Chapter 004

*FREYA*

After receiving orders from the man he called Alpha, a guard unclamps the metal cuffs from my wrist and I hiss in pain, rubbing the raw skin on my wrists gently. Too much pressure and it might peel.

“Move,” the guard grunts, yanking me forward.

He drags me through the dimly lit hallway, His hand gripping my arm too tightly and his pinky deliberately brushing the swell of my breast.

I grit my teeth and try to scoot away from him.

A low growl vibrates from his throat in warning.

I still, my heart pounding and he smirks in satisfaction before dragging me along.

My bare feet slap against the cold floor as we approach massive doors engraved with snarling wolves.

The doors creak open and the guard shove me forward.

I stumble, catching myself just before I hit the polished floor.

A gasp slip past my lips before I can hold it.

The room glows gold from a crystal chandelier that sparkles above. Murals of wolves under the moon stretch across the walls, each one painted with such mastery that they almost seem alive.

My gaze fall on the people in the room and dozen of eyes fix on me.

They stand, frozen staring —some glaring at me.

My cheeks burn and I tug the torn sleeve of my dress higher, aware of how filthy I look. My hair is tangled, my lips chapped, my dress hanging loosely from my shoulders like a discarded rag.

Their lips peel back in a snarl and I take a cautious step back.

“She is—” a girl around my age gasps, eyes wide.

“Human,” the guard answers flatly, his tone laced with disgust.

Gasps ripple across the room. Then the whispers begin.

“A human.”

“Pathetic,” says another.

“She looks pale, does she have a virus?”

“Do you think she'll drop dead before the night is over?”

“Silence!” the guard barks and the room instantly fall silent.

“She's the Alpha's slave,” he announces. “And she'll join the omegas.”

The girls grunt in annoyance, hatred flashing in their eyes.

One of them snarls at me as we locked eyes and I lower my gaze.

The guard throw me a look,licking his lips before leaving.

As I watch him leave, my stomach churn, bile rising in my throat.

I stand in the middle of the room, fiddling with my fingers as silence stretches long after the guards left.

Someone scoffs and I know better not to raise my head.

“You stink,” a sultry voice says. “Do humans not know the personal hygiene?”

Laughter rings out and my stomach twists violently.

Another shove me harshly, her elbow connecting with my ribs and I suck in a sharp breath, pain blooming at my side.

“Are you dumb? You should answer when you are spoken to!”

I bite my lips till I taste blood, feeling anger surge through me .

Then my stomach growls—loudly.

Laughter explodes around me again and I wince.

“Aww, is the human slave hungry? ” a redhead taunts, her round face reminding me of an orangutan's backside.

Smooth and flawless.

“I don't care about whatever hellhole you crawled out from,” the redhead continues, circling me.“But to feed here, you have to... earn it.”

I shiver at the close proximity, my feet rooted on the floor.

“W-What?” I ask, my voice weaker than I'd like.

She scoffs. “I guess she's stupid too.”

Snickers ring out and I suddenly wish to disappear.

“Listen, dumbo. It means you have to work. W-o-r-k,” she drawls it out like I am stupid.

I slowly nod and her lips tilt in satisfaction.

“Now that we're clear, get to work. Chop chop.”

I don't move, my eyes darting around in confusion.

She raises a perfect eyebrow and I avert my gaze.

“I-I don't know my way around.”

“Ah,” the redhead clap her hands. “That's where Alera comes in.”

A frail girl is pushed forward, visible bruises on her arm and her face. My gaze meets hers and she quickly look away.

“Alera, dear. Why don't you be a darling and show the slave her place? ” the redhead coos, her tone dripping with sweetness.

The girl- Alera looks at me , a flicker of remorse before her first connects with my jaw .

I stumble back, pain blooming across my face.

It takes me a minute to realize the frail girl had just punched me.

I bite the inside of my chest, shooting daggers at the girls.

“Is she going to fight us?” Someone mocks before cackling.

“You are no match for us,” Another sneers.

“You would have been torn to shreds if the guard hadn't brought you himself.”

She shove me aside, her shoulder shoving mine in the process as she leaves.

The other follow, snarling under their breaths as they leave.

Soon, the room was silent. Only the girl—Alera—remained.

I glance up and she's already looking at me, something like fear flashing in her eyes for a second.

“Y-Y are not going to kill me, are you?” she whispers, her lips trembling.

“Why would you think that?”

Her face twists in rage. “Because humans are vicious.”

I blink.

Her face hardens and her next words are,

“I might be a wolfless omega but I can defend myself quite well from...you.”

My lips part but I say nothing.

I can't make sense of what she's saying.

A wolfless omega?

Suddenly,the clock in the room chimes loudly and the girl flinch.

“We need to hurry,” she says, grabbing my arm hastily.

“Why?” I ask.

She tuts, dragging me along the narrow corridor. “Less talking.”

Just as we round a corner, we run into a woman.

She stands tall, dressed in a black velvet gown that clings to her body. Her hair is packed up in a messy bun and her hand rests protectively on her little bump.

The girl beside me bows her head immediately. “M-Mistress Lyra.”

She doesn't respond, her kohl lined eyes scan me from head to toe.

“Well,” she says smoothly. “So, this is the infamous human.”

Her gaze slides over me slowly and I hold my breath for a second.

“No need for introductions, follow me,” she murmurs, turning away.

I glance at Alera whose face scrunches up.

“You are doomed,” she exhales.

“I can hear that, omega,” the woman says sharply and Alera scurries off.

Left with no other choice, I suck in a breath and fall in step behind her.

After what seems like ages, we descend down a narrow staircase, the air growing colder with every step.

The woman stops in front of an old wooden door at the bottom. It looks like the entrance to an attic with cobwebs clinging to the corners.

She pushes the door open with a creak that make my skin crawl.

The smell hit me first —Lavender and lilies.

Inside is surprisingly clean.

She steps inside and I follow.

A plain mattress that looks like it had seen better days lies at the corner.

“This is where you'll stay,” she says and I swallow hard.

“Until the Alpha addresses the pack, you're not allowed to move around freely unless...you have a death wish.”

Her crimson eyes study me in unsettling silence, unblinking.

“I wonder why he didn't kill you like the rest, you are nothing special.”

She says it casually like killing is so normal and my throat tightens.

“Listen ......” she trails off. “What's your name again?”

I don’t bother pointing out that I never told her. My voice comes out small. “Freya.”

“Listen, Freya. Do not leave this room. Especially tonight.”

Her tone sends chill crawling down my spine.

What exactly is going to happen tonight?