Michelle Torlot
Skylar
I was torn between two sources of anger: Alpha Sebastian, who had ripped me away from my family, and my own father, who hadn’t fought hard enough to keep me.
I started to question if he had ever really loved me.
My mom had always assured me he did, but maybe she was mistaken. Maybe he only took me in out of obligation after she passed away.
I could still vividly recall the day she revealed who my father was.
“Skylar, sweetheart, come here,” she beckoned.
I left the vegetable garden I was tending and ran over to where she sat on the porch, a letter in her hand.
She patted the spot next to her, inviting me to sit.
I did, studying her face.
She offered a smile, tinged with sadness.
“Your daddy wants to see you,” she said.
I was confused. We’d never talked about my dad before, and I’d never asked.
It had always been just the two of us. We had everything we needed—food, clothes, each other.
“I thought I didn’t have a daddy?” I asked, my young mind not fully understanding.
She laughed softly.
“Everyone has a daddy,” she explained. “Yours is just...important. He doesn’t always have time for us. But now that you’re six, Skylar, he thinks it’s time you knew who he is.”~
She paused, her voice dropping. “Even if you don’t see him much.”
I shrugged.
“Just remember, no matter what happens, your daddy loves you.”
I nodded.
She ruffled my hair, a familiar gesture of affection.
“Go wash up, your daddy is joining us for dinner tonight.”
My thoughts were interrupted by a gentle tug on the rope. We had stopped. I looked up to see a massive building looming before us.
The other man, who had been at my father’s pack house, was now with us. He bore a striking resemblance to the alpha, just younger. I guessed he was the beta.
Under normal circumstances, I would have been awestruck, but right now, I couldn’t care less.
The building was grand, almost regal.
Constructed from dark red wood, it stood three stories tall.
The second floor boasted several balconies. Each room on the upper levels had floor-to-ceiling leaded windows, some adorned with stained glass.
The entrance was marked by two towering wooden doors that spanned two floors, guarded by two warriors.
The alpha’s brother turned to me, a smile playing on his lips.
“Impressive, isn’t it?”
I shrugged, curling my lip in disdain.
I didn’t doubt it was, but I had a feeling I wouldn’t be seeing much of the luxury. Not unless I submitted to the alpha. And that would happen when hell froze over.
He rolled his eyes, and we continued toward the entrance.
As we neared, the two warriors at the doors bowed and swung them open.
If the exterior was impressive, the interior was even more so.
Inside, a double staircase led up to a gallery, with corridors extending beyond. The floor was adorned with intricate wooden marquetry, depicting wolves and flowers.
Soft leather sofas lined the edges, and several doors led to who knows where.
I was guided toward another set of double doors.
Again, two warriors stood guard, bowing to the alpha before opening the doors.
The room beyond was like something out of a fairy tale.
A red carpet led to a grand throne at the end.
I shook my head.
Everyone knew this alpha was arrogant. The way he annihilated entire packs to expand his territory. I doubted anyone knew he fancied himself some sort of self-appointed king.
By the time I reached the dais housing the throne, the alpha was already seated, his brother, the beta, standing beside him.
I was abruptly halted in front of Alpha Sebastian. One leg resting on the other, he lounged in the chair, looking down at me.
“Kneel, Skylar, rogue, formerly of the Moonstone Pack. Submit to your alpha.”
I stared at him in disbelief, a pang of hurt at being called a rogue. After everything I’d said in the forest, did he still think I would submit to him?
I shook my head.
“I won’t,” I spat through clenched teeth.
The warrior who had been dragging me through the woods, along with his companion, seized me by the shoulders, forcing me to my knees.
“Submit, Skylar,” Alpha Sebastian growled.
“No!” I spat back.
His eyes narrowed, glaring at me. Was this how I was going to die?
“Take her below,” he ordered.
The two warriors grabbed my arms and dragged me toward a side door.
As we descended, I realized we were heading to the dungeons. It was the only part of the building made of stone.
I was almost glad I didn’t have my wolf’s heightened senses.
I was sure I would smell death.
It didn’t surprise me that there were no other prisoners. What surprised me was that he didn’t just kill me.
Maybe he held onto the vain hope that I would agree to be his mate; that was why he took me, after all. Well, he could keep dreaming.
I was unceremoniously thrown into a cell, and then they left me.
They didn’t remove the ropes from my wrists, and I could still feel the burn. He had been right about one thing: grabbing that rope with my bare hands had been a foolish move. I looked at my palms.
They were raw and blistered.
I surveyed the cell. There was an old, yellow-stained mattress on the floor, dark patches scattered here and there. I guessed it was the blood of the previous occupant.
I decided to steer clear of it. Instead, I sat on the cold, hard stone floor. It was uncomfortable, but I guessed I would have to get used to it.
I leaned against the wall, careful to keep the trailing rope from touching my bare legs.
The moon was the only source of light, its glow seeping through the small barred window near the ceiling. It felt like the Moon Goddess was taunting me.
“What did I do to upset you?” I muttered, gazing out the window.
Predictably, there was no response.
I shut my eyes, resting my head against the cold stone wall. It was late, and exhaustion was creeping in.
Sleep seemed unlikely, but I had to try.
I must have dozed off, more from sheer exhaustion than anything else. A gruff voice jolted me awake.
“Hey…girl,” he barked.
Blinking my eyes open, I saw a guard outside my cell.
“Are you here to release me?” I mumbled.
He rolled his eyes and snorted.
“The alpha ordered me to feed you.”
He pushed a metal tray through a slot under the bars.
I crawled over to the tray and inspected it.
There was a cup of water and a piece of bread. The bread looked stale.
I pushed the tray back towards him.
“Tell your alpha he can shove his food up his ass,” I sneered.
The guard looked at me, stunned.
“Assuming you have the guts to relay my message,” I scoffed.
I crawled back to the wall.
As I turned to sit and lean against the wall, he was still staring at me.
“What?” I snapped.
He frowned.
“Why aren’t you using the mattress?”
I rolled my eyes.
“I have no plans to touch that disgusting thing. It’s soaked in other people’s blood, piss, and vomit.
“Unless you’re going to untie these ropes, I suggest you get lost and deliver my message to your wonderful alpha,” I sneered.
He picked up the tray and walked away, glancing back at me occasionally.
Maybe no one had ever stood up to him before, or at least not lived to tell the tale.
I wondered how long I could keep this up, especially since refusing his food meant I was slowly starving myself.
Despite my defiant words, I didn’t actually want to die. I just wanted to go home.
I choked back a sob, wiping my face on my arm.
No tears, Skylar. Stay strong.
***
The same routine repeated the next day and the day after that. The only change was the guard; each one was different. I wondered if the alpha had killed the previous ones after receiving my messages. I never saw the alpha himself.
I couldn’t figure out why he wanted to keep me alive. Unless he made a promise to my father. But my father didn’t care; if he did, I wouldn’t be in this situation.
This time, when the guard took the tray, he shook his head at me.
“Any other prisoner would be dead by now. I’d be careful if I were you. His patience isn’t endless,” he warned.
I shrugged, dismissing his warning.
If he had any ounce of compassion, he would have at least ordered them to remove the ropes.
I lost track of time after that.
I started to regret my hunger strike when my stomach began to cramp from lack of food, and my lips turned dry and cracked. I didn’t see any guards either. Maybe I got my wish. Maybe the Moon Goddess was listening.
Maybe I was going to die.