Trigger Warning: This chapter contains abuse, violence, and emotional relapse. Please read at your own risk.
Clara
Gerald was a monster of a werewolf with massive muscles; he was matchless in any one-on-one fight. They said that he had fought every Elite and lower class werewolf in the gladiator trials for physical supremacy, and he never lost once.
I would be a fool if I thought I could defeat him. But it didn’t matter if I lost. I was dead anyway. If I wasn’t beaten to a pulp by the Lieutenant, then I would be taken to be questioned and tortured.
At least I would go down on my own terms.
I snarled at Gerald and threw myself at him. The stone was in my hand. A grim smile was on his face. The rock collided with his upper arm, as he raised them in time to block. Any lesser werewolf’s arm would have shattered instantly, but Gerald was built like a mountain.
He lifted his giant fist and let it crash on my head – or he would’ve gotten my head, if I didn’t dodge just in time. Instead, I once again saw sparks as his closed fist pummeled my shoulder. I heard a terrible crack, and a howl of pain left my lips. It took all of my willpower not to faint right there.
I reeled back and gazed bleakly at my shoulder turning red and purple with inflammation and bruising. My left arm hung uselessly at my side. Dislocated. This was bad.
Her eyes shone bright, and a laugh escaped her snout. Elena.
I could feel her power and agility within me, but it wasn’t enough. I was too anxious to channel her raw strength. Despite myself, I too laughed crazily along with her. Gerald’s blue eyes narrowed.
“Just like her. You’re as crazy as her,” he muttered.
Confusion fogged my mind for just a second. Who was he talking about?
I released my claws; black evil talons extended from the fingertips of my right hand. I stared hungrily at the blue pulsing vein in his stout neck. Just one slice. All it takes is one well-aimed slash to separate the living from the dead.
“Heh heh. You always were an interesting female, Clara,” he said. He tilted his head back and forth, as if to stretch his muscles for a fight. “If you had just stayed a good little quiet werewolf, I might have even entertained the thought of taking you as my concubine. Ah well. My family would be pleased to finally get rid of you.”
I spat at him, “Big talk for someone who’s going to feed the crows.”
I lunged and slashed with my right hand, but the imbalance of my dislocated shoulder and useless arm made me swing far too wide. For such a giant werewolf, he was shockingly nimble. My claws swung at empty air. He slung his powerful fist into my stomach. I went flying back into the dirt. Nausea and pain made me vomit out the contents of my stomach. I tasted and smelled the bitter acid on my lips, which almost made me doubly sick. Painfully, I tried to pick myself up.
Get up, you fool. GET UP! screeched Elena.
My dazed eyes tried to focus on the Lieutenant. He was watching me carefully. I realized with rising fury that he was toying with me. The guards who had been at the exit of Bragne had finally seen the commotion, and they both sprinted towards Gerald’s side.
“Sir!” said the one who wasn’t as drunk as his companion. “Are you alright?!”
He moved towards me with chains in his hands, but Gerald roared. The two guards flinched and stepped back.
“Does it look like I need help? Get back, you morons!” he snarled.
Mutely, they stepped back in fear. Gerald was a good head and shoulders taller than them, even though they themselves were athletic guards in their own right. It was almost comical to see them in utter awe of the Lieutenant, though there was nothing funny about the situation.
I coughed and spat out bits of blood. Despite all my attempts, it would still come to this. I was still helpless. For the first time in a very long time, I felt despair, rage, and tears burn within me. I was so weak. So pathetic. I was going to die a disgraced, pointless death like my parents for daring to fight an Elite. It was a doomed venture from the start. Not even kind Hazel could save my skin this time. Lord Dover would make sure that anyone who even dreamed of hitting his brute son would be marked for a cruel execution.
Gerald circled around me. “Get up,” he said mockingly. “Is this it? Is this the end of the Grey line at last? I thought you’d actually put up a good fight for your parents’ sake. Disappointing.”
He grabbed my hair and yanked me up. I cried out in agony. His face came within inches of my own, and he sneered. “Are you going to beg for mercy like your worthless mother? Go on. Beg. Maybe I can kill you now and spare you the torture of the Iron Vise. It’s your choice, step-sister.”
I spat both blood and saliva into his eye.
“Burn in the halls of hell, you maggot-infested sack of shit,” I hissed.
He snarled and let me go for just a moment. My spit must have burned his eye, and with every ounce of strength that I had, I shoved my claws deep into his skin. Even though he was caught off guard, he still was able to shield his throat. I only was able to sink my claws into his barreled chest. If I had use of both of my arms, I could have carved out his heart. He bellowed in pain, and the two guards behind him finally intervened.
