C h a p t e r O n e
S C A R L E T
S h e ' s Dead.
Those two words chanted throughout my head. I squeezed my eyes shut but I could still see the image relaying on my brain. My hands were bounded over my head by silver cuffs, that scorched my naked skin, the chains weren't long enough and often I found myself tip toeing to lessen the pain on my wrists. My heart hummed in pain as I stood here bounded; could one live like this forever and call it living?
I certainly, couldn't live like this forever, I'd drive myself to insanity. The physical torture he inflicted on us was insignificant compared to the mental abuse we faced everyday.
A couple days ago, one of the females had slit her wrist with a dull scissors she had found in the kitchen. Ver had been acting off the entire day, why didn't I notice? I should have done more to save her, she was only fourteen years old! He had introduced Ver a few months ago, he had found her on one of his hunting trips. I shook violently, begging my brain to allow me to sleep, I didn't — want to think anymore. Ver was with the moon goddess now, she's at peace, but I'm still stuck here with the devil waiting for my fresh piece of hell.
Oh no.
The cell door slowly, creaked open — and he stepped inside. I gulped, unready for the explicit amount of pain I was about to receive. When he stepped closer, I screamed on instinct — Squirming to get away from him. He smirked lousily, his fingers going to his thin pink lips, he made a sh sound.
"Easy, my child. You're my favourite child — I would never hurt you." He coo'd gripping my jaw, his eyes demanding my silence. "But if you don't stop this nonsense, you leave me with only one choice." I immediately, stopped my movements and allowed him to hold me. "That wasn't so hard was it?"
"Was it?" He demanded.
"No," I murmur softly, my throat sore from my lack of supplements. "No.." He smirked thin lips, curved to form an almost smile.
He pressed his disgusting lips to my cheek; stealing a kiss. I closed my eyes, attempting to distinguish the agony that lingered on my brain. He played with my hair, I casted my gaze towards him. "You're so beautiful."
I nodded.
He pulled my hair roughly, "Do you have no manners? I just complimented you! What do you say back to?" He asked aggressively.
"Thank you, Mr. Oakland. You look well yourself," I remark nicely.
I gripped the cuffs, forcing my sinful mouth shut. One disrespectful word from my mouth and he'd lock me in here for months. He slid a large metal key, out of his trousers, he reached above my head to unlock the silver cuffs. Mr. Oakland took his gracious time, careful to not touch the silver, once the cuffs were off he smiled.
"Dinner will be prepared shortly, my love." He licked his lips, his lust evident in his brown eyes.
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Mr. Oakland lived in a mansion, many girls, rumoured that he had fallen from one of the Alpha bloodlines. From years of being kept captive, I had learnt of his mate — A she wolf incapable of carrying a pup. Some say, she still lives, locked away, in a room somewhere in the house. I couldn't blame anyone — Mr. Oakland has always requested an extra plate of food being prepared and left. He spends most of his day, locked away in the west wings of the house, or downstairs.
I slowly, trailed behind him my muscles still incompetent to do any sort of work. The basement was cold — freezing, it was more like a jail. Rooms upon rooms trailed down the hallway, dingy cells, to isolate those who were disobedient the floors were concrete, the walls unpainted — but it always smelt of blood and sweat. He had never requested anyone to have down here cleaned: ever.
Finally, we reached the end of the hallway, I gripped the railing to help me up the staircase, light peaked through the bottom of the door. Mr. Oakland shuffled through his pocket for a key, when he found it, he wasted no time in opening the door. My eyes, were met with another set of doors that he opened too — he flung the door open and walked away.
But — then he stopped.
"Next time, your punishment will be worse.." He warned. "I reward good girls and, well, — You know what happens to the bad ones." With this final warning he strutted away, clean black suit fitted his retreating figure.
I ringed my fingers together, curious to find my friend Sienna — I hadn't seen her since last week, maybe I'll find her later. I wandered into the kitchen, determined to find something to fill my stomach. I swung the kitchen door open, freezing when I heard whispering. "One of the girls here is of high power.." A girl mumbled harshly, "I believe there is one more..." I knocked on the door, interrupting there conversation.
They immediately, ended their conversation and tilted their head to face me — I recognized both of the girls in the kitchen, Alex and Mack. I smiled softly, and wandered to the cupboard to find crackers. They didn't return my smile, instead they continued their cleaning — allowing the silence to be awkward.
