Chapter 2: Suffering
Darlene’s POV
With that, he remained silent and I heard his footsteps going to the side. He grabbed a knife dipped in silver. It was a wolf’s bane, a very dangerous weapon for werewolves. Upon reaching me, he swirled the knife over my skin, and I screamed in pain every single time. He would trace its tip over to my back, my thighs, and my neck, plunging into painful areas like I was a toy.
“Ugh!” I could only moan and sob with tears for about thirty minutes as he did that. When he got his satisfaction out of torturing me, he dropped the weapon and grabbed me by the hair. “Eavesdrop on my conversation again and you’re as good as dead.” I nodded, and Alpha Ken left me in the basement, my body dwelling on the floor.
I had tried every means to escape, but my efforts were proven futile because I get caught every single time, and as a result, I was tortured for four days straight. My body was filled with cuts and bruises. Barely any cloth covered me, though my body has gone numb.
Just then, I heard the door open. Footsteps approached me, and I saw Augus. He was the alpha’s son. Sooner or later, he would take over this pack.
I still remember how he played tricks on me at school. I was unfortunate enough to have such a troublesome wolf stationed at my back to repeatedly poke me with the sharp point of his pencil. I groaned lowly in frustration as the pencil started to bite sharply into my skin.
"Are you ready to tell the truth?" He asked and grabbed me by the chin. I winced in pain, answering, “I was telling the truth.”
I saw the slight change in his expression, and as expected, he yanked me against the wall, not caring about the bruises on my body. After that, he punched me in the face. My lips started to bleed, but I kept my stance. If I reacted, it would only satisfy him. Upon seeing me not reacting, his brows knitted. “You f*****g t**t!” Then, he didn’t hold back and rained his fist all over my body to the point where I couldn’t hold back. I screamed and cried to stop him.
"Tell me the f*****g truth!”
"I w—was telling you the truth! Ugh… Stop, please.”
My begs were unheard of once again because Augus ripped my clothes apart and stabbed me in my neck with the needle his father also used on me. My vision grew blurry, and the next thing I knew, I was already unconscious.
******
I woke up, groaning in pain from a stiff neck as I noticed a silver collar on my neck. It had a keyhole, so I knew it couldn’t be removed easily. Honestly, it hurts more than one could imagine. My skin was already toasted with the presence of the silver torturing devices used on me.
I stared at the ceilings where water was leaking from. A drop of water splashed on my face.
All of a sudden, I heard a familiar voice. “I’m glad to see that you’re still alive after all their torture.” I looked around and saw Bennett. He was sitting on a loveseat in front of me, drinking coffee with a soft smile.
For the first time since I was trapped here, I smiled back. Beta Bennett was the kindest werewolf to me as well as his mate, Lilith. She was a doctor who often treated my wounds. Beta Bennett looked fairly handsome with his shaggy blonde hair and ocean-blue eyes. "Y—Yeah, barely alive," I said sarcastically, propping my back against the wall.
He then walked up to me, whispering, "Darlene, I have something to tell you."
"What is it?" I asked, whispering back.
"You are part of a great prophecy. I can't tell you about it now, but you’ll find out soon. You need to get out of here."
A whole new world opened up to me. I felt my stomach tingling. Was this the prophecy I heard when I eavesdropped? So, they were really talking about me, huh?
After thinking things through, I asked, “But h—how?” I want to leave this place, that’s given, but how can I do that by myself? I’m just a weak omega. It’s not possible. Besides, this prophecy they were saying, is it even real? A reading of a prophecy can only happen once every thousand years, and the moon goddess, the creator of all werewolves, is the one behind it. How important am I to even be a part of such a thing?
"I will help you. The guard on the door later this night will be my man. He will transport you out of the mansion and to the town’s border. But Darlene, remember this… Once you’re out of here, run as far away as you can because the alpha will hunt you down…"
After hearing Beta Bennett’s words, I felt a shiver down my spine. Is this it? I’ll be able to get out of here now? I couldn’t answer, so he added, “My wife will come here to treat your wounds. Make sure you tell her all the spots that hurt you so it wouldn’t hinder your travel later…"
Feeling grateful tears stream down my cheek, I said, "Thank you, Beta Bennett…"
A little while later, Lilith appeared and treated my wounds. She was so gentle and kind to me. I felt how careful she was, and even though I kept warning her to not touch some wounds of mine because there might be silver elements left there, she insisted on helping me still. When she finished bandaging me up, she bid farewell and told me to be careful on my journey. I smiled back and thanked her once again.
I don't know how long I’ve been sitting on my bum, but it was enough to make me jitter when nightfall came. A guard I have never seen came downstairs. He was young and upon reaching me, he pulled out something. I thought he was going to hit me, but he just unlocked the chains that held my wrist. I felt free.
“I’m Alger. Beta Bennett sent me here. Please, be quiet and I’ll do the talking once we get upstairs. Are we clear?”
“Yes! Thank you, Alger…”
With Alger’s help, we quickly reached the main gate. Few of the guards were there and I felt nervous, but Alger came in handy and said, "The Alpha ordered me to take this girl to the dungeon by the fall."
They nod and allow us to pass.
Alger then led me in the direction of the dungeons. When we were out of the mansion’s sight, he shifted to his wolf form and gestured for me to climb on him. I nodded and did just that. We traveled fast and made it to the town’s border, lessening my anxiousness.
"Thank you," I said upon getting down.
"You’re welcome. Now, go!” he said with a nudge.
I smile gratefully at him and he begins to run away. I was free and alone. This was the greatest thing that ever happened to me. “Goodbye, Lock Heart Pack…” I mumbled and transformed into my wolf form. My paws hit the ground, and I ran as fast as I could.
Running was rather difficult with a silver collar burning your neck. It was hard to breathe, and my werewolf counterpart, Ariel, was already having a hard time. Ariel was tough, but even the toughest creature needed a break.
"Ariel, let’s take a rest," I say to her.
“N—No…” I heard her say at the back of my mind. I knew it! She would oppose the idea. And so, I took control of my body and shifted back to my human form. She needs to rest or we'll never make it. I feel her pressing against my mental barrier, but she’s too weak to do so.
I walk through the forest. The green trees brought forth a calming aura. I stood under the shade of one and winced upon feeling a few of my bruises brush against the tree bark. Upon focusing on my surroundings, I heard the steady stream from a nearby river.
After taking a few steps, I made it to the stream and knelt down. I splashed my face with the cool water and took hefty sips. Then, I poured water on my dirty bruises. When all I said was done, I looked up and saw a couple of berry trees nearby. I smiled and took off, picking and eating the plump, juicy fruit. When my parents were still alive, they had thought me how to survive in the wild. I never thought it would come in handy someday.
