CHAPTER 5: LONG TIME NO SEE
1654 Words
The sky grew darker than usual as Luna glanced up, spotting a dark cloud ahead. The woods echoed with the sounds of chirping birds and a gentle breeze brushed against her face. She closed her eyes briefly, savoring the sensation before snapping them open as she nearly tripped over a small twig.
"Oh, s**t. I can't believe that bastard would throw me out like that. I shouldn't have sent the driver to pick up that parcel," she muttered, annoyance tinting her voice. Her legs continued to carry her along the path through the woods. Retrieving her phone from the pocket of her jacket, she dialed Rose's number. On the second ring, Rose answered.
"He threw me out. That bastard actually threw me out. He just snapped his fingers like the asshole he is and ordered them to toss me out. See? This is why 'he' was a bad idea. He's egotistic, stubborn, heartless—a dominating freak. He wants me to come back, kissing his dirty Alpha ass. Mind you, he's already an Alpha. He now rules an entire Empire. To make matters worse, his wings have grown wider and broader. And I still need to get my kids back. Uh...Rose, are you still there?" Luna called out, wondering if Rose had left her hanging or simply hung up.
Rose let out a deep sigh. "Luna, do you want to see your triplets again?"
"Yeah, why not? I'd do anything for it, if I had to," Luna replied.
"Then make peace with their father first. Don't let the past affect your attitude. Start afresh."
"Don't tell me you want me to head back inside that dungeon. Look, Rose, I think coming here in the first place was a big mistake. I just want to come home," she said, earning another sigh from Rose.
"Alright...wait, are you walking? I can hear the breeze and rustling sounds," Rose asked.
"Yeah, I sent my driver to get the parcel when he dropped me off. Now, I have some distance to cover before I can find a cab. He's so full of surprises. Despite being able to buy any house he lays his hands on, he chose a jungle instead," Luna said, making Rose laugh.
"Talk to you later, Rose. Let me find my way out of this maze," they said their goodbyes before hanging up.
Luna tucked her phone back into her pocket when a man came into her view. She narrowed her eyes and tried to walk around him, but he blocked her path once again. She attempted a different route, only to be met with the same obstacle. Panic began to rise as she realized the situation was worse than she had initially thought.
As she surveyed her surroundings, she noticed four other men closing in on her. Anxiety washed over her, knowing that she was isolated in this secluded place where no one could hear her screams. The first man pointed a gun at her and gestured towards a black van. Though hesitant, Luna understood she had no choice if she wanted to avoid a bullet in her skull. Reluctantly, she obeyed and walked into the van as the men closed the door, and the vehicle began to move.
***
ANOTHER round of electricity coursed through the children's bodies, causing them to groan in pain each time it surged. Surprisingly, none of them shed any tears, which amazed their torturer.
With every groan of pain, he let out a hearty laugh.
"Spoiled little brats, planning their own escape right under my nose. Which one of you came up with that idea?... oh right." He approached Eden and forcefully tugged on his soft hair. "I have a little gift for you to commend your bravery." He released his hair roughly and walked towards a table that was filled with various instruments of torture.
Returning to the boy, the man held a syringe filled with green liquid. He suspended Eden in mid-air with his chains and plunged the syringe into his neck, allowing the liquid to course through his body.
Initially, nothing happened. The other two children anticipated something worse, a sense of impending doom. They knew this man was not merely playing a sick game with them.
Suddenly, their thoughts were interrupted by their brother's screams. Eden thrashed wildly, desperate to free himself. Sweat cascaded from his body, forming a pool beneath him. At irregular intervals, he transformed into a white wolf and then reverted to his human form. The cycle repeated itself, and with each passing second, Eden's screams grew louder.
"Stop! What are you doing to him?" Ember cried out.
"Oh, so that's what can make you all cry. Family matters, and I'll destroy it." The man let out an evil cackle at the end of his statement.
