Anything
1070 Words
The entire pack yard was chaotic.
Wolves in both human and shifted forms rushed outside at the sound of the piercing scream that shattered the stillness of the evening.
Katie followed the stream of bodies, her heart pounding in sync with the hurried footsteps around her.
As she approached the crowd gathered in the clearing, her eyes locked on a familiar figure—slim, with striking blonde hair.
It was the same girl she had seen earlier now, disheveled and flushed from whatever “casual time” they had shared.
But now, the girl was on her knees, hands clasped tightly in front of her, trembling. Her cries echoed through the air.
“Alpha, please! Alpha, Have Mercy! Please, forgive me!”
Katie’s steps faltered as she took in the scene.
Standing tall before the girl was Jerome, his expression hard, a dangerous calm in his voice as he spoke.
“What are you pleading mercy for?” he demanded, his tone ice-cold. “Yes, we had a casual time.
Yes, I allowed you into my space. But how dare you defy my orders?”
Katie’s brows furrowed in confusion.
Defy his orders? Her mind raced, replaying the image of Jerome earlier, passionately tangled with the same girl now trembling at his feet. What could she possibly have done wrong?
Behind her, Madam Ellene’s voice broke her thoughts. “These girls never learn,” she muttered, her tone carrying both exasperation and a hint of knowing amusement.
Katie turned to look at the older woman, who stood watching the scene with an expression that bordered on indifference.
Madam Ellene’s face revealed a history with situations like this, as though this was not the first time something similar had happened.
Jerome’s voice cut through again, sharper this time. “I have said it over and over.
Yes, casual relationships are acceptable—I am an Alpha, after all, and I have needs. But who made you believe you had the right to kiss me?”
Katie blinked, stunned. “A… kiss?” she murmured, her voice barely audible.
Madam Ellene’s lips curved into a dry smile as she whispered back, “Yes. You heard him correctly. A kiss.”
Katie gawked at her. “Is… is this for real?”
Madam Ellene nodded, her voice calm but stern. “Alpha Jerome does not joke. When he says don’t touch him, you don’t touch him.
When he gives permission, you act within the limits he sets. The last girl… she was beheaded for hugging him without his consent.”
Katie’s blood ran cold. “Beheaded? For a hug?”
“What’s so hard to understand about that?” Madam Ellene asked with a shrug, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
Katie’s lips moved, but no sound came out at first. Then, unable to hold back, she muttered under her breath, “That’s insane!”
Madam Ellene gasped and immediately clamped her hand over Katie’s mouth.
“Shhh! Don’t let him hear you!” she hissed. “If you want to survive here, you’ll learn to stay out of his way.
Do what he says when he says it. Jerome’s wrath is…” She trailed off, shaking her head, leaving the sentence hanging ominously in the air.
Jerome’s voice thundered suddenly, silencing the entire yard. “You!”
Katie froze, her heart leaping into her throat. He was pointing. Directly at her.
She glanced over her shoulder, praying he meant someone else, but there was no one behind her. Still, she hesitated, hoping against hope that he wasn’t calling for her.
“Are you deaf? I said, come here!” Jerome’s tone was razor-sharp now, slicing through her like a blade.
The crowd parted, all eyes turning to her. Katie’s stomach churned as she slowly stepped forward, her legs trembling beneath her.
She turned once more to look at Madam Ellene, silently pleading for guidance, but the older woman only shook her head, offering no help.
Katie stopped a few feet away from Jerome, her body stiff with fear as his eyes bore into her.
“Bring me a knife,” Jerome ordered one of his warriors.
Katie’s breath hitched. A knife?
Moments later, the warrior returned, handing Jerome a sleek, silver blade. Without a word, Jerome grabbed Katie’s hand, pried her fingers open, and forced the knife into her palm.
“You will mark her,” he said coldly, his voice devoid of any emotion.
Katie stared at him, horrified. “Mark her?” she echoed, her voice trembling.
Jerome stepped closer, his towering presence suffocating. “You will s***h her face and leave a scar.
A reminder of her defiance and I give you ten seconds to mark her face or else you would be punished In her stead.”
The girl on the ground erupted into sobs, crawling toward Katie on her knees.
“Please, don’t! Please!” she cried, tears streaming down her face.
Katie’s hands shook violently as she gripped the knife, the weight of it unbearable.
Her entire body quivered, and a sudden urge to pee overwhelmed her, the fear paralyzing her completely.
Jerome’s voice broke through again, counting down. “Ten… nine… eight…”
Katie’s eyes darted between the knife in her hand and the girl before her, desperation clawing at her chest. She couldn’t do it. She couldn’t harm someone, no matter what.
“… three… two… one.”
Jerome’s voice rang out with finality. “Hold her down.”
Before Katie could react, two warriors grabbed her, one holding her arms while the other restrained her legs.
She screamed, thrashing wildly, but their grip was unyielding.
“Please!” she begged, tears streaming down her face. “Please, I’ll do anything! Just don’t—please don’t!”
Jerome raised a hand, signaling them to stop. They released her, and she crumpled to the ground, sobbing.
He crouched before her, his cold gaze meeting hers. “Anything?” he asked softly, though the menace in his tone was unmistakable.
Katie nodded frantically, her voice barely above a whisper. “Anything. Please.”
Jerome stood, towering over her once more placing his hands on his lips and after a while his face broke into a smile .”
And with that, he turned and walked away, leaving Katie trembling on the ground, surrounded by the silent, watchful eyes of the pack.
- Writer
