The moment the men went out of the cell, Kirsty immediately extended her hands to grab the clothes on top of the table outside her cell. She was surprised to see that the beta had visited her place and she lost count of the days when she was jailed in the underground cell. The men who were with the beta were the same people who knew her real identity as a rogue. Her instinct was telling her that this day going to be the start of what she was intended to do, to work for the pack and live to be a slave of it.
Her plans of escaping were already compromised, and her mind was clouded by a lot of thoughts, causing her to not think properly. Her only problem now is how she is going to hide as a rogue, knowing that the members of the pack were having this hatred towards the rogues. She knew that her life is in danger the moment she set foot outside her cell.
After she finished changing into her new set of clothing, a pair of old ripped baggy pants, a shirt, and a pair of high-cut shoes, she sat back and leaned on the wall inside her cell. Kirsty closed her eyes as she tried to communicate with her inner wolf, but it was unsuccessful. Her inner wolf was in the farthest area of her mind. She didn’t do the communication any further and instead; she was planning on what she would do the moment she was outside the place.
She heard the creek of the steel door signifying that the door to her cell opened, and Kirsty slowly opened her eyes. Her eyes met the eyes of Sam who had just entered the room. She noticed that the man was on guard the moment he entered the place and Kirsty would not blame him, the fact that he stayed in the same room with a rogue is a dangerous thing to do, for anyone who doesn’t know who Kirsty was.
“They are my men.” Sam started the conversation. He had planned on befriending the rogue because of his plans, but he remained to keep on guarding himself because rogues are fatal. The woman may have shown him that she was harmless, but he did not trust it. He doesn’t trust their kind.
Kirsty stayed silent. She didn’t want to utter a single word. Afraid of the possibility that what she would utter might cause a sudden change in the good treatment of the beta.
"You can have the food on the table," Sam said, his voice laced with a hint of amusement. Kirsty glanced over at the table just outside her cell, where a tantalizing array of food had been set. It was a deliberate taunt, a reminder of her captivity and the deprivation she faced.
She sighed inwardly, realizing that Sam was fully aware of the impossibility of her reaching the food. The table was just out of her reach, teasingly close yet frustratingly unattainable. It was a small act of psychological warfare, designed to test her patience and resilience in the face of hunger.
Kirsty knew that she couldn't let herself be consumed by frustration or despair. She had to stay focused and maintain her composure, even in the most trying circumstances. Deep down, she knew that her strength and determination would be vital in navigating this ordeal and eventually finding a way to escape.
Sam's taunting gesture only fueled her resolve. She wouldn't allow herself to be broken by such tactics. Instead, she used it as motivation, a reminder of her hunger and her yearning for freedom. It served as a constant reminder of what she had to fight for.
She had to admit that she had been hungry since last night. The one who was tasked to bring her food was not around since last night and even during the morning. She couldn’t blame them. She was a slave, and she didn’t have the right. She was even glad that they offer her shelter and didn’t cut her life knowing what kind she belongs.
"Don't you want to say anything?" Sam's voice grew louder, laced with a hint of arrogance and dominance. It was evident that he intended to assert his power over her, to remind her of the control he held in their current situation.
The woman had learned the hard way that survival often depended on making calculated choices, on knowing when to speak and when to remain silent. Engaging in a confrontation with Sam would likely only escalate the situation, potentially endangering her further. It was clear to her that Sam held the upper hand, and it was in her best interest to navigate this precarious situation with caution and tact.
"What do you want me to say...?" Kirsty responded softly, her voice carrying a mix of caution and resignation. She didn't want to provoke Sam further or risk antagonizing the beta of the pack. Having witnessed the way he had helped her survive the encounter with the rogues, ensuring her safety and concealing her true identity, she knew that his actions had played a crucial role in her survival.
“Oh, you have a voice.” He sarcastically answered Kirsty and Sam started to walk toward the chair that was beside the table.
Kirsty looked intently into every single step that the man made. As much as she wanted to take the food on the table and feed her growling stomach, she couldn’t just do so. She didn’t want to convey to the man that the table was inaccessible to her.
Sam noticed that the woman was unable to grab the food on the table beside him and decided to do the next thing, the sole purpose of why he visited the said place. He started to check the key which was in his back pocket and remained on guard as he got it from his pocket. The only thing that makes it different from his prior encounter with the woman is the fact that Kirsty was tied before, and now, she is not.
Kirsty could sense that something was on the mind of the beta as he started to rummage through his back pocket for something. Kirsty started to increase her guard of the possible things that might happen now that she was alone with the beta in the room. She doesn’t trust anyone; she couldn’t just do so.