I wandered to the oak cupboard picking up a bag of crackers, my stomach still too weak to ingest anything heavy. I brought the crackers to the wooden table, seating myself down on one of the chairs, I heard light sweeping, but no more talking. It wasn't strange for, Alex and Mack to keep secrets, but it did make it harder to find out what had happened in the last few days if no one was willing to talk.
I heard the kitchen door, swing open and the chatter of exiting feet. I nibbled on my crackers, fidgeting on a crumb, my heart still heavy for Ver. I glanced up, when I heard the creaking of a chair, Alex. She smiled warily, her soft auburn hair tucked away in a bun, she gazed at me with warm hazel eyes. I chewed the last of my snack, smiling at her in return.
"Hey, Scarlet." She greeted. "I heard about what happened with Ver, it's pretty sad," she mumbles tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "I'm really sorry you got locked in the basement again, I remember how scary it is to be down their for a long time, and the things that can happen.." she stated her sentence trailing off. "I'm really sorry, this happened to you."
"Thank you, Alex. " I reply, "Uh could you explain to me what happened in the last few days? While I was in the basement?" I questioned softly, my eyes staring deep into her soul. She quavered unsure of herself, "Please, I need to know."
"Meredith, Sienna, Louise and spencer are all still locked away in the basement. You're the first girl he let out y'know? He's been acting really fishy, we buried Ver two days ago, in the backyard.." She divulged her eyes growing watery, "That's all that really happen." She finished, "Its been 13 days since you were locked away.." she adds softly.
I placed my hand over hers, my smile gentle, "Thank you." She nods and gets up from her chair, murmuring a soft welcome.
I couldn't believe it had only been thirteen days, it felt like months had flown by. I blinked rapidly, purging away my tears for another day. Sienna was stilled locked away, it felt so wrong to hear this, she hadn't done anything, none of them had. I slowly, got up from the chair, tucking my chair under the table, I placed the remainder of the crackers in the cupboards and exited the empty kitchen.
I trotted through the living room; dusting my eyes across the old but neatly manicured furnitures. The house was old by decor, but everything was clean and smelt brand new. Their wasn't any television in the house, or any sort of technology other than a radio, that only played one station. I passed the living room and headed to the dining room, I spotted Chelsea cleaning the big oak table, she quickly glanced up. Her green eyes brimmed with relief when she spotted me, instead of Mr. Oakland.
"Hello, Scarlet!"
"Hi, Chelsea did you want any help? He didn't assign me any work since it's my first day back.." I offer, she shook her head no. "It's okay, I really wouldn't mind.."
"After, everything you've been through? I should be offering to help you! Feel free to have a seat, I'm almost finished anyways." She rambled, pulling out of a chair for me to sit, "C'com on Scarlet. Have a seat, I'll tell you everything that happened while you were in the basement." She bribed her smile warming, I sighed dramatically but stumbled over to the seat she had offered me.
__________
"Sienna spat in his face?" I ask again, I scrunched my face in confusion and happiness. "Why would she do that? He could have killed her for doing that!" I explained angrily, she was foolish for doing something... so wild — something so Sienna like.. "Do you think he will let her out of the basement soon?"
"I can only hope so.." she deflected genially, her forest coloured eyes filled with untold emotions. "I can't believe Ver, took her life, but I understand she was young and didn't understand.. the situation." Chelsea added thoughtfully, I nodded my head.
"We were younger than Ver when he took us Chelsea!" She closed her eyes, "We were practically, babies!" I curse, closing my eyes, fist curled at my side. He had taken me when I was only twelve, Chelsea when she was fourteen and Sienna when she was only ten years old, the youngest girl to ever be taken.
Standing here, now, nineteen years old I was filled with untold tears. I haven't felt like the epitome of happiness, every minute I spend in this hell, I beg the goddess to take me. I believe Ver, was smarter, I'm just standing here in denial. Mr. Oakland had killed, raped, and molested most of the girls, he locked us away, starving us for several days. My back, legs, are decorated in beating scars. I'm not the same Scarlet. A single tear, rolled down her pale cheek, she flicked her eyes open.
