beast

                        Nora

“N… N… No…” I managed to stammer and much to my dismay, our eyes met and rather than averting my gaze immediately, stupidly with a racing heart, I maintained eye contact.

Gasps of shock rang out as a guard drew out a sword, ready to slay me. My heart was racing tremendously and when he released me, I leaned on the wall, letting myself slide down to the floor in terror.

He took a step back, he didn’t leave immediately, I felt his penetrative gaze burning my skin and after a few seconds, he walked away.

The guard stepped forward, grabbing the collar of my gown as he brought the sword close to my neck. I was covered in sweat as I accepted my fate, deciding this was my punishment for killing James.

“Let go of her.” Immediately he said the words, the guard released me, stepping back immediately in fear and together, they exited the passage while I stood there in shock, staring at his disappearing shoulders.

I staggered back, my knees were too weak to bear all that had happened and the pack mistress grabbed my hand instantly, leading me out as if there were chances that he’d come back to have me slain.

“You’re lucky…. I wouldn’t be too happy if I were you, the Alpha can order to have you killed at any time, don’t ever show your face in front of him, do not breathe a word of what had happened to anybody.” She warned sternly and I nodded vigorously, too grateful for escaping death claws.

“This has never happened before… What is the Alpha going to do to her, Beta?” She asked the beta who couldn’t stop staring at me.

“I don’t know, I’m equally shocked but I hope he doesn’t butcher her. The Alpha can be very unpredictable, I hope everything is fine.” I felt myself choke on saliva and my body began to shake feebly as I pictured myself being cut to pieces in front of him.

Everything about him was ominous and above all, I’ve heard a thousand things about this pack and its ruthlessness but not once have I heard a single news about the Alpha, what could be the mystery behind this?

Rumors had it that he was an ancient man in the body of a young person and although it seemed hard to believe, it wasn’t completely hard to accept.

      *********************************

The rest of the day went by with the pack mistress directing me on how things were done in the pack and after dinner I retired to bed, happy that I was to stay in a room with two other maids.

I introduced myself to them and they stared at me awkwardly. I felt uncomfortable with the way they glanced at me but there was nothing I could do other than retire to bed. It was evident that they were terrified of me because of what had happened earlier.

I didn’t realize how tired I was until my head touched the pillow.

Blinking my eyes open, I wondered why I was awake, I looked around and realized the others were sleeping but my eyes were wide open, this got me filled with concern and no matter how hard I tried to fall asleep, it wasn’t just working.

I felt a burn in my chest and my body began to tremble slightly as I felt restless for no reason. I turned around slightly, trying my best not to wake the others up but the restlessness only increased and I had no choice but to get out of bed.

I tried to pace around, wishing it’d make me too weak to stay up but it got worse, I felt some sort of anticipation inside of me, it felt like there was something outside that I needed to see.

Thinking about heading outside, I was filled with fear.  “You are never to be outside once it’s midnight, adhere to this if you value your life.” I remembered her instructions and I felt a wave of horror wash over me.

“Nora no— You’re only going to end up killing yourself.” I pleaded desperately, I was trying very hard to resist the urge of heading out but with each passing moment, I seemed to lose more control over my body.

After struggling inwardly with myself for five minutes, I gave in to the insane urge and exhaled deeply. I placed my hand on the doorknob, twisting it slowly with great fear.

I gulped nervously when the door opened, the chilly breeze making goosebumps emerge on my skin. Whether the breeze was a form of warning, I ignored it completely as I walked out of the room, my legs directing my path because I neither knew where I was heading or why I was heading there.

I was uncertain of what was happening but I wanted it to be over, the whole house was dead silent and my fears skyrocketed when I heard a loud growl.

I was exhaling deeply as I tried to turn around and head back to the room but my legs were frozen and rather than retreating, I pressed forward, dreading what I’d see but unable to turn back.

I heard another raspy sound and I felt my hands shaking feebly while sweat broke all over my body, in no time my clothes were soaked but this wasn’t enough warning for me to turn back.

I gritted my teeth, pleading for the goddess to please save me but it seemed like death was inevitable so I kept pressing forward.

I stepped out of the passage, walking into the open field and my eyes widened in shock. I was shaking my head in fear, my chest rising and falling rapidly as my mouth was unable to close.

My breathing became hitched as I continued to stare, too terrified to avert my gaze. It was all true… The rumors and myths were true.

“Argh!” I yelled as loud as I could, I took one step back but ended up losing my balance and still glaring at what was before me. I began to crawl backwards, wishing that it’d go away rather than move even closer to me, staring at me with blood thirsty eyes.

Blood was dripping down its body and in its a huge paws laid the limb of a horse, the remains of the poor horse laid on the ground, its fangs were sharp and protruded, ready to suck away all the blood from my body.