Chapter 10

Laura POV

I’m living in hell on Earth instead.

My gaze zeros on him. “Do you know how embarrassing it would be to bring out a pathetic, Stronger Luna like you?”

“Just let me go,” I say through gritted teeth.

Alex pouts and twists his head, his evil eyes flashing at me without an ounce of remorse. “Oh, sweetheart, but that’s no fun!”

His fingers dig into the flesh on my cheeks, which makes me wince, but I refuse to make a sound. I don’t want to give him that satisfaction. I want to fight. “You still owe my Beta and my male wolves a show.”

Immediately, my skin runs cold, and goosebumps invade my arms. I clench my throat to stop the bile from rising, but the mention of his pack has my body triggering its fight-or-flight instinct. 

Except I have nowhere to go, and the only choice I have is to play by their despicable, unfair rules.

“You even think about showing me up, and I swear I'll make you wish you were never born.” Alex's eyes are lifeless as always, but today they seem deadlier, and by the tone of his words, I don’t want to play games.

His voice echoes around my head.

I’ll make you wish you were never born. Little does he know, I already do. I know I’m never getting out of here, and now, I’m nothing but a dead soul inside a shell.

“It’s showtime,” he sings in my ear, and I grimace at the heat of his breath on my skin. I study his hand as it raises before he gives my cheek a light tap.

He pulls me up roughly by the strands of my matted hair, making me cry out in agony. He drags me into the hall and down to the room of nightmares. Terror doesn’t even do it justice. This room makes me wish I was dead.

As I enter, I can’t ignore the jeers, misogynistic comments, and wolf whistles that are directed my way. 

The testosterone in this room is lethal, and I wouldn’t wish this on my worst enemy unless it’s Alex, then I’d make him go through this a thousand times over.

My head remains down as I step inside, refusing to make eye contact with any of these hormonal wolves who have seen a female in a long time. “Remember what I said,” Alex demands quietly in my ear. “You don’t want to let me down today, sweetheart.”

Nothing could prepare me for what is about to happen, even though I know the process. I wish I could say it gets easier, but it doesn’t. Every time, I wish someone would put me out of my misery—bludgeon me to death, quick and easy.

Alex throws me down onto the floor in the middle of his wolves. My knees scrape against the uneven concrete. I grit my teeth, but I don’t make a noise. My shoulder hits the ground as silhouettes surround me.

“Get on your knees, bitch.” I hear Alex’s Beta, Damon, as he grips the back of my head and yanks me up onto my knees, which crack against the hard ground.

I look straight ahead and despise the sight. Tears rolled down my cheeks endlessly. All I can do is wonder what I ever did to deserve this.

My body has been attempting to give up for a long time now. There is barely anything left of me. I can’t remember the last time I had a decent meal.

I cannot tell you how happy I am to die.

The door to my chambers opens. I don’t usually expect Alex at this time. Except it isn’t Alex; it’s his little brother, Evan. He’s the only kind soul in this place. His youthful face is like seeing flowers after a rain shower.

“Laura,” he says softly as he approaches me on the floor. A cold hand presses to my cheek, forcing my eyes to look at him, but I’m Stronger than I’ve ever been before. “Laura, look at me.”

My body trembles. “Evan,” I whimper hoarsely. He starts to undo my shackles with a bunch of keys. “W-what are you doing?”

“They are going to kill you, Laura. You need to go now before they get back!”

My head shakes from confusion. Is this real? I must be dreaming. I haven’t had a drop of water in forever. I’m going out of my mind.

“I-I don’t understand,” I murmur, attempting to lick my cracked lips but my tongue is equally as dry.

“Laura,” he shakes me again. “Don’t you dare be stupid right now? Alex rejected you. 

You have a whole life to live. Please just run and never look back. Get as far as possible and go seek help. I should have stood up for you sooner. I need you to go before they come back!”

Evan unbuckles my last shackle, and it hits the floor with a thud. “There is a door down at the end of the hall they never lock for easy access. It takes you out into the forest. 

Turn right and run. Find the road, it’ll take you to the nearest town. You have an hour until they notice.”

I blink at him in disbelief. “W-why are you doing this?”

He’s risking his own life for me.

“Because you don’t deserve this. I’m so sorry for everything that’s happened. I’ve been silent for too long, and now I’m ready for the consequences. Just go!”

I stand on shaky legs and take a breath, even though my ribs ache. I don’t know if I’m going to make it, but I have to try. I haven’t gone through hell and am back to giving up now when I’m given my only chance.

With a few wobbly steps, I rush down the hall and out the back door. I blink rapidly from the brightness and shield my eyes for a moment before turning my head to the right. Then, I run for my life.