property of Roman

I have no destination. I have no money. I have no family. I have no home.

Despite that, I'm basking in my newfound freedom. l run absent-mindedly and is unaware of the dangerous threat that is lurking nearby.

A rumbling and crashing sound in the distance halts my footsteps. The sound is coming from the alleyway behind an old Italian diner.

The hairs on my neck are standing up, and my skin breaks out into goosebumps as a shiver runs down my spine.

"Keep walking, Shadow. It's probably just a pesky raccoon."

I force myself to continue moving forward. I don't want any trouble, I've had my fair share.

As I pick up the pace, wanting to avoid whatever or whoever, a loud thud followed by a shrill cry for help startles me, and I can't help but run back.

I know firsthand how it feels to cry out for help, and no one comes to your aid.

I can't just ignore it. Even when everything in me is screaming run the other way, I still run towards the diner.

I freeze as fear creeps into my bones. More noise comes from the alleyway. I know better. I know i should've kept running and minded my business.

Everything in me is screaming, run away, but I can't. My legs move in the direction of the distressed cry for help.

I begin panting the closer I get to the commotion.

The night is still, leaving my rapid heartbeat ringing in my ears. The pale moonlight illuminates the smooth concrete casting shadows of surrounding buildings and trees. The shimmering glow contradicts the eerie atmosphere.

With every step closer to the alleyway, it feels like it is my last. I feel beads of sweat forming on my forehead, and my palms are moist.

A piercing scream slices through the silence. The abrupt sound makes me shriek, and I quickly cover my mouth. I quitely creep to the edge of the building and peek around the corner.

I have a clear view down the alley as my eyes lay on the man emitting the gut-wrenching screams. His face is plastered with cuts and bruises. Blood covers all of his face and his shirt.

His left eye is swollen shut, and the other looks to be...guaged out. I'm struggling to swallow the bile raising in my throat at the sight of him.

His arms are stretched out and are being held by two other men that look extremely intimidating, with his knees on the ground.

The men were tall, with their muscles strained against their fitted shirts. I swear I saw their eyes glow red, but maybe I'm hallucinating due to fright.

Im so lost in the showcase of torture before me, Im no longer aware of my surroundings or the predator lurking behind me.

A strong and calloused hand grabs the collar of my shirt and pulls me behind him to the end of the alley. As he pulls me and my legs give out.

He practically drags me the rest of the way while I kick and yell profanities. The horrific sound of a gunshot and smell of gunpowder paralyzes me.

Im terrified, and the thirteen years of tears held away fell from my eyes, rolling down my cheek. I can't go out like this. I just got my freedom. This can't be happening.

Amidst my moment of fear, I pee on myself. This is humiliating. I want the earth to open up and swallow me whole. Why is life handing me nothing but lemons? What did I do to deserve such bad luck?

The man holds me by the collar of my shirt, walks towards the one that just shot a defenseless man, and throws me to the ground, at the man's feet.

"What do you want to do with the kid, Alpha? She witnessed the whole thing." The man with a shaved head and a deep scar across his cheek sizes me up with a look of disdain.

Being at the foot of this monster, I can see his face as the street lights and starry night sky illuminates his facial features and hardened expression.

His porcelain skin glistens in the moons' luminous glow, making him appear beautiful, almost harmless, but his eyes tell a different story. His eyes are icy blue. Cold and very frightening

He has strong chiseled features. His wavy jet black hair kisses the top of his broad shoulders. He is well dressed, and his presence radiates dominance, power, and respect.

He's all the things I crave to be. My eyes are full of admiration until I remember the sudden horror I had just witnessed, and my gaze falls back to the ground.

After what I just seen I'm sure he's going to kill me for it. Any sane person who's ruthless enough to kill would kill me. Someone as ruthless as the man before me.

A man from the shadows suddenly appeared that I was not aware of. He is just as tall and slender as the one in front of me. He has a full black beard and short black hair, with a small grey patch in the front.

We locked eyes as he came and stood beside the one the monster still holding the gun. He looks at me with pity and remorse.

"Alpha, with all respect, she's just a kid, and she might be of better use alive rather than dead, sir."

