chapter twenty one

“Kai…” Orion called as he approached the alpha where he stood.

“You seem to have forgotten your place!” Kia barked and to the surprise of everyone present he struck Orion on the face.

“What the fuck!” Akira gasped.

“Might I remind you that I am still your alpha, the supreme alpha not some kid you have frolicking around your room.” Kai continued

“What's that supposed to mean!” Akira yelled as two wolf guards held her back.

Rune stood at the spot, his face expressionless as he watched everything unfold before him.

“Rune!” Akira yelled, “do something.”

“Do what exactly Akira?” Rune responded calmly, “it's not my fault the old dog has forgotten his place in the order of things, he has disrespected the supreme alpha, a clear sign that he has no regards for his own title as the elder wolf.”

“There's no way in hell you're standing by and watching this happen, you coward!’ Akira spat.

“You are all cowards, especially you Kai!” She continued.

Rune's eyes glowed with a crimson red as he growled inching closer to Akira, “what did you call me?” He asked.

“Rune!” Kia thundered, causing Rune to move aside.

Akira heaved a sigh of relief, “I know that you would come back to your senses….”

“She's mine.” Kia said finally.

With his claws drawn out he walked menacingly towards Akira, “I might let Orion get away with disrespecting me, that's a privilege he enjoys as wolf kin, but I would not extend that same grace to a lowly human!”

“Have you forgotten your purpose here?” Kai asked, his eyes glinting with hatred, “might I remind you that you have no privileges here? It's a pity that you had to spend your last words on calling me a coward.”

Akira could see her life flash before her eyes, at least whatever that was left of it.

She could feel Kai warm breath on her face and the icy cold hand of death creep at her from behind.

“Kai my love, you do not want to do this!!”

“Mirabel!” Akira thought.

“You do not want to do this, she is only but a lowly filthy human after all isn't she?” Mirabel said as she descended down the stairs.

“I can smell her fear..” Mirabel continued, “there are other ways to punish those who dare defy you, especially when they are human.”

“Mirabel don't!” Orion pleaded.

“Take her to the dungeon!” Kai ordered, “Ans leave her there till I decide what will be done with her. She will get no food nor will she take water. Let her feel pain and understand that I am not to be trifled with. Let her understand that I am Kai! I am the supreme alpha.”

“That's my husband….” Mirabel teased as the guards dragged Akira away to the dungeon.

“And you…” Kai said to Orion, “ill let you get away and keep your status this time around, but remember that the next time you dare insult me you will not be so lucky.”

……….

The moon cast an eerie glow over the damp stone walls of the pack house dungeon, casting long shadows that seemed to writhe like living things.

The air was heavy with the scent of mold and decay, and the only sound was the distant howling of wolves, their haunting cries echoing through the corridors like restless spirits.

In the depths of the dungeon, a lone figure emerged from the darkness, their footsteps quiet on the cold stone floor.

They wore a hooded cloak that billowed behind them like a dark cloud, and their face was shrouded in shadows.

The figure stopped in front of a cell, its iron bars gleaming in the moonlight. Inside, a prisoner stirred, that prisoner was Akira.

Her eyes flicked open as she sensed the stranger's presence.

The figure didn't speak, but instead, reached out a gloved hand and touched the bars of the cell. The metal seemed to shimmer in response, as if the very touch had awakened a hidden power.

Akira sat up, their eyes fixed on the stranger. A spark of curiosity ignited within her, and she waited, sensing that this mysterious figure had come with a purpose. The air was thick with anticipation, and the silence was palpable.

The stranger's hood fell away, revealing piercing eyes that seemed to bore into the prisoner's very soul. A single word was whispered, “sister!”, and Akira's heart skipped a beat.

…………

Akira's ears twitched, she wasn't alone. Her eyes opened And she realised at once that she must have been dreaming.

“Having trouble sleeping?”

“Who's there..” Akira asked,her hands clenched firmly to the metal bed frame.

“Why don't you come a little closer and find out.” the now familiar voice replied.

Her warm breath formed mists with the cold air of the cell as she Struggled to breath.

“Mirabel!” She said under her breath.

“That's good, you recognize me.” Mirabel said as she came closer to the iron bars of the cell, the moonlight illuminating her face.

“It's not that easy to forget you.” Akira said, “I know what you are, you're a…”

“Enough Akira, you should not even be here, you should be out there living your best life with your kind.”

“It's not good enough that you know what or who I am, do not get caught in this cross fire, one could almost say that I feel pity for you.”

“If you proceed, you might as well forget about seeing the next day.”

“I won't sit back and let you destroy this pack.”

“Enough Akira!” Mirabel thundered, her voice echoing through the entire dungeon, “this so-called pack cares less about you, your mate dumped you at the slightest opportunity. When would you understand that you do not belong here?”

“When would you understand that you have no place here? I am going to be giving you a once in a lifetime opportunity.”

“A chance to be a normal human, a chance to walk away from all this and never look back. I will let you walk through these gates and out of these walls alive if only you promise not to return here.”

“Never!” Akira groaned.

“You should take this chance..” Mirabel urged as she drew out her claws as Mirabel gasped in fear, “any wise person would take this without thinking twice.”

“And what would happen to the pack, the prophecy?” Akira asked

“You are just a human, you can never grasp the fullness of the prophecy but I can assure you, this pack will survive even without you!”

Her heart raced with thoughts, dark gloomy ideas filled her head. The freedom she had always longed for presented itself to her.

It did not come the way she had expected but it was here.

“You do not have the luxury of time. Why don't I help you speed up your decision making process?” She asked and with a single push of a button on the wall she triggered the alarm system.

“You have about thirty seconds to make your quick escape.”

“I will stay!” Akira answered stubbornly.

“Five seconds gone, and mighti I add that Kai would end you himself if he should capture you eventually. Your choice.”

Torn between her sense of duty and her yearning for freedom, Akira closed her eyes and settled for an option.

But first she knew that she couldn't make it from this cell.

She ran.

Into the darkness, breaking the silence,she ran.