"In some way, we still are Scar but — we have to get back to our families, somewhere out their my baby brother is alone — maybe dead. I have to fight, he needs me, I need him. When I find him, all this suffering I've been through won't matter, once he's in my arms. What are you fighting for?" She snuffled wiping away her tears, "Because I think you forgot.."
"It's been seven years. I need to quit — but first I want to find my mate and explain to him why he needs to move on." I winced observing her hurt expression. "You're right, Chelsea we aren't the same people, and once we escape what's next?" I finished almost too quickly.
"Then we live, Betas daughter, you're one of the strongest people I've ever had the pleasure of meeting.." she comments. "It's your dream that helps these girls, once were out of this house, your gonna find happiness. I promise you their is more to life.." She smiles, and wiped her tears.
"Possibly," I remark getting up from my seat and pulling Chelsea into a hug. "Find your brother, find your mate — then you'll find your happiness. I'll leave you now.." I reply, bidding her a friendly goodbye. I tucked the chair underneath the table, and weakly shuffled to the door, turning to hear her last words.
"You will find your happiness, Scar. You'll see!"
____________
Once, I finished dressing, I spun the golden ring that adorned my wedding finger. It use to belong to my mother, she had passed many years ago her death had been sudden. It had left my father, devastated. I'm not sure he quite recovered after the lost of his mate, will my mate suffer if I died? Wolves were known to fall into deep, agonizing depression when their mate dies, I didn't want to hurt anyone in such way...
Someone knocked on the door, I stepped away from the mirror, and trotted to the door. Sienna and I have been roommates since I came, it had originally been her room. But — I had trouble sleeping and she offered me the extra bed in her room. I sighed heavily, unlocking the door.
"I heard you the first time — " I informed softly. I froze, my eyes turning soft once I saw Ver's older sister, Louise. Alex had informed me that she had also been locked in the basement, she glanced up at me, big blue eyes identical to her sisters. "Hi, Louise."
"Scarlet." She drawled raising a light brown eyebrow, "Can I come in? We need to talk about my sister." She uttered her features completely, neutral. But — her tightly pressed fists gave away her true emotions. I nodded stepping to the side, "thanks."
I shut the door hastily, motioning for her to take a seat on one of the beds. She nods. I observed her odd behaviour, my lips glued shut once she sat on Sienna's bed. The air was toxic until she coughed awkwardly, I moved away from my vanity, and plopped down on my bed. Watching her with curiosity, Louise didn't act like someone who had just lost her sister — she was so... detached.
Almost uncaring.
"Before — " She paused almost unsure of her words, I watched as an internal battle took place, before she spoke again — this time more collected. "Before, you start throwing me a pity party, or telling me how my sisters death has somehow hurt you. Don't." She hissed angrily, rolling her neck. "It's starting to get real annoying, hearing everyone say the same bullshit in different ways.." she added.
"Then why are you here, Louise?" I snap, but managed to plaster a fake smile. "You obviously have shown zero interest in being here, right now." I don't know what she wanted — but I didn't like when people wasted my time. I just couldn't understand her.
I knew she was an Alphas daughter, and that she wasn't from any of the surrounding packs. But — other than that she was just one of the many girls forced to live out the rest of their lives in this house. She smiled softly, enjoying my lack of play for her.
"I wish we had met somewhere else, I would've liked you!" She says, completely ignoring my comment. She clasped her hands together, crossing her legs and looked me dead in the eyes. "But no play, let's get down to business. As you're aware, my sister is indisposed at the moment — "
"Dead." I gritted.
She smiled softly, "Okay, dead."
"Could you at least act like you cared; in the slightest?" I urged angrily, she rolled her eyes and sighed dramatically. "Do you even care, Louise?" I ask confused at her bluntness.
"Let's not get touchy, Scarlet. Ver was my little sister, of course I care but I'm not going to cry over someone that isn't even dead." She explained calmly, her features dead serious. "'My lovely sister, is currently seeking help for our situation.."
"What?"I exclaimed shocked.
She nodded. "Ver isn't rotting away in the backyard, she should be arriving in my old pack." Louise continued calmly, "Sienna wanted you to prepare to leave in a day or so," she concluded in timely fashion.
"Is that why Sienna spat in his face?" I question further, she nods.
"She served as a distraction. You were a bonus." She got up from the bed, "Dinner is ready!" She chirped.
"Wait! We're not finished just yet!"
