KILL THE ALPHA

Lost in Lucia

Carissa woke up gasping for air as her heart hammered violently against her ribs, each beat echoing like a drum in her skull.

She coughed violently, trying to regain control, and slowly lifted her head.

“Lucia! Don’t tell me you’re having an episode again!” a sharp voice cut through the chaos.

“You can’t keep doing this, Lucia! Madam will be furious!” another shouted. Whispers floated around her. “Is she okay?” someone murmured. “What’s wrong with her tonight?”

Lucia? Who was Lucia? Carrisa's mind spun faster, trying to make sense of the alien sounds and movements, but every attempt ended in confusion.

A firm hand grabbed her suddenly, yanking her upwards sharply she nearly fell. “Freshen up!” a woman shouted, her grip hard, commanding. “Move it, now!”.

Carissa stumbled as she walked through the crowd, human bodies were brushing her from all sides. Music blared, lights spun across glittering costumes, performers danced on small stages, and men cheered and reached toward the performers. Every sound, every motion made Carissa flinch. Her instincts and her wolf were stirring within her, tensed at the chaos.

Then, a sharp, unwanted contact made her snap. A man had hit her roughly on her butt as he passed, grinning arrogantly. Her wolf reacted before her mind could think, Without hesitating, she swung her fist and struck him squarely in the face. The impact echoed, and the man stumbled back, clutching his nose in shock. His eyes blazed with anger as he yelled, “You don’t disrespect me young lady! I won’t let this go!”

The woman’s grip tightened firmly around carrisa's arms. “What’s wrong with you today? Don’t let the madam see you disrespecting the customers!"

Customers? Madam? Carissa’s head spun. She felt like an intruder in this new place. Whispers followed her like shadows. “Lucia’s awake…” “She’s back…” The words were familiar, but alien, echoing a life she had never lived.

They finally entered a narrow hallway. The music dulled to a low thrum. The woman shoved open a door and pushed her inside. Carissa’s legs trembled uncontrollably; her stomach twisted violently as she doubled over. Her body, Lucia’s body was weak, sickly, vulnerable. The woman crouched beside her, holding her steady. “There, there… you’ve had enough tonight,” she said, calm but firm.

Carissa lifted her head slowly and froze. The mirror reflected a face that was not hers. Brown hair tumbled over shoulders that were foreign, bright blue eyes stared back, wide and alert, and smooth, flawless skin stretched over a body she did not recognize. Her hands shook as she touched her reflection, watching the face move perfectly with her, and yet feeling completely separate from it.

Memories of the pale woman flooded her mind, her voice, cold and melodic, offering a second chance, a price, a path back to life. Carissa whispered shakily, “Second chance… why in another body?” She could feel the wolf within stirring uneasily, instincts on edge, warning her of danger, of secrets hidden beneath every smile and every step in this world.

“Lucia! Hurry up!” the voice snapped her back. The woman at the door "Sonia" stood rigid, impatient, her eyes sharp and commanding. “You’re supposed to perform tonight!”

Perform? Carissa’s stomach dropped. She didn’t know what show this was, whose life this was, or how she was expected to act.

“Take a shower,” Sonia instructed, leaving no room for argument. “Special guests are coming. No time to waste.”

Carissa’s hands trembled as she reached for her new reflection again, brushing the brown hair, and staring into her unfamiliar blue eyes. Every glance reminded her: this body, this life, was not hers.

Sonia shoved a towel into her hands. “Be quick, Lucia! We don’t have all night!”

Carissa wanted to speak, to demand answers, but her words caught in her throat. Instead, she whispered, “Wait… what’s your name?”

Sonia laughed, sharp and cutting. “Sonia, you i***t! Don’t tell me you forgot your best friend’s name after nearly dying!”

Carissa didn’t laugh. Her chest tightened. This was not her life. This body belonged to Lucia. her own identity all were gone, she couldn't even remember anything from her life except for that golden bracelet. Carissa existed only as a shadow, muted and hidden.

She obeyed Sonia, her legs were shaking as she stepped under the hot shower. The water should have comforted her, but it did not. She whispered a mantra, gripping the basin: “I am Carissa. I am still Carissa.” She needed the reminder, the anchor, the truth she clung to in this alien life.

Outside, Sonia prepared the outfit. Carissa stepped out, shivering, frozen at the sight of what she was expected to wear: a crop top and tiny shorts, decorated with straps and belts, a costume made for the stage, for a life she did not recognize. Panic surged through her, tightening her chest. Could she live like this? Pretend to be someone she wasn’t?

“Come on!” Sonia shouted. “Put it on! The madam will be here any second!” Hands shaking, Carissa dressed. Every mirror, every movement, every glance reminded her: this body belonged to someone else entirely.

Then the door opened. A tall woman entered, black hair sharp and neat, eyes lined and lashes long, radiating authority with every step. Her high heels clicked on the polished floor, each sound a warning, a command. Carissa froze, heart hammering. The woman’s gaze cut through her, chewing gum and frowning, her presence was sharp.

“What the hell is keeping you, Carissa? the show is about to begin. ” the woman yelled, voice low and dangerous. Carissa looked behind her and saw other girls in glittering performance outfits, poised and ready, their eyes flicking to her, curious and calculating.

“What… what show?” Carissa asked, voice trembling, panic sharpening her instincts.

The woman’s eyes narrowed with a faint smile touching her lips.