Chapter Ten

Ellie

I didn’t recall drifting off to sleep. But I did remember landing a punch on Alpha Clayton. Why hadn’t he retaliated? I had it coming.

Nix was exhausted from healing me. I could feel her presence, but she was deep in slumber. Why hadn’t Soren been able to heal Sammy? He was a powerful wolf.

He had to be strong; otherwise, he wouldn’t have been able to seize control. Healing Sammy should have been a piece of cake for him.

When Seth’s hand brushed my shoulder, I instinctively recoiled. I was convinced that Alpha Clayton had sent him to discipline me. But he was gentle, reminding me of Gabriel.

But Gabriel had left me, and Seth would do the same. They were werewolves, why would they want a half-breed freak, with an Alpha wolf?

I decided to keep my distance. I’d stay here until I regained my strength, then I’d bolt. I’d done it before, I could do it again.

Sure, the Alpha and Seth seemed nice, but it was likely just a facade. I noticed the disdainful and pitiful glances from the other pack members as he led me to the kitchen.

Their pity was unnecessary, and their contempt would only fuel my resolve. I wasn’t naive though. I’d spotted the guard in the room where they had placed me.

I might not be in a dungeon, but I was still a captive. I had to earn their trust, then escaping would be easier. I would be safe as long as I didn’t venture east. Not until I was stronger.

Seth guided me into a kitchen. It was larger than Gabriel’s old one. There was a small breakfast bar.

I remembered my disdain for breakfast at the bar, always fearing I would tumble off the stools. I had grown a lot since then. I could easily hop onto one of the stools now.

Falling from such a minor height seemed insignificant now. Especially after the injuries I’d sustained at the hands of Dante.

Seth sauntered over to a large fridge and retrieved several containers. Leftovers, no doubt. They looked more appetizing than the stale bread and cheese I used to nibble on.

He transferred them onto a plate and placed it before me. I wasn’t familiar with half of the food, but it was fresh. I scooped it up with my fingers.

By the time he returned with a knife and fork, I was halfway through.

I’d never used a knife and fork before. When I was with Gabriel, he always sliced my food and handed me a spoon. In the dungeon, we only had our fingers.

Right now, I just wanted to fill my stomach, just in case I didn’t get to eat for days.

Seth just watched me, so I stared right back, as I licked the food off my fingers. He set the knife and fork on the bar.

“When did you last eat?” he inquired.

I shrugged, my mouth still half full.

“I had some blackberries before we found the cave, had some bread and cheese a couple of days before that,” I mumbled, as I chewed.

Seth gazed at me and then at the nearly empty plate. I had devoured what he’d served in less than five minutes.

“Would you like some more?” he asked.

I nodded, “it’s good.”

I observed him as he returned to the fridge and fetched another container. He added more food to the plate.

I immediately resumed eating.

“You always eat like that?” he asked.

I paused, and frowned, “like what?”

“Like an animal! It’s disgusting.”

I spun around to see a girl standing there, glaring at me.

“And she smells,” she added.

I whipped my head back round when I heard Seth growl.

“Olivia, that’s enough. She’s a guest.”

The girl, Olivia, huffed.

“Since when do we have rogues as guests? Maybe she should be in the cells where the likes of her belong.”

I wiped my mouth on the back of my hand, and hopped down from the stool to the floor. I glared at her.

She was a lot taller than me, but she hadn’t just spent two years in warrior training with a complete jerk who taught you that if you didn’t fight, you didn’t eat. Besides, I was pissed.

My brother had just died, and I was seething.

I let out a roar, lowered my head, and charged into her stomach. She was caught off guard, and fell to the floor. I pounced on top of her, and straddled her chest.

Grabbing her hair in one hand, I balled my other hand into a fist and started to punch her face.

I continued to punch, as I growled and screamed at her.

“You fucking bitch.”

I saw red. I became the animal...the monster that Dante had turned me into. I must have hit her at least five times before I felt hands pulling me away. The white shirt I was wearing was smeared with blood.

Seth’s gentle hands turned harsh and firm.