She rolled her eyes, "obviously. But do you want Mr. Oakland checking up on us? Plus I'm starved it's been a long two weeks, y'know?" Louise confessed. "You need to eat too, it's going to be an... exciting few days." She slogged before opening the door, gently locking it after her brief exit.
I sat on my bed, perplexed by her words. Was it true? Was I finally leaving this house of hell? I smirked before laying down on my bed. I couldn't help the enormous smile that grouted my face, it's been too long since I felt joy...
Thank you moon goddess.
___________
Louise was correct. The next few days consist of pure planning, and preparing for what's to come. The girls were still unaware of the small changes that Louise and I had put in place, I didn't expect for her to be so clever, but she truly deserved the title, Alpha. I couldn't wait until Sienna was brought back upstairs, we could use the extra hand; I could use a friend.
Louise sighed heavily, as she entered my room. Dust covering her clothes and face, she placed herself on Sienna's bed as usual. She didn't utter a word as she relaxed on the bed, I too, ignored her presence instead I stared at the ceiling, imagining random fantasies about the outside world.
"My pack is always open to a new member," she spoke up, "if you want you could always come with me." I smiled inwardly, "you'd make a terrific female warrior. And maybe you can find your mate?" She bribed viciously, but to no avail.
"I have to find my family first." I reply softly.
She sat up immediately, "The offer will always stand. If things don't work out in your pack, your always more than welcome to come with me." She says sternly, I shook my head yes.
I hope I get to see my family, once more.
__________
⚜️ T W O D A Y S L A T E R ⚜️
I almost screamed with excitement with I spotted Sienna ascending from the stairs, her features graven. I ducked behind the sofa when I noticed Mr. Oakland, he spoke harshly to her. I gazed down at her tightened fist; whatever your thinking Sienna don't do it.. He finally walked away, towards the west wings like usual.
I quickly, hopped on the sofa a smirk forming on my lips. I waited until she finally, noticed my tentative stare. She flipped around blowing a breath of relief until she noticed me, sitting on the couch. A smile plastered on her lips, she sauntered towards me, and sat down beside me.
"I think spitting in his face has to be my favourite reason I've ever give him to send me to the basement," she joked candidly, "Ready to get the fuck out of here?" She questioned a devilish smirk on her face.
"Since I was twelve," I mumble quietly, "let's finish up everything on Louise's little list."
She nodded quietly, "If she took credit for anything, it was my idea.." Sienna warned I laughed. "What? You have to give credit where credit is due," she concludes.
______________
The day had finally, come.
My hands felt sticky, clammy against each other, I glanced over at a nervous Louise. Sienna appeared unbothered — I had quickly come to terms over the years, that I wouldn't be able to read her emotions. She was well guarded. But — deep down a part of her had to be worried and scared. It was natural.
"What if the plan fails?" Louise remarked shyly, her lips drawn into a thin line. "Ver should have been back by now!" She gasped her blue eyes filled with worry.
"Give her more time, her task wasn't exactly baby work, y'know?" Sienna countered. "Just breathe, she'll come, soon. If she doesn't come then she's dead and that's bad for everyone, so let's think positive?" Sienna spoke, her features calm, I nodded in agreement.
Think positive.
Two hours later, we heard deep howling. The ground shook slightly, as the loud sound of howling wolves,filled the empty silence. I smiled happily, their here. Louise couldn't keep her happiness off her features, and Sienna couldn't be more happy.
That's when Mr. Oakland came running up the stairs. He marched past us and to the front door, opening several sets of locks, all of the girls had gathered around the entrance. Alarmed at the amount of noise. Everyone kept asking what was happening, once he unlocked the locks, he flung the door open. My mouth dropped in surprise at the immense amount of wolves gathered around the house, teeth bared, eyes furious. Their must have been thousands of wolves gathered.
But — A powerful Alpha wolf stepped forward. Unlike, the rest he hadn't shifted into his wolf instead he was dressed in a large fur coat, possibly made out of wolf fur. His dark onyx hair was stark against his tanned skin, his eyes a misty grey from where I stood. Everyone, hypnotized by the large, handsome male. He smirked a reaper grin spread across his blood red lips.
"I am Aztec!"
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First official chapter!
Thank you for reading, for my old fans it's been two years since you bid this book goodbye! Are you ready for its return! Thank you so much! Please do vote!