"This is where some individuals from our community reside. There are also a few families here; I can knock on their doors so you can check if the person you're looking for is with them," the leader said to his "visitors."
"That's a good idea. Go ahead, knock on the doors now." Hector, the man who argued with the guard earlier, ordered.
The alpha signaled to him because of his tone, but fortunately, the leader didn't mind his rough demeanor.
As they traversed the shanties, they suddenly heard a loud scream from a woman, as if she was hurt or possibly being abused.
Andrick felt a pang in his heart, inexplicably sensing the pain the woman was experiencing as if it were his own.
"Andrick!" Hector called out as their Alpha suddenly sprinted toward the direction of the scream. They quickly followed.
When they arrived at a shanty house, Andrick had already opened the door and now stood in front of a room. When he kicked the door open, they were met with a scene of several people trying to restrain a sobbing woman on the bed.
"H-help..." Shamia pleaded.
Andrick's heart pricked as he heard the woman's desperate cry, and when he saw the tears in her eyes. His anger flared up, and seemed to be on the verge of shifting to pounce on those who had made her like that. "What are you doing to her?!" His voice echoed throughout the room.
Shirley and her children released Shamia, and distanced themselves, even the abortionist stepped back. As werewolves, they sensed danger emanating from Andrick, feeling threatened by him.
"W-who are you? This is our home, why are you here?" Shirley asked, trying to sound brave. Her husband wasn't around to face these outsiders, so she had to be strong.
As Andrick suddenly approached, Shirley and the others became alert, distancing themselves and preparing for a potential fight. However, the man went straight to Shamia and lifted her up. "What did they do to you?"
Shamia tightly grasped Andrick's clothes, as if he was her only hope. "H-help me, they w-want to kill my child... help me."
Andrick was momentarily stunned before his gaze fell on Shamia's abdomen, he felt a pang of compassion for her. He took out his handkerchief and gently wiped her face, which was stained with tears and dirt. "Don't worry, they won't hurt you anymore. I'll take care of you from now on."
"Andrick!" Hector couldn't stand this anymore, thinking that their Alpha's help would only go as far as intervening, but he didn't expect him to take in the woman. "Alpha, maybe you're forgetting why we're here?..." He glanced at Shamia, who was now in Andrick's arms. "We haven't found..."
"I've found what we're looking for," Andrick cut off Hector. He turned to the rogues' leader at the door. "It's her..." He was referring to Shamia. "She's the one we're looking for. Now that we've found her, we'll leave."
"Alpha!" Hector's face darkened as he glared at Shamia. "What about Ing–"
"Shut up!" Andrick interrupted, his eyes flashing with warning. "Hector, we're friends, but don't forget your place. It seems like you want me to follow you instead?"
Hector clenched his fists. "I-I'm sorry, Alpha. I didn't mean to overstep. B-but, Ingrid..."
Andrick ignored Hector. "Since we've found what we're looking for, we'll be leaving," he said to the leader. "Thanks for inviting us." He stood up and helped Shamia to her feet.
However, before they could take a step, Shirley protested. "Wait! Where are you taking my daughter? Why are you taking her?"
Andrick gave her a cold stare. "You heard what I said, didn't you? From now on, I'll take care of her, so you don't need to worry about her anymore."
The leader knew it would be easy for Andrick's group to wipe them out if they didn't comply, so he warned Shirley with a glance. With that, Shirley was left with no choice but to watch as Shamia walked away with the strangers
As Shamia walked away from the community, she was in Andrick's arms. She let the man carry her, not caring who he was, as long as she could get away from that place.
Some of her fellow rogues watched her, and some of the girls around her age looked at her with envy. For them, being with taken by these men seemed like a great opportunity to improve their lives.
Shamia spotted Rui, her only friend, among the onlookers. She wanted to check on her when she saw the bruise on her face. As Rui waved goodbye, Shamia teetered on the brink of tears. Her heart was heavy with the suddenness of their parting. Unbeknownst to her, this would be the last time she would see Rui.
Shamia stayed quiet until she get in their jeep. She suddenly felt a surge of excitement and hope for her new life.
.
.
"This is where I live. From from now on, this will be your home," Andrick informed as they arrived at his manor.
The maid meet them halfway and politely greeted Andrick, but when she saw the filthy woman beside him, she froze.
"I'll hand her to you. Bathe and dress her, then bring her to the dining room."
"Yes, Alpha." The maid replied politely, but when she turned to Shamia, her eyes were filled with disgust and disdain. "Come with me." She coldly beckoned.
Having grown accustomed to unpleasant treatment, Shamia just brushed it off.
After a few moments:
The maid brought the freshly bathed Shamia to Andrick, who was waiting by the table.
Andrick was taken aback and stunned as he saw a beautiful woman walking towards him. "W-who are you?" He asked, caught off guard.
Shamia froze on her spot, she subconsciously fidgeted with the hem of her dress. "Um, A-alpha... It's me, Shamia. The one you brought here."
Andrick cleared his throat in embarrassment. "Oh, yeah. Sorry, I just didn't recognize you." He gazed at Shamia once again. "I never thought there's such a beauty that hid beneath your face, you should always keep it clean so people could see how beautiful you are."
Shamia's cheeks flushed. This might be the first time someone had ever complimented her like that. Seeing that Andrick had no malicious intentions towards her, she began to trust him completely.
After the sumptuous dinner, Shamia rubbed her stomach as she walked in the garden. This was the first time in her life she'd eaten such a delicious food. "Baby, Mommy ate a lot, did you get your fill too?" she asked the baby in her womb, which wasn't even fully formed yet.
Shamia halted on her steps as she overheard two servants chatting as they passed by:
"If Ms. Ingrid were here, no other woman would get close to the alpha."
"That's right! I have no idea where the Alpha found that woman. Did you see how dirty she was when they arrived earlier? Its as if she was picked up from the mire! She's not even worthy of being compared to Ms. Ingrid. Maybe alpha was bewitched."
Shamia wasn't yet fell for Andrick, but hearing the servants talk about another woman in his life made her feel uncomfortable. Given her open mind about possibly falling for andrick someday, she decided it would be best to find him and discuss his true intentions for her.
Despite knowing they didn't like her, Shamia mustered the courage to approach the two servants and ask where she could find their Alpha. She just ignored their meaningful glances.
Following the directions they gave her, she ended up at the study room. She knocked several times, but no one answered until she heard a thud inside. She then opened the unlocked door.
Seeing the intoxicated Andrick on the floor, she approached and supported him to stand up. But to her surprise, as soon as he saw her, he grabbed her face and kissed her.
