Enslaved
1474 Words
Alpha Lorcan studies Han with a blank expression for a few seconds, before dismissing him.
"Alpha Lorcan". I stutter too, wringing my hands. His focus shifts to me, and he studies me with an intensity that makes my heart drop into my stomach. I barely register Han slither away. I feel my mother's hand on my shoulder. It helps, a little.
Alpha Lorcan shifts his attention to her. A hidden smile lifts a corner of his lips. I feel worse. "No manners in the traitor's house?" He rumbles, sounding amused.
My mother's grip on my shoulder tightens. I realize then that the contact is as much for her as it is for me. "Forgive us, Alpha. It's an honour to have you our doorstep, we're quite shocked. Please come in". Her voice is unsteady, but she manages to lift her hand from my shoulder, and open the door wider. Alpha Lorcan walks in, and his eyes lock with mine as he walks past. I cannot look away, even though I want to. I try to.
Mother shows him to a seat, but he ignores it, choosing instead to stand in the middle of our small living room and study everything. "Tell me, Gwyn. Was it all worth it?" He looks at her. "Whoring yourself to a Silver Claw bastard, was it worth your lifetime punishment?" Mother bows her head and does not reply. "Your family threw you out" he continues in that amused voice. "If not for my father's mercy you'd be packless now". I swallow.
"I am eternally grateful". Mother whispers, her eyes still on the ground.
"Of course you are. You should be". He says. He glances at me with a smile, and my breath hitches. He's beautiful, and the smile lifts a corner of his lips in a way that is alluring and scary at the same time. I never met his father, but mother said he was beautiful in a cruel way too. The line of Alphas in Moon Crest pack are known for their devastating looks and cruelty to match. Alpha Logan's Mercy is something my mother has never understood.
"Can I offer you something, Alpha?" My mother says.
"Some still want your banishment, you know". Alpha Lorcan says, staring at my mother's bowed head now. "They want me to punish you, and kill the abominable evidence of your treachery".
My mother's hand clenches, and he notices. His smile lifts into his eyes. My legs feel weak. "But I will not go against my father's wishes. I don't need to". He turns fully to me. "Especially since I have better use for you".
My mother straightens sharply. "Alpha-"
"It turns out you are keeping something truly traitorous from me" He says, walking towards me. I am tongue-tied, and I can only stumble back a step. His eyes take me in, and he snarls. "Nothing to say?"
"We have nothing else to hide, Alpha". Mother says.
"You would lie to your Alpha?" He leans into me and sniffs hard, twice.
"I swear to the moon goddess, we have nothing. I have submitted to punishment for my crimes". Mother's voice is shaking. Alpha Lorcan's frame blocks my entire view, and I cannot see her.
"Indeed". He sniffs me again. "Where is her wolf?"
There is silence for about three seconds.
"She hasn't emerged yet". Mother replies, her voice nearly blank.
"Why?" He straightens up from me and turns toward her. "Why has her wolf not emerged?"
"We don't know". My mother replies again.
He c***s his head, still staring at me. "You don't? Well then. Of what use is a vessel without a wolf? I might as well end it now". He lifts a hand, and claws slide out. "We have enough runts. There's no purpose for this one". He slashes down, and I scream.
His claws halt a hair's breath from my neck. I blink, shaking. My mother's face is still blank, but her eyes glow green. I think I've peed myself.
"You would be wise to step away from the girl". My mother says calmly. I understand then why Alpha Lorcan hasn't killed me yet. He can't.
Our secret is out. There's no going back.
His grin is mad. "Would I? Would you kill me, Gwyn?" My mother does not reply.
"So there is something you're hiding from me". His grin disappears, and he suddenly fists his clawed hand. I jerk, and my mother gasps and stumbles back, the glow of her eyes flickering. There is true fear in her eyes when she rights herself. "You have two options". Alpha Lorcan says, stalking towards her. "You try to kill me now", he flashes that grin again, "and if you succeed my kind, hunts you and your daughter for the rest of your lives. They will find you, and you will pay. Slowly and painfully." He stops right before her. My mother doesn't move, to her credit.
"Or you surrender". His voice is low. "I have uses for you. You'd continue your life as you have, but you'll do anything I want you to".
"What would you want me to do?" My mother asks.
"Give me your daughter. She's the one I need".
"No". My mother's answer is immediate, cutting the air like a whip.
"Well then". Alpha Lorcan's voice is jovial, and I imagine he has the mad grin again.
"Let's spar". He lifts both hands, and his claws descend, longer than they were before. I see the resolve setting my mother's features.
"No!" I scream running to stand between them. I'm facing the Alpha, my hands spread out to block my mother. He wears the mad grin, truly, and his eyes glow the brightest silver. "I'll go with you".
"Ayrra". my mother barks.
"You won't win, mother. You won't ". The fear on her face proved it. She knows she won't win, but she's willing to try. And I'm not ready to lose her. "I'll go with you. But only if you swear by the goddess that no harm will come to my mother".
He crosses his arms. "You're in no position to negotiate, child. I could kill you both here and now".
I resist the urge to wrinkle my nose. Child? He is the alpha, yes, but he isn't much older than me. "You would have, but you haven't. You need us".
"I want you. But I don't need your mother".
"My mother will not be harmed. I might not kill you, but I'll do a lot of damage. A lot".
A corner of his lips lifts. "No harm will come to your mother".
"She cannot do whatever it is you want her to do". My mother says, desperate.
"She doesn't know much".
"I know enough". I say. I'm surprised at how steady my voice is.
"You'd better". He says, his smile spreading. "This arrangement only stands for as long as you can do what I want".
My heart slows. "I'm at your service, alpha". I turn to my mother. She grabs my shoulders in a painful grip. "Mother-" I start.
Are you out of your mind? Her voice roars in my head. I wince a bit. Why won't you stop being a hero? She says, less loudly.
It takes me a few seconds to find the connection and project through it. You would have died, mother. I can't bear to lose you.
I would not have. I would not. Her eyes are trying to make me understand. I swallow. Her grip on my shoulder softens.
But then what? We run for the rest of our lives? Alpha Lorcan is not wrong. The entire werewolf population will hunt is for the rest of our lives.
She only sighs. You don't know much, Ayrra. He can't need you for anything good.
You can teach me. I still need you.
She sighs again pulling me in for a hug.
My baby.
I'll be fine, mother. I really won't.
You will. My mother can hear my innermost thoughts. I'll make sure till my last breath.
"So it's true". Alpha Lorcan's voice is contemplative. "Witches can communicate without physical words".
"When do I have to leave?" I say, trying to sound strong.
"Now". He says. My bravado dies.
My mother grips my hand tightly. "Alpha Lorcan, if so much as a hair is harmed on my daughter's head-" His eyes flash silver, and she stops.
He holds out a hand, and I walk towards him slowly. He grips the back of my neck when I get to him, chocking slowly.
"You're mine now". He growls.
"Yes alpha". I choke out. He smiles.
Your wolf will surface when you meet your mate. It's the way of half breed wolves. My mother says to me on our way out.
Yes mother, I reply, wondering why that's her farewell message.
- Writer
