CHAPTER 9

“Good question!” Alpha Axel said, his gaze narrowing slightly. “What is your name?” He asked, his deep voice was firm yet controlled as he awaited an answer. 

“Marcellus alpha,” The slave trader replied, his eyes roaming around as if seeking a route for escape before returning to the ground in submission. “My name is Marcellus.”

“Okay, Marcellus,” Alpha Axel began, his chin raised slightly as if to exude dominance, and his voice firm and commanding. “All I need you to do is simple. I want you to return to your associates and spread the word, far and wide, that my territory is strictly off bounds for any slave trading activities whatsoever. Recount every detail of what had transpired here tonight, and make sure they understand the huge consequences of defying me, just as you've experienced firsthand.” 

His eyes furrowed, as he drove home the importance of the message, his voice low yet extremely full of oppression and dominance, “Make sure they know that any further trespasses will result in similar... persuasion. Do you understand?”

Marcellus nodded in agreement immediately, his head bobbing up and down like a puppet on a string as he replied, “Yes, yes, Alpha Axel. I will tell everyone what you have said. I promise there won't be a next time!” His voice filled with desperation, one fueled by fear despite Alpha Axel giving his word that he would spare his life. 

Alpha Axel's response came swiftly and without mercy, “I don't need you to promise anything, if they keep coming despite my warnings, they will only get what they deserve, Death! And I will make sure it's served to them swiftly and mercilessly.”

“Are you sure we shouldn't just send him off to join his fellow slavers, after all, I heard they swear allegiance to each other even till death?" Kaiden said, his voice dripping with sarcasm and disdain, as he struggled to contain his contempt for Marcellus. 

“We're only helping him fail his promise to the group, and I'm sure as heck they would love to welcome him back with open arms... or a noose. Either way, it's going to be a win-win for us.” 

His tone was heavy with anger and a certain level of toxicity, with a glare that seemed to bore into Marcellus, as if daring him to meet his eyes, but the slave trader cowered, avoiding eye contact.

I couldn't help not laughing but when a little chuckle attracted attention to me, I realized it was better to swallow my laughter and so that was what I did. Axel's gaze lingered on me for a moment before finally redirecting his gaze back to Marcellus and then Kaiden. 

“You will not lay even a finger on him Kaiden, that is my order and you will respect it,” Alpha Axel said, his voice low and magnetic. Then to Marcellus, he ordered, “You can leave now, but remember I'm watching you. If you go back into slave trading ever again, you will envy those of your comrades who lost their lives today.”

For a second or two, Marcellus stood up, looking around to see if he would be stopped but even the elite wolf pack didn't seem interested in going after him. Immediately he fled, not bothering to look back, most likely worried that they would change their mind and chase after him again. 

Alpha Axel looked in the direction Marcellus had disappeared into for a while. He stalked towards the pile of corpses, staring at them with disgust written all over his face.  

I was already so tired of standing, ‘Can we go now?’ I screamed in my head, gritting my teeth and bearing the pain, ‘I was already so bruised, can't you all at least be considerate enough?’ I thought angrily as I shifted from side to side as subtly as possible. 

Alpha Axel must have noticed it, he suddenly stared at my feet that I was in the process of moving, making me freeze. He didn't say anything at all, rather I caught a subtle nod he sent towards his best friend, Kaiden. 

“Let's g-” Something snapped and before anyone could react, a slender razor sharp dagger came rushing towards Axel from behind, I wanted to warn him but I realized the deed would be done before I could say anything so I rushed towards him and tried to push him out of the way but he caught me and instinctively, I turned so that now I was in harm's way and he was out of harm's way. 

The dagger hit me but at first I felt nothing, then the pain came rushing in torrents, it was lodged under my left breast in my rib cage.