05 - The Summoning

Later that evening, Baka walked slowly down the streets of Khandom City back to her prison. Her breathing was shallow and each step took great effort.

Their curfew was at 8pm. She was mere minutes away from breaking it.

The burial had ended an hour ago and she had had to prepare her mistress for bed.

She couldn't remember if she had had anything to eat. Probably not.

Food was rarely a luxury and sometimes she had to eat their leftovers. For now, here she was, walking back to her over populated room, her stomach rumbling, and her feet sore. Only to repeat the cycle all over again tomorrow.

Her people had no future here. They were slaves, used for sexual pleasure and heavy duty work. Some of them were punching bags.

Her thoughts wandered to poor fifteen year old Bessia who had winced the entire time Baka had carefully applied the herbs as her mother had taught her to when she returned from Healer Freya’s shop.

But it was like putting a bandage over a cracked wall. It solved nothing. Bessia would be whipped again. One of them would probably die tomorrow or the day after or next week. Their lives had no value. They lived to serve bloodthirsty monsters.

She tightened her hands into fists. She had been part of the revolution when werewolves came for their land, killing any one who stood in their way.

She could still remember her capture. Ambushed and betrayed by their very own. Her father had fought for their future. Now he was dead, along with any hope for their future.

Her capture had taught her that even her own people couldn’t be trusted. They could turn on you for a seat at the table or a single loaf of bread.

As Baka came up on her street, she noticed Thorin standing at the entrance. Panic seared through her as she quickened her pace.

“Thorin?”

Thorin gave her an apprehensive look. Whatever news he had for her, it wasn’t good.

“I didn’t leave for the woods again if that’s what you’re here for.”

“It’s not.”

“Am I in trouble?”

When he didn’t answer, she asked, “What’s going on, Thorin?”

“You’ve been summoned.”

She froze. “By who?”

“The Alpha King.”

***

As Baka made her way into Khandom City yet again with Thorin at her back, her thoughts were spiralling.

What could the Alpha king possibly want with her? It couldn’t be anything good.

Perhaps he was annoyed by her relentless coughing spree and wanted to issue a warning. Or have her decapitated.

She doubted he wasted his time on poor humans like her who made a scene and needed punishment. He had people for that.

Thorin, for instance. As a Beta, he was the Alpha king’s warrior. Maybe he had an idea why she was being summoned.

She stopped walking and waited for Thorin to catch up to her.

“Why have you stopped? Keep walking.”

She did as she was told but very slowly. He was not supposed to be seen associating with her and she understood why he remained at the back.

However, her curiosity was far greater than her fear of breaking etiquette.

“Do you have any idea why I’m being summoned?”

“No.”

“Would you tell me if you did?”

“No.”

Baka wasn’t deterred. “How about I tell you my guesses and you blink twice if I’m correct?”

He didn’t answer and she took that as a yes.

“Does it have something to do with earlier today when I wanted to go into the woods?” She stared up at him. He didn’t blink. “No? Okay. What about a—”

“I don’t know why you’ve been summoned. Now please be quiet.”

She hadn’t realised that they had reached Trinity pack’s territory. The Alpha king's home. She swallowed while taking in the splendour. It was beautiful. That was the only way to describe it.

She had never been on this side of Khandom City. Her duties had her restricted to the lower and middle class areas of the city.

Kotu, the Alpha king's home, was massive with beautiful storey buildings. Each house was painted white and red. The area was rich with greenery and smelt of earth as street lights illuminated the night with a soft glow.

She could see men gathered around the compound in small pockets, drinking and playing board games. Some wore guard attires, others wore plain clothes.

The vibe was immaculate. They were actually having fun. Baka could not believe what she was seeing. Kotu was very different from the other pack territories. She couldn’t remember the last time she heard real laughter in her own mistress’s home.

Baka spotted a blonde human slave girl serving the men drinks. She had somehow fashioned her washed-out brown slave attire into a low-cut dress that showed off her cleavage.

The second man she served smacked her butt and she giggled, encouraging his attention. She leaned into him seductively and he buried his head in her cleavage.

Disgusted, Baka looked away.

“This way,” Thorin guided, leading her up a lever of stairs. She swallowed as she followed after him.

Before them stood a grand entrance with guards.

“Stay here,” he ordered as he walked up to them and whispered incoherently. They looked right at her and Baka darted her eyes away quickly.

She took in her surroundings for a while. When she looked back up, there was only one Beta standing stiffly, Thorin waiting by his side.

Neither of them looked at her.

It was several minutes before the other Beta came back. He whispered something to Thorin and he nodded.

Looking straight at her, he beckoned. “Follow me.”

Her light footsteps echoed in the hallway as she walked behind Thorin.

He led her into a grand throne room, the dominant colour being white and red. She noticed a tall figure standing outside the balcony, wearing a white apparel, his back to her.

Thorin stopped just before the balcony. “My Lord, I have brought the girl.”

The Alpha king nodded. “Leave us.”

Chills ran down Baka’s spine. She recognized that voice. From Healer Freya’s shop.

Thorin bowed low and left them.

Silence filled the room.