19. Death for Black Heart

The guard bowed at the alpha king while I stood, waiting for him to fully enter the dungeon.

Hope flourished in my heart. Did he have a change of heart? Did he finally take pity on me? Or did he miss me? The latter would be impossible, so it must be the former.

"Your Highness," I declared.

His eyes darted around.

"Your Highness," I said again when he did not acknowledge my presence. "It is a pleasure to see you here."

"Are you really?" he asked.

His steps echoed along the four walls of the dungeon.

As if they had awakened from their slumber, I felt a sudden movement among the prisoners. The iron bars shook and made a screeching sound.

"Black Heart!"

I gasped. They did not even hesitate to call the alpha king by that name.

Lips curling, the alpha king said, "Black Heart? If I did not visit this place, I wouldn't know I have another moniker."

The iron bars vibrated and the captives started cursing the alpha king for imprisoning them inside the dungeon.

The other guards were all ov