KEANA
Our hands were bound, and more silver bands were added on our wrists, including Dunya's, and they hurried us along after mounting their horses and connecting our chains to themselves.
The chains rattled as we were pulled along, our feet dragging through the dirt. The journey was rough for us all, my legs ached from the pace the men set. The day was already dark, casting long shadows across the path.
The only light came from the torches carried by our captors, their flickering flames illuminating the cold.
"Keep moving!" one of the men barked, yanking on the chain that bound my wrists. The silver burned against my skin, a big reminder of my suppressed wolf.
Dunya walked beside me, her face not giving any emotions away despite the situation. "Are you okay?" she whispered, her voice barely audible over the noise of the clanking of chains.
"I'll survive," I replied, though my voice trembled with exhaustion and fear.
The leader, a tall man with a stern expression, rode ahead, his gaze fixed on the path. His presence was intimidating, his authority unquestionable. Now and then, he would glance back at us, ensuring no one lagged.
"I have missed the Redmond Packman; my mate would be very happy to see me," a lanky man whispered to Walter, who didn't pay him any attention as his focus was on the road.
As we marched, I couldn't help but wonder about the place we were being taken to. The Redmond Pack.
I've heard a lot about the Redmond Pack from my uncle and some of his friends who visited.
I always overhear them saying how much of a ruthless man the Alpha is; he has led the pack for years, and my uncle always talks about him with so much spite.
How could an old man be so wicked, were they exaggerating? Or does the old man intend to die with the position without handing it out to someone else?
Oh Goddess ,I've already gone through a lot, don't let my experience get any worse…
"Why do you think they need so many slaves?" I asked Dunya, my voice trembling.
She shrugged her shoulders too fast"I don't know, but whatever it is, I know it ain't good."
We continued walking in silence for a while, the only sounds were heard from the leaves and the occasional howl of a distant wolf.
"Stay close," Dunya whispered, her eyes scanning the environment. "We might get a chance to escape."
I nodded, though my heart pounded at the thought. Escape seemed impossible under the watchful eyes of our captors.
Hours passed, and tiredness began to take its toll. My feet grew sore, my body aching from the long walk. Just when I thought I couldn't go any further, we arrived from the forest into a wide area. Ahead of us stood a massive stone fortress, its walls stood high into the sky.
"Welcome to the Redmond Pack," the leader announced, his voice echoing in the night air laced with mockery and malice.
The sight of the fortress filled me with dread. This was our new home, a place of captivity. The gates were thrown open, and we were taken inside, our chains clinking against the stone floor.
Inside the building, the atmosphere was thick. The walls were decorated with banners bearing the pack's name, and torches lined the corridors, brightening the room. We were led through plenty of narrow passageways until we reached a large hall.
"Wait here," the leader commanded, his tone leaving no room for argument, not like anyone would even dare.
We stood in the middle of the hall, our chains hooked to a large iron ring on the floor. The room was cold, the air heavy with the scent of stone and something else probably a faint, metallic smell that made my skin crawl.
A door at the far end of the hall opened, and a tall figure stepped inside. He moved with a calm stance, his eyes sharp and calculating. His presence filled the room, commanding attention and respect.
I could hear the remaining slaves shiver in his presence, his structure was sculpted like a Greek god, and his face was one to die for, the big scar splurging around his skin.
Adorned it even more.
"Alpha Raven," the leader addressed him with a bow.
Oh was he the Alpha?... I thought he was old.
Alpha Raven's gaze swept over us, his expression unreadable. "These are the new arrivals?"
"Yes, Alpha. As you requested."
Raven approached, his eyes narrowing as he studied each of us. When his gaze landed on me, I felt a shiver run down my spine.
I didn't know why that happened, I felt a hard tug inside of me, making me feel uneasy.
His eyes were cold, with no show of any warmth or compassion.
"Interesting," he murmured more to himself than anyone else. "These will do."
He turned to the leader. "Take them to the holding cells. We will see what they are capable of tomorrow."
Walter nodded and motioned for his men to move us again. As we were led away, I couldn't shake the dread that had settled in my stomach.
What did Alpha Raven have in store for us? And would we ever find a way to escape this nightmare?
Dunya couldn't read anyone's mind anymore because of the double silver attached to her wrist and I am just a normal human with also the silver.
The holding cells were even colder and darker than the ones we had been in before by the slave sellers. Making it impossible for us to think of escaping. The walls were closed, and the air was thick with the smell of mold.
We were shoved into separate cells, the heavy doors shut behind us.
"Get some rest," the guard sneered. "You'll need it."
I sank to the floor, my body trembling with tiredness and fear. The cell was tiny, with barely enough room to lie down. The cold seeped into my bones, and I wrapped my arms around myself, trying to stay warm.
As dawn approached, the fortress grew noisy. The sound of footsteps echoed through the corridors, and the guards came to unlock our cells. We were taken out into the main hall, where Alpha Raven awaited us.
"Today, you will prove your worth," he announced, his eyes shining with a cruel intent.
"Those who fail
Will face the consequences and whoever gets their worth proven will be rid of that silver attached to your wrist"