CHAPTER 3

***Amber's POV***

I was too stunned to speak when I learned of my sister's death! I knew why she had to do it on the inside. Yes, killing herself was a mortal sin, but she was desperate for freedom. Freedom that could only be obtained by death! I wished I could curse at her, but I couldn't! I mean, how could I? In fact, I was considering doing the same if I were in her situation!

I took a deep breath and looked in the mirror. My perfectly coiffed brown hair was double-braided, revealing my strong yet worried face. After checking my appearance, my hooded blue eyes stared into nothingness, and another deep breath escaped my lips before walking towards the door.

I was on my way to the jail cell where my sister had given up her life. My sister and I were the lowest species in the Dark Furs because we were omegas. Some of the omegas were born as servants, but others, blessed with beautiful faces and luscious bodies, were required to become the Alpha's child-bearer.

Being a servant was a difficult job, but it was safer. Unfortunately, both my sister and I were stunning. I wanted to escape before I reached this age, but how? I didn't have any resources, and I couldn't leave my sister behind. So I stayed in the pack, waiting for the day when the Alpha would call me to his bed.

 The Alpha would have sex with omegas, and if we didn't get pregnant after that, we'd be imprisoned for the rest of our lives! It was inhumane, but it was standard practice in Dark Furs. No one dared to deviate from the norm, risking the wrath of the elders or even the Alpha himself!

I had to go through strict security to get to the dungeon, which housed the prison cells. A narrow pair of worn statues on a murky mountain top marked the entrance to the dungeon. Beyond the pair of worn statues was a small, deteriorating room covered in ash and puddles of water.

The paths leading further were twisted, and then I came to a terrifying area. I went through a number of passages, some of which had collapsed and others that seemed to go on forever. Ominous symbols abound, untouched by time and the elements, and as I approached it to examine it, I heard faint footsteps behind me.

"Say your name," the guard demanded angrily. He seemed to be in a bad mood about something, but I didn't dare to ask what it was.

Before responding to his question, I wet my bottom lip, but he looked at me with lustful desire in his eyes. Perhaps he would try to harm my body if he didn't know I was an omega and a child-bearer for the Alpha. The prison has its own set of rules, and the Alpha was too preoccupied to notice the guards' infractions.

"Are you deaf? I inquired as to your name!" He screamed at me, and his voice echoed throughout the complex.

"My name is Amber Mcbride, sir, and I'm here to retrieve my sister's belongings," I said. Despite my frail frame, I stood in front of him gracefully, and he looked even angrier!

“Pardon?”

 "I was told that my sister had committed suicide and that I had to take her belongings," I explained to the man whose brows were drawn together. I wondered if he was upset with me or if this was his normal demeanor.

"Ah, yes. Follow me," he said.

I wrinkled my nose as I followed him towards the prison cell where my sister was being held. He smelled terrible, and if I had to be harsh, he smelled like a rotten cadaver! There was less light as we moved further into the area. So, what could I possibly expect from a dungeon? I expected him to do nothing, but when he did, my eyes widened at the scene in front of me.

I let out a loud scream!

For Pete's sake, I wasn't prepared to see my sister in that form, but then an idea struck me. "Did she really commit suicide?" I asked as soon as I noticed she was only wearing her nightgown and lying on a cot on a cold floor.

"Are you implying that we murdered her?" He inquired defensively.

"No, sir. It's not like that. But, how did she die? I expected to see her hanging somewhere else," I told the man, who looked at me with daggers.

"Who knows, she might have taken medication to kill herself." Almost every woman sentenced to life in prison suffered the same fate," he explained.

I wasn't convinced, or perhaps I was just attempting to shift blame for her death. She was pitiful, and I was terrified as I stared at her lifeless form. I didn't want to die like my sister, but my prospects were bleak at the moment. I'd already had sexual encounters with the Alpha, but there was no indication that I'd become pregnant anytime soon. I was suddenly concerned about my survival. I had only one more chance to be impregnated by the Alpha!

“Hey!” When I continued to stare at my dead sister, the guard smacked my arm to get my attention. "You said you'd take her belongings, so why are you still standing?" Move!” He gave the order.

"What about her body? I'd like to give her a proper burial," I explained.

"Do you want to die? This woman defied the Alpha's order to suffer for the rest of her life by committing suicide! Do you think the Alpha would let you bury her properly? Miss, it's not going to happen!"

"However, she is my sister!" I tried to argue with the guard, but he slapped me instead.

"Get a grip on yourself, woman, if you want to live!"

His words appeared to be a warning or a concern, but I had a bad feeling about my sister's death. "Could you please leave me alone for a moment? I'd like to say a prayer for my sister," I said, and he just nodded.

I kneeled beside her body and touched her face after the guard had left. It was lifeless and cold. As I examined her body, I noticed numerous bruises on her skin. According to the purple coloration of the bruises, some were old and some were probably new.

When it came to sex, the Alpha was a ferocious beast who reveled in torturing us in bed. As much as I wanted to doubt the guard's words, I knew the bruises on her pale skin were most likely caused by the Alpha. When I looked at my sister, tears welled up in the corners of my eyes, and I made the decision not to end up like her.

After praying for her, I went through her belongings and put the most important ones in the bag. I was checking her belongings thoroughly when I heard a commotion outside. The guard then appeared out of nowhere, panting for air.

Before asking, I craned my neck and narrowed my eyes at him. "What's the matter?"

"The Alpha needs you now!" He made an announcement.