Chapter 3
1265 Words
IRVINE'S POV
It was the first time I got hit, and I felt my cheek go numb for a second before a tingling pain took over.
“Why did you waste the food given to you? I told them not to give the new captive food, but they won't listen!” He yelled, attracting his men to the room.
“What happened here?” An older man came in and asked.
“This wench wasted food! If Alex finds out…”
“Keep quiet! If he finds out, you'd be in trouble.” The older man shunned the huge man.
“Why should I be in trouble? Can't you see how she…”
Suddenly, a very loud, disturbing sound pierced through the air, and I reflexively covered my ears.
“He's here; let's go!” The older man spoke, and they both ran out of the room and locked the door.
“I am sorry he had to hit you.” The girl apologized.
“Who are they referring to? Who is back?” I asked curiously, ignoring her apology.
“The Rogues Alpha.” The girl spoke, and I widened my eyes in disbelief.
“So they have an Alpha? Their leader must have told them to capture me!” I gritted my teeth.
“I guess so.” The girl shrugged and sat down on the floor.
“By the way.” I started, and she looked at me. ”I am Irvine.”
“Phoenix.” She replied simply before resting her head on the wall and shutting her eyes.
No one came in again for the rest of the day, and I kept guard all night, thinking for a way to escape. The darkness felt heavy, and fear crept in as I replayed every moment of my captivity, but I kept reminding myself that I couldn't let fear take over; I needed to find a way out.
*****
The next morning, I heard the door creak open, and two men came in and bundled us.
“Where are you taking us to?” I struggled, and he held me tighter without saying a word.
“Bring them out.” A male voice sprang from outside, and the men obliged.
The moment we got out, the rays of light hit my eyes so hard that I had to close them. It felt like I was imprisoned for a long time and just got freed.
“Are these all the captives in the room?” I heard someone yell to the guards who bundled us.
“Yes, they are.” They replied in unison, and I glanced at them. That was when I had a good look at the environment.
Everywhere looked rather… normal. It didn't look as dangerous as I expected a rogue’s hideout should be. I guess they just looked like rogues. Bringing me out of my imagination was a wailing voice followed by footsteps.
I turned back in bewilderment as I saw more captives being dragged to our side.
“Silence!” The previous man who had ordered the guards to bring us out yelled again.
A total silence evolved around the vicinity that even a drop of needle could be heard. I gulped slowly, hoping it wouldn't be heard.
Afterwards, the man began walking slowly towards us, his face stern and void, without any emotions as he scrutinized us.
“You, you, and you.” The man started, pointing at me, Phoenix, and a young man.
“Take them to the stable and let them start working immediately!” The man commanded, and I looked at him in shock.
“I'm not going to feed and care for horses.” I mistakenly blurted aloud, and I heard the man chuckle before walking towards me.
“What are you? A princess?” He mocked me before holding my chin hard.” You are a slave here, and anything I ask you to do, you'd do it or you won't be able to see your family again!” He gritted his teeth before shoving my face away roughly.
“Take them away!” He commanded, and the guards led us to the stable.
We walked a meter away before we arrived at a rather huge stable. I hate to say it, but it was bigger than the one in my pack.
The guard finally released us, and a lady dressed neatly with an apron tied to her waist walked to us.
“She is the head; respect her or you face the wrath!” The guard threatened.
“I shall take it from here, Gammas. They look awful and useless, though.” The woman spoke as she glanced at us, and at that moment, I hated her.
Without wasting much time, she opened the stable and assigned us to whichever horse needed a wash and trim.
“I hate sluggish people, and I hate unfinished work. I will come back by noon to check how far you have gone.” She spoke coldly before leaving.
“I hate her.” I heard Phoenix say, and the man sighed.
“What do you expect from a rogue?” He rhetorically asked.
“I need to escape from here,” I mumbled to them, and they looked at me.
“I have tried to escape, but it hasn't been possible. I either get caught or get hurt. There's no escape here.” The man spoke.
“I have to escape; there's a competition I need to attend. It starts at noon. My father would be worried about me.” I told them, and Phoenix looked at me curiously.
“The only competition that will be held today is the youth tournament. Don't tell me…
“Yes, I have to be there. I am representing my pack as their…” I paused, retracting the words I wanted to say. It was unwise to tell them my status; I didn't know who I could trust.
“I am just representing my pack.” I finished with a wry smile pasted on my face.
There was nothing to talk about again, so we began washing the horses. Meanwhile, I really wanted to escape, and I was going to do it tonight.
Hours passed and I began getting exhausted; my breath became weary, lots of sweat dripped down my forehead, and my hands were getting heavier. I glanced around and saw the rest were still cleaning without relenting.
“I need a break,” I said to myself, stepping out of the stable.
Emerging from the stable, I suddenly bumped into a hard surface. Rubbing my sore head, I winced.
“Aww,” I groaned, pain etched in my voice.
“Are you blind or something?” I heard a rather deep voice ask in annoyance, and immediately lifting my gaze, I met up with a pair of silver eyes that left me breathless... His ravishing handsome face and muscular body made me numb for a second.
My mouth suddenly shaped into an ‘O’ as I realized what had happened—I had bumped into him.
“I am…” Just as I was about to apologize, he suddenly shoved me away with his hands and walked inside the stable.
I glared at his retreating figure, wondering who he was and what kind of demeanor he carried. Just then, I heard a frightening voice.
“What are you doing outside!” It was the annoying lady. Her cold eyes seemed to bore into my soul. I froze, my heart racing.
Oh no, I am in trouble.
- Writer
