003| PRISONER PRINCESS

~RAVENNA~           

With a yelp, I ducked. But the damage was already done.

The arrow pierced through Luis’s side, earning a pained howl from him.

His speed reduced drastically, as though he was trying to catch his breath, or maybe numb the pain.

He was a wolf; he was supposed to heal fast, but the blood kept flowing.

The others were getting closer now, I could almost feel their harsh breathing behind me.

We rounded another corner quickly, the arrow colliding with something else.

He cried out again.

I reached out, without thinking, I snapped the arrow and tossed it aside.

They were nocking another arrow, ready to shoot.

With just their aim, I am sure they would get every shot right.

My body began shaking. Luis was in pain because of me. What if they kill him?

“Luis… you must stop.” I patted his side gently, hoping he would give in.

But he seemed to be lost in a world of his own, a world determined to get me out unscratched.

However, I knew that was impossible, not with how close they were now.

I patted him harshly. “They are going to shoot again; we must stop and surrender.”

He growled, increasing his pace.

He wasn’t healing.

“Listen to me. You are going to get us killed.”

He turned another corner, almost falling. I held onto him tightly, my heart pounding so hard against my chest.

“Luis, please.”

Another swish sound came. Before I could turn, Luis howled again, but this time, he fell.

I wasn’t quick enough to hold on. I fell from his back, falling down a slope.

I reached out, grabbing hold of branches, rocks, leaves, anything to keep me from falling.

But I kept falling alongside everything I tried to hold for support.

The scream tore through my lip before I could stop it, fading away with the weight of the wind.

This is the end.

I grabbed something else, but then, I lost my footing.

The next moment, my back hit the ground with a loud thud.

I lay there, unable to move. My body felt numb, my brain frozen.

If this was death, then I will certainly embrace it. I can see dad again, and apologize for being that child that led to his death.

Something moved not far from me, or someone.

I turned forcefully, ignoring the pain shooting down every part of my body.

There, in a pool of blood, lay Luis.

He had shifted back to his human form, two arrows stuck into his back and lower body.

My heart twisted with a pain far more than I imagined.

“Luis—”

I reached out, hoping, praying I haven’t lost another in an attempt to protect me.

“Please, moon goddess.” My voice shook badly. I pushed my body, carrying both leaves and dust, trying to reach him with all my strength.

But my body failed me. And just as our hands touched, darkness took over.

---

The light was dim and far away. the scent of woodsmoke filled my nostrils.

“Dad.”

Then it dawned on me. Dad was gone.

Forcing my eyelids open, I noticed the burning touch, not far away.

It was the only light in the room.  

I tried to move my body, only to be met with excruciating pain.

Luis, where is he?

Putting my hand on the ground, I tried to get up on my feet, but was instantly drawn back.

Only then did I notice the heavy chains binding my neck, wrists and ankles. I was bound like a criminal.

My stomach sank.

Could it be that they found out who I am? What I am?

I turned to the corner. There was nothing there, just a dirty bowl, some rag like clothes on the floor.

But no sign of Luis.

I bit down hard on my lips, trying not to let another tear slip.

Could Luis be…?

Shaking my head frantically, I looked up to the ceiling to hold in the tears.

He couldn’t. I won’t be able to forgive myself if anything happened to him.

This was clearly a dungeon. The walls were rough, the ground cold. Built to bring both torture and fear to occupants.

I need to see him.

Pulling the chains with all my strength, I attacked the iron bars with my feet, hitting against it with all my strength.

No one responded. There was no sign of another person being in here.

“Someone, help me…” The words tore out of my throat before I could rethink it.

The sound of iron doors opening came. For some reason, my body shivered, my heart racing uncontrollably.

This could be the end for me.

Three men entered, stopping in front of my cell. Their faces were unfamiliar, but there was something about the one that stood in the center that made me uncomfortable.

“Hello Princess, glad to see you are fitting in well.” He said, not much of a smile on his face.

He knew who I was, though I couldn’t recall ever meeting him.

“Who are you?” I gritted my teeth, doing my best not to lose control.

He took a step closer, his teeth grazing in the firelight.

“Who do you think?”

Could he be the Alpha King?

Every anger, every pain I thought I locked in came rushing back up.

I lunged at him with all my strength, my body vibrating with a need to tear him apart.

But the chains dragged me back.

Tears ran down my face out of frustration when I couldn’t reach him.

“Why, why did you kill him?” My voice broke.

“Who, your father? He wasn’t complying. The same fate awaits you if you don’t start speaking.” He responded in a stern voice.

I clenched my fists tightly, my nails digging into my palm was the only thing keeping me sane right now.

I looked him up to down, noticing his dressing. He didn’t seem royalty.

“Take me to the king, I will speak with him instead.”

My eyes met his, I noticed the rage that flashed through his.

“You will speak to me. The king has no business with captives, you answer to me.”

I scoffed, bitterly. “Does your king know how power thirsty you are? Who knows, you might be planning a coup. So pathetic.”

They were going to kill me anyway. If I can’t fight them, then I can make them feel terrible about their own selves.

His eyes glowed with that of his wolf’s and he lunged at me, only to be pulled back by another man I didn’t notice before.

The man seemed of a higher rank, and had cold eyes. He pulled the other man easily.

“That’s enough, Gamma Miles. Bring her to the King, he wants to see her.”