"To answer your question, painful transformation is what I'm subjecting him to. When transforming, your body's potential adapts to the changes until you turn into a fuzzy little creature." He chuckled at his own joke, but none of the children found it amusing. He continued, "If your body goes through the process slower than usual, almost like slow motion, it will be excruciatingly painful, causing you to vow never to transform again. That's what I've done to your brother. His body is experiencing all the changes in a gradual manner, which is why he transitions between a wolf and a human. The liquid ensures the transformations occur consecutively. Isn't he cute?" He laughed, irritating the children.
"Make it stop. Please, he's in so much pain. Please," Eldric pleaded, his strength gradually waning.
"But I'm still having fun. You have nothing to worry about; it's not that dangerous. The worst that could happen is it could take his life, that's all. See... No worries."
Ember and Eldric cried and pleaded simultaneously. Occasionally, they stole glances at Eden, who looked completely drained. The transformations showed no sign of stopping, and Eden's screams only intensified. The sound of his bones cracking loudly as he shifted back and forth made it abundantly clear that it was an agonising experience. The kids didn't need anyone to tell them this.
"Very well then, let's put him out of his misery." The man produced two electric plugs and inserted them into both of Eden's sides, then increased the voltage. The surge of electricity jolted through every nerve in Eden's body. He screamed, yelled, and writhed, desperately attempting to suppress the immense pain. The man simply smiled widely.
Soon enough, Eden's cries subsided, and wisps of smoke wafted from his body. He hung limply from the chains, and the man lowered him onto his small mattress.
"Is that the only way to stop the painful transformations?" Eldric asked in horror.
"No, this is just another painful way to halt the transformations. Have you been enjoying electricity? It's exactly how it feels. Trust me, there are less excruciating ways to end the painful transformations."
"Is he okay?" Ember sniffled.
"Yeah, yeah, he's fine. Just pray he wakes up." The man shrugged nonchalantly. "What? He won't wake up?" Ember's words caught in her throat, filled with fear. The man approached Eden and kicked him in the ribs. The boy groaned and stirred slightly.
"Hurray, he's still alive." The man smiled and winked at them before exiting the room, leaving them all behind.
***
The blindfold was removed from Luna's eyes, and she looked around. It was a modest living room, nothing out of the ordinary. From the room, Orion emerged and took his position in front of her. She was a little taken aback.
"Next time you walk into my den, you don't talk to me like a lunatic. I haven't changed. Luna, just upgraded. I'm sure you just want some lives back. Don't lose yours in my hands during the process. Are we clear?" Orion said, and Luna nodded.
"Good. I heard about triplets, my kids, and it still doesn't add up."
"Yeah, I had them for you," Luna said eagerly but immediately shut up when she caught Orion's glare. "You have some explaining to do, but not right now or right here. I'll ask my driver to drop you off. We'll talk later," he said before passing orders to his henchmen with an eye signal.
Luna was about to enter the car when Orion's voice stopped her. "Luna..." She turned to face him. "Long time no see." He spelled it out with his usual smirk, a sight Luna never expected to see ever again. She managed a smile and entered the car.
***
"So, was that all that happened?" Rose asked with interest. Luna stuffed more fries into her mouth.
"Yes, that was all. I'm so hungry," she said with her mouth full.
"Wow, who knew paying your former mate a visit could turn you into a hungry animal," Rose laughed.
Luna paused for a moment but smiled. "I felt very weak around him. Like he was sucking my energy or something," she said, gulping down apple juice from its jar.
"Are you sure you weren't imagining him sucking more than just your energy? I'm sure you got weak in the knees," Rose wiggled her eyebrows playfully, and Luna faked a gasp.
"No, come on. I didn't do that. If I was doing anything, it would be shitting my pants. I feared he would kill me. He now heads an Empire," she said, savoring the cupcakes.
"You've got to admit it, girl. You do miss him, even if it's just a little bit."
"Where is that parcel?" Luna asked, looking around to catch a glimpse of it. She spotted it and picked it up, suspending her food. They stared at the brown envelope.
"It is addressed to you, open it up".
Luna opened the parcel to see its contents. "f**k!" she yelled and dropped it when she saw what was inside. Rose moved closer to take a look.
"Oh. My. God!" Rose exclaimed.
- Writer
