Out of the dungeon
Leona's POV
I was one of the unfortunate females of the pack.
If I say unfortunate, I mean it. It means death to be in my place, many in my place have passed away painful, and a lot more will continue to run out.
I had seen a lot of my fellows being murdered in cold blood on errands. The lucky ones received a proper burial from the pack. Today might be my first time going on errands, and it might also be the end of me. I was not afraid to die, but I was afraid of suffering. After all, I had nothing to live for apart from risking my life for the pack during disputes and war.
Our work in the pack as slaves is like that of a messenger but riskier. We sent written words from our pack to other packs, as it was dangerous for the important members to do it. Most of the time, such written words are war notices. Ruthless alpha wages their rage on us after absorbing the content of the paper. I have witnessed many of my fellows return with bruises and heavy injuries all over their bodies as a result of the torture they go through. Others come with a death warrant, they pass out after minutes of their comeback.
The last person I mourned her death was Lily, my best friend in the dungeon. Lily was the best thing that ever happened to me. She was the light and my reason to live. I don't know what happened to her as it was an everyday thing that some of us would die even without going on errands.
A life of slavery was more vulnerable than being a rogue. Lily was one of the few that didn't return during their errands.
I cleaned the drop of tears in my eyes as I squeeze myself into a ball at the end of the big room. Lily and I used to share my bed even though she had her own. I flipped my eyes open and sniffed, cleaning my face with my hand when I heard my name.
"Leona!!" The deep voice set me on my feet. I heard the dungeon click open.
The pack's slave house was located under the packed building. We are only allowed to go out if the alpha has an assignment for us.
The spacious four-cornered room was big enough to accommodate our number.
"Leona..."
I stopped in my tracks and stared back at the owner of the voice. It was Mara.
"Be careful." she whispered, sitting at the corner of the hall just behind the door.
I silently continued my steps. She was the second person to talk to me since I was brought here.
We were trespassers a few months ago and today, a captive and a slave of the blood moon pack. Mom fought many wolves to make sure I lived. The day I was brought here, I was determined to survive and live the life mom wanted me to live, but after what happened to Lilly, I don't think my chance of survival exceeds that of losing my life.
The rest of the slaves in the room spread their eyes on me. Some glared at me with pity as I was younger than most of them.
"You are Leona?" The huge man standing at the door asked in a deep, scaring voice.
I nodded my head, still looking at the ground. I didn't need anything else to scare me, as I was already scared to death.
"Philip, take the girl to the alpha." he ordered the other man who didn't look less scary.
At this point my fate was uncertain.
I didn't want to look at their faces, their voice alone was scary proof that I had no life. I had no chance to live up to my mother's expectations.
I followed quietly behind the man named Philip. His steps were no match to mine. I was struggling to keep up with his pace.
"Will you like me to carry you?" He gazed back at me waiting for me to answer but I shook my head. I knew my place. Lilly told me to be careful with the pack members. I didn't want to fall into any trap.
"Okay." he murmured, but this time his pace was slower than before. And I was thankful for his kindness.
"Why are you walking like a kid?"
I raised my head to see a new character.
"At least I am walking with one." he shrugged, looking back at me.
Our eyes met, and I quickly lowered my gaze. I grabbed the hem of my dress tightly when he turned back to approach me. He held my chin in his warm hand and forced me to look up at him. A small smile creeps on his rocky face and his cold glare softened.
"Don't look up when you are before the alpha." he said in a whisper as if giving me advice and I lowered my glare in panick. "But I am not the alpha." he added standing on his feet.
"Are you done babysitting her?" The other man said in his manly voice as he glared at me and opened the final gate out of the slave hall for us.
The cold air drowned my body causing me to shiver. I blinked a few times to adjust to the daylight. It was my first time seeing daylight in months.
We strode into a hall, climbed the stairs, and found ourselves walking on a field. I didn't raise my head throughout the walk. As we went feather the sound of swords crushing each other could be heard. I could feel Philip staring at me.
I increased my pace when I realized I was a little too far behind him. I was not afraid, but my heart was racing faster than normal. Knots formed in my belly as we walked past the training warriors. I winked in pain when my bare foot was crushed by a sharp stone, I didn't stop walking. I proceeded with my steps behind him, not minding the pain.
"Are you okay?" His sudden voice startled me as I almost jumped in my spot.
I nodded my head," you are bleeding." he said and knelt before me. I pulled back with his attempt to hold my feet.
"It's alright." I stilled and looked at him, absorbing every bit of his movement.
"What is going on over there?" A deep voice startled both of us.
I saw Philip sigh murmuring something under his breath and making a face. He dusted the knee of his pants and turned to face the man walking toward us. His present sent shivers down my spine. I whimpered with every step he took toward us.
"What is going on here?" He repeated his question with a hard face.
Philip pointed the finger at my bleeding feet."You talk when I ask you a question." He punched Phillip in the face, sending him backward.
"Know your place." he warned and finally spared me a glare.
"Take her to my office." with his order. The tall man behind him gestured for me to follow him. I kept glaring at Philip, who was sitting on the grass wiping his bleeding mouth with the back of his hand.
"Move it!!" He growled, his golden eyes burning on my skin.
