Chapter 5

I have absolutely no concept of time in this damn cell. It could be midday or late afternoon for all I know, and the tiny window close to the ceiling isn't helping to provide enough light to help me decipher what time of the day it is.

I've probably been here almost 18 hours, almost a full day. Just great. My mind travels back to the day before and how I even got myself into this mess.

I had just left my previous settlement, being on the move for a few days around this new region. Usually, I had studied the maps of different packs, territories and areas around me so I knew where almost everything was. "No man's land" is typically where I would find myself. These are areas not owned by any packs but instead were heavily populated by humans. I could live amongst them, hiding as one of them and usually I would be successful.

I would live in small spaces, one-bedroomed houses, homeless shelters, did whatever work, how dangerous, and even stole money just to get around, just to keep myself moving. And once I caught a little bit of heat from the Werewolves that would show up in that area, I was on to the next.

I have been on the move for as long as I can remember. Everything I own being portable in only two duffel bags and a backpack, which I had unfortunately left behind at my last settlement right before I ventured into the woods to scout the area, and ultimately, stumbling onto enemy territory.

Seated on the ground with my back pressed against the wall, I sigh to myself, my elbows resting against my knees as I carefully stare at my hands. They sting like a bitch, my skin still singed from the silver burns as painful blisters now form on the callouses of my hands. I try my best to ignore the pain, I've been through much worse after all, and instead, try to focus my attention on something else. I slowly take out the necklace hanging loosely around my throat and stare at it, looking at the crescent moon symbol on it, my thumb lightly tracing the gold.

I didn't have anything valuable, the only thing being this very same necklace, one I hadn't taken off since it was gifted to me by my parents, my sister having the exact same one. It's the only physical thing I have that reminds me of them, that helps me keep their memory alive.

Suddenly, thoughts of my family are cut short and the sound of the metal doors opening immediately grabs my attention. I shoot to my feet, on high alert as I focus on whoever is entering the room with me.

My eyes land on 3 men, each of them bulky and tall, their biceps probably being the same size as my head. They each make their way towards me, making me stare at them carefully. Just as I inhale, I soon pick up their scents and I'm immediately able to recognise them. They're the same wolves I fought last night, right before I was captured.

"So you're all alive. What, come back for round two?" I say scoffing lightly as they stand across the bars, staring back at me curiously.

"Alpha warned us you've got a smart mouth." One of them says, staring at me with irritation and a scowl on his face. He appeared to be from an indigenous people, his complexion like copper, his hair long, tied into a low bun and his eyes a deep brown.

"Had enough time to think...?" Another asks, a blonde-haired guy with green eyes and freckles layered on his nose and cheeks, standing in the middle of the two guys.

"You think starving me for what, 8 hours is going to make me talk...?" I raise my eyebrows at him just as an amused smirk creeps up on my lips.

"Look man, just let me go... I have no business with the Raven Moon Pack..." I shake my head, hoping I can convince them to let me out of here. But I know it's futile. At least I could just waste their time, since I have nothing better to do.

"Our Alphas doesn't seem too keen on letting you go..." The third one finally says, a darker skinned man with a serious face, a bald shiny head an angular facial structure, his eyes a shade of hazel that seems to glimmer with specks of gold.

"In fact, he wants to speak to you." The blonde-haired guy speaks up yet again, and I sigh heavily and cross my arms despite still feeling my hands sting from my burns, trying my best to show them that I'm not in any pain.

"Okay, tell him I'll be done here waiting," I say to them, and they all remain silent as they watch me, and it seems they all know something I don't...

Suddenly, they begin the cell doors, one of them taking out a key and putting it into the keyhole of the cell, forcing it to slide open automatically without them needing to touch it. They then step into the cell with me, all three of them, their eyes locked on me. 

My eyes dart between each of them, trying to predict when the first one will strike, that is, if they're going to attack me. They know I'm weak right now, but that doesn't mean I won't put in everything I've got...

"Just come with us willingly and we will make this easy..." The man with copper skin speaks up, and in his eyes, it seems like he genuinely doesn't want to hurt me. But it could all be an act for all I know, therefore, I'm not taking any chance.

"I'm not going anywhere with you..." I seethe, to the same one that spoke, prepared to defend myself if they try to put their hands on me. They then share a glance with each other before they all turn back to me, acting in a split second.

The three of them reach for me, their hands rough as they begin to drag me and pull me up and towards the cell doors. I twist in their grip, my body fighting instinctively, every nerve set on defiance. But it's difficult. I can barely stand, but I plant my feet, throwing my weight back, hoping they’ll stumble. They don’t. Their hands tighten, unyielding, and I’m dragged forward, my heels scraping against the stone floor as eventually they are able to pry me out of the cell.

“Let go!” I shout, my voice hoarse but furious. My nails extend into claws despite my injured hands, and soon dig them into whoever is holding onto my arms. He flinches and grunts in response, but still, they don't let go.

“Stop fighting damn it...” the bald one murmurs as he holds onto my feet, now grabbing hold of my legs and lifting me off the ground, the three of them now carrying me out of the room as I try to shake and kick out of their hold. But my strength is slipping, the ache in my muscles building with each step. I know I’m outmatched and I hate that I can't fight them... Eventually, I give up just as their grip lossen on me and soon we are out of their cells and now making our way through the Raven Moon Packhouse...