He says it in a respectful tone and bows his head after stating his opinion. I finally notice they keep calling him... Alpha. Are they...? It can't be.

My brow furrow as I ponder on the idea of werewolves roaming around human cities, causing them harm. That's not how we operate. At least, I thought we didn't.

I can feel the Alpha's gaze burning through me. Im nervous and start panting as I think of all the possible ways he can kill me.

I'm an orphan, so no one will look for me. Plus, he's an Alpha. He can do that. No one would even notice that I'm missing. The realization that I have no one makes my eyes burn as I fight back tears.

"Kill me and get it over with." I say it barely above a whisper with my head down and eyes closed.

I wait for a gunshot or even to feel a punch, but nothing comes. My eyes flutter open to look up and see the Alpha's eyebrows furrowed.

He then squats down, eye level with me, and grabs my chin, aggressively turns my face from side to side. He let's go of my face and then leans in close to sniff me.

My breath hitches, and I freeze. I can't help but think what the heck is wrong with him? He instantly pulls himself back and lets out a low growl, and his face shows only disgust.

I subconsciously lift my arm a bit and sniff as well, but I don't smell anything. I don't know what his problem is, but he shouldn't be smelling me anyway! I don't dare say that to him though.

He stands up and looks down at me, his voice deep and his tone sharp. "What's your name, pup?"

"P-ppup?" I look at him with confusion stretched across my face. His face hardens after my question, and with instant regret, his foot lands a hard blow straight in my chest.

Knocking me to the ground, I start to wither, as I cough and gasp for air. While I'm still on my back on the ground, he comes to my side and puts his foot and majority of his body weight on the upper chest close to my neck, making it hard to breathe.

I struggle to get from under his heavy foot, but all is in vein as the man doesn't even budge. His eyes never leave mine, and his voice is laced with all darkness and pure evil, "I don't do kindly to disrespect."

"The next time you are in my presence, bow while bareing your neck at me, and always address me as Alpha. Rule number one. Rule number two, you don't ask questions I do."

I've stopped struggling by now, and all I can do is cry. I'm wondering now if I was better off at the orphange.

"And rule number three, you are now living with my permission, and hereby, as of today, you are now property of Alpha Roman and the Bloodstone Pack. Do I make myself clear?"

I quickly nod because I'm slowly losing consciousness. I'd agree to anything right now if it meant he'd move his damn foot. Unfortunately, he adds more pressure as his foot pushes harder onto my neck, and he emits a low growl.

My eyes are burning as I hold back tears, and my throat feels like it is on fire. My hands wrap around his foot and try to ease up some of the pressure he's putting on my neck. I'm getting weaker by the minute, and I'm closer to passing out.

He seems unbothered by the fact that I'm starting to slip into the darkness. He glares at me, his face hardens, and his eyes are saturated in evil and hate, his voice even darker and deeper than before as he says the words I'll never forget.

"If I have to repeat any of this to you again, I won't hesitate to kill you."

He releases me, then turns to address the man behind him, but before he does, he says in a much softer voice. "What's your name and where are your parents?"

I stiffened at the mention of my parents but quickly recover to make sure his question does not go unanswered. I have to follow the rules to survive. Just three rules. That shouldn't be hard.

With my head bowed and my eyes never leaving the ground, I respond, my voice calmer than expected.

"Shadow. Shadow Monroe and I dont really remember my parents. I've been an orphan since I was five, Alpha, sir.

"Hmm." is all he says before signaling his goons.

"Miss Shadow here will be joining us. Ferro, since you chose to speak on her behalf, you're in charge of her. If she fucks up, its your head."

My head spins to look at Ferro and he seems unphased. Why would he stick his neck out for me?

"Have someone get everything situated for her stay. I have other business to tend to, but I'll meet you at the house later."

My gaze is locked on the ground as I hear the Alpha's footsteps going towards the parked car, blocking the alleyway's entrance.

I hear another pair of foot steps approaching me, and when I turn around, a syringe is inserted into my neck. It makes me dizzy immediately, followed by drowsiness. Everything goes numb, and I become weak.

Before I completely give into the darkness, I see what looks like a black sack being pulled over my head.

Great. I run away from the orphange just to be captured by a merciless monster.

What a f***ing joke.