I have been locked up for three days, or could it be more? Because in the room I am in, there's no window, so I don't know how many days I've been locked for and I can't really tell the time. I was locked in a different room. I guess the former room was also part of his generosity because in this room there was no bed, no window, no fire and no food.
I was also chained against the wall. I lost count of how many times I tried to free myself. I've got red slits on my wrist from the chains. I gave up already and now as I lay on the ground in my already tattered clothes, I decided to give up on life itself. Instead I wait, I wait for death!
Everyday I wake up feels like a misery. Because living like this was miserable. I was hungry. Starving and also very thirsty. I was denied water and the only thing I survived on was my spit. I wished death would come for me, I couldn't live like this anymore. All I want to do is just close my eyes one day, lost myself in the darkness and just float away. But I guess death didn't also want me.
I was still laying down on the cold hard ground when I heard the rattles of keys. I squinted my eyes as I realized it was coming from the door. The door suddenly swung open and the only thing I could see were the white silvery slippers I knew immediately belonged to the servants. I looked up only to see the three girls in front of me, staring down at me. Their eyes void of all emotions, as always.
"You ready to beg for your life human?" The one on the middle asked.
I tried to laugh but it came out like the dying wheeze of a small animal. I stood up from the ground, wincing as my aching joints protested but I managed to raise myself into a sitting position. I leaned against the wall as I stared at the girls.
"Beg for my life?" My voice came out scratchy and my throat hurts but I managed to continue. "If you've come to kill me, I suggest you get on with it because I will never beg!" I rasped out.
The one in the middle let out a string of curses. "Foolish human! Are you going to be stubborn to the very end?"
The only response she got from me was my weak breathing. I meant what I said, I would rather die than beg for my life from a beast. My head was still down when I noticed two girls had moved towards me unlocking the chains. I didn't bother to raise my head up as the girls hoisted me to my feet.
I couldn't stand on my own, that's how tired I was. My legs felt stiff and weak. If not for the girls holding me I'm sure I would have collapsed back on the ground. The girls dragged me outside while the other one followed closely.
As soon as we went outside, I could see a pair of dark leather boots in front of me. I managed to raise my head up only to be met with stormy grey ones. The alpha!
"Tsk, tsk, what a sight you are." He tsked at me and I gave him what I hoped was a glare, "You ready to beg now?"
I scoffed and looked the other way. "You can kill me now if you still hoping I will beg you because that's never going to happen!"
"Stubborn as ever little one." The alpha smirked as he reached out to tuck a strand of my red hair that had fell to my face. I jerked at his touch on my skin but I didn't miss the way he called me little one. The name sounds strangely familiar for some reason.
"Alright then, let's get on with it." The alpha said before I had more time to ponder why he had called me little one. The girls dragged me just as the alpha turned and led the way.
"Wait, where are you taking me?" I asked looking at the alpha who was still leading the way.
"Why, to fulfill your dearest wish of course." The alpha turned to look at me, his sensual lips slowly curled up, turning his smile mocking.
I cocked my head at that wondering what my dearest wish could be. "My dearest wish, you mean..."
"Yes little one. Death!" The alpha finished for me and I felt a sinking feeling in my gut.
Death! I was going to die, today! I mean I know this is what I've wished for but now that the alpha himself is finally offering me death, why do I feel so...so afraid? I looked at the alpha who was taking determined strides around the corridor. No doubt leading me to the execution ground where he could cut my head clean off my body with his claws.
Oh gods above! I muse feeling dread all the way to my body. I know this was what I asked for but the thought of my head being ripped off my body seems like a very painful death! I mean couldn't they do something else. Like give me a lot of sleeping pills that would make me sleep and never wake up, that sounded like a more easier death than claws ripping my skin.
I was still weighing the options of an easy death when I realized we have stopped walking. Oh gods, are we there yet? I asked myself as I looked around. Somehow we were still in the castle but I'm guessing this must be the dungeon because the only thing I could see where iron bars.
