Love Is but an Illusion

I laid on the bare ground of the cell where I was locked up. The cell was so dark and cold. I can’t tell exactly how long I’ve been here, but it’s up to a week. Time seemed to have stopped ever since I was locked in this cell. My name is Rachel Weston, and I’m the daughter of the Powerful Alpha of the Dark clad pack. All my life, I was treated like a princess.

I was feared and respected by all. No one dared to stare at me twice. My words and that of my father were law. No one dares to walk in a path that I walk through, my father made sure of that.

I gulped hard… my throat was dry, and my stomach was growling of hunger. Without hesitation, I licked my mouth as drops of water from the leaking roof dropped into my mouth.

Ever since I was locked up, I haven’t set my eyes on my captor. The last time I saw him was when the battle began on my 18th birthday party. That was the worst birthday of my life. I wasn’t granted a wolf, and that turned out to be a disastrous experience. As a powerful Alpha’s daughter, a very grand party was thrown in celebration of my birthday. I waited the whole day for the Moon Goddess to grant me my wolf, but it didn't come. Instead of merriment, my party turned into a battlefield. I really can’t remember what happened, but I knew I was hit on the head and I passed out.

Waking up, I saw myself in this empty, cold cell. I can’t tell what happened or where my father, the Alpha of the Dark clad pack or my pack members are, but I knew that we were defeated.

Never in my life have I felt so much fear until the day of my 18th birthday, it will forever remain a terrible nightmare for me.

The sounds of footsteps and chain clanking drew my attention to the door of the cell. The door was opened, and two bodyguards walked into the cell. One of them had a tray of food in his hand. They glared at me as though if their eyes were guns, I would have been dead.

“Breakfast is served, your highness.” He mocked me as he dropped the tray on the ground beside me.

I glanced at the plate. It was a small piece of dried stale bread and mashed potatoes. Not like I had a choice anyway because I was starving.

“Look at her, who would have thought that the Alpha’s daughter is now a slave.” The other bodyguard spoke with contempt.

I couldn’t say a word, I only stared at them like a dummy.

They continued. “Let me tell you some good news. Alpha Kyle is throwing a feast tonight to celebrate. So, you better eat up cause ain’t no one coming to feed you tonight.”

“How does it feel, huh? Remember when we were your slaves, and we couldn’t attend any celebration feasts and had to starve?” The other bodyguard spat at me.

Suddenly, my eyes grew with curiosity, and I quickly inquired. “Wait… Alpha Kyle?”

“What?” The first bodyguard laughed, and tapped the other guard. “This slave still doesn’t know.” They burst into laughter, leaving me confused.

Bending over to me, he answered. “Alpha Kyle killed your father. He’s now the new Alpha of both the Dark clad Pack and the Silver crust Pack”.

Tears clouded my eyes, and gradually rolled down my cheeks. I quickly grabbed his hand and pleaded. “No. I won’t believe that. He wouldn’t do that. Take me to him, please. I need to talk to him.”

“Get your dirty hands off me.” The guard slapped me, and I fell on the hard floor.

“Talk to the Alpha? You still think you’re some important shit, huh?” He growled at me, and continued. “No, Rachel. You’re no longer a princess. Even an omega is worth more than you. You’re a nobody now.”

“Come on, let’s go. We still got some preparation for tonight’s celebration feast.” The other bodyguard urged him.

“Who gave you the permission to lay your hand on my slave?” The domineering, cold voice from behind made me panic.

I couldn’t see his face properly because of how dark the cell was. However, he walked closer, and my eyes grew in astonishment. It was him… Kyle. The son of the Silver crust Alpha who my father killed and took over his pack. I’ve always liked him, and I thought he had a crush on me too.

“Alpha Kyle, I’m sorry. It won’t happen again.” The bodyguard who had slapped me apologized with his head bowed.

Then, he growled at him. “I specifically said, no one touches her!”

His Alpha aura overshadowed them, and they went on their knees immediately.

“I didn’t do anything to her, my Alpha.” The other bodyguard confessed immediately.

“You.” He pointed at the bodyguard who slapped me. “Go find Beta Logan to collect 20 strokes for disobeying your Alpha. Do you accept your punishment?” He bluntly asked.

Without hesitation, the bodyguard nodded in agreement. “Yes, Alpha. I accept.”

Alpha Kyle then raised his left hand, gesturing them to leave, and they walked out of the cell immediately.

Then, he approached me with the coldest glare. “From this day onwards, Rachel Weston, you’ll be my slave. No one will hurt you except for me.”

Blinking back the hot tears that were about to roll down my face, I asked. “Why? Why did you do this?”

I could see him shaking with anger and hatred as he glared at me. “Your father slaughtered my entire family… my father, my mother, my only sister and my older brother. He enslaved my pack, and turned the she-wolves into breeder and had them raped. And you’re asking me why I did this?”

Summoning courage, I reached out for his wrist, and continued. “I…. I thought…”

He slapped off my hand, and roared at me. “You thought what? You thought just because I was so young when it happened, I wouldn’t recall? Or did you think I actually liked you?”

Before I could say a word, he grabbed my neck, making me gasp for breath because of how hard he gripped me. His nails were piercing into my flesh, and that hurt so bad.

“I never liked you, Rachel. I despise you with every drop of blood in my veins.” He spoke in between gritted teeth as he let go of my neck, and I fell on the ground, coughing helplessly.

He only stood there, staring at me while I coughed. After a few seconds, I looked up to him from where I sat, and asked. “If this is true that you don’t like me, and since you seek revenge, then why didn’t you kill me too.”

“Kill you? Your father is already dead, Rachel. What’s the fun if I kill you too?” He scoffed at me.

“If you don’t kill, then what do you want from me?” I burst into tears.

“Revenge… Atonement! I am going to do to you what your father did to me and my pack. And when I’m done with you, you'll wish you were dead.”

His words brought cold shivers down my spine. Even tears refused to come out of my eyes, I only stared at him with despair.

“Rhoda!” He shouted, and she rushed into the cell, and bowed at him.

“Alpha?”

“Take this slave, and clean her up thoroughly.” He ordered.

“Yes, Alpha.” She replied as he stormed out of the cell.