PREPARED FOR THE BEAST
1508 Words
CHAPTER FOUR
Velvela’s legs carried her forward before her mind could catch up.
“Crystal…”
Her voice broke.
Crystal’s grip on the hoe tightened. For a moment, she didn’t move. Then slowly, too slowly, she lifted her head.
Their eyes met.
“Vel,” Crystal whispered.
Tears flooded Velvela’s eyes instantly.
“You’re alive.”
Crystal nodded, but her lips trembled.
“Barely.”
Velvela stepped closer, chains clinking softly. “I looked for you everywhere. I thought—” She swallowed hard. “I thought they killed you.”
“They almost did,” Crystal said quietly.
Silence stretched between them, heavy and fragile.
Then Velvela let out a shaky breath. “Do you know what day it is?”
Crystal’s face crumpled.
“My birthday,” Velvela continued softly.
“I’m twenty today.”
Crystal’s eyes filled completely. “We were supposed to skip class,” she whispered.
“You said you wanted that stupid strawberry cake.”
Velvela gave a broken laugh. “And you said we’d go to the city. Just once. I finally convinced my mum.”
They both fell quiet.
“I was supposed to be free today,” Velvela murmured.
A harsh laugh cut in from the side.
“Why are you talking to the human?” another slave sneered. “You think she’s one of us now?”
Velvela stiffened.
Human?
She turned sharply to Crystal. “What do they mean by that?”
Crystal didn’t answer.
Her silence screamed louder than words.
“You know,” Velvela said slowly. “You knew about this place.”
Crystal’s shoulders shook. “Vel—”
“All those dreams,” Velvela pressed, her voice trembling. “The fire. The wolves. The woman with white hair. Were they just… normal dreams to you?”
Crystal broke.
She dropped the hoe, covering her face as sobs tore from her chest. “I wasn’t allowed to tell you,” she cried. “I swore an oath. I tried to protect you.”
“Protect me from what?” Velvela whispered.
Crystal lifted her tear-streaked face.
“From this.”
Velvela shook her head. “So my whole life… you were lying to me?”
“No!” Crystal grabbed her wrist desperately. “I was waiting. Waiting for the right time.”
“For what time?”
Crystal’s voice dropped to a whisper. “Your awakening.”
Velvela stared at her. “Stop talking in riddles.”
Crystal swallowed. “Vel… you’re not ordinary.”
A bitter laugh escaped Velvela. “Look at me. I’m chained. Starving. Humiliated. If this is special, I want a refund.”
Crystal shook her head fiercely. “You don’t understand. You’re the last.”
Velvela’s breath caught. “Last of what?”
“The White Witches,” Crystal whispered. “The hope we’ve been waiting for.”
The words hit her like a blow.
“That’s insane,” Velvela muttered. “I don’t even believe in witches.”
“You dream of them,” Crystal said softly. “You’ve always dreamed of them.”
Velvela’s chest tightened painfully.
“This is your destiny,” Crystal continued, tears slipping down again. “I wish it wasn’t. I wish I could change it. But I can’t.”
Destiny.
The word made Velvela feel sick.
A sharp crack echoed through the mine.
“Enough!” Gregory barked, snapping his whip against the stone. “Back to work!”
Crystal flinched.
She squeezed Velvela’s hand once, quick, desperate. “I’m sorry,” she whispered. “I really am.”
Velvela watched her walk away, heart pounding, mind spinning.
White witch.
Destiny.
Last of her kind.
Nothing made sense anymore.
And the worst part?
Somewhere deep inside her, it all felt terrifyingly familiar.
She stood frozen for a long moment after Crystal was dragged away.
Her chest hurt.
Her thoughts hurt.
But one thing was clear, breaking down would not save her.
She bent slowly and picked up the hoe.
Her fingers trembled as she gripped it, the wood rough against her blistered palms. Every swing felt heavier than the last. Her stomach cramped violently, reminding her she hadn’t eaten in days.
Black spots danced in her vision, but she forced herself to keep moving.
I have to survive.
She needed answers.
She needed clarity.
“Work faster!” a supervisor barked, stomping past her.
“Lazy witch,” he snarled.
The word sliced deep.
Her hands vibrated as tears slipped down her cheeks and dropped into the dirt. Her body screamed for rest, but she kept digging. Around her, the other slaves moved with terrifying speed, inhuman, tireless. She lagged far behind, shame burning her skin.