I squirmed in his grip, but he held me tight.

“Get her out of here,” I heard someone yell. I recognized his voice, except it wasn’t soothing and kind anymore. It was firm and commanding and...angry. Alpha Clayton.

I had a sinking feeling that my plan to gain their trust had just backfired.

I continued to scream, yell, and kick at Seth as he carried me away from the kitchen. Every so often I heard a small grunt as one of my feet made contact.

Not hard enough to make him loosen his grip on my arms though.

As he carried me down some stairs, I knew exactly where we were heading. I was going back to square one, only this time I would be without Sammy.

I heard the sound of a metal door opening, then Seth tossed me onto a bed. Then I heard the metal door slam shut.

The dungeon here was different from Zagan’s. They were more like cells.

The front of the cell was made of metal bars, the door was also metal bars which meant the guards could see you without opening the door.

There were no chains here either, and a proper bed with a pillow. Toilet facilities were just the same. A circular drain in the corner. Compared to Zagan’s dungeon though, this was luxury.

I let out a furious scream, my hands gripping the bars of the door and shaking them. They clanged, but they were locked tight.

Seth was on the other side, his arms crossed over his chest.

“You might want to cool it, little wolf,” he advised.

I let out a sound that was half scream, half growl, and then I slammed my fist into the stone wall at the back of the cell.

Blood trickled from my knuckles. The only thing I’d managed to hurt was my own hand. I shot him a glare and slumped down in the corner of the cell, drawing my knees up to my chest.

I swiped my uninjured hand across my eyes, wiping away the hot tears of frustration that had spilled during my tantrum.

I rested my forehead on my knees. All that was left to do was wait for the inevitable punishment.

I heard the sound of Seth’s footsteps fading. He was likely heading back to the irate Alpha. At least I wasn’t hungry.

If history was any indication, I doubted I’d be eating anything for the next few days.

I must have dozed off at some point, because I woke up to the sound of the door creaking open.

“Are you going to behave?”

I nodded quickly, not lifting my head. I recognized the Alpha’s voice instantly.

“Come here, let me see your hand.”

He was perched on the bed, waiting.

From past experiences, I knew that acting submissive could lessen the punishment. It was a lesson Sammy had taught me.

I scurried over to where he was sitting and knelt in front of him, my head bowed, and my hands clasped behind my back.

“Ellie!” he exclaimed, surprise coloring his voice, “what are you doing?”

I took a deep breath.

“Sorry Alpha, I’m ready for my punishment,” I said, not daring to lift my head.

He sighed. Then I felt his finger under my chin, lifting it up.

“I’m not here to punish you, Ellie,” he patted the mattress, “come sit down.”

I looked at him, confusion etched on my face.

“Why?” I whispered.

He patted the mattress again, “sit,” he ordered.

I stood up, then quickly sat down on the mattress beside him.

“Now let me see your hand.”

I extended my hand; it was swollen and smeared with blood.

“Is the other one okay?” he asked.

I nodded, but extended it anyway.

He hummed, “I’ll have the doctor look at this when I take you back upstairs.”

I frowned, “aren’t you going to punish me?”

I risked a quick glance at him, then immediately dropped my gaze, not wanting to push my luck.

“Do you think I should?” he asked.

I thought about it. Why was he asking me?

“I’m not sorry,” I declared.

I looked at him, deciding to take the risk.

“I didn’t expect you to be,” he smirked.

I felt his hand grip the back of my neck, firm but not harsh.

“Come on, pup, let’s get you cleaned up.”

I scowled, “She said I smelled... I don’t smell, do I?”

Alpha Clayton laughed.

“You do a bit, but that’s just the rogue smell. It’ll go away once you join my pack.”

“What if I don’t want to... join your pack?”

He hummed as he led me towards the stairs.

“Well, let’s call it your punishment then. Is that okay?”

I pouted. I hadn’t wanted to join another pack, but I guessed it was better than a beating or being whipped.

“I suppose,” I grumbled.

Alpha Clayton smiled, a smug look on his face. I had a sinking feeling that I’d played right into his hands.