Chapter One – The Ordeal

Cerelia’s POV 

I could hear the search operation going on in full swing as I crouched inside the cavern near Lake Lucien. Although I had masked my scent effectively, the Lucerians refused to give up. It was the most frustrating situation ever. Hidden deep within the cavern, I could hardly manipulate their minds. I had to see them to manipulate them. As such, there was no other way than to remain hidden until they gave up. 

Hunger pangs hit me hard as I waited in vain. I needed to hunt to survive the ordeal. But it was an impossible task with the red wolves still lurking near the borders. 

Even after several hours of waiting, when the search operation didn’t cease, darkness teased the edge of my vision. I tried my best to keep awake. Obviously, I couldn’t afford to lose my consciousness and get captured. Yet, I had no control over myself. The exhaustion, stress, and absence of food in my system for the last few days took a toll on my body. I drifted between the transitional states of sleep, unconsciousness, and wakefulness, and lost track of time. I had to go out and hunt. 

Gathering all my strength, I crawled out of the cavern to peer out. With the midnight sun still in the same position as earlier, it was difficult to predict the time of the day. Why was everything so eerily quiet around the lake? Was it a trap? Were they spying on me? 

I had no strength to investigate. An Arctic hare leaped across the scanty vegetation on the banks of the lake, drawing my attention to it. I pounced on it, but it escaped. Chasing my prey, I forgot my predicament and rejoiced in my kill. I would enjoy my meal in the sanctity of my secret cavern. But a movement ahead captured my attention, and I scanned the area. Strangely, there was no one around. Was it an illusion? Or did I really see a Lucerian spying on me? 

I raced back to my cavern with my prey, my heart constricting with fear. What if they found me? Would they hand me over to the red wolves? I couldn’t enjoy my meal as I waited for the worst. When nothing happened, I breathed a sigh of relief. Maybe I was indeed hallucinating because of my tiredness. I was safe here. 

However, my relief was short-lived as a commotion outside the cave alerted me. “Come out, spy. We know you’re in there,” yelled a heavy male voice. 

I trembled with fear as they started breaking into my hiding place. I couldn’t see them to manipulate their minds.

“Dan, Andre, let’s break the cavern and capture her.” I looked around desperately for a way to escape, but there were none. I was trapped this time with no strength left in my body.

I needed to tap into the sunlight to summon my weapons, my blades to attack my opponents. But being trapped in this underground cavern for almost twenty-four hours had weakened my energy reserves! 

In a split second, the entrance area of the cavern collapsed and a team of fifty fierce warriors invaded my hiding place. I didn’t stand a chance against them. 

“Shift, right now!” growled their leader. He threw some shabby clothes in my direction and waited. I complied, quickly wearing the clothes he gave me. Now I felt even more vulnerable than before.

“Surrender, spy!” yelled their leader. Was he Alpha Zephyrus? 

“I’m not a spy. Take me to your Alpha.” I tried to put up a brave front, but twenty of them grabbed me, tying me up in chains. They ignored my plea and dragged me to their vehicle. 

“Take her to the prison complex, Dan. Ensure she doesn’t escape. Alpha Zephyrus will decide her punishment,” barked their leader. 

“Yes, Delta.” They chained me to the car. 

“Please let me go. I’m harmless. I’ll leave your territory,” I pleaded, but it fell on deaf ears. Even the Delta turned away, paying no heed to my protests. Tears blinded me, but I refused to show my weakness. I wasn’t weak. I was a brave and capable silver wolf with a mission to accomplish. Therefore, I couldn’t sit back and let them kill me. 

Turning towards my captor, I found him staring at me. His lust-filled gaze made me nauseous. “Aren’t you a feisty little thing? I’m Dan and I’m in charge of the prison complex. So, who do you work for? Admit to your crime, female, and I’ll release you.” 

I tried to manipulate his mind and convince him.

“I’m not a spy. I was escaping a suitor my family wanted me to choose as my mate. But I don’t want him. Please, I’ll reward you if you let me go.” He steered the car towards the prison complex as he considered my offer. 

“I don’t want a reward. Will you give me what I want? I promise to leave you if you do.” My innocent mind could hardly understand what he wanted. I tried hard to read his mind, but he had blocked me. With my weakened reserves, I couldn’t do much now. All my special abilities were sinking. His promise seemed to be the only silver lining in my bleak situation. 

