Chapter Three

SELENE. 

I was hauling grain*m to the pack storehouse when i initially heard the commotion.

I barely reacted.

My head was blank, my feelings numb. I’d  been operating on autopilot for the past week, forcing myself to go through the motions just to live. It was the only way of keeping the overwhelming despair at bay, from claiming my entirely.

I stooped to pick up another sack when I heard the silence.

People were parting ways. Making a path.  

Then, "Miss Selene?"

The way  it was said made me pause. I turned and saw two guards in front of me, looming over me.

Their faces were full of scorn. Sneers curled their lips, their eyes glinting with barely concealed disdain. They looked at me like I was lesser than the dirt beneath their boots. 

One of them, a burly man with a deep scar across his jaw, crossed his arms. “You’re to come with us.”

I barely had time to process the words before they grabbed me. Rough hands clamped around my arms, yanking me forward.

I cried out, stumbling as they dragged me from the storehouse. For a moment, I tensed, prepared to struggle, but then, what was the use? 

Struggling would not change anything. It never had.  

The numbness claimed me again, and I loosened my body as they pulled me along.

People stopped what they were doing to watch. They pointed. Whispered. Snickered. 

“What did she do this time?"

"Probably trying to steal a mate."

"No, no, the Alpha must have finally had enough of her."

I knew. If the guards were going to take me to Alpha Kieran or the dungeons, there was a shorter route.

However, they had decided to parade me through the pack anyway, using a longer route simply to humiliate me.

I realised i didn't care.

Let them watch. Let them spew poison. Let them judge.

The guards escorted me along a narrow, poorly lit route until we arrived at the pack dungeons.

It was cold, dreary, cut into the earth, its mouth rimmed with iron bars that were rusted. The smell of damp stone, decay, and old blood hung heavy in the air. 

A torch flickered weakly in the corner, casting long, foreboding shadows on the stone walls. 

The guards pushed me into an empty cell. I staggered, catching myself just as the bars slammed shut behind me.

"Get used to your new home," taunted one of them.

The second guard spat on my feet as they turned and walked away, their laughter echoing down the hall.

I stood still then glanced around at the small, filthy cell. The walls were damp, with cracks spreading across the stones like veins. The only source of light was a single slit of a window high above, letting in barely enough to see. The air was stale and suffocating.

I should be panicking. I should be wondering whether this was the end.

And I did question. Would they put me to death? Would they kill me as they had killed my father?

The idea should have filled me with fear. Instead, I discovered that I was not afraid.

If anything, I would embrace death. At least then, it would not be at my own hands.

I sat with my back against the cold stone wall, my arms around my knees.

Then I heard the voices. 

The guards had gathered by the entrance, speaking in low voices.  

I shut my eyes, listening.

"Alpha Kieran has been on edge,"one of them whispered. "More than usual."

“Yeah," another sighed. "Snaps at everyone. Looks like he hasn't slept in days."

A third voice spoke. "Maybe it has something to do with the girl."

My interest prickled. Me?

Someone mocked. "Don't be ridiculous."

"No, listen,"the second voice persisted. "Didn't you hear what the pack seer said?"

A pause.  

"The seer?"

"Yeah. After the rejection, she came to the square. Warned him."

"Warned?"

"I heard it was a curse."

Silence.  

Then someone laughed uneasily."You're all idiots."

A burst of rowdy laughter followed.

"I need a drink."

"Same. Let's get out of here."

I heard their footsteps fade into the distance. 

My mind churned. The pack seer? Curses? Warnings?

What did it mean?  

I shook my head. It didn't matter.

The numbness returned, engulfing my thoughts.

I rested my back against the wall, pulling my knees into my chest, and let sleep overtake me.

—

I had no idea how long I’d slept.

But when I woke up, I was not alone. There was a l presence in the cell.

I opened my eyes slowly and saw him.

Alpha Kieran was standing in front of my cell, his posture stiff and strained. His eyes burned with anger. 

For the first time since my arrest, fear crept in. 

A chair was brought. He sat, elbows on knees, eyes locked on me like a wolf ready to rip out a throat. 

His voice was a growl. "What did you do to me?" 

I blinked, still stunned. "…What?"

Kieran's jaw clenched. "Are you a sorceress?"

My breath hitched. "What? No! I—"

His eyes burned with menace. "Don't lie to me!" He slammed his fist against the bars, and I flinched.

"I have not been myself since that night," he growled. "And I know you are behind it."

Selene stammered.”I—I don't know what you mean! I didn't do anything!"

Kieran's lips curled.  

"Lies."

Then he snapped his fingers.

My stomach dropped. The guards stepped forward, their hands grasping whips.  

My heart pounded. "No,"I whispered, horror crawling up my spine.  

Kieran leaned back in his chair, watching me with cold entertainment. "Let's see if pain loosens your tongue."

The first lash struck.

Pain erupted across my back and I screamed.