Lost In His Kingdom

3. The Castle

The day to go to the palace of the werewolf king came. The coronation happened two days ago. And now different packs will go and show support to the new king. We were given new outfits and that was the best thing that happened after a long time. We were told to clean ourselves extra well. I could see the Alpha and  the Luna of our pack hurring and discussing everything. But me and Robin just felt excited to go away from this territory. 

We five slaves were seated with the gamma of our pack in a car while Alpha, Luna, beta and his mate went for the ultimate luxurious car. That car was so shiny we could see our faces on the surface. The drive to the palace was quiet. Because yes we were slaves, but mainly because  everyone was busy admiring the outside.

The mountains, the river, the nature. Once what we all took for granted feels so precious now. I for one used to dislike leaving my house. Hiking and nature weren't my kinda thing. And now I am ready to sell my soul to go there. To run in the open field. To just be free.

Then I suddenly realize the weight of my thoughts. These are dangerous desires. Being a slave and having a dream to be free is so tempting. So sinful. And addicting. 

If I let myself have them, it will only get stronger. Until I am free or dead. All these years I didn't see the outside. Only saw fear and cruelty. So surviving was the only goal. But the breath of independence is more addicting than drugs.

So I hold myself down. And tried to clear my mind. 

Humans have always desired freedom. But I need to be realistic. I need to realize this kinda though will be my end. So for my own sake I need to erase and end this once and for all.

Seeing me in deep thought Robin asked me what happened. I shrugged it away. Let's just end this thing here and now.

When we came to the palace gate, we could not believe how big and majestic it was.  Dark in colour but you can smell the expense in the air. Hauntingly beautiful. The design had such detail that the short span of time wasn't enough to appreciate the beauty. And if I was surprised by just the gate, the inside blew my mind. 

Damm!!! Everything looks magical to be true. But then again the creatures used to be magical for us. And now look at them, in front of us, painfully true.

We all hurriedly went inside and started placing the gift in the designated area. I could see other slaves of different packs too. Today is the day all packs will gather around. They will celebrate. The next day after lunch we are supposed to go back. 

It is already afternoon. The celebration will start  in the evening. Creatures love the dark. So most celebrations happen at night. We will also be there for help.

Then a woman in her late 20s came and gathered us around. By the look of her, she was a vampire. That equally confused and frightened us. Vampires were rare in werewolf kingdom.

We didn't know what to do. But we knew to stay in our place. However all she did was instruct us about our task in the evening. Then she left. 

Then came another guy. Now we could tell he was a werewolf. The common difference between werewolf and vampire was that vampires tended to be lean where wolves were all about mussels. However both spices were mostly equally strong.

Apparently he was to make sure we don't mess up the work. And no one wanted to mess around anyway.

It was close to evening. The event was supposed to start. Robin and I were given the task at the kitchen. We have been cleaning the dishes since we came here. Both were equally tired. Everything ached.

We never had this many people in our pack. This was a lot for us. All the girls that were given the same task as us had the same tiredness in their eyes. Didn't think coming in here would be this painful.

Then all of a sudden I heard a crush and all eyes were instantly on Robin. I saw her face pale as a glass lay there in the ground, broken in front of her. And every slave in the room felt her fear together. 

The guy in charge of us came in the instant and slapped Robin hard. In the sea of silence the sharp sound of the slap was felt by each and every single one of us. 

My heart started beating fast. My stomach twisted in fear. Robin fell on the same piece of glass that she had accidentally broken. Blood on her hand from the broken pieces and blood on her lips where she had bitten herself by the force of the slap.

My feet automatically went to help her. I shield her with my body and instantly started apologizing for my friend.

“We are so sorry for the accident. Please forgive her.” I pleaded. 

But by the look on his face I knew this was a wrong move.

“How dare you,” the wolf roared. “You low life human. How dare you? Breaking stuff and talking back at me. Refusing the punishment”

And I knew I was fucked. Me and Robin both were fucked. Nothing can save us now. This guy was ready to strike us  when the vampire lady came rushing.

“What is the meaning of this?” she asked looking from the guy incharge to us. “Why have the slaves stopped working? The event is going to start in a couple of minute and no one is doing there job”

The guy was still eyeing us. His hand was still raised. Aching to strike us. Punish us for our crime. 

“This slave broke a glass and another one was disrespectful talking back” he said going to her side. Still eyeing us. The look on his face revealed how disgusted he is with us.

I wanted to say I wasn't disrespecting him. And the glass broke by accident but I held my tongue. That would be nothing but trouble.

The woman was impatient. She didn't care about this. All she wanted was to make the slaves start working again

“Well deal with it later. Right now we don't have enough time.” she hurried the guy. “ put them in prison and deal with this later. The king is in bad mode already. We don't want our neck snapped” 

That sentence brought the wolf back to senses. His face that once held anger now replaced with anxiousness.

“Take them to prison” he told the guards “And everyone hurry up”

And his whole focus went to managing the slaves again. Everyone also started working again without giving us a second glance. 

And just like that I remembered how insignificant we are. Robin looked at me fearfully and I looked back at her. We knew this might be our end. We stood up quickly not to anger anyone else and the guard started taking us to the prison.

We didn't resist. We could not. We knew that.That would cause more punishment. The guards on the other hand were not gentle with their touch. With a strong grip, they put us into a small cell.

As it was almost dark, we saw the light coming from the cell window begin to dim. And so did our hope to live. Who knows what the wolf did here for this meremistake. We can be dead in a couple of hours. I looked at Robin with hopeless eyes and she mirrored my emotion back at me.