Chapter 5:
1020 Words
Freya:
A dull ache pulled me back from the darkness.
My eyelids were heavy, but I could still feel my body - a limp, tired body as if a pack of wolves had just tossed me around. My breathing was weak but steady. I wasn't dead. That was a blessing.
I tried to move, but a sharp pain came over me as if someone had just smashed a hammer into my joints.
The smell of antiseptic hung in the air, mixed with a familiar scent. Sandalwood, combined with the breath of the cold night. A scent I swore I would never smell again.
Lucian Wolfe.
His name was more than a title - it was a warning of death—a ruthless, merciless, infamous war god with blood on his hands. I had heard enough of him since I was a child, from the stories passed down between packs, from the names that disappeared from history for daring to oppose him. The werewolves say no one can leave the battlefield intact when facing Lucian. He has torn apart traitors and crushed the Alphas who challenged him under his claws.
He has no heart. No love. No mercy.
My heart clenched instinctively. Was I dead? Or was this a version of hell that fate had set up to tease me?
I tried to open my eyes, but the first thing I saw was no angel or a portal to the afterlife.
A man sitting right on the edge of the bed, holding a medicine bottle in his hand, his face as cold as a stone statue.
I jumped when I realized that hand was applying medicine to my hand.
SNAP!
Instinctively, I sat up. My strong reaction caused the wound on my body to tear open. My whole body felt like a straight wave of pain was hitting it, causing me to shrink like a steamed shrimp.
Lucian stopped. He raised his eyebrows.
"…"
That gaze was cold to the bone.
I bit my lip, trying to swallow the rising fear.
I couldn't let it show. I couldn't show weakness in front of Lucian.
I didn't forget what people said about him.
Lucian Wolfe never forgave the weak. He only valued strength. How had he crushed those who challenged him? How had he slaughtered traitors?
His reputation spoke for itself.
And I didn't have the strength to fight him now.
Lucian didn't seem to care about me, continuing his work.
My throat was dry. "What... are you doing?"
He paused for a moment, then glanced at me. His tall figure loomed over me, the dim light in the room only making him look more dangerous. His amber eyes stared at me, deep and emotionless. His face was cold and sharp, every line perfect but sharp enough to cut into the flesh.
Not angry, not threatening, but not warm either.
Lucian curled his lips slightly, his voice low. "Your eyes aren't damaged?"
I looked up, then immediately realized he was mocking me.
"I'm… fine. I'll do ointment myself." I avoided his hand.
Lucian raised his eyebrows, his face expressionless. "So cautious. Are you afraid I'll strangle you to death?"
I didn't reply, but inside I had an answer.
Of course, I thought so! A guy like him, a ruthless Alpha that no one dared to challenge, a predator that knew no compassion - why did I believe he would treat me kindly?
But why would he do that?
He wasn't the type of guy who would take the time to care for someone, especially someone as weak and useless as me.
He had thousands of subordinates; he could order anyone to take me to the medical station in the pack.
So why was he doing this himself?
A notorious Alpha like him, one who had never shown mercy, was sitting in a small, dark room, helping me bandage my wound.
It was even more terrifying than him pulling out his claws and threatening to kill me.
Lucian finished applying the medicine and tossed the remaining bottle onto the table.
Then he stood up, his tall figure falling over me.
I tried not to tremble, but my heart was pounding.
His eyes flashed dangerously.
"Why are you in my territory?"
I pursed my lips, trying to come up with a reasonable explanation.
"They ambushed me," I said, keeping my voice from shaking. "I didn't mean to intrude; it was just a situation that forced me to. Don't worry; I'll leave when I get better."
He was silent, his eyes sharp as if he could see through my lies. The room was so quiet that I could hear my heart pounding.
"You seem to be very afraid of me." Lucian suddenly spoke, a thin smile tugging at the corners of his lips, unsure if it was mockery or amusement.
I took a deep breath, suppressing a shiver. "No one is not afraid of Alpha Lucian."
Lucian chuckled, but that smile did not carry any warmth.
"Good."
I blinked, not understanding what he meant.
His gaze was still locked on me like a predator playing with its prey. "You should be afraid of me. And don't even think about running away; with your current strength, you can't leave this room."
Before Lucian left, I blurted out, "Why not kill me?"
"Compared to killing you, letting you live is much more interesting."
His voice was low and drawn out, as if he was throwing me into a game whose rules I didn't know.
"I still have work to do; you rest first." He looked at me for a few more seconds, his eyes deep and unreadable, then finally turned and walked out the door.
I clenched the blanket in my hands. A feeling of helplessness surrounded me, making my chest heavy. How unlucky must I be to be involved with this devil?
But that wasn't what I was concerned about right now; I needed to think, how do I get out of here? Of course, I didn't believe that an evil alpha like Lucian would suddenly want to do good deeds and show mercy to me.
- Writer
