Chapter 4: An ex-lover

(Lucy)

" Are you gonna talk or would you like to serve my men first?" She winked at me. I spat at her and received a wack on my cheeks in return.

I can hardly see through my left eye. All is blurry and dark. My bones are cracking within me like a log in the fireplace. The dread of seeing a true life shifting of a wolf into a human has submerged my sanity.

I grabbed my chest, and belched, gurgling out the contents of everything I had eaten in two days. The acrid taste lingers in my mouth, and the shock has my muscles in spasms. I look around. There were about five of them. Four males. This afro vixen in devil's Prada was at the head of the pack earlier. I can't help the burning question in my chest.

Did I fall into an alternate universe?

I remember landing in a place that looks like an A****n rainforest. I have camped several times and I know how to find my way out. Flares. Smoke signals. I had it all working in my head. Now, I'm in a dungeon, behind the dark walls of a place I've only read in books.

Even if Damian comes for me, I might be long gone already. What I do not understand is why they're hell-bent on kicking out the story of ownership of the transfer deed out of my mouth.

" You're going to talk. I don't care how I get it out of you. If I have to fill every hole in your body with these men's d*ck, to make you vomit it, I will." She says, with certainty. I glanced around, face shifted into a grotesque angle. I ached from a severe beating. I can't stand it anymore. But saying it might get Damian in trouble. What if they go after him?

" You're welcome to try," I scoffed, gripping tightly to what is left of my courage.

" I will," she says and whistles. The four strips and approach. They propped me on all fours, and shredded my clothes in a breath. A gasp left my lips. I sealed my lips shut, determined not to give the shewolf the gratification of seeing me broken.

" Stop!" Someone hurries inside, panting. I dropped on the floor. A tear trickles down my eyes and a wave of shivers rippled through me like a typhoon. My body is bare. Naked. I feel dirty with their eyes on me.

" The regent wants to see her."

" He will do that when I'm through with her."

" Nikka!" The messenger bared his claws and his fiery eyes met her unfazed. " He said to bring her now!"

I looked up and met a flicker of surrender in her eyes. She shot me a glare. " Don't party yet. You're coming back eventually."

" Yes. I'm coming back for your head." I grabbed my shredded clothes, trembling on my toes.

" What effrontery?! The bitch is human. How dare she talk back at me!" I heard her cursing behind me. The man threw his jacket over my shoulders.

" Forgive us," he says.

" Are you one of them?" I stuttered.

" You mean, a werewolf?"

" Yes," I shivered, dreading the outcome.

" No. I'm something stronger. We are a mixed community of werewolves and lycans since the alliances and unification..."

I lost his voice at the mention of lycans.

" I'm going to die. Right?"

He fell silent, and looked ahead. My cheeks warmed from light drizzles from my eyes. I made no attempt to wipe them.

After an endless walk on a corridor, the noise of fighting, clashing gears, grunts and howls, filtered into my ears. I imagined a war, but what I found was a training ground.

" You need to bath and change. I will take you to the omegas."

" Will you stay?" I grabbed his hand at impulse. He snaps and his eyes glow.

" I didn't mean to." I panicked.

"I'm sorry. I don't respond well to sudden movements." He replied.

He stayed until the harrowing experience of four maids— I suppose — bathing my naked body in silence was over. They had scars all over their body. With uncertainty looming over me, I didn't have enough space for pity.

"She's here," the messenger, my company announced us at the door of a spacious office above the training grounds.

" Is that her?"

" The regent's woman? I doubt. She smells human."

Conversations swirled into my hearing. The people below paused upon seeing me. Their eyes watching me like an animal at a circus. I pulled the dress over my shoulders, in a vain attempt to conceal more body parts. But my cleavages didn't accept that invite.

" She's pretty as f**k!"

" Her eyes will tell you what Nikka would do to anyone who has a chance of taking the regent from her." Another female said. My senses were becoming heightened. I could hear their conversation from a good distance. Not only is it abnormal to me. I feel like a spelled out weird-do.

" Come in," someone droned from inside the office. My guide stepped aside and motioned me inside. My feet froze.

In silence, I searched and pleaded for him to come with me. He lowered his head. I swallow and walk in like the floors could bite if they feel my weight.

" Closer."

I stepped two feet more.

" You have nothing to fear. Come, sit."

Taking a peek at the person speaking, my jaw dropped.

" You! You self centered, heartless, narcissistic cold son of a bi**h!" I lunged at him, hitting his chest. He was unmoved like solid wall, and made no attempt to stop me.

" Our marriage might have been a pure arrangement, but I stood by you for five years. How could you put me through something so humiliating. Wasn't the divorce okay by you? Weren't you going to run off with my sister while I bemoan my fate in silence?! The least you could do is leave me alone!" I stopped, gasping for breath. That is when his amused face flashed in my eyes.

" You're not Damian Skywalker," I stepped back, mortified.

He shrugged and reclined on his chair. " I am David Skywalker."

" Damian has a twin?!" My eyes popped in disbelief.

" No. He is a triplet." A cold voice washed down my core and drove shivers up my spine. It would be hard to miss. Anywhere at all. After that night, I never imagined seeing him any where. Especially not here. I was too ashamed to turn. But with my face disfigured, I doubt he would recognize me. Well, I didn't see his face either. I just have to pretend —

" You." He closed in hastily and spinned me. " You smell familiar."

Either all the demons in hell have escaped, or, someone somewhere is messing with my luck.

" I recognize your scent," he spoke softly. My lashes flapped, and I readied myself to deny him, but he was yet another Damian. Another clone.

" Who are you?"

" Damon. Damon Skywalker."

My pulse race. I stepped away, toppled over the silk dress and fell into someone's arms. I didn't care to check who. All I can see is the mask finally peeling off the face of the Mafia boss who took my father's life. Damon Skywalker. How didn't I think of it all along? Damian is his relative.

" Is there a problem besides the one on the ground?" David asked. Eyebrows raised. " How do you know each other?"

He glanced back at the blondie standing restlessly against the door frame, and reverted his attention to us like her existence nauseated him. Apparently, she is Damon's company.

" It was a long time ago. She must have forgotten about me." Damon replied.

" I think there's something else," Nikka rushed in like an angel of death.

" Not now, Nikka."

" David —"

" I said, not now!" He banged the desk. His voice was a thunderous note. Striking and startling.

All except Damon was shocked to the bone. He lazily dropped into the chair and ordered a bottle of vodka.

" Take Lucy to the guest quarters. If this is really Damian's, he will come for it." David ordered, raised the envelope containing the transfer deed and grazed the edges against his jaw, ignoring every other person in the room, including his brother.

" Wait," Damon stopped me by the door. " Do you really not remember me?"