3: Caged By The New Master

I watched my world get destroyed by Jane, and there was nothing I could do. It was my word against hers. But when the man who hid his eyes underneath a hat walked in, I realised the truth. 

The man I had called Master Kaine from the start was only his son. Now, the real Master was dead, and everyone believed I had killed him, just so I could escape.

"Sir, I walked in and saw her stab him with a knife. It was so gruesome." Jane mumbled her words like she was truly shaken up by my actions. 

Actions that never even happened. I didn't know what to do. If I dared speak, no one would listen to the breeder who just got here. 

The new master ignored Jane and walked to his father's side. He closed the man's eyes, saying a prayer to the moon goddess for his safe passage to the afterlife. 

Then, he focused his eyes on me. I had the chance to finally see what his body looked like, but fear had me lowering my head. I had experienced his cruelty firsthand to know he wouldn't let me off the hook that easy.

I might even be sentenced to death. His black boots stopped right in front of me. I watched the peak of them from where I glued my eyes to the floor.

"Why did you kill the Lycan King of Eastmoon and the master of this household?"

"I–I didn't kill him." 

"You dare lie?" He stepped on my palm on the floor, causing me to groan in pain.

"Master, please. Jane is the only one lying. I didn't—"

"Take her to the chair and jog her memory of how she killed my father!"

They jostled me to my feet after fitting me in clothes and discarding the towel. Guards of the household dragged me to this chair. It was something I had never heard of, but dread pooled in my stomach at the sound of it. 

The chair was located in a dark torture room, meant to get the truth out of people. I was locked in here for hours, electrocuted, and beaten until I couldn't take it any longer. 

"Wait!" I screamed, pushing at the chains binding my wrist to the arm of the chair. "I killed him! It was me. I did it..."

The torturing stopped, but I had just sold my freedom again to save my life. The guards unchained me and threw me inside a cage, like I was a wild animal. Yes, I would remain the Kain household's breeder, but there was no end to this life of suffering, fat or not.

That half loaf of bread would become my daily meal. Tears rolled down my cheeks at the thought of living inside a cage for the rest of my life. 

The second they dropped me inside the cage, I fainted. My entire body ached, and I bled, but they were unconcerned because they hoped I would heal. Only I knew I wouldn't.

When I regained consciousness, I was still inside the cage. Morning had come, and my fate hadn't changed. But something else was different. I felt no pain. There weren't even scars from last night on my body, but my bloodied clothes were the evidence my doubt needed.

It obviously wasn't me, but the man who had helped me in the bathroom had done it again. I wondered why. I was accused of murdering their king. 

Suddenly, a bucket of chilled water was dunked on me. I shrieked, gasping at the sight of Jane and that sinister smile plastered on her face. 

"Good morning, Cara. How was your first night as a prisoner?"

"I will kill you with my own hands!" I screamed, gunning for the rails and fisting them fiercely in my hands.

"You can't because you will be caged in here forever." She stands so close to the rails of the cage, daring me to do something. "Master Kaine doesn't care about what you look like anymore. He wants to discard you as fast as possible." 

I gulped. "What do you mean?" 

She didn't answer. A guard turned the lock of the cage and brought me out. Apparently, that bucket water was the only shower I was allowed. Jane tore my clothes and fit me into a silk robe.

The leash on my neck was the last piece to my morning attire. I couldn't believe it, but despite my protests, the guard tugged me forward like I was some pet dog.

They brought me to a room with a big black door. His voice gave us access inside as soon as he felt our presence. Jane opened the door, only to find the Master standing right behind it.

"Leave her here!"

Jane grew red all over. She didn't expect his sudden dismal, but she turned and left with the guard.

I walked forward on my own, watching him closely. He still hadn't lost the hat, and I was met with his back once inside.

"Sit down, Cara."

I did as he ordered because within these walls and with his father now dead, he was the law. 

"What do you want from me, Master? This body isn't to your taste yet." 

"Word has spread. I need to get rid of you as we speak, but first, you must carry my pups as planned." 

Scared, I shouted. "I will never have anything to do with you!" 

He faced me with a smirk, swiftly undoing his belt.