4. The Alpha

“Caleb!”

A tall dark haired guy with muscular build, strolled towards us. He had a boyish face and emerald eyes. His height was similar to others. Everyone was tall here and so were the women. I felt like a midget compared to them. 

“Little girl, meet Caleb. He’s the most skilled warrior here. He will spar with you.” Katarina said with a smirk. My eyes immediately widened. 

“Please…” I begged.

She ignored my plea and shoved me towards him. I almost fell at the force she exerted but I managed to gain my balance. I looked up and our eyes met. Caleb looked at me with no emotion.

“Begin!” Katarina shouts before Caleb lunges at me. I could hear their sniggers, taunts and laughters every time I fell or Caleb made a hit. 

I was bullied countless times when I was a child because I was weak. I didn’t have a normal childhood life because my actions were limited. People might’ve been harsh on me through words but they never hit me. They never resorted to violence.

The pain was excruciating every punch and kick Caleb gave me. It was as painful as that night and they all have that look. At least, it wasn’t worse or the same as their Alpha. 

I don’t know what I did to them that they’d treat me this way. I never hurt anyone in my life. 

I stopped getting up to my feet cause I know he’ll only strike once again. I stayed down on the ground, never looking up. I’m tired and hurt. I saw my tears falling on the surface of the earth. I have wasted them so much ever since I woke up in that room.

“Get up.” Karina demanded. “Get up, little girl!”

I squeezed my eyes shut. The pain in my chest hit me like a ton of bricks. This was the most painful one that occurred. I gasped, catching my breath. My hand went to my chest as if clutching it would make it better. I felt suffocated.

“That’s enough!” I feel a pair of arms wrapped around me. “Katarina, stop it. Can’t you see she’s in so much pain?” Rose’s voice somehow managed to calm me. She tried to help me get up but the pain was too much. I fainted.

—

It was already dark when I woke up. I whimpered in pain when I tried to get up. A tear fell on my cheek when it was just too much. The moonlight that passed through the windows brought light to my bruises and wounds that decorated all parts of my body. My face wasn’t spared either. My lips wobbled– I was about to cry again but I resisted. I’m so exhausted, beaten. Why is this happening to me?

I shakily stepped out of the bed. I turned and jumped in fright when I saw a figure sitting on the sofa facing my bed. Even bathed with darkness, I knew who it was. 

The people here were tall and muscular but this man here was the biggest and tallest. His size alone made me shiver in fear and the way he always looked at me– it was filled with contempt and loathing that I didn’t know where it was rooted. It made me want to kill myself.

I instinctively stepped back away from this predator. My overwhelming fear for him triggered the pain in my chest. My hand flew to my chest, clamping my shirt as if my life depended on it.

I didn’t speak and nor did he. He was only staring at me– eyes filled with powerful emotions. Emotions that could devour me whole.

“Come.” 

My heart rate spiked up, my breathing erratic. It was the first time that I heard his voice– deep, commanding, strong. Despite shivering in fear, my feet still brought me to him in slow, careful steps. I stopped a few meters away from him. 

My head was down, only finding interest on the floor. His presence was consuming me. There was no doubt he was the Alpha.

After that one word, he didn’t speak again. I clenched my fists and gathered enough bravery to question him. Rose wouldn’t answer me. I have the feeling he’s responsible for it. I have to ask him. He’s the only one who could answer.

“W-why… why… am I here?” My eyes were tightly shut as I finally threw the question.

Silence answered me. I finally looked at him and he was only staring at me. 

“W-why did you-”

I flinched when he suddenly rose to his feet and stomped towards me. I took a couple of steps back, eyeing him with apprehension. The back of my knees hit the bed and I fell on the bed with my butt unceremoniously.

“Because you will pay for what you did to my family and my pack.” He growled, reaching his hand to my neck and strangled me. His eyes glowed in gold, lips twisted in a snarl. I couldn't breathe as he squeezed my throat.

I shook my head, denying his claims. “I… I…” He loosened his hold when he noticed my struggle to speak. I gasped for air, inhaling it greedily. “I don’t know… what you’re talking… about.”

He scowled, squeezing my neck again. He was furious. “You dare lie to me.” His voice made me tremble. 

I shook my head. Tears fell from my eyes as I held his wrist with both of my hands. He was staring at me through the eyes for a long while until he finally let me go. 

“Please… I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I cried, coughing and heaving. “I don’t know what you mean.”

He took a step back. “Kneel.” I looked up, finding it hard to process what he just said.

“Kneel!” He roared, seeing I wasn’t moving. I scrambled to my feet, landing my knees to the floor. My face scrunched in pain when I suddenly felt all my bruises. I bit my lip, resisting a sob but my tears refused to stop falling.

He grabs my jaw, squeezing it tightly between his fingers. He forced me to meet his eyes. “I’m going to ruin you.” His words were heavy and filled with venom. “And then… see how they'll think when their precious daughter becomes the very beast they despise, hunted… and killed.”

He released his hold on my face roughly, making my face turn to the side from the force. I heard the sound of zipper fastening and unbuckling of the belt. My heart thud as soon as I turned my head to look. 

“Open your mouth.”