Chapter 2

“Please let me go."

"I haven’t committed any crime; I am just passing through, please.”

My voice broke, and more tears welled and spilled; my weapon had slipped out of my trembling hands. I watched them one by one change back into their human forms. They were very naked, and I quickly looked away when someone appeared from the bushes and threw clothes at them.

The fully dressed guy got hold of me in a rough manner, and I closed my eyes, wincing in great pain. My skin was bruised and scratched, but my captor didn’t care. Was he a human or a werewolf like them? I had my answer when he sniffed me.

“Stinky human.”

His eyes flashed, and he showed me his pointy canines, probably to scare me more, and it worked because my legs began to shake.

“Let’s kill her.”

“Yes. Let’s do to her what her kind have done to us a long time ago.”

“I understand your need for vengeance, and I would like nothing more than for that vengeance to be carried out, but unfortunately, we have to remember the Alpha’s instructions.”

One of them exclaimed.

"The Alpha’s instructions?"

I was suddenly curious. I wished I could ask them, but I wouldn’t dare. Pulling a guess of my own, I assumed the Alpha’s instructions were to let any humans that were caught go. Hope wanted to sprout, but I killed it instantly. Werewolves couldn’t be trusted except for Mama Lia; she was the only nice werewolf I’d ever known.

One of the werewolves didn’t seem pleased by this idea, as he looked at me with so much derision.

“I lost my mother because of them.”

He spat, clearly referring to me and my kind.

My captor growled, and the angry one withdrew and mellowed, but I could still sense the boiling rage, even others too. I gulped. I don’t know what this Alpha’s instructions said, but I’m grateful for them.

“Let’s take her to the Alpha; he knows best.”

My captor concluded and dragged me along. Paying no mind to my pain or bleeding wounds and cuts. Every walk was like a struggle; I couldn’t get my feet to move well.

"Move fast. Don't make me change my mind and disobey the Alpha. You better move fast, or I’ll let my men have a go at you.”

He yanked my shoulders and warned me. I winced aloud.

Tears came again; my eyes hurt from crying too much, but my emotions were all over the place; I couldn’t help it. My throat was desperately dry, my chest burned, and my head ached badly, plus the injuries I had sustained from running. I wanted to beg them to let me rest a little or to allow me a drink of water from a stream I could hear flowing nearby, but instead, I swallowed my spittle and forced my body to move with their pace.

In no time, the forest was behind us, and a wide open space appeared before us. People of all ages were milling about; as we stepped our feet on to the ground, they took notice and began looking at us, more like at me.

Their gazes were on me; anger, indifference, and hatred were all speared in my direction. I quickly closed my eyes and focused on the big building we were marching into. They were marching, and I was just being pulled along.

Discussions were hushed as we went in; some people even stood and took a few steps towards us. One of them was a tall, muscly guy with an expression that instilled more fear in me. His face was unsmiling and stoic. When he saw me, his expression grew worse; immediate hatred blanketed his face.

“Another disgusting human.”

But I wasn’t really hearing him; my head spun, and before I could stop myself, I emptied my bowels at his feet. I heard a sudden raging growl, and a blurry figure came from behind and hit me hard across the cheek. When I fell, it was into the cold, dark realm of unconsciousness.

I coughed and sputtered as I felt water being poured on me. My eyes burned, my throat accepted some of the liquid that entered my mouth, and I greedily swallowed. I was thirsty, and at the moment, I didn’t really care if it was toilet water.

I couldn’t feel my legs; the upper frame of my body ached, and someone gave me a slight kick with a hard boot.

“The human is awake.”

Why are they making me sound like I’m in the midst of some immortal creatures? Like they were some unhuman beings? They were half humans too? Their beastly power as wolves didn’t eradicate that fact. Though, at the moment, their behavior was inhumane.

"How could they treat me with such cruelty?"

It was true that my people had done very bad things to them in the past, but that doesn't mean they have to treat me as such. I miss Mama Lia. Though I was made to live a boring life of seclusion, it was better than this. With her, I was safe and secure.

"Always be strong; I will not be around forever, Hazel. You need to learn not to cower before your enemies, even when you’re scared."

Mama Lia’s voice again, as clear as the sky is blue, whispered in my ears. I closed my eyes tighter to prevent the tears. I tried to think of happy times with her; I desperately needed to conjure memories that would make these tears of self-pity vanish. I needed to heed Mama Lia’s words.

I wasn’t sure what my being here would result in, but I needed to be brave. Even if my life gets taken, I need to accept it with a brave face. Someone kicked me again, a little harder this time.

“Hey, sleazy being. We know you’re awake.”

Someone commented.

“Or maybe I should hit her again.”

This voice belonged to a female, and she sounded annoyed. So, it was she who had slapped me.

With great effort, I opened my eyes and forced my aching bones to rise. That small activity was strenuous for my bones, and even my head cried in resistance. Every part of me craved rest, but I knew I couldn't have that; they wouldn’t even let me.

I looked at my sore, dirty legs; the injured big toe had swollen.

“Kneel.”

The authority of the steely voice brought me to immediate obedience, my big toes mistakenly scratching the floor. It was a slight contact with the smooth floor, but it was enough to cause pain to shoot from the toe to every other part of my body.

What did I do to deserve this humiliation? If they hated me that much, they'd just let me go, and they'd never see me in their world again. But I strongly doubted these people would let me go; they wanted vengeance, and they were determined to get it.

I sighed in utter hopelessness; my shoulders sagged in great despair, wondering what my fate would bring.