HIS CAPTIVE, HIS MATE

"Men, seize everyone!" Alpha Jack's soldiers invaded the feast, detaining all of the attendees. The happy atmosphere disappeared in an instant, and I dashed to Zara's side, but Alpha Jack was still clutching her wrist with force! "Alpha Jack, what's going on?" Zara questioned but his response was a strong slap on her cheek. I stared in horror as Zara cradled her wounded face. She was frightened into silence before glaring at the Alpha. Then, he growled ferociously. "You brought this on yourself, Zara! You've brought shame to your pack!" As I saw Zara's panic in her eyes, I was overcome with fear. I wanted to help her, to put an end to this lunacy, but I had no idea what to do. I panicked and was unable to think clearly! The council head then attempted to defend Zara, but Alpha Jack silenced him with a fast, vicious attack. Everyone shouted in horror as they saw Alpha Jack's savagery! The sight of the council leader's lifeless body on the ground sent chills down my spine. Everyone shouted, and the feast became a nightmare. My heart hammered in my chest when I realized we were all in danger. And it was all unfolding there in front of me. Then Zara fixed her gaze on me. "Run, Lyra," she ordered. But how could I just leave her alone in this situation? I shook my head until one of Alpha Jack's soldiers took me away. “No, please!” I whispered, my voice lost in the chaos as they dragged me away from Zara. I clenched my fists, desperate to do something, but deep down, I knew I was too naïve to think I could stop Alpha Jack. At first, I didn't believe he would go through with his threats. But then, I watched in horror as he brutally killed several members of the Ravencrest Pack. Blood stained the ground, and I felt powerless to stop the violence inflicted on my pack. When silence finally fell over the battlefield, I could see despair in Zara’s eyes. She likely blamed herself for what happened, but it wasn't entirely her fault. It was the greed of men who wanted to take over Ravencrest Pack that led to this. “Set them free and take me instead! Please, let the women and children go!” she begged. “Shall I?” Alpha Jack taunted, his voice dripping with malice. “Men, tie them up!” His command rang out, and in seconds, we were captured. I, Zara, and the other women…we were no longer free, merely prizes for a monster. I could hear the screams of the other women as they were violated, but I couldn’t bear to look. My stomach churned, and my heart shattered. How could they be so cruel? “You should’ve stayed hidden, Lyra. He didn’t even see you!” Zara whispered. “I couldn’t let him kill you,” I replied softly. “Do you think I want to live like this? I’d rather die than be his slave!” she snapped. Alpha Jack didn’t just destroy the Ravencrest Pack—he turned us into his captives. We were tied together and marched away from the only home we had. For days, we walked, and our captors took every last bit of freedom we had left. Women were assaulted at every stop, and children were killed for daring to cry or complain. I felt numb. My heart had no more room for tears. When they whipped my arm with a bullwhip, I didn’t even flinch; the pain didn’t register anymore. Then, just before we reached their territory, my heart raced with dread. Who would they choose next? The air was thick with tension, and fear loomed over us like a dark cloud. Suddenly, I saw one of Jack’s men heading our way. Before he could pick someone, Zara stood up, offering herself to protect the rest of us. But he ignored her, his gaze locking onto me. My heart skipped a beat as I tried to hide behind her. Zara held my hand tightly, refusing to let go. “Untie that one,” he ordered the guard, and my fear surged. “No! You can’t take her!” Zara cried out, but a guard struck her hard enough to knock her to the ground. He ripped me from her grasp as she fought to hold on. Tears filled my eyes as they dragged me away, but I tried to stay calm. I nodded at Zara, hoping to reassure her that I would be okay, even though fear gripped me tightly. “Please, don’t take her! She’s like a sister to me. I won’t let you hurt her!” Zara pleaded, but the men only sneered. “The Alpha has plans for this one,” one growled. “You’ll have to wait your turn.” “I’ll be fine, Zara,” I said, trying to sound brave as they pulled me away. But deep down, I wasn’t sure I’d ever see her again. As they dragged me toward the Alpha’s tent, my heart pounded with fear, and I refused to take another step. A sinking feeling settled in my stomach because I knew exactly what awaited me inside that tent, and the dread was suffocating. I looked back at Zara, who had tried her best to save me from this fate, but she was helpless, too. Once we reached the Alpha’s pack, she would become just like me… a maid. “She’s here, Alpha,” the man announced our arrival. “Enter!” he commanded. As we stepped into the tent, he yanked my hair, pushing me inside Alpha Jack’s space. There he stood, his presence looming over me like a dark shadow, his eyes filled with predatory intent. “Alpha, this is the maid of that wench!” the man said. “Very well. Leave us and don’t let anyone disturb me while I’m with this beautiful young woman, understand?” “Yes, Alpha Jack!” Once alone with Alpha Jack, he examined my face closely. My body trembled with fear as he touched my chin and tilted it upward, scrutinizing every detail, even my teeth. Then, without hesitation, he used a knife to shred my dress. I gasped in terror, instinctively crossing my arms over my breasts, but he seized my wrists, forcing me to reveal every inch of my exposed skin. “Lie down on the bed,” he commanded. “Alpha, please have mercy!” I begged, my teary eyes pleading for him to spare me. But he remained unmoved. “Will you be in my bed, or should I have Zara instead?”