What are we doing here? Is this where he wants to kill me? In a dungeon? I asked myself all these questions as I looked around me, wondering what I was doing here.
"Arianne?" I froze at the voice that called my name.
No, no, it can't be! I must be dreaming or maybe I was dead already or...
"Arianne?" The voice called again sounding louder this time.
I let out a small gasp and with shaky breaths, I turned to look at the cell beside me. Tears immediately rolled down my cheeks at the sight of the woman inside.
"Cruzita?" I sobbed as I looked at Cruzita who was looking at me with a crooked smile on her face. "Oh my God, Cruzita!" I broke down and hurried towards her, clasping my hands with her through the iron bar.
"Oh my sweet child!" Cruzita sobbed reaching out to wipe the tears on my face, "Thank the gods you are alive." She patted my hands.
"Are you okay? Are you hurt?" I sniffed as I took in her form. She doesn't seem to be hurt though. Her hair was just a little bit untidy but that's it. Other than that, she looks really okay.
"Look at you, worrying about a old hag like me." Cruzita tsked at me and I sobbed again, relieved to see a familiar face around.
Cruzita's hand were still clasped on me when I heard a small whine. It came from the other cell. I pushed myself away from Cruzita's cell and crawled over to where the sound was coming from. I let out a soft gasp as two light blue eyes stared back at me Blue! A big chain was placed around his neck and his grey and black fur were dirty.
"Oh gods, Blue!" I yelled and reached for him, rubbing his head. Blue let out another whine as it stared back at me like a lost puppy. He had that same look in his eyes when I found him after the poachers killed his family.
"Don't worry Blue, I will get you out of here!" I said still stroking his fur, "I will get us all out of here!" I promised.
"And pray tell, how do you intend to do that?" The alpha's voice interrupted me.
I turned to look at the alpha. He still had that mocking smile on his face. My palms itched to slap the smug look of his perfectly sharp features. But alas, I'm only human and he is three times my size. I sighed as I stood up from the ground and faced the alpha.
"All I have to do is beg for your generosity and all of these will stop?" I asked him, "I beg you and you will release Cruzita and Blue?"
The alpha crossed his arms across his chest and I ignored the way his muscles stretched across his chest. "Hmm, that wasn't part of the agreement. But sure, it can be arranged." He answered me. That was all the confirmation I nodded.
I slowly lowered myself to my knees. "I, Arianne Rosalia Fernandez hereby ask you, your majesty for your generosity. I ask that you spare my life and that of my loved ones." I requested and with that I leaned forward and touched my forehead with his boots.
"Your request has been granted!" The alpha said. I raised my gaze only to see him looking down at me with intensity in his gaze but he continued. "As long as I live and breathe, no harm shall come to you and your loved ones, I swear it!" He finished then stretched his hands towards me.
I stared at his outstretched hands before I placed my hand in it. His large fingers enclosed around mine as he pulled me to my feet and I was very close to him, we were only a breath away. I stared at his stormy grey eyes which were staring back at my own different coloured ones.
The alpha continued looking at me with that same intensity. It suddenly feels as if he was staring at my soul, trying to expose every dark, deep secrets I ever had. I didn't miss the way we were still holding hands or how close we were still standing.
"What's your name?" I blurted out still captivated by those eyes of his.
The alpha smirked at me and his gaze dropped down to my lips before they rose back up to meet mine. "Humans aren't worthy of my name little one."
"But I want to know." I said breathlessly, "Please." I pleaded surprising myself.
The alpha continued stare at me till I was sure he was not going to answer me. I tugged my hand away from his and turned to leave when he spoke.
"Ivan." He said and I turned to look at him, "My name is Ivan." He repeated and with that he walked over and went out of the dungeon. Leaving me staring after him.
~~~
Apologies for the delay, I fell sick....I'm just getting better.