Chapter 02
1120 Words
CHAPTER 2
Zephyr
The guards hurriedly rushed towards me and untied me following my fathers instruction.
Everyone turned to the man father came with and fell to their knees including my father.
I made to kneel but my body was already weak from the strokes I received earlier.
I staggered backwards and tried to steady my body but it was futile. Everything around me began to spin, and I stumbled, my knees buckling beneath me.
I left my body and it landed on the floor, my head slowly hit the ground and everything went dark.
When I finally woke up, I was met with a cold stench of mold and dampness.
I made to sit up but my back hit the mold wall making me cry out in pain.
I was still trying to process what was going on when a figure came looming in the dark.
“Who is there?" I called, and forced myself to sit up. I held the metal bars used to guard the cell to assist me in standing.
" Who is there?”I called out again, but my voice was swallowed by the darkness that hovered around.
The figure didn’t respond but its footsteps were coming closer and advancing towards my cell.
The steps grew louder and closer and I strained my neck to see who it was but I only caught the glimpse of a hurricane lamp advancing towards me. The light from the lamp shone brighter to reveal Luna —Maddy's mum and a guard.
“Open it and drag her out," she ordered the guard.
“Follow me." She said as soon as I got out of my cell.
“And make sure you adhere to whatever it is I say"
I dragged my feet wearily and followed her till we arrived at the Alphas study.
She pushed the door open and suddenly held my hand to steady my steps, putting on a fake smile.
“Am sorry Zeph but you know our pack forbids stealing.” I froze midsteps and raised my head to look at her. My eyes scanned the entire study and I saw the reason she did that. Father, Maddy and the man father entered with in the courtyard earlier were all seated. Including the chiefs and elders of the pack.
"I……."
“It's fine sis, no need to apologise. Just don't steal again” Maddy snapped, flashing me a fake smile.
What the hell are they upto? I looked at my father and he gave me the "just accomply look."
But I wouldn’t budge. My stubborn self won't allow me to do that.
" I didn’t…..”
"It's fine Zeph, we know you didn’t mean to steal it. And that is why we forgave you.” My step mum said and helped sit.
I looked at the council of elders and they all looked numb. My gaze dropped at the man dad came with and he was just glancing at dad, Maddy's mum and I.
“Alpha Darius.” He called his voice cracking from old age.
“Yes your majesty."
What? My dad actually bowed while answering. This clearly shows the man's position was more superior than his. I looked closely to see the phoenix mark on his head.
“The Lycans!” I screamed in my head.
Was Maddy right that I’m about to be given to the Lycans? She jokes a lot but this was clearly not one of her jokes.
This was the second in command after the Lycan king. He is not the King's beta. But the eldest Alpha heir from the ruling lineage.
“Are your entire household present here?"
“Yes your majesty" my father nodded.
“So who among your two daughters am I going with?"
" Her” my step mum said pointing at me like she was presenting a prized trophy.
“You can go with Zephyr, your majesty. She is brave, strong and smart.”
I looked at my dad and he was nodding his head, concurring with what his Luna was saying.
" Zephyr is a perfect child, she is definitely going to serve any role she is entitled to”. She said and held my hands.
I looked at Maddy and she too was nodding. Finally their wish to get rid of me was yielding results. So her and her mum can take over the pack.
Well everything my step mum said is true. I was a brave and courageous child. Stress on the brave cause I would have died if not for it. I was strong and smart too. She admitted to this cause it was leading to my ruin.
“And what about her" the Lycan elder said and pointed at Maddy.
Her face dropped and she turned to her mum. Her eyes pleaded for her to say something.
“I am wolfless" she voiced.
Everyone in the study turned to look at her but no one dared speak.
“I lost my wolf at the full moon festival, I ate the Silverworts shrubs and I passed out for two days” she continued and her mum was nodding her head in a go ahead manner.
“While I regained consciousness, I found out she was gone. My wolf” she whimpered and suddenly burst into tears.
Maddy was good at her games.
She knew exactly the perfect lie and time to tell her lies.
The Lycans won’t need a wolfless girl. They see werewolves as low ranks who aren’t even fit for mere servants. They prefer real blooded Omegas or nomads as their servants.
But it was an honour for our pack to be the pack selected to present someone for them.
Packs with lower ranks never get such opportunities and they prayed to get it even if it was once. Because nominated packs were offered huge amounts of money and more opportunities in exchange for the girl given to them.
This was the second time our pack was nominated. The first was when I was nine. My mum was still with us. She pleaded with the Lycans to let out our pack of nominees while she paid a huge amount of money in exchange.
And now the second time.
News had it that girls who left with the Lycans were turned to whores for their cruel and dreaded king who usually sends them to dungeons after each escapade.
I sighed inwardly. Must it be me? Must I be the one to suffer every unfortunate situation?
My plans to deal with Maddy and her mum are obviously falling apart.
“It's of no use crying young lady. You can still be chosen even wolfless." The Lycan elder voiced.
- Writer