“Call for backup!” screamed one guard.
The other guard threw his head back and howled, long and clear. One guard tore my hand away Gerald’s chest, and the other one gripped my waist to pull me back. My entrenched claws ripped off chunks of Gerald’s flesh in their exit, which made him roar in pain. The Lieutenant smashed his fist into one unfortunate guard’s gut, and then with no compunction, threw out a fist aimed directly at my head. It was as if my cheekbone had dented inwards. I fell backwards, my head spinning.
No more. I couldn’t fight… any more…
“Father… Mother…. I’m so… tired,” I whispered.
Vaguely, I could hear other werewolves baying in the distance. The sound of marching footfalls on the dirt and stone pathways. Yells, baying, and outraged voices. I could feel the cold embrace of iron chains on my wrist, and someone dragging me forward. I didn’t care anymore. I was too exhausted to even think.
Yes. This was how the Grey line will end. In a pathetic last stand. I couldn’t even make it a single league outside of Bragne. What a joke I was.
You poor, poor dear, she said to me. Elena crept closer and licked my face.
I heard the heavy steps of Gerald shaking the ground as he approached me. One hand gripped his bleeding chest to staunch the flow. His eyes glowed red with rage. “I’m going to make you regret that your mother ever pissed you out of her womb,” he snarled.
His blood-red claws extended from his fingertips. He raised them to make the kill. I shut my eyes.
I heard a loud clang as if a sword deflected a blade. I opened my eyes, but the pain of everything made everything blurry. There was a flash of dark blue hair. A lean, but athletic werewolf had his mottled claws locked against the Lieutenant’s red talons Gerald leaned his whole weight against the other werewolf, and there was a look of shock on his face. The indigo-haired werewolf wasn’t even budging.
“I said I’d see you again, Clara.” Prince Legiere said with his playful voice.
It was the last thing I heard before giving myself over to the darkness of unconsciousness.
Clara A crying child standing alone in front of a hall of werewolves. Rumors of betrayal. The yellow eyes of our Alpha as he sat in a highchair, listening to his advisers. Their urgent whispers. “Kill her too. Kill her before she grows old and takes her revenge. The seeds of treachery must not be allowed to take root.” “Am I that weak to need to kill a mewling child?” The matter was settled. The Elites and advisers all spoke at once in consternation and shock. An ambitious red-haired werewolf with a goatee put himself forward. His tones were flattering. “Let me take her as a ward, then, my Alpha. I shall house her until you decide what to do with her.” “I have already decided, Lord Dover. But do as you wish.” The tall werewolf then stood up and stared down at me. I saw his claws. They dripped with blood. The scent of blood in nostrils. Sharp and bitter. Pungent. Spicy? Why did it smell like spice? Oh gods, why did it smell like burning mushrooms? ** I groaned and tried t
Clara Freedom? I could barely believe what I was hearing. The Prince of the Dark Shade pack had played a card game to grant me my freedom? Why? And why in hells would our Alpha of the Moonstone Pack even agree to it? I must be still dreaming. I could see the Lieutenant angrily pacing the floor, as Prince Legiere unlocked the iron gates of my cell. He waltzed inside the gates and took off my gag. I gulped in air greedily. My head felt light, and I didn’t have it in me to give sarcastic commentary. Gerald had beaten that out of me quick enough, and I wasn’t stupid enough to do it again. The Alpha Andelle had watched these proceedings in silence until now. “You are free to have her, but I wonder what exactly you plan to do with her? Surely you were not serious about making her your mate?” he asked. “Concubine,” Prince Legiere said brightly. “I already have a destined mate for me back at home waiting for me. I’m sure she and my lovely brother would be quite sad to hear if I had sud
Clara Servants scurried in and out of the Alpha’s mess hall with plates of hot food and drink on wooden trays. Pale gleams of light flowed in from the large windows on all sides. There were several tapestries and paintings that told the story of the Andelle ancestors. The tantalizing smell of appetizers and entrees made me drool, but I found that I couldn’t relax enough to shovel food in my mouth like I usually did. Not with the Alpha, Sisley, Prince Griffin, and Gerald in the same room with me. Prince Legiere gently tugged at one of my loose brown braid to get my attention. I stared angrily at him. I wanted to throttle him. “No,” I said with gritted teeth. He was smiling and holding a spoon of piping hot porridge mixed with sweet milk, scallions, and seared pork rinds. It smelled absolutely delicious, and my stomach rumbled in agony. Gladly would I have tried to take a bite, but not in this embarrassing manner. “Don’t be like that. Say ‘ahhh.’” I turned my face away at the last