“Yes, please. When will you release me?” He stopped the car in the prison complex and shoved me ahead of him. I stared at all the cells with wide eyes. Why were there all male inmates all around me? Yet I kept silent for fear of annoying him. They leered at me, making me want to disappear from this horrible place. Was it a male prison complex? How could he bring me here?

He led me to a dark cell and shoved me inside. “Why am I here? Don’t you have a female prison complex?” I couldn’t stop myself anymore as a sense of dread spread all over me. I gave him a suspicious look, now dreading his motive. What did he plan to do with me? 

“This is where you’ll stay, bit*h, right under my nose,” he snarled, switching on the lights of the cell. Thankfully, he untied me, easing off the heavy chains out of my body.

I soaked up the energy from the lights. In the absence of sunlight, these two light bulbs were my only source of energy for now. The man locked me up and left while I tried hard to gather my strength. I would need it soon. 

After five minutes, the door opened and a male staff pushed in a tray of food and some water. “Dan wants you to gain some strength, girl.” I didn’t reply, accepting whatever nourishment I could get. The food wasn’t enough, but I wasn’t complaining. It made me feel alive again. There was a small washroom attached to the cell, and I relieved myself, splashing some water on my face and neck. 

Footsteps echoed outside, and I panicked. Was Dan returning to torture me? I hadn’t mistaken the lust in his eyes. Would he force himself on me? No, I wouldn’t let him. I would summon my blades and injure him. Now that I had regained some strength, I could fend for myself. 

The door unlocked, and I froze at the sight of three more male prison guards accompanying Dan. They stared at me with lust-filled eyes and I geared up to face them. 

“Well, well! Aren’t you the bi*ch we need?” chuckled one of them. 

“Dan, where did you find her? I hope Alpha Zephyrus won’t mind us having some fun with her?” asked another. 

“Not at all. She’s the spy, and Alpha Zephyrus will execute her.” 

I stood up in an attacking stance, ready to fight these evil males. My respect for Alpha Zephyrus and his pack crumbled to dust. They were just like those evil red wolves, maybe worse. At least Alpha Achlys wanted to make me his Luna, but these Lucerians were worse than him. 

“Stay away from me or you’ll be sorry you were born!” I yelled, but they laughed at my futile efforts. 

“Aw, come on, bit*h! Why do you want to fight us?” chuckled Dan. “I’ll release you if you please us.” 

I closed my eyes for a fraction of a second to control their minds one by one.

‘The female has a contagious disease! Don’t touch her or you’ll lose your life.’ 

“I think I’ll guard the front door in case someone arrives to catch us. Beta Stavros is on his prowl. Update me when you’re done,” said one whom I could successfully manipulate. 

He left, but the other three pounced upon me before I could target their minds. They tore my clothes while I thrashed against their hold. I mentally conjured up my psychic powers and summoned my blade. My father had trained me since the day I had turned seven and it has never failed me so far. 

The blade appeared in my hands, and I slashed at my attackers. “Shit b*tch! Where did that come from?” yelled another, bleeding profusely as he stepped back to howl in pain. 

“Grab her hands and tie them up,” yelled Dan, but I slashed at his arm, and he jumped back in pain. 

The third one took out his sword and attacked me, slashing at my limbs and face. The others too joined him, but I fought tooth and nail. 

Blood spattered on the floor of the cell from our wounds, but I didn’t give in. “Snatch her weapon.” They snatched my blade away and hobbled out of my cell. 

“Don’t think this is the end. We’ll be back to rip you apart.” 

I glared at him with hatred and distrust in my eyes. How could I trust such an evil pack? Why did I ever seek shelter here? But repentance wouldn’t get me anywhere. I needed a way to escape. I closed my eyes and tried to recapitulate everything my father had taught me. 

‘You can summon as many blades as you can, Cera. But with every weapon, you’ll lose your energy level.’ 

‘When all tactics fail, curl up into a ball and transform all your energy into electrical impulses. Spread it all over yourself. Anyone touching you will get electrocuted. But this will tap into your health and you might die from fatigue and dehydration.’ 

I sighed, knowing what I would do. It was better to die than allow the criminals to abuse me in the worst possible way!