"I want to negotiate something with you it's for your benefit," Sam said, his words carrying a tone of intrigue and an unexpected proposition. The sound of the jail cell unlocking echoed through the confined space, catching Kirsty off guard. The notion that the beta himself would grant her freedom seemed unfathomable.
"S-stop!" She unknowingly blurted out.
Her eyes widened with surprise as she watched the door swing open, revealing a tray of food placed just outside. Kirsty hesitated, unsure of the beta's intentions. It was a precarious situation, and she couldn't shake off the lingering sense of danger that had enveloped her since her capture.
"What?"
“Wh-what is it?” She stuttered for it. her voice laced with apprehension. The idea of negotiation both intrigued and worried her. What could he possibly want from her? Would it truly be for her benefit, or was there an ulterior motive at play?
"Get out of your cell first, have a bite of this food, and we will talk about it when you are outside your cell." His tone carried a mixture of frustration and urgency, as he tried to persuade her to step outside.
“I…should stay inside.” Fear and mistrust flickered in her eyes, as she weighed the potential risks of leaving the perceived safety of her confinement. The uncertainty of what awaited her beyond those iron bars gnawed at her, making her question whether venturing into the unknown was worth it.
“No, you go outside. I won’t do anything to you.”
“I…- “
“Follow me…” He started to get annoyed about the woman’s stubbornness.
Kirsty could feel that the man started to feel annoyed with her and she decided to slowly take a step outside her cell. She knew she was safe inside, but she had no choice but to follow what she was ordered to. A part of her longed for freedom, to be released from the confines of her cell, to feel the air on her skin, and to reclaim a sense of agency over her own life. Yet, the nagging doubts persisted, echoing the voice of caution within her.
"You can have your food before our talk," Sam smirked, reveling in the power dynamic he had established. He was well aware of the woman's fear of him, and he intended to exploit it to his advantage.
"W-what do you want to negotiate with me?" Kirsty stuttered, her voice betraying her anxiety. She was eager to understand the purpose of this encounter and what Sam had in mind.
"Finish the food prepared, then we'll discuss it," Sam replied, his tone laced with a hint of amusement. He seemed to take pleasure in prolonging Kirsty's anticipation, relishing in the control he held over the situation.
Kirsty hesitated for a moment, torn between her hunger and her desire to know what Sam had in store for her. The enticing aroma of the food wafted through the air, tempting her senses and intensifying her craving. She couldn't resist any longer.
"Do you want the food or not? I'll dispose of it now," Kirsty offered, a mix of apprehension and determination in her voice. The thought of wasting such a tantalizing meal was enough to spur her into action.
Kirsty could no longer fight the hunger that she felt inside and in seconds, she grabbed the big slice of grilled meat on the plate and stuffed it inside her mouth. As Kirsty chewed, a mixture of contentment and disbelief washed over her. She had never experienced such delectable food in her entire life as a rogue. The contrast between her previous meager existence and this moment of indulgence was stark and profound. The flavors danced on her tongue, offering a brief respite from the harsh realities she had grown accustomed to. Unable to contain her hunger any longer, Kirsty swiftly reached for the biggest slice of grilled meat on the plate. Without hesitation, she stuffed it into her mouth, savoring the burst of flavors that flooded her taste buds. The tenderness of the meat and the rich seasoning created a symphony of sensations, overwhelming her senses in the most satisfying way.
She no longer cares about the presence of the man inside as her mind was clouded by the thoughts of the food. She plastered a smile without letting the beta see it and think to herself that being a slave is not bad at all if this type of food will be given to her.
"There's a mashed potato on the other plate," Sam pointed out, drawing Kirsty's attention to the alternative option. However, she chose to ignore his suggestion, her wariness getting the better of her. Instead, she reached for the nearby berries, hoping they would satiate her hunger.
As she chewed the berries, a sudden fear crept into her mind—could there be poison in the food? The mere thought caused her to freeze, her eyes widening as she gazed up at Sam, searching for any sign of deception or malevolence.
"Yes?" Sam responded, seemingly aware of the doubts swirling within Kirsty. His voice carried a confident tone as if he could decipher her every thought. His assurance that the food was safe came across as a reassurance, an attempt to dispel her concerns.
However, Kirsty couldn't help but feel a lingering sense of doubt.
After all, trust had become a scarce commodity in her life. Her encounters with danger and betrayal had left her cautious and suspicious of the motives of others. She had learned the hard way that not everything was as it seemed, and self-preservation had become her instinctive response.