Celine POV
As I collapse onto the floor in the main hall of the packhouse, I can’t help but wonder: what was the point of all this? Why did they pay so much for me at the auction? I am nothing more than a cook, a cleaner, a body to be used at their whim. What do they gain from me that they couldn’t find in someone else?
My mind lingers on Dolton. He never came for me, never rescued me. A part of me still wonders about him, about the life he might be living now. Deep down, though, I always knew his loyalty to his brothers would stop him. They were too close, bound by a bond that I could never compete with. I imagine him moving on quickly, finding another mate, forgetting me.
The faint noise outside draws my attention. I stand quickly and move knowing that taking a break inside the packhouse is against rules. The sound of boots hitting the stone floor grows louder until the pack’s Luna appears, standing just behind Alpha Dale. She’s quiet, her face a mask of indifference, her shadow barely moving as Dale strides forward. My gaze shifts to the man being dragged behind Beta Noah. His face is bloodied and bruised, his head lolling forward like a ragdoll.
“Throw him in a cell!” Alpha Dale’s voice booms, echoing off the stone walls. His expression is twisted with rage. When his eyes snap to me, I instinctively flinch back, my body pressing into the the wall. He lets out a cruel laugh at my reaction.
“Just putting dirty demons where they belong,” he says, a sneer pulling at his lips. “He deserves to rot in those cells for daring to attack me.” His laughter grows louder, echoing in my ears as he turns away. “Move it, mutt!” he shouts in my direction.
I nod quickly and scramble to follow Beta Noah and the others as they haul the man toward the cell blocks. My heart races, but I don’t dare enter the cells while Beta Noah is there. Instead, I hide just around the corner, crouching low and pressing myself against the cold stone wall.
Time drags, and my stomach churns with hunger. I’m late feeding the prisoners, which means I’m also late eating—if I’ll even get food today. I can hear Noah’s laughter reverberating inside, accompanied by the muffled protests of the man they’ve thrown into a cell. The Luna leaves after a few minutes, but I remain hidden, waiting for Beta Noah to follow.
Finally, the door creaks open, and I see him step out. My heart beats faster as his booming voice rings out.
“Mutt, you can’t hide from me!” he shouts, amusement lacing his tone.
“I just came for it,” Beta Wayne says from somewhere nearby.
“It’s hiding, apparently,” Noah laughs.
I press myself into the wall, curling up tightly and willing myself to disappear. My breaths come shallow and quick, and I close my eyes as footsteps approach.
“I can smell it,” Beta Wayne says, his voice chillingly close.
A hand grips my arm, yanking me upright. “And here it is,” Beta Wayne says with a grin, dragging me into the open.
“Please don’t,” I whisper, my voice trembling.
Noah steps closer, his cruel smile widening as he grabs the neckline of my dress and tears it from my body, leaving me exposed. My arms cross over my chest instinctively, but it’s no use.
One of them unfastens his belt, the jingle of the buckle like a death knell in my ears. I try to pull away, but they shove me to the ground. The first strike of the belt makes me cry out, the pain lancing across my back. Another hits my legs, then my hips, until I’m trembling and gasping on the cold stone floor.
I try to crawl away, but they grab my hips, forcing me still. A scream tears from my throat as one of them thrusts into me, his laughter ringing in my ears.
“Once we’re done with you, Beta John and Alex want their turn,” Wayne sneers, his voice dripping with mockery.
Pain overwhelms me, and I fight against them, but it’s useless. I’m too weak to escape even one of them, let alone two. When I’ve run before, the punishment has been far worse. They made sure of it, using me throughout the night to remind me of my place.
I lose count of the times I black out from the pain, the moments of oblivion a fleeting mercy. Each time I wake, I pray I’m alone, only to find them still there. But finally, when I come to, I feel myself being lifted. My body is limp, too weak to resist. I brace for more, but instead, I’m tossed onto the straw in my cell.
Fingers stroke my hair, and I flinch, jerking away from the bars. A man’s face peers through, his expression unreadable.
“Come here,” he says softly, reaching a hand through the bars.
I shake my head, retreating further into the corner of my cell. My arms wrap around my knees as I try to make myself small.
“Go to him,” Beta Wayne snaps, his voice sharp.
I shake my head again, my body trembling as I push myself back until I hit the wall.
“I won’t hurt you,” the man whispers, his hand still outstretched.
“Mutt, go to him!” Beta Noah storms in, grabbing me by the hair and yanking me forward. I cry out as he throws me against the bars, where the man catches me, his hands gripping my shoulders.
The man leans close, his face burying into my neck as he inhales deeply. A low roar rumbles through his chest, and I freeze, my body turning to stone. I’m like prey in the jaws of a predator, too terrified to move.
“Please don’t hurt me,” I whisper, tears streaming down my face.
The man’s grip tightens briefly. “Release her!” Alpha Dale’s voice cuts through the tension.
The man steps back, releasing his grip on me and I collapse to the floor, crawling away as fast as I can.
“Go clean yourself up, mutt. Alpha Lucas is here,” Dale orders, his tone leaving no room for argument.
I hesitate, shaking my head. “I don’t want to—”
Dale’s hand strikes my face, cutting off my words. “Go! Now!” he roars.
Behind him, the man roars, his body trying to shift, but Dale doesn’t seem concerned.
“Down, Smokey,” he mocks, pulling out a gun, firing it without hesitation. The man crumples instantly, stopping him from shifting in a way I’ve never seen before.
The sight leaves me stunned, but Dale’s voice snaps me back to reality. “Now!”
I nod quickly, grabbing the meager clothes and towel I have before hurrying out.
The lake is cold, the water biting against my skin as I step in. For a brief moment, I’m free from their touch, from their cruelty. The quiet surrounds me, and I let myself breathe.
But even here, I know it’s only temporary. When I’m clean, I’ll have to return. To Alpha Lucas. To the nightmare that never ends.
