CHAPTER SIX
1269 Words
SAPPHIRE
His lifeless eyes bore into mine as I stood there, frozen in absolute fear.
What exactly happened while I was unconscious??
“The joy in my heart seeing that bastard’s head on a stake knows no bounds.” Bujok whispered beside me.
“W-what did he do?” I asked as I forced my eyes away from his head.
“I heard he disrespected the Alpha king.” He said, his eyes still on Hakil’s decapitated head on display.
“The king was here??” I asked, my eyes widening.
He turned to me, his brow raised, “Didn’t you mention you could sense aura?”
“I can, I just couldn’t this time.” I muttered, looking away from him as my mind wandered.
The alpha king came to the camp, and I could not even sense his presence. How was that even possible?
When I heard Royal blood was approaching the camp, I never thought it would be the Alpha king.
What was he doing here? From the stories I had heard, It was unlike the king to be in the presence of lowlifes… unless there was another reason none of us were aware of.
“It seems death isn’t hesitant to break down your door.” He said, shaking his head slighty.
“I beg your pardon?” I asked, my voice heavy with confusion.
“If you want to survive, you need to at least know who is a threat. If you cannot even discern that, then your days are not too long.” He said bluntly, his brows drawn together.
I couldn’t understand myself why I couldn’t feel his presence.
That couldn’t be possible. The alpha king was the most powerful Lycan alive, one who was feared by all, one who never lost a fight against any being.
Such a power cannot be ignored. So how…
Then the commander walked in front of us, his eyes locking with mine only for a moment, before I drew away from them, facing the rocky ground beneath my bare feet.
“As much I would have preferred to throw you all in the mines, the palace is need of more slaves.” He announced, “The goddess in all her infinite mercy has chosen to give meaning to your pathetic lives today, so be thankful.”
“You!” He called out, but I didn’t look up. I prayed to the goddess that he wasn’t talking to me but I’ve never been the goddess’ favorite.
Before I could blink, he was right before me. He grabbed my face in his hands and forced my eyes to meet his.
“Are you deaf!??” He asked, his eyes filled with brewing anger.
“F-forgive my lord, I-I did not know I was the –“ before I could finish my statement he gripped my arm and dragged me from where we stood.
A huge knot formed in my stomach as we got to the tent, my eyes fleeing to my bare feet, afraid to look at him.
Did he want to punish me? Was he finally aware of what I did to Hakil? If that was the case, death’s embrace was not too far away.
“What happened that night?” He asked, his eyes narrowing.
Did that mean he didn’t know? I stared at the ground, by brows twitching once. Or was he just trying to hear it from my lips, confirming what he already knows?
“I d-don’t remember, my l-lord.” I replied, my voice trembling.
I winced as he grabbed my arm, forcing me closer to him, “If you lie to me, you will meet the same fate as my soldier. Don’t make me repeat myself.” He warned.
‘”M-my l-lord, please spare me! I swear to you, I remember nothing!” I started, my voice laced with fear, “I was chased by some of your soldiers, and then…” I paused as I remembered the silver wolf, the one who saved my life.
“And then what?” He inquired, his brows furrowing.
If I spoke about the silver wolf, he will be viewed as a traitor, killing three soldiers of the royal army. Fighting against the royal army was equated to fighting against the alpha king.
It was treason- and he would not be spared.
“I fainted, my lord. And when my eyes opened, I was in the tent. That’s all I remember my lord.” I said quietly, grasping my hands tightly.
He closed the gap between us and a small whimper left my lips as he gripped my face, his eyes searching mine, looking for something I had no knowledge of.
He sighed and finally let me go, “I must have been mistaken, you are too weak.”
I couldn’t look him in the eyes, I held my hands tightly as I lowered my head till I could no longer feel his presence.
I lifted my eyes, and as he was no longer in sight, I finally allowed myself to breathe.
I limped lightly out of the tent, and my eyes caught Bujok.
“What did he want?” He asked as I approached him.
“He wanted to know what happened before I lost consciousness.” I said.
“Four of his soldiers were killed in one night, the same night you tried to run away.” He pointed out.
“Do you know who is responsible for their death?” I asked.
“I only witnessed the alpha king beheading that bastard… as for the other soldiers, you are the only one who can answer those questions.”
“I can’t remember anything.” I answered quietly, turning my eyes away from him.
“You are not in the position to protect anyone, sapphire. You are not even able to protect yourself. Don’t be foolish.” He warned.
“Get in the carriage now!” One soldier yelled out.
Bujok held my hand, leading me towards the carriage.
As we all got in, the soldier locked us in and then the carriage started moving.
And as we left the camp, I couldn’t take my eyes off the numerous heads impaled, including Hakil, a sudden chill overcoming me.
“All thanks be to the almighty goddess! If I was sent to the mines, I would have died the first day.” One of the slaves said, his voice filled with relief.
“And what gave you the impression that the palace is any safer?” Another scoffed.
“The royals reside there, they are always protected and in turn, we would be protected as well.” He said.
“Protected? From what? From who? How many of you here have been attacked by a witch? Or a human? Or a magic beast?” She retorted.
“That’s because we’ve been protected from them, ever since the first alpha king won the war a thousand years ago.” He replied.
“And for all the years we have been breathing, who has caused us the most pain?” She asked, and no one could give her an answer. Not even I.
“Whether we go to the palace or the mines, our fate will be the same.” She spoke, her tone grim.
A heavy silence befell us. Everyone knew in their hearts the truth of our reality, some just chose to ignore it, while others have long accepted it.
A part of me believed her. And I was sure the others believed her as well.
We were marching to our inevitable demise.
- Writer
