~The Prisoner~

ODETTE

Stabbing pain coursed through my heart, body, and soul as consciousness returned to me. I had been in the darkness for so long that I had forgotten what the light looked like.

Squinting my eyes, I sat up on what seemed to be a soft, comfy bed, my toes curling as I arched my back, letting out a blaring yawn.

As my vision cleared, I found myself in a lavish room that oozed wealth and luxury. A white, plain dress covered my nakedness. It was so plain and pretty that it reminded me of someone, but... who? I couldn't remember.

And without an obvious reason, I wished I was dead. There was so much guilt and pain in my broken heart. I didn't know where it came from.

“You’re awake." A dark voice from an even darker corner startled me, snapping me out of my agonizing thoughts.

The owner of the voice approached me, revealing himself as he emerged from the darkness. I gasped in awe, utterly breathless. He was the most divine wolf I had ever set my eyes on.

His lengthy, smokey silver hair was tied in a knot bun held by a silver hairpin. His electric eyes were like flaming orbs of blue fire; I couldn’t look away.

His chiseled abs were on display beneath his snug white tank top, his black sweatpants hiding a massive load from sight. The Alpha’s biceps and triceps were phenomenal; I didn’t even want to get started on his broad shoulders.

Anyone could assume that he was of higher rank from the domineering aura he emitted.

Danger had never displayed a clearer warning to me.

"You’ve been asleep for three days. I’ve been waiting for you."

I gulped as I retreated, stopping only when my body hit the bed’s headrest. I couldn't run because my legs were not strong enough, and even if I could, I doubted I would make it far.

"Who-who are you?" I asked meekly as I held onto the blankets, afraid of what would happen next.

The Alpha seemed taken aback by my innocent question. He looked like he had trouble believing that there was someone in the territories who couldn’t recognize him. “You really don't know who I am, little pup?” he asked, sliding into the edge of the bed like a snake, his eyes wandering around my body, especially focused on my enchanting lilac eyes.

“No,” I replied, gently shaking my head.

He suddenly shot out his claws, frightening the fuck out of me as his eyes remained on me. Under the sheets and away from his sight, I tried to release my claws as well—for protection—but realized that I couldn’t. It didn’t matter how much I tried. I just couldn’t do it.

Something was wrong. Something was terribly wrong.

Mounting on the bed, he got closer to me, enough to either slash my neck or fiercely kiss it. Neither gave me a sense of relief.

I sunk into the bed, hoping he wouldn’t get any closer. “Identify yourself,” he demanded, his eyes on my lips.

It was almost like he was trying to restrain himself, but that didn’t make any sense.

I blinked cluelessly, like I couldn’t understand what he was saying. He tilted his head, viewing me from another angle as my heart raced, his scent and aura overriding my senses. Why did he keep coming closer? What did he want from me?

And why was I melting so quickly for him?

“M-myself?” I asked, staring into his beautiful eyes and getting lost in its universe. “Who am I?” That question was for the world because... I couldn’t remember who the hell I was.

The Alpha raised his brow, growing more curious. “Is there nothing you remember?” He appeared to be wary, like he wasn’t completely believing anything I was saying. “Not even your name?”

“My name?” I asked, unable to give an answer.

His eyes darkened as he stared deeper into my soul. "Do you know why you're still alive and breathing, despite your actions?" Did I do something? The last thing I wanted was to get on his bad side. "Trespassing an Alpha’s territory is a crime punishable by death."

It hit me so hard—now more than ever—that I was looking death in the eye. I tried to slip away but was stopped by the Alpha, who grabbed me by the neck and kept me still, giving into the temptation that he must have been dangerously fighting. "I-I don’t remember anything. Please don’t kill me,” I begged in a squeal, and an embarrassing one at that.

"If you remain useful, I won’t have reason to."

He retracted his claws, only holding me tight enough to keep me still, but I wasn't taking any chances. He might not intend to kill me—at least not yet—but I wouldn't let my guard down. Not like it could help.

The Alpha must have had a reason to keep me alive. I had to find out what it was if I wanted to survive in a world I didn't recognize.

A knock sounded on the door as a servant made an announcement from the other side. "The Gamma has arrived from his assignment, Alpha. He requests your presence in the Regal Hall."

Just as I had suspected, he was an Alpha and a well-known one too. Only Alphas from the top ten packs owned Regal Halls, and the fact that such a powerful Alpha was in such close range with me scared me.

The servant left as soon as the message was delivered. I panted, waiting for the moment he would unloose me, praying that he wouldn’t end my life right here and right now.

The silence grew heavy as we stared at each other for longing seconds, the passion intensifying as lust grew in his eyes. After what felt like a millennium, he took a deep breath and closed his eyes, gritting his teeth as he fought himself.

“I’ll be back for you, little pup,” he threatened, freeing me from his gasp as he bolted out of the room, its lock clicking in place as soon as the door closed.

I sprung up, catching my breath as I trailed my hands through my strawberry blonde hair, glaring at the door as though I were glaring at him.

“That bastard.”

Liev had been right to be doubtful. Only pups born yesterday wouldn’t know who he was. The Alpha that had confined me in this room was none other than Liev.

Liev Rhodes.

The dress I had on reminded me of Alma because only she would wear such clothes. I wished I was dead because I had led my family and pack to their destruction.

I knew my name, I knew my identity, and pretending to be a submissive she-wolf was so exhausting, but knowing things and acting up could get me killed.

I couldn’t trust anyone, not even myself.

And that was the truth; my cursed memories had never left me. They flooded back into my mind the moment I woke up. I wished I was the girl I was pretending to be because I wanted to forget everything.

I didn’t believe I was worth saving, but now that I was here, I had to do the only thing I could. Revenge. Except there was a big problem. It turns out that Alma's life wasn't the only one sacrificed. My wolf, Echo, who had been by my side for over six years, was also gone and because of that, I couldn't use my werewolf abilities.

I was no different from a human, but even if it cost me my life, I would get my revenge and right now, I had to escape.

I would not be a prisoner. I was getting the fuck out of here.

But there was still one thing I couldn’t understand. Why was the great Alpha of the Night Fury pack keeping me here?