ClaraAlpha Andelle steepled his clawed fingers together and gazed at Prince Legiere. “If you would excuse my son, it appears that he still has not learned the delicacy required in such private matters.”Griffin tensed, but Sisley put her hand on Griffin’s arm to calm him down.Emperor Barnes Andelle went on, and his yellow eyes were scathing. “Perhaps the fledgling prince has given you the wrong impression about the girl. It may be true that at the time, she was too young to have been involved in the plot against me. However, her actions three nights ago speak of a guilty conscience. She fled when I had extended her an invitation to the mating ball. She attacked an Elite member of my pack. I caution that you think twice about this arrangement of spiriting her away from our pack.”“A guilty conscience?” I cried out. “You left me to rot with these people who did everything in their power to make my life a living hell. Every single werewolf in this pack, everyone, treated me like a cont
Clara Sisley had been watching me, and she spoke, “Careful, step-sister. Your murderous intent is plain on your face. Perhaps my little brother couldn’t finish the job, but I assure you – I can and I will if you make one wrong move.” Elena hissed and bared her teeth, but I shut my eyes as if to shut out her presence as well. We need to stay calm, I told Elena. We’ve learned so much, and I can’t stupidly try to take on the Alpha, the Lieutenant, and Sisley all at once. Prince Legiere whistled and then burst into laughter. “Hotheads both of you! Like brother, like sister. There’s a saying in our pack that redheads are doomed with short tempers. You realize that you’re threatening my concubine, don’t you?” Sisley glared at Prince Legiere. “I’m quite curious about what your brother and future mate would say about all of this, Prince Deanneth? Did they approve of you sneaking out of Khordon with just two of your bodyguards to have a pleasant stay in Bragne? Or will the messenger hawk th
Trigger warnings: disturbed individual and violence against pups. Please DO NOT read if you can't handle it. Thanks! Clara Someone pounded frantically on the door to the mess hall. “My Lord!” screamed a voice. “Please! Help!” The Alpha strode forward. Black hair bristled and grew like weeds all over his skin. His face extended into a pointed snout. He threw open the doors, and a terrified bloody werewolf lurched forward. Hazel ran up to him. It didn’t take a Royal Healer to know that the werewolf was going to be dead in seconds. The entire right side of his face was torn clean off, and I winced as I saw his exposed tongue and brains. He tried to speak, but then he collapsed in a puddle of blood on the floor. Another guard beside him gripped his left arm – or what was left of it. He quivered like a scared pup. It shocked me to see a grown guard of the Bragne in such a state of terror. “T-they’re monsters,” he whimpered. “They stormed the garrison. I couldn’t believe my eyes. Half o
Clara Elena sprang backwards, but the Greater Vampire quickly accounted for her movement. Hideous burning pain grazed my upper arm, but to my relief, the silver bullet lodged itself into a pine tree right behind me. I wanted to control my own body, but Elena still was not done. The vampire cursed in his language. The rifle was an ingenious invention created by Greater Vampires in olden times, but it had a glaring weakness: it could not be reloaded quickly. In an army with several Greater Vampires staggering their shots, it was a weapon that wiped out packs of werewolves in extended battles. But in a one-on-one fight, it had no advantages against the brute strength and agility of a shifted werewolf. Elena pounded the floor with my limbs, and she leaped forward to slash at the vampire’s throat. He sneered and brandished his rifle like a rapier. The silver bayonet just narrowly missed my heart, but it raked across my waist. Elena and I shrieked together at the fiery pain. I had no doub
ClaraPrince Griffin shifted back and took off the Lunar Steel gauntlets. He gently helped me back to my feet. His intense gaze made my face warm, and I quickly shifted away from my wolf form.“Are you all right?” he asked me seriously.“Yes. Thank you,” I said. “You saved my skin back there.”“Pardon me? WE saved your skin back there,” said Prince Legiere in mock woundedness. “In case you didn’t notice, all Prince Griffin did was cause a marvelous distraction, but I sent them packing.”I grimaced, but I knew he would be insufferable if I didn’t give him any praise. And it was true enough. He had come to my assistance along with Griffin. “Thank you,” I muttered.He gave me a wry smile, but I quickly changed the subject.“Where are the Alpha and the Lieutenant? And Sisley?” It’s not that I even cared about them remotely, but their absence was noticeable. