Chapter 9: Summoned by the President

Ariana's POV

Pearl City, Ariana's Home, 8 p.m.

I had locked up and was in bed. I was not sure when I fell asleep. I had been in bed, soaking away in tears. I heard a loud banging on my door. It was followed by a male voice.

"Ariana, I know you are in there," I heard the familiar voice say, and another round of banging hit my door.

"I am coming," I shouted from my bedroom as I grabbed a morning coat, my eyebrow creasing into a frown.

I exited my bedroom into my small living room. I turned on the light and unlocked the door. Standing behind the door was my landlord and a man.

"I believe you read the notice on your door and all the other notices," the landlord said to me.

"I did. I had a little problem. I will pay up. I need some time," I pleaded, changing the expression on my face.

"I have given you all the time. I want you out of this apartment by morning. I am not running a charity business," the landlord said to me angrily.

"Please, give me till the end of this week. I will get the money," I begged, knowing I had nowhere to go if I should leave now.

"No.  I am done giving you time," the landlord said to me angrily. "I was going to throw you out tonight," he said. "This is the new tenant of the apartment. He had already paid for it. I brought him so you will know I am serious about my eviction. This afternoon, when you were away, I brought him to have a look at the apartment," he added, pointing to the man standing by his side.

"I am just showing you mercy because I heard about your rough day," he said. "You have up to tomorrow morning to leave," he repeated and turned to walk away with the man he had come with.

I lowered my head. In addition to my troubles, I have to look for a place to stay in less than 12 hours. I didn't know what to do or whom to call. Melody was not answering my call, and Jeremy hates me. 

Maybe I should send them both a message that I need help. I thought as I raised my head to stare at the back of my landlord as he walked away. I saw someone approaching, and I frowned. The person was walking towards my apartment.

What is it again this time? I thought staying at the man was approaching my apartment from a distance.

"Alpha Roland," I heard the landlord say and quickly bowed to him.

I shut my door quickly and pressed my back against the closed door, wondering what the leader of the city was doing at my front door at this hour.

"This is the home of Ariana Brown," I heard Alpha Roland say, ignoring the landlord's greetings.

"Thank you," I heard the voice of a man say. 

"Ariana Brown, come out now," I heard Alpha Roland's commanding voice.

I opened the door and stepped out, trembling. I bowed, standing in front of my door. I wondered what they wanted with me at this time of the night.

"Ariana Brown, by order of Alpha Damien of the Westhills pack, the president of this country, you are to come with me, this minute, to the Royal City," the man standing next to Alpha Roland said to me, and my heart skipped multiple beats.

I raised my head to look at them, surprised. Why will Alpha Damien summon me? I thought.

I began to tremble like a leaf. The name Alpha Damien strikes fear, but to humans, it may be a journey of no return if he summons you. We know he hated humans. 

I slowly stood up straight. My fears were so evident on my face. I hugged my hands to stop them from shaking in the presence of these strangers in my compound. I saw the back of the landlord and the man he had come with walking hurriedly away from the apartment. I was now alone with Alpha Roland and the other gentleman whom I recognised as Alpha Damien's right-hand man. He is the one we see on TV all the time delivering one message or another from Alpha Damien. I know he is called Michael.

"Are you cold?" I heard Michael ask as he stared at me expressionless, but his voice was unwelcoming.

"No," I replied, almost stammering. I swallowed hard and asked my next question. "Please, what is my offence?" I asked, my voice trembling.

Everyone has heard about Alpha Damien, even though no one has seen his face before, because he never makes a public appearance without wearing a mask. He was ruthless, and the only reason he would summon you was when you had offended him. Of which the punishment could be death. Well, at least I know humans who were summoned by him never returned.

"You will know once you have reached the city," Michael replied coldly, and my heart skipped multiple beats in my chest.

I was so scared, I started feeling drowsy. I quickly held the door frame for support to prevent myself from falling.

"Let's go," I heard Michael say before I could recover from what was happening to me due to fear.

I tried to go back inside after hearing what Michael said, but I was quickly grabbed by two men like I was a criminal. I was not sure when they had come to the scene.

"I didn't do anything," I cried as I tried to free myself from their grip unsuccessfully. "If it's about my rent. I promise to pay everything by sunrise," I said, not sure of what my offence was, so I was just saying anything that would make someone report me. "Please, Alpha Roland, help me," I appealed to Alpha Roland, but he ignored me.

I was dragged to a huge black jeep. The back door was opened, and one of the men went to the back of the car and returned with a rope. My hands were quickly tied, and I was thrown into the back seat of the car. My legs were not tied up, so I was able to balance myself and prevent myself from falling with the way they pushed me into the car. Michael got into the back seat. 

"Please, please, let me go. Don't take me to Alpha Damien. I will leave this city," I begged him, and he opened a small compartment between the two front seats and next he taped my mouth shut.

I sat there with my hands tied and tears streaming down my face. I knew I was being taken to the slaughterhouse. I looked out the tainted window, knowing this was going to be my last view of Pearl City and also the world.