Hours passed.
Then finally..
“Time for food!” Gregory barked.
Velvela dropped the hoe instantly, her knees nearly giving out as she exhaled shakily. The slaves gathered in clusters as maids walked around with bowls. Murmurs filled the air. Side eyes followed her every step.
“Hey.”
Crystal touched her arm gently.
Velvela sighed in relief, her shoulders sagging as they sat together on the hard ground.
“I want to hear everything,” Velvela said quietly. “I mean… everything.”
Crystal nodded.
The maid reached them.
She shoved Velvela’s bowl into her chest roughly, nearly spilling it. A few slaves giggled softly.
Velvela didn’t react. She didn’t have the strength.
The maid glared at her before handing Crystal her bowl properly and walking away.
Velvela looked down.
Watery rice pudding. No seasoning. No meat. And her portion, smaller than everyone else’s.
Crystal frowned. “Don’t worry,” she whispered. “We’ll share.”
They leaned closer, eating quickly like starving children.
“I can’t tell you everything,” Crystal said softly. “The Moon Goddess will reveal the rest when it’s time.”
Velvela’s face twisted. “So… she’s real?”
Crystal nodded.
Velvela huffed weakly. “Of course she is.”
Crystal hesitated, then whispered, “The man from before,the one who claimed you, he’s not just an Alpha. He’s the Alpha's Lord. King Klaus.”
Velvela stiffened.
“He’s a Lycan,” Crystal continued. “Not a wolf. The strongest of all. Last of his kind. Every kingdom answers to him. There are rumors that there’s a demon inside him. His Beta is the head of warriors. And Meredith…” Crystal lowered her voice. “She pretends to be Luna, but she isn’t. He’s not married to her.
“A loose lady,” Velvela muttered.
Crystal smiled faintly. “Exactly.”
“I hate her,” Velvela whispered.
“Everyone does,” Crystal replied.
Velvela’s expression hardened. “Then explain this. Why does everyone hate me? Why ‘white witch’? Does my mother know?”
Crystal shifted uncomfortably.
“A thousand years ago,” she began, “witches, wolves, and Lycans lived in harmony. Until the White Witch Queen Usela grew greedy. She wanted witches to rule all supernatural beings.”
Velvela listened silently.
“She killed the Lycan King, Klaus’s father. Then she cursed prince klaus mate, who was pregnant. Both died.”
Velvela sucked in a sharp breath.
“Klaus caught Usela before she could destroy the wolves. He killed her… but he didn’t stop there. He led a war with the wolves and wiped out all witches. Innocent ones. Children.”
Velvela felt sick.
“The supernatural council cursed him for that,” Crystal said. “No wolf would bear children again. And every full moon, Klaus would lose control a beast with no restraint. The curse could only be broken by a true mate.”
“Did he find one?” Velvela asked quietly.
Crystal shook her head. “The Moon Goddess refused him.”
Silence.
“That’s why he hates witches,” Crystal finished. “Especially white ones.
Velvela frowned. “Then how am I alive?”
Crystal’s eyes filled with regret. “I don’t know. Only the Moon Goddess has that answer. I was sent to serve you… nothing more.”
Velvela sighed deeply.
Hatred surrounded her.
Suddenly,
“Everyone back to your rooms!” guards shouted. “Full moon tonight!”
Fear rippled through the slaves.
“He’ll kill someone,” whispers spread.
“He always does.”
Velvela stood quickly with Crystal.
Before they could move,
“Come here.”
The same guard grabbed Velvela’s chain violently.
She fell hard, pain ripping through her already wounded knees.
“Back to your dungeon, slave,” he snarled, dragging her away.
Velvela twisted her head back.
Crystal stood frozen, tears streaming down her face.
“I’ll find you,” Crystal mouthed desperately.
Velvela nodded weakly.
They reached the hallway.
The air shifted.
Everyone bowed.
Velvela lowered her head, but not enough to miss the cold, knowing smirk on Mistress Meredith’s face.
Her stomach sank.
“Prepare her for the Alpha’s chamber,” Meredith ordered smoothly.
“King Klaus will have her tonight.”
The world stopped.
Velvela froze.
Cold spread through her veins as terror wrapped around her heart.
What… does that mean?
- Writer
