Finding A Friend In Hell.

Alpha Reid's POV 

"I will go prepare myself for you," our Queen offers with a smile before leaving the room. 

Her parents left earlier, her mother seeming to grow uncomfortable suddenly. No mother enjoys an hideous sight of her tortured daughter, regardless of how evil the child is. 

Last night was blissful. Our Queen was determined to please us in every way. Nothing would delight me more than the same experience tonight. But something about our her request for her sister to undergo more torture before her death bothers me. 

"I like her by all means, but I do find it strange that she wants her sister tortured and humiliated for more days before her execution. It makes me wonder if there are other underlying issues influencing her cold decisions," I say. 

"She is a tough woman with a passion for justice. I also sense a rare commitment to fighting evil. Her sister is the first witch she wants to make an example out of. She is exactly the kind of Queen we wanted," Alcott argues. 

He has always desired to destroy witches even in their caves. Because they will always make attempts to destroy this prosperous Kingdom and he has got the most formidable powers among us. We did want a strong Queen because we will always be at war with witches unless we end them. But I feel like our Queen's decisions regarding her sister's punishments has nothing to do with her passion for fighting wickedness. There might have been a grudge we are not aware of.

"Anyone would want a quick death for their wicked sibling, not endless torture. Unless she seeks revenge for more than just the crime of stealing our mark," I say. 

"True. But why should we care? The sister is a scheming witch. There isn't an amount of torture she doesn't deserve. I say we let our Queen have her way as long as it makes her happy," Parish states. 

I agree. It doesn't matter what our Queen decides as long as her sister deserves the torture. And our Queen will show gratitude for our support by gifting us her n*ked body every night. 

Her entrancing scent is weirdly more profound after she bathes. Usually, a mate's scent is strongest when they have sweat and stayed long hours away from water. Her scent is barely there in the mornings when it's supposed to be most profound. I am yet to figure out the reason. 

We rise and end to our matrimonial chambers after a short while. She is already waiting on the bed, n*ked, except for a red ribbon tied around her waist to make her look like a gift.

* * * * * *

Agila's POV 

My body hurts tonight worse than it did last night. My bruised and cut skin stings like tiny needles are being pushed into it. It's hurts lesser than my heart though. 

I was stupid to think that I was blessed with good mates. Stolen or not, there isn't a drop of kindness in any of their hearts. If they have hearts anyway. They will have me tortured for more days just to please their evil Queen, the pretentious witch who will weaken their bloodline. It broke my heart to see that they are neither wise enough to judge her character or a little too kind to grant her cruel request. My parents are even worse. They watched my torture while knowing well that I am no witch. I must have been a disgrace they wanted gone. 

A sudden knock startles me, and my eyes fly open despite the fact that I cannot see in the dark. I did not hear any footsteps approaching, so how could there be a knock? 

It comes again and I jump despite my pains. 

"Hello there. I am Mason," a voice comes the other cell. 

I thought I was alone in here. That's what the beta of the Alpha Kings said. Or did he just want me to feel that way?

"I am a fellow Shadowbound Outcast. What's your name?" the voice speaks again. 

A friend in the same horrible situation as me. It's my first real blessing. But is he a real warlock? Or just another victim of wicked lies like me? How long has he been in there? I would have noticed if they brought him in today. 

"I am Agila. Are you . . . a warlock?"

"No. But they think I am. Just like they think you're a witch," the voice answers. 

So he is another innocent prisoner. I wouldn't doubt his claim. I know well that the Alpha Kings do not grant a fair trial. 

"I wasn't planning to speak with you until I heard your conversation with the new Queen last night. You're in a lot of trouble, Agila," he says.

He heard it all and said nothing? I friendly voice would have brought me great comfort last night. 

"Have they granted her the permission to torture you for the mate bond?" he asks.

"Yes. For as long as she wishes," I answer.

"I am sorry. Do not surrender the mate bond to her. You will lose some or all of your senses if you do. That's how the spell works," he informs. 

"How do you know that?" I ask. 

"My mother is a witch. I was burnished for not being one. I was one of her fraternal twins who turned out not to be evil. I left the caves only to be captured and brought here," he answers. 

I am sorry for him too. He got banished by his family only to land in a cell where he gets tortured under false accusations. 

"Are they torturing you too?" I ask. 

"Not yet. They seem to be focused on you for now. But I haven't eaten for the last five days. I will die before they start," he answers. 

I am hungry too. It just doesn't hurt as much as the wounds. 

"This is our end. But at least we both found a friend at the most unexpected time," I say comfortingly.

"The Alpha Kings will soon fall as well. They chose a wicked Princess whom the witches helped fake a mate bond. Their powers will fade away because of mating with your sister. And she will conceive a powerful, evil child that will help the witches destroy their Kingdom," Mason responds. 

So it wasn't just my sister's plan? The witches found a perfect puppet. A beautiful, wicked Princess with such a good repute that no one would doubt that she is the Mate of the Alpha Kings. My sister wants the power, luxury and glory, not the child though. 

But a part of me now thinks that they would have rejected me anyways and chosen her. It's not purely the fault of the witches and my sister. The Kings would have hated the sight of me. 

"I will do my best to die with the mate bond so that my sister can be discovered and punished one day," I say.