SELECTED TO SERVE

“No!” Carly screamed just before her father’s head fell to the ground and, she was surrounded by injured and dead pack members. Blood everywhere. Everything was happening fast. It was terrifying to watch. Her hands and dress were stained with blood. Blood of the innocent killed miserably. She was shaking in fear and her heart felt like it was going to explode. “It can’t be. No, it can’t. Noooo!”

Suddenly, Carly jolted awake after an abrupt, sharp pain was felt. Gasping for air while trying to wake up from the nightmare. She finally opened her eyes wide to see a figure standing in front of her, holding a whip.

Carly glared at the figure with anger. Her eyes burning with flames of revenge as her mind ran through several thoughts. And Zoya on the other hand, stared right back with so much disgust as she noticed the hatred in her eyes. She felt insulted that Carly dared to look at her in such a manner, and swore that she ought to teach a lesson.

“I’ve been too nice that you think, you can now sneak and sleep while others work?” Seeing how Zoya was furious at Carly, Helen smirked from behind.

“No, it’s not…” Again, she couldn’t finish her statements.

“Grab her and follow me.” Zoya instructed the guards she came in with.

“My lady, please forgive me.” Carly cried at the top of her voice while being dragged but, it all fell on deaf ears. Zoya was heartless just like her brother. 

Helen went about her duties with a wide smile. She couldn’t wait to see how Carly would look like after punishment.

Zoya came to stop in the ‘torture room’. A room that was strictly reserved for rogues, deserters and people that committed serious crimes. It contained different weapons that were made of either silver or contained wolf bane. 

Clutching onto a sliver whip, Zoya approached, “Don’t you forget that you brought this upon yourself.”

Carly’s scream filled the entire room and also, the sounds of the whip.

Zoya didn’t stop even as Carly began to bleed until she was called by Hulbert, her brother. As she exited the guards she came with, Carly wept; slowly dragging her feet back to the kitchen. Using the walls to support herself. “I swear, I will have my revenge and make them pay. I will become their greatest nightmare.” She cursed underneath her breath.

When she reached, Hilda shook her head; disappointed. “I did ask you to go get something from the storage room, not sleep there. Do you think any of us here have slept since the preparations?”

Carly lowed her head, “I’m sorry!”

“If you are sorry, then work as twice as hard.” Hilda said, handing her a maid’s outfit. “One of the serving maids has fallen ill. Take her place and serve the guests.”

Carly looked down at the cloth and then back at Hilda. “I’m sorry. I do not think I have much energy for that. Can you look for someone else?”

A maid from the back scoffed, “Why won’t she be weak when, everyone does have a wolf except her.” and others burst into laughter.

“But I thought you wanted to make up for your shortcomings? From the look of things, you can still move. Did you not walk all by yourself to here?” 

“Yes, but…” She had just being whipped mercilessly with a sliver whip and was bleeding. Why can’t they see it too? “okay, I will do it.” she said in what sounded like a whisper. 

“Hurry up and change into it.” And Carly did just that. 

Inside the banquet hall, with clinking glasses and a magnificent display of gold and jewels. Alpha Hulbert clinking his glass with a spoon as he called everyone to a hush. 

“Let us toast to the alliance against the traitors. To demonstrate my sincerity,” He paused to look at others smiling face. “I have already executed Alpha Phil who had secret dealings with others, to go against the king and now, his body had been put on fire and reduced to ashes!” He added.

As an excited cheers filled the air, Carly, who couldn't believe her ears, lost her balance, as the tray of glass in her hands all crashed to the ground; causing a shriek of horror from the crowd of people nearby and also catching the attention of Alpha Hulbert and the royals gathered around him.

“I'm sorry,” She apologized to everyone as she squatted down to clean up the shattered pieces of broken glass, placing it back on the tray. 

The Alpha king and her father used to be friends, so how could he have burnt her father's body? Now she couldn't ever mourn him, even if she wanted to. 

Different sorts of emotions coursed through her veins. When she was able to stand up to her feet, Carly got dizzy and was on the verge of passing out, but she was caught by the member of a royal family. No one had even expected Ralph to show up, as he seemed more interested in women than his duties and that made him, not always available 

“Thank you,” Carly said to him and quickly moved away to escape from his touch, but he only tightened his hold on her, scanning every inch of her body. 

“There are various ways to thank me without words, you know.” His respond came at last.

Alpha Stephen signaled Hulbert to speak up, seeing this as an opportunity to get Ralph on their side if things do go sideways.

“Ralph, do you like this slave?” Alpha Hulbert asked, “You know, she happens to be the daughter of the traitor.” He added and Ralph raised his right brow.

“Interesting. I didn’t know she was this beautiful.” Ralph licked his lower lip with so much lust in his eyes.

“I gave her the marks on the skin. That is to remind her, that she is nothing but a slave now.” Zoya mentioned and everyone laughed.

“Nice one. I want her still.” Ralph mentioned, now looking at Alpha Hulbert. 

“Then shall I present her to you as a gift?” Hulbert asked with a grin.

Ralph touched Carly's delicate skin readily. “I'd be more delighted to accept her. Is she a virgin?” He inquired and they burst into laughter.

“Why don't you find out?” Gregory teased.

Carly struggled to free herself from Ralph’s grip. “No, I refuse!” she yelled.

How dare they discuss her as if she were an object and not a person with feelings. She was once a noble lady not a slave. Even slaves shouldn’t be treated in such manner.

They all completely ignored her voice as in his eyes, a slave had no right to refuse. He didn't even spare a glance at Carly, he simply waved his hand to the servants, “Take her away. Clean her up and bring her to the room prepared for Ralph.”

“Yes, sir!” The guards nodded.

Esther watched with keen interest as the guards dragged Carly away. “Why are you still keeping her around?” She asked.

Alpha Hulbert shrugged. You could say he considered this as his last act of kindness towards Phil. “Why are you worried about a maid?”

“Me?” Alpha Esther laughed. “I just know trouble when I see one, and she looks like it.” Taking a sip off her glass, Esther advised. “I'd watch my back if I were you, Hulbert.”

“That’s ridiculous. Don’t tell me you are drunk already when the party is yet to begin.”