Caged by the enemy Alpha

"Let me go! Let me go! Caleb, can you hear me?!" If I had my dagger I would have taken out one of the warrior's eye. But they took it away when I was twelve saying Princesses are meant to be protected and they don't need weapon. Their hands are like iron on my arms, and the chains between my wrists cut into my skin with every step. Blood Moon's territory is on fire. My father was killed right in front of me by Nightbane's Alpha. "What are you doing?! Please let me speak to my brother!" But the two men ignored all my shouting. "Shut up, Princess. You talk too much," one of them snapped. Five hours ago... Everything was going smoothly. Eliora, my personal maid, walked me home after braiding my hair and hers. Warriors, young and old all bowed down as they walked past me. I stopped at a fruit stall to get some grape for my brother. The grape was dark and heavy in their basket. "How much are these " I asked the trader. "They are free for you , princess" she said and packed them. "Nooo, you don't have to do that" I tried to give her some coins but she refused. I handed the packaged grape to Eliora and continued our journey. Children ran barefoot through the dust, and elders sat under the oak tree. "Princess," an old woman called, pressing a warm loaf into my hands. "The moon blessed your hair today." "Thank you," I smiled. We continued walking, and a group of young girls trailed behind us, copying the braid pattern. "You make us proud," the blacksmith's wife said, touching my shoulder. "Blood Moon hasn't had a princess who walks with us in years." I threw my head backward in laughter and spun in circle Then a boy darted out from between two stalls. He was nervous, clutching something wrapped in cloth. The guards stepped forward immediately, hands on their spears. "Back off!" one shouted. I held up my hands. "Don't. It's fine." "Princess," he stammered, bowing slightly. "For you... from my sister. She said the blue matches your eyes." I took the gift, and inside was a small carved wooden wolf bracelet. "Tell your sister that I said thank you, and tell her I'll wear it tomorrow." "Really?" The boy's face lit up. The sound of applause filled the air. Eliora squeezed my arm, and we kept walking. We got home just before the evening bell rang. "There you are .I've been looking for you " Caleb said coming out from the councilor's office." His hair a mess and eyes bright " Ooh, really. Well I went to make my hair and guess what I got for you??" " A new sword" he said very fast "well it's not sword , I'd have love to wait till you guess right but I'm tired , and I need to rest." I gave Eliora order to give him what we bought. He opened it immediately GRAPEEEE!!! He said as he hugged me till air left my lungs "You are the best sister in the world" he whispered , already popping one in his mouth "You can say that again " I said and laughed " See you later " I added " Alright, see you soon" he said waving at me. We got to my room and Eliora helped me with my clothes. I showered and regained a little strength. Eliora and I sang songs until our voices were hoarse. And slept off with our shoes on. I woke up because I was thirsty. My throat was dry, like I had been screaming in my sleep. I didn't want to disturb Eli's sleep, so I decided to get the water myself. I peeped through the window and noticed something unusual. The training ground was dark. It looked scary. No guards pacing. No torches. A cold feeling slid down my spine, but I shook it off. I was probably just tired. I went downstairs and headed for the kitchen of which I hate because I have to climb a lot of stairs. The kitchen cook. Mrs Janet. she has been working with us before I was even born She bowed at me and asked if I wanted anything but I told her I just needed water. She wanted to help but I refused I brought out a bottle of table water, and that's when I heard it. A scream. From my room. The bottle slipped from my hand and shattered. I didn't feel the glass cut my feet as I ran. "Eli? Eliora!" I shoved the door open, and my world stopped. Eliora was lying in her own pool of blood, her eyes open, and the braids we had done together were stained red. A sob ripped through me , it didn't sound like me. it sounded like an animal "No,No,No Eliora wake-up, open your eye I peeped at my window again and I could see building collapsing, the horns were sounding so loud.. Servants were running and I could hear them scream on top of their voice, calling their loved ones names. I stood on my feet , my legs were heavy. I just ran out of the room, down the hall to my parents' room. "Wake up!" I cried, shaking my mum's shoulders frantically. "Mama, please wake up!" The sound of an explosion ripped through the wall before she could answer. The storage room had been set ablaze. Orange light flickered under the door. I saw fear in Papa's eyes for the first time in my life. "They are here," he whispered. "Looks like they came for us." They were at the door now, trying to force it open. I could see shadows of feet pushing through BOOM!! BOOM!! The wood splintered. "You need to leave," Papa muttered, panic written all over his face as he pulled out his iron axe from underneath the bed. "To where exactly? We cannot leave without you, honey," Mama cried, grabbing his arm. "Yes, Papa," I added, my voice breaking. "We fight together." At any moment, the door would break. Papa looked at me, then at Mama, and his face fell. "Please leave and take Caleb with you. I will be fine. I promise." We jumped out of the room, not knowing we were surrounded all over the palace. The Nightbane warriors caught us and made us kneel in front of Kieran—Alpha Kieran of Nightbane. Bigger than the border raids, with shoulders like a war axe and gold eyes that held no mercy. Papa, Mama, and Caleb were also there. Corpses everywhere. Servants. Pups. Warriors. Most of our buildings were set ablaze, and the heat licked my face. "Good to see you, Haakon," Kieran whispered. He brought out his sword and slit my father's throat. I didn't have time to scream. My mother groaned. The sound ripped out of her as she watched my father's head roll down the stone stairs. She stood up, shaking. Blood on her face that wasn't hers. She grabbed a fallen sword and pointed it at Kieran. "You son of a b***h! How dare you!" Kieran didn't seem interested in what she was saying. He ordered two of his warriors to take me away, and while they dragged me, I saw the boy who gave me the bracelet lying lifeless on the ground. And here I am, walking barefoot through the forest, held hostage. I don't know what happened to my mother and brother. I don't know if they are alive or dead. The forest didn't allow us to pass. After two hours, the path narrowed, and the trees closed in. The warriors dragging me kept yanking the chains whenever I slowed down. A shadow dropped from a branch. They smelled like Bloodmoon A bone wolf, ribs showing, eyes milky, came for me first. Rourke cursed and threw me aside. The other warriors drove their spears through the beast's throat. Blood sprayed hot across my face. "Keep moving," Rourke spat, wiping his blade on my dress. Another came. Three more. Then so many. I pressed myself against a tree, the wooden wolf bracelet in my palm, thinking who could have sent this Wolves. By the time we reached Nightbane's border, my feet were swollen, and the chains had rubbed my wrists to the bone. The gate opened, and music was playing. The place looked crowded, obnoxiously luxurious, and bright fire pits burned. Tables were full of meat, wine, and honey bread. Drums. Dancing. Warriors stamped in circles, their faces painted with ash and victory. It looked like there was a celebration going on for my father's death. One by one, warriors were called forward. "Korein—you held the line. Take this pelt." "Vex—three killed at the East Gate by you. Take this dagger." The crowd cheered, threw flowers, and poured wine over their heads. Women danced with blades above their heads, singing songs of Nightbane's strength. "On your knees for your Alpha." Rourke snarled, yanking the chain until the taste of copper flooded my mouth. "Princess of nothing," Kieran said, grabbing severed head by the hair. I wanted to rip out his throat, but the chains said otherwise. So I gathered all that was rotten in my throat and spat. It landed on his polished boots. They were all shocked I still had the courage to do so. They cursed, and Rourke's fist came up first. "Enough," Kieran snarled. Kieran crouched until we were eye to eye. "Do that again, and I will let Rourke teach you some respect." "We need you breathing for the treaty, and nothing else." He turned to the pack. "Blood Moon's Alpha is dead. Their warriors are cowards. We took their Princess and brought our peace." Cheers went up. The priest stepped forward, blade shaking. "I, Alpha Kieran of Nightbane, take this female as Luna to keep, hold, and cage." He pressed the cold blade to my forehead. "By the law of our packs, I name you Luna. Alpha, you must mark her because the treaty of blood and moon says if you kill another Alpha, you must marry their heir to stop the war from restarting." " I know. Kieran snarled. ''Luna in name only. No bed, no table, and no mark. And when this war is done, when your brother is safe or in the ground, I will be the one to end you personally." He shoved me back. "Rourke. West Wing. And make sure she is chained to the wall." Rourke jerked the chain, and I tripped, but I didn't fall. Not here, I told myself. Kieran left, and the pack threw all sorts of nasty things at me. From the back of the palace, a howl sounded. Long. Defiant. Familiar. Caleb. Is he alive? I asked myself.