Chapter 5 Timely Or Not

• Luther’s twin dropped her to the ground and ran fast to the other side of the stall.
• “Enough!” A voice she’d come to recognize and hate growled through the stables.
• The Alpha.
• Rhaeven sighed dejectedly as she put more pressure on her jaw.
• If it weren't for him, all of this wouldn't be happening.
• He should’ve killed her and put her out of her misery, but no, he needed to show his stinking dominance over her kind.
• She was certain he was seated on some golden chair before now, playing Lord of destiny wherever he was.
• Too tired to move, she remained on the ground, lowering her head as the boys and everyone else bowed to the Alpha as he entered, with two guards by his side.
• “I asked that you see to his chores, did I not?” The Alpha growled at the stable master, who’d suddenly appeared, kneeling in front of him.
• “I’m sorry my Lord, I only took a break to relieve myself, I didn't realize...”
• He held up his hand. “I do not want excuses.” He said, his voice, firm. “The boys look up to you.”
• The stable master bowed quickly. “It will not happen again, my Lord.”
• The Alpha walked right past her, looking every bit the devil in his black cloak that dragged behind him as he made his way to the boys.
• “This is how you pass your hours now? Hitting slaves when your chores aren’t done?” He questioned.
• “He started it, he…..” Luther stammered, but the Alpha cut in.
• “Silence, all of you, get out of my sight!”
• Rhaeven and the boys hurried to their feet.
• “That doesn’t include you!” He said, standing right in front of her as the boys hurried away.
• She paused shakily, before turning slowly to face him.
• At first, she didn’t want to look into his eyes, but her curious mind betrayed her.
• She glanced up and saw that he wore his midnight hair down now, staring at her with ashen eyes.
• It was the first time she was getting a proper look at his face without the blood and dirt covering her eyes.
• He was broad-shouldered, too tall for his good, with lips that looked like all they kept were secrets.
• And his face? Perfectly sculpted.
• By the goddess, he was devilishly handsome.
• She sighed.
• Too bad all those qualities were wasted on the likes of monsters like him, for she hated him with everything in her, hated what he stood for, and hated how he walked.
• He carried himself like the world belonged to him, like he’d carved it out with his bare hands.
• “You,” he said, pointing at her. “Do you stare because you’ve been hit in the head, or because you forget your place?”
• Rhaeven gasped and quickly lowered her head, but he took a step forward,
• “Do not do that again, unless you’re granted permission.” He said, his voice cold.
• She nodded fast.
• “Good, what is your name, Jackal’s blood?”
• Her heart began to beat way too fast and her mouth felt dry.
• She forced her mouth open and almost said “Rhaeven”.
• But shut it right back as she remembered.
• “Roy. It’s Roy.” She said quickly.
• He stared at her for a while, then simply said “Roy”, as though the name was horrible.
• Then he turned in an instant and left as quickly as he’d come.
• ~
• Rhaeven awakened with a start, disoriented and confused. She looked around but couldn’t recognize where she was.
• She had a headache that almost blinded her, like she’d been drugged and dragged through filth.
• But she ignored it and tried moving, only to discover that chains had been placed on her throat and wrists, with her wrists chained to the wall.
• She looked downwards and saw that the floor was wet with something she couldn’t identify.
• Mud or blood? She wasn’t sure.
• A dimly lit torch hung on the left side of the wall as she shivered from the deathly cold.
• Footsteps sounded in the distance, startling her even more.
• She shook herself again, desperate to escape, but the chains only tightened, with every move she made.
• “Found you,” a voice whispered, low and cold.
• The Alpha.
• Had he had her brought here?
• What had she done this time?
• He stepped into the dimly lit hell, and Rhaeven’s breath seized.
• His eyes shone with something Rhaeven couldn’t describe. It was his voice, yes.
• But he seemed, unlike himself.
• He looked deathly pale, with wild eyes and teeth that seemed like they couldn't contain his mouth.
• Rhaeven trembled, her knees almost giving way.
• Sensing her fear, he leaned closer to her and chuckled.
• He raised a hand and Rhaeven saw that instead of fingers, he had claws, and they dripped with something thick and black.
• Her eyes bulged in fear, but he seemed to be enjoying it.
• He held her neck, carefully and gently, and leaned in closer.
• Rhaeven gaggled in fear, almost vomiting.
• “Ahhh, you burn so beautifully when you’re afraid, little flame.”
• Terrified of the horror he was, she opened her mouth wide.
• And screamed!
• ~
• Rhaeven woke up with a gasp, her entire body drenched in sweat.
• Her eyes looked around wildly, as if searching for something, anything.
• A wooden curve just above her straw bed hit her forehead as she made to sit.
• Forcing her to hold her head in her hands and bit back the urge to cry out from the pain.
• She could smell the straw, and manure.
• She touched her neck, expecting the cold feel of metal, but it was just her skin, wet with sweat.
• A breath escaped her lips.
• She was back in the stables.
• Not chained.
• Not bleeding.
• Not dead.
• She lowered her hands to her sides and a sharp piece of straw pinched her thigh.
• She sighed in relief.
• It had been a dream.
• Gods, it had felt so real.
• Even now, she could still feel him, his voice in her ears and his monstrous hands on her neck.
• He’d meant to harm her. Or kill her.
• She wasn't sure which one he’d wanted more.
• Still shaky, she looked around.
• The stables were quiet, except for the slight noise that came from a few horses.
• She rubbed her wrists and her arms, discovering that she was cold.
• She’d started to calm herself down when a breeze swept through the stables and a horse whinnied nearby.
• She heard a noise behind her and Rhaeven turned slowly, to see what it was.
• But then there was nothing.
• Just a disturbing silence that closed in on her.
• And yet, she couldn’t shake the feeling that something had moved.
• She sat unmoving, heart racing.
• Wondering what terrified her more.
• The dream she’d just woken up from, or the idea that she was now wide awake.
• And not alone.