CHAPTER 4: DUNGEON

HAILEY 

 The warriors picked me up like a burlap sack and threw me over their hands after binding my hands and legs; every step away from the fresh scent of the human settlement felt like a step toward a death sentence. Amenia is unusually quiet as the warriors continually walk me towards doom with the whole place serene with no one to save me from them or at least break away from them and never see them again but I know for a fact that after this I'd be locked up so I desperately cried "Please...just let me go, nobody likes me anyway. Wouldn't you be glad to never have to see my irritating face again?"

One of the warriors suddenly snapped at me. "Shut your mouth-only Thomas can decide can decide what happens to you." Just his name alone sends an involuntary shiver to my spine, but no matter how hard I tried to summon strength from Amenia but she's just quiet.

 The name alone brought shivers to my spine. Thomas.

 Alpha, Judge and Executioner. As far as he is concerned his word is law, no one would ever dare to ever raise a voice of objection at him no matter what he does as he is their god who could do no wrong before their eyes.

 Amenia’s voice stirred inside me like a whisper of steel. Remain strong, Hailey. We’ll overcome this.

 I wanted to believe her. God, I wanted to. But my fear was suffocating.

 The more we moved, the more I lost my sense of hope for escaping this cage as various members spat saliva and curses at me in heated voices with no one in site to even defend or protect my stand against them all. From a distance, you'd assume this place to be one of peace when in reality it's hideous and terrifying to be here, so I simply put down my head in  hopelessness.

They all pointed their accusing fingers at me as they spoke loudly “She was in the human town.”

 “Does she even know what she’s done?”

 “Thomas will make an example out of her.”

 Their whispers stung worse than claws. I kept my head down, cheeks burning, but I couldn’t block their judgement.

 The warriors flung me into Thomas’s study. He is presently bent staring at a map with his back facing us until one of the warriors alerted him of our presence, and he immediately stared at me in silence as his face darkened after registering my face

 He looked at everyone before he scoffed, "What on earth is going on here?"

 The taller warrior bowed. “Alpha, she escaped to the human territory and even got a job there and blended in with them."

 His blue eyes stared intently at me as he looked at me from my head to toe. "Is this true, Hailey?'

 The truth clung to me like chains. Lying would change nothing. I raised my head and stared at him, "Yes it's true."

 His aura suddenly spread across the area as all the warriors bow in submission, unable to stand his fury. "Do you have any idea what you have done? What they'd do if they knew where we were? Did you even stop to consider that in your selfishness?"

 “They won’t,” I blurted, desperate. “I was careful. No one suspects—”

 “You decided to ignore the orders, embarrassed and endangered us all for your selfish nature."

 Shame burnt in my chest, but so did anger. “I had no other option. I'm unwanted here and treated so unfairly. Anything is better than the reality of this place."

 “You have been treated unfairly? The very breath you're taking is because we gave you life and took you in when there was no other and yet you dare say we treat you unfairly endangering us all?- He scoffs " You'd understand just how lenient we've been with you this whole time soon'.

 Tears escape my eyes as I stare at him in defiance. "I did nothing wrong... I just want to be free."

"So you see nothing wrong in what you did and want freedom? That's fine." Suddenly, he smirks cruelly, and I feel a wave of panic."Take her to the dungeon now. " 

I suddenly struggled as I screamed while the warriors held me down. "No- don't do this to me. I've done nothing wrong please, I'd never try to run away anymore."

All my pleas fall on deaf ears as I am dragged through the lonely path that leads to the dungeon. Some of the pack members stare at me in pity, others in disdain and irritation

 I felt a whole new surge of helplessness as we approached the dungeon before I'm thrown in by the warriors.

 “Only the Alpha decides when you are to leave, so enjoy your stay stray." 

 I  break down in tears as they exit, leaving me behind as the tears roll out in waves before I finally hear Amenia “You're strong enough to handle this, Hailey..."But I don't feel strong. You said the moon goddess has a plan, but I don't understand what this is meant for."

 Time blurred. Hours. Days. I feel total helplessness as I drown continuously in the horrible smell, constant quibbling of rats and drizzles that keep raining on me inside the dungeon. 

 Finally, the cells move, and I raise my head a bit in total weakness as I stare into the face of Thomas. 

 Thomas stepped inside, his face as unyielding as the stone walls. He laughs at me loudly. "So Hailey, have you finally learnt your lesson?"

 I tried to stand but fell immediately as I had no strength left “Please, Thomas—”

 His eyes narrowed, cutting me off. “You chose every step toward that human town. You will answer for it.”

 The warriors seized my arms again, dragging me in my weak state until we got to the pack's podium.

 Thomas climbed the podium, his presence swallowing the room. His voice thundered. “Hailey has betrayed us. She broke our laws. She endangered our lives. For this, she will face consequences.”

 My heart thuds in continuous panic as I face the crowd.

 “Everyone, until I say otherwise, she remains in the dungeon".

Some people cheer, some look away in uneasiness and panic, but the warriors ignore everyone as they simply drag me back in my weakened state to the dungeon. He is doing all he can to mess with my head and emotions, but I won't grant him the satisfaction. 

 Amenia’s voice rose within me, steady and unshaken.

 "They’ll try all they know but they underestimate us because they could never break us."

 I closed my eyes, pressing my palms into the cold stone. “Whatever you have up your sleeves Thomas,” I whispered into the dark, “you will never break me.”