. He cupped my cheek, “I’m so sorry-” He let out a sharp cough.
“That’s enough.” One of the men said, grabbing me and pulling my body away from him. The other side door opened, and the other man dragged Dad out by his feet.
We were in the middle of an abandoned clearing of sorts. There are no buildings in sight, no cars, and roads. Just acres and acres of grass.
“Maverick Wells,” A deep voice drawled behind me, “Don’t you look a mess.”
Both men pushed us down to our knees as footsteps approached. My heart threatened to burst through the confines of my ribcage.
The man’s steps were slow, unhurried, as he made his way towards us.
The first thing I saw were his polished black boots. Dark denim hugged the muscles of strong thighs with every step he took. My eyes trailed up… and up.
He was unnaturally tall for a man of his build.
The cotton shirt molds his skin, outlining every cut and dip of his strong frame. Finally, my eyes meet his.
King Kylen Nova.
I don’t dare to breathe.
He took us in, lazy grey eyes dancing back and forth between our slumped figures.
One of his men disappeared, returning with a metal pull out chair. He set it behind Kylen.
Kylen slides into the chair, again with a grace someone of his build shouldn't have. His gaze focuses on Dad, whose eyes are trained on the ground.
Kylen barks out a sharp laugh, “Be a man, Wells. Look me in the eyes.”
I could imagine it, but from my peripheral vision, I saw Dad shiver.
Kylen’s gaze cuts to me.
He lounged in the pull-out chair like the King he is. Legs spread wide, with his arms folded across his wide chest. The tendons and muscles on his arms bulged with the position.
“You must be Alora,” he stated. Pressing his elbows to his knees, he leaned forward, “Aren’t you a petite little thing.”
“I’ll get you your money,” Dad’s voice trembles, “I just need more time.”
Kylen pursed his lips, clasping his hands in-between his knees. “I’ve given you more than enough time, Wells.” He leaned back in his chair, grey eyes narrowing at my father, “Do you take me for a fool?”
“I don’t!” Dad shook his head frantically, finally meeting Kylen’s heavy stare, “I swear I’ll have the money soon. I just need a little more time.”
Kylen breathes out an amused laugh, c*****g his head. His eyes slid to me once again, a slow sinister smile spreading across his face, “There’s no need for any of that.” He shrugged his large shoulders, “You have your payment right here.”
I shook my head frantically, turning to Dad. His face was ghostly white, wide eyes staring at Kylen in absolute horror.
“Dad, no!” I cried
“You can’t take my daughter!” Dad shouts, “I’ll get you your money, just please leave her out of this.”
Kylen took delight in my father's pleas. He lifted a finger, rocking it back and forth in the air, “None can do.” Suddenly his eyes grew hard, “Get her into the van.”
Arms wrapped around me, pulling me to my feet. Dad let out a harsh scream, and in the next second he was on his feet, barreling towards Kylen.
Kylen stood up from the chair, kicking my Dad hard in the stomach. He stumbled to the ground, clutching at his belly.
“Dad!” I cried, struggling against the man’s hold.
The other man tried to intervene, but Kylen shook his head once, leaning down and grabbing a fist-full of Dad’s hair. He rose to his full height, pulling dad up to his knees. It had to hurt, with the way Dad clutched at this hand, trying to get him to let go.
“You know something about you, Wells?” Klyen said, “You’re a fool at heart.”
He punched him in the face. I winced at the sickening crack of bone as Dad moaned. Kylen drew his hand back, delivering another blow straight to his nose.
“Stop!” I shouted, “Please stop, I beg you.”
Blood dripped from his nose, over his mouth and down his chin. It was broken. But Kylen didn’t give a damn. He threw hit after hit, holding my Dad in place with a fist in his hair. I struggled against the man holding me, screaming and begging for Kylen to stop.
He let go of my Dad and his body slumped to the floor. Kylen stepped behind him, pulling Dad up with a hand on his jaw, his face expressionless. He moved to snap his neck.
“No!” I screamed, “I’ll go with you!”
Kylen stops, looks at me.
“I’ll go with you. I swear,” I said, “I won’t struggle, I won’t run. I’ll go with you. But please don’t kill him.”
Kylen hesitated for so long I thought he'd snap his neck either way. But then he let go, kicking Dad’s body away from him.
He walked up to me, cupping my chin with his bloody hand. I flinched away, but his grip was tight.
Up close, I took him in. He’s ridiculously handsome for the monster he is.
His hair is a mess of curly black locks. Dark brows slanting over beautiful grey eyes. High, regal cheekbones and a defined jawline covered by faint dark stubble. His minty breath fans over my temple as he whispers, “Good girl.”
I was taken back into the van, this time, with Kylen in the passenger seat. We drove for a while before coming to a stop at a different location.
Kylen got out of the car first, sliding open the back door and pulling me out. My breath hitched.
We were at his palace.
He grabbed my arm and walked to the entrance.
“Where are you taking me?”
The members of the pack stopped as he passed, bowing and greeting. But Kylen paid them no mind. He walked into the large building, I tripped over my feet trying to keep up with his long strides.
He pivots in a certain direction, leading me into an unlit hallway.
“Where are we going?” I asked again.
He ignored me. We came to a stop at a large wooden door. The old wood creaked loudly as Kylen dragged it open. It was pitch black, not a single source of light coming from space.
“Where is this?”
His warm breath tickled my ear as he leaned down, “Your new home, slave.”
And then he tossed me into the darkness.
- Writer
