The Rules
976 Words
Susan's POV
I had never thought that my life would take such a harsh turn and I would be at the mercy of someone more cruel than my step mother.
I did not sleep. How could I? The walls were too high, the room was too quiet and the silence was too thick.
My stepsister's icy dismissal could be heard every time I closed my eyes and I could feel my stepmother's hand on my arm.
I never wanted a sister.
I had a lump in my throat but I pushed it down. Crying now was pointless.
I needed to think in order to figure out how to get out of here.
But as the hours went by I discovered nothing but fatigue.
I was still lying in the huge bed, motionless and gazing up at the ceiling, tasting the saltines of my tears when sunlight finally peaked through the tall window.
Maybe they wouldn't remember me if I stayed here long enough.
Maybe I would wake up in my tiny, shattered home—this was all a nightmare. That thought broke with a sharp knock.
The door swung open and I shot to my feet. With unreadable faces, two guards entered, they were different from the one I saw yesterday.
The man who had locked me in here, the previous evening was with them.
His dark eyes moved to me in slight annoyance.
The moment has come. My hands were on the sheets. For what purpose?
No response.
One of them stepped forward and grabbed my arm. I felt a wave of panic. I scurried backward.
“Please don't touch me.”
He raised his eyebrows unimpressed.
“You can either come voluntarily or we will drag you. You get to decide.”
My spine was chilled with fear and I swallowed hard.
“Where are you taking me to?”
“To the Lycan King.”
I shuddered violently at The Lycan king?
The most formidable creature and the most feared.
I had heard tales of his cruelty and ruthlessness.
And I was being brought to him like a prisoner now?
No, his breeder.
Holding on to the headboard, I shook my head.
“No. I will remain where I am.”
After glancing at each other, one of the guards took hold of my wrist. I fought against his hold.
“ Please let me go!”
But they didn't.
They hauled me off the bed with frightful ease. I gave it everything I had—kicking, twistingz fighting—but they didn't even bat an eye.
“Stop struggling.”One of them barked
Not me. My voice was more than a scream.
“Please help me!”
The palace was too large and too deserted.
There was nobody there.
They dragged me along the corridors and I fought to be released, everything around me blurred past me.
Everything seemed unreal and more like a lovely cage: the golden chandeliers above, the marble floors beneath my feet, the massive windows letting in the morning light.
We arrived at a huge set of double doors. My ribs were hammered by my heart.
Once one of the guards knocked. A booming deep voice responded.
“Come in.”
The doors flew open. I was pushed in.
The large space had dark walls and shelves stacked high with leather-bound books.
Long shadows were on the polished floor created by the sunlight streaming through the arched windows.
But I wasn't interested in any of that.
The man behind the enormous desk held my gaze..
I became short of breath and blinked rapidly
He.
The man who had stood up for me against Amber and her friends that night.
I remembered those sharp silver eyes and how they briefly softened when he had rescued me from a threat I couldn't even remember now.
He had once saved my life. But, today, his eyes lacked warmth.
The man who had been so kind to me that night had vanished.
This version of him was unreadable and distant. Wearing all black, the Lycan King exuded power from every part of his body.
“ Sit.” he ordered.
I locked my knees. I stayed put.
“You— I held back. I know you.”
Something moved in his eyes so quickly that I nearly missed it. But he crossed his arms and leaned back.
“Knowing me doesn't mean anything.” He said. “Welcome to my palace.”
His words stung with their sharpness. My chest got constricted.
“Why am I here?”
He took a pile of papers off his desk and flung them in front of me rather than responding. “Read.”
After hesitating I turned to the first page. As I read them the words became hazy and my confusion turned to fear.
“Rules And Regulations.” I blurted out.
“Strict, inflexible and oppressive regulations.” He corrected me .
With each line, my heart raced as I read them all.
1. You must have permission before you can leave the palace.
2. You follow all explicit instructions.
3. You won't challenge the King's choices.
It continued robbing me of more freedom with every sentence. However one rule caused me to stop breathing altogether.
I took another look at it. And once more. I clutched the paper with trembling fingers
No. This cannot be true.
My heart pounded in my ears. I looked up angry and desperate.
“This isn't real, is it?”
My voice broke. I backed off and shook my head.
“Don't do this to me please.”
The Alpha King however just stared at me unimpressed.
“You will soon be giving me heirs so get dressed and wait for me in the bedroom.”
My eyes bulged.
“And who knows I might mark you tonight
- Writer
