FRAGILE

Chapter 3: Obedient for their Appraisal

The cold, damp air of the basement settled heavily around Levi as he lay curled on the floor of his cage, his thin body trembling from the ache of countless bruises and cuts. The pain had become a constant companion over the years, a dull throb that ebbed and flowed depending on the latest punishment inflicted by the pack. The cold iron collar around his neck was a constant reminder of his place, the weight of it pressing into his skin and making each breath just a little harder. But even heavier than the collar was the dread that had settled deep in his chest.

Tomorrow, the humans were coming.

The thought of being sold off filled Levi with a terror so profound, it was hard to even process. He had heard the stories whispered among the wolves—dark tales of wolves being sold to humans, only to vanish without a trace. Those who were sold became property, stripped of their identities and dignity. The pack treated Levi like he was nothing, but he knew the humans would be worse. He had seen their cruelty before, even if only from a distance. Once the pack no longer had use for him, they would sell him off, like a discarded tool.

Levi's breath hitched as his mind raced, replaying the words the Alpha had spoken just hours before. The humans will be here tomorrow. He hadn't said it as a threat—it had been a simple fact, delivered with the same casual indifference as if he were discussing the weather. Levi was nothing more than a commodity to him now, a means to gain a bit of coin.

He pressed his forehead against the cold, grimy floor, willing himself to stay calm, but it was no use. The panic clawed at his insides, relentless and suffocating. Being sold to humans was a fate he had always feared but never truly believed would happen. And now it was real.

His mind wandered, grasping for something to cling to, some small memory of better days before his world had fallen apart. But even those memories had become tainted, poisoned by the knowledge that his life had been a lie. Once, he had been the son of the pack's third-in-command, a child loved and cherished. Now, he was nothing more than prey, an omega to be traded and sold like livestock.

The door to the basement creaked open, its familiar groan sending a jolt of fear through Levi's already tense body. His heart raced, his pulse quickening as the heavy footsteps descended the stairs, growing louder with each step. Levi knew who it was before he even looked up. Kian, the Beta of the pack, had a presence that filled the air with cruelty, a cold, uncaring dominance that Levi had learned to fear above all else.

Kian stepped into the basement, his lips curled in that ever-present sneer of satisfaction. He approached Levi's cage with the deliberate, measured steps of a predator toying with its prey. In his hand, he held the key to Levi's cage, and in the other, a length of chain. Levi's heart sank further at the sight of the chain.

"Up," Kian barked, his voice sharp and commanding.

Levi hesitated for only a second before forcing his aching body to respond. He had learned long ago not to delay when the Beta gave an order. His limbs protested the movement, every muscle sore from the beatings he'd endured, but he pushed through the pain, rising shakily to his feet. His collar clanked softly as he stood, the weight of it familiar yet still suffocating.

Kian unlocked the cage with a loud click, swinging the door open with a force that made the hinges groan. He stepped inside and grabbed Levi roughly by the arm, dragging him forward without a second thought. His grip was bruising, his fingers digging into Levi's skin as he yanked him toward the stairs.

"Don't make me drag you the whole way," Kian growled, his voice thick with contempt.

Levi didn't resist. He had no energy to fight, and even if he did, he knew it would only make things worse. Instead, he let himself be pulled up the stairs, his legs stumbling beneath him as he struggled to keep pace with Kian's long strides.

The door at the top of the stairs swung open, and the bright sunlight hit Levi's face like a slap. It had been days since he'd last seen the sun, and the sudden brightness stung his eyes, forcing him to squint against the glare. The fresh air filled his lungs, but there was no comfort in it—only the oppressive weight of what was to come.

As they emerged into the open courtyard, Levi's gaze fell on the rest of the pack, already gathered in a loose circle around the humans. They were well-dressed, their clothes clean and sharp against the backdrop of the forest. Their eyes, cold and calculating, scanned the wolves assembled before them like they were inspecting merchandise.

Levi's stomach twisted into tight knots, his pulse quickening as he caught sight of the Alpha. The imposing black wolf stood at the head of the pack, his presence commanding respect from every other wolf present. The midnight-black fur on his head gleamed in the sunlight, and his eyes, as cold as ever, locked onto Levi with a look of disinterest. The other wolves in the clearing stood as men, equals to the humans; only Levi remained a wolf. It had been years since he had been allowed to stand amongst them, undeserving of the right. 

He wasn't important. Not to them. Not anymore.

"This one," the Alpha said, his voice carrying effortlessly across the clearing as he gestured toward Levi. "He's small, but he's obedient. Perfect for whatever task you have in mind."

Levi's heart sank at the words. He stood there, feeling the eyes of the humans bore into him, their gazes appraising him, judging him. It was like being stripped bare in front of them, every part of him reduced to nothing more than a transaction. They moved closer, their sharp eyes scanning every inch of him as if they were sizing up livestock for slaughter.

One of the humans, a tall man with cold, calculating eyes, stepped forward. He wore a sleek black coat, and his face was expressionless as he circled Levi, inspecting him like he would a piece of meat. His fingers grazed Levi's arm, his touch clinical and disinterested. He reached out, touching the collar around Levi's neck, his lips curling into a thin smile.

"How obedient?" the man asked, his voice flat and devoid of emotion.

The Alpha let out a low, dark chuckle. "Completely. He knows better than to defy orders. Isn't that right, Omega?"

Levi said nothing. He knew better than to speak. His silence was answer enough.

The human seemed satisfied, his hand dropping away from Levi's collar as he turned to face the Alpha again. "He's in rough shape, but he'll do."

The Alpha's smile widened, the transaction already complete in his mind. "Good. Then he's yours. I'll have him ready by nightfall."

Levi's world felt as though it was collapsing around him. There was no escape now. No last-minute reprieve. He was going to be sold, taken by these humans and dragged away from everything he had ever known. And even though his life in the pack had been nothing but pain and suffering, at least it had been familiar. This... this was something else entirely.

Kian's hand clamped around Levi's collar, jerking him backward with a force that sent pain shooting through his neck. "Come on," he snarled, dragging Levi back toward the basement, the cruel satisfaction in his voice unmistakable. "Time to get you ready."

Levi stumbled after him, his legs weak and unsteady, his vision blurred with unshed tears. He didn't cry—not anymore. Crying didn't help. It never had. But that didn't stop the fear from building inside him, threatening to overwhelm him.

As they descended back into the dark, damp basement, Kian tossed Levi to the ground without a second thought. The cold floor bit into Levi's skin as he lay there, staring up at the ceiling, his mind numb with the weight of his fate.

The Alpha's words echoed in his head. He's yours.

By nightfall, he would be gone. Taken from his pack, from everything he had ever known, and thrust into a new hell. One that might be even worse than the one he had known all his life.

Kian slammed the door of the cage shut, the sharp clang reverberating through the small, dark space. "You're lucky," he sneered, his lips twisting into a cruel smile. "The humans might even treat you better than we did. Or maybe they won't."

Levi didn't respond. He didn't have the strength. He curled up on the floor of the cage, the cold iron collar pressing against his throat as he closed his eyes, wishing he could disappear into the darkness.

Tomorrow would bring a new nightmare. And Levi wasn't sure he would survive it.