My Rogue

Chapter 24: Pain

Mika's POV

My eyes were covered by a thick and scratchy rag as though they tied sandpaper to my face. My mouth was gagged with what I could only imagine was an old rag someone found on the side of the street and they shoved it in my mouth when I wouldn't stop snapping at them.

I lost track of time a long time ago, not that I had much of a handle on it to begin with. All I remember was try to get away from the Rogues who came into the pack territory. I knew I recognized my old Beta, but what had surprised me was that his eyes were now blaring bright red, just like my own.

At first I thought it was just one or two wolves, but they kept coming out of the trees as if they grew on them. One had blindsided me from the back and after they had forced me to shift back to my human form, something hit me on the back of the head and all I saw was black.

I had no idea how long I was out for. It could have been hours or days. When I did wake up, I just knew it was dark out and I had one hell of a headache. I had been knocked unconscious before, but this time was different. Not only my head, it was like my entire body was boiling with pain.

I was in and out of consciousness after that as I fought through the tremors that raked through my body. It was like someone was poking me with needles and filling the holes with lava. My forehead was dripping with sweat and the last time I woke up, I could barely control my breathing.

I found myself strapped on to a table, my arms pinned to my side with straps over my chest, hips, and legs. I tried to wiggle out the best I could but even I knew it was hopeless.

"Good morning, sleepyhead."

A cruel voice rang over the room and I shuddered at the memory of the last time I had heard that voice. I tried not to let the fear show as Alpha Diego stepped into my line of vision but I ended up shuttering at the sight before me.

Just like his Beta, the Alpha I once knew was completely different. He was no longer the collected and controlled, merciless killing machine that I remembered. His dark hair was now a disheveled mess and his eye blazed a bright and wild red. The smile that leaked from his lips was maniacal and sent a shiver through my body.

At least before, Alpha Diego was predictable. I could see when he got angry and could prepare for the abuse. Now, it was like he was a new person entirely, a loose cannon of a man that I couldn't read.

He smiled down at me. I would rather he speak, say something to me that would remind me he was still the same person I had figured out. But no, he just stared at me, that crazed look in his eyes.

Something was off about him, something was different besides his appearance. His entire aura had changed. I could still feel power rolling off him but it wasn't as... dominant as before? As if I had seen him bow his head to another.

"W-what do you want from me?" I finally managed to say something, the silence driving my nerves to their edge.

His smile deepened if that was at all possible.

"You, Mika. I've always wanted you. But you left me."

I couldn't bring myself to say anything. Why did he sound almost regretful, more so than angry?

"Y-you expected me to stay in that fucked up place you called a pack?"

"Hmph," he gave a humored grunt as though he had tried but failed to laugh. As fast as I could blink, Diego lifted his hand and smacked it hard across my face. When the stars faded from my eyesight, I looked up to the red orbs now filled with rage.

"You fuckin' prick! Do you know what you did to us?! What you did to my pack?!!"

The pack? Now I was even more confused. What did this have to do with the pack? It wasn't like any of them really liked me. The few who were nice to me were always severely punished. Eventually I was either avoided or beaten. Short of those sadistic assholes like Diego who got off on torturing me, everyone else would have been glad to see me go.