CHAPTER 2: A fated encounter

Ricka, the older sister of Roxanne and the primary leader of this camp, governs with an iron fist alongside her sister.

She's bad news, Being called by her means you're about to be punished or even worse, I rose and slowly approached the guard.

He led me to her, where she and her sister were comfortably lounging on a sofa in the room.

Appearing in front of them I knelt down, my head bowed low.

“She's the one?” Ricka questions her sister.

"Yes, she would be perfect for this," Roxanne confirmed.

Ricka regarded me with the indifference one reserves for a mere rag, which I indeed resembled. Yet, there was a glimmer of curiosity in her eyes. I wondered what they needed me for.

“Reena?” She asked, looking directly at me.

“Yes ma'am?”

She flashed a wicked grin and said, “We've got a little job for you.” The sinister glint in her eyes sent chills down my spine.

The sound in the hall was overwhelming; the meeting had started an hour earlier, and the hall was filled to capacity.

The gathering comprised the alphas and the lycan king, whose identity remains unknown to me.

I took one of the trays of food and stepped inside, the atmosphere crackled with a palpable energy, making my heart race. 

My gaze instinctively darted toward the alphas seated at the table, dominant figures whose mere presence commanded respect. 

Each one exuded confidence and strength, their conversations punctuated by laughter that held an edge of authority. 

I felt small and vulnerable, my hands gripping the tray tighter as I approached. The clatter of silverware and the rich aroma of the food swirled around me, but my mind raced with uncertainty.

With trembling hands, I set the tray down on the table, careful not to spill anything. 

"Enjoy your meal," I managed to mutter, my voice barely above a whisper. 

I served other meals and also kept my ears open, especially for the one seated at the head table.

The Lycan king! The most powerful werewolf with an imposing figure, known for his strength and ferocity.

“Rykers pack has become a nuisance to the truce,” one of the alphas seated at the middle table said.

“Tell me about it, I propose we level that pack down,” another said vehemently.

The individual seated at the high table listened intently to their conversation, fully cloaked. I couldn't help but wonder if he concealed a scar beneath his covering.

They carried on with their discussion, which took a long time. One of them finally said, “Here’s the detailed plan to execute an attack,” while displaying a sheet of paper.

I stretched my neck to see what's on it, getting closer… closer.

“Hey you, what are you doing?” I froze, my mind and heart racing.

Turning around, I answered nervously, "Uhm, nothing. Just serving food," 

"You've been lurking there for quite a while, craning your neck over that paper," one of them remarked suspiciously.

“No, I…” 

“You are a spy!” they interrupted her, closing in around her now.

“No,” I shook my head in denial, attempting to break free from their circle.

Immediately, they seized my hands behind me. Panic surged through me as I felt the cold grip of their hands tighten around my wrists. 

One of them looked at me, his eyes glowing red as he spotted the recording device I had on me; perhaps that's his special ability.

As he pulled the little device out, he asserted, “Definitely a spy, did Ryker send you?”

“No, I don't even know who that is," I said, trying to keep my voice steady despite the tremor I felt rising within. 

“He scoffed, we just saw the device on you and you're still lying, bitch!” he slapped me so hard that my ears rang.

I felt my heartbeat drop as he lifted me; their strength is undeniable. Alphas. He examined me thoroughly.

“She's a pretty little thing though, let's have her tonight,” he said, desire evident in his eyes, “then we can dispose of her afterwards.”

"Please, no..." they covered my mouth.

“I'll go first.” One of them said and they started groping me.

“No, me,” another said. It was a freaking nightmare, I felt hands all over me. Just when I thought I'm done for, a voice boomed in the hall.

“Enough!” The command resonated from the person presiding at the head table, his voice so ethereal, it felt as though it was summoning my very essence.

Everywhere became as silent as a graveyard, all heads turned towards him. “What's the ruckus all about?” he asked in his rich baritone voice.

Which sent shivers down my body. In fear? yes, but also in something else, something elusive, I just can't put my finger on it.

“Lycan king, we caught a spy,” they informed him.

“A spy?” He questioned, then our eyes met, and I felt myself completely melt inside. What is it about him that has such a profound impact on me?

After assessing me briefly, he dismissed my presence and summoned Ricka.

She came out immediately, “yes Lycan king,” she answered.

“You actually hired a spy to keep tabs on us?” he asked in a low growl.

“A spy? Of course not, I wouldn't do such a thing,” her denial was so convincing, she's truly a remarkable actress.

“Are you saying I'm lying?”

“No, your Majesty, but I…” She glanced around the room and, upon spotting me, let out a hiss.

“Is she the one? how dare you enter this hall without my permission?” she exclaimed as she approached me.

Getting to me, she began to hit me. I remained silent, thinking it could be her way of rescuing me; after all, I'm doing their bidding.

They had told me to spy on the meeting, giving me an elixir to mask my human scent, as a wolf's scent can easily be detected. But what she uttered next completely caught me off guard.

“You worthless slave!” Turning to the king, she said, “Don’t worry, your Majesty; I will bring her insignificant existence to an end.”

What? I blinked in disbelief.

Unsheathing her claws, she lifted her hand, poised to slit my throat. But another hand intervened, stopping her mid-motion.

"I never issued the order for her execution," He snapped at her, forcefully pushing her aside, his voice laced with annoyance.

She dropped to her knees at once, bowing and saying frantically, "No, my lord, please show mercy.”

Seeing this, Roxanne also came out, pleading to the king

I crouched low, aware that their focus was directed towards Ricka and Roxanne. A surge of adrenaline raced through my veins, fueled by fear as I deliberated on my next action.

I attempted to weave my way through the throng, but I got snagged.

“Lycan, she's trying to escape.” He turned, squinted his eyes, and announced.

"I have made my decision: I’ll take her along with me," he said to them, much to the astonishment of all present.

“What for?” Roxanne asked, taken aback. Yeah, what for? I panicked, but I dared not utter a word.

“Dare to question me?” He asked in a low growl.

“No Lycan, we will get her prepared for you to take,” she stated, like I'm some kind of object.

“No need for that, Cauldron!” He called his right hand man, probably his beta. And asked him to take me away

“Yes lycan,” he replied and came for me.

"No, please don't hand me over to him," I pleaded with Roxanne.

But she leaned in close and whispered in my ear, “Remember the freedom we promised you? Well, we never specified what kind, did we? Have a nice life, Reena.” With a sneer, she commanded, “Take her away!”

"No!" I screamed, dreading my very existence. From one prison to another, what kind of future awaits me? What kind of existence is this? I was overwhelmed with anguish.

Cauldron dragged me out, kicking, screaming, and crying my eyes out.