Chapter 7
801 Words
I sat on my bed twisting the ear of my childhood gray rabbit. The thing was so tattered and worn that I barely took it out of the box anymore. It's rare appearances were only made at times of great stress in my life. It comforted me, and for some odd reason it was the only thing I wanted to hold while I awaited the beginning of the 'festivities'.
The party would be starting soon, and as Bruxum's guest I would be expected to greet the visitors. I looked around for the shoes that should have accompanied the dress.
There were none. Another piece to his torture puzzle. Play the part of a companion but show everyone just how worthless I truly was. I walked out of my room and up into the main hall with as much pride and dignity as I could muster. The servants that saw me did a double take, their mouths left agape as I walked by, the simple sound of my feet touching the bare floor the only sound I was willing to make.
Evelyn greeted me in the hall, a look of sadness in her eyes. Harold accompanied her, his eyes were filled with rage.
I decided then and there that I would not be the ashamed mouse he wanted. I straightened my back and squeezed both their hands and whispered "He will not break me today." I let go and turned, head held high, as I walked towards the dias and awaited Alpha and his family to join me.
They sauntered into the room moments later, all three of their gazes launching towards me when they entered the room. The gawking Alpha had the decency to look away after a few moments. His son did not share that same respect. He stared at me as if I were naked. When I refused to cower in front of him, his sinister smile grew wider as if he was already excited about the next torment.
"You," His mother said as she investigated my attire with disgust, "are not to say a word unless you are spoken to. Whatever orders Bruxum gives, you are to obey. Have I made myself clear? You will not embarrass my family."
I nodded in answer.
I stood completely still as each of them took their place on the elevated platform behind me. It allowed them to be 5 inches higher than the crowd that would be walking into the room momentarily. Most packs did not share in this grandstanding, but my leaders wanted each one of their guests to feel like they were beneath them, because in their minds, we were.
Standing in that hall, watching the guests greet Alpha, Luna, and future Alpha was agony. With each new guest, their gaze would travel down the line to me, standing shoe-less, wearing the gown of a w***e in front of Bruxum. He had put me on display for the world to see, and their judgments were made plain.
The women gave me side-eyed glances as their mouths whispered to their male companions. The males looked at me with lusty gazes, their eyes lingering in revealing places for far too long.
There were two women who gave me soft smiles, a look that said they understood exactly what this show of power meant. It was a look of pity. That look in their eyes was worse than anything else I had endured.
I turned to step back and was leashed around my wrist by Bruxums nobby grasp.
"You are to stay by my side for the entire evening." He whispered, his face all too close to my ear. He yanked on my arm, pulling me into his side. He ran his other hand down my back and rested it possesivly on my buttocks. His mouth moved from my ear where is tongue trailed a disgusting line from my ear to my collarbone.
I wanted to puke.
So this was the game. Touch me in front of all these people as if we were intimate partners. Then no one would question our 'interlude' in the kitchen.
I could do it. I could play this game if it meant I could live.
His face dropped to my shoulder where he placed a slobbering kiss on the crook of my neck. I shuddered in revolt. He squeezed the breath out of me and bit my shoulder, daring me to cry out in pain. He released my wrist and used his now free hand to run a stumpy finger down my side, detouring to circle my breasts and inject his fingers into my cleavage.
I stood still as a statue. I could bear this. I would bear this.
"Bruxum" a sandpaper voice called. My heart lept with the interruption.
That voice. I knew that voice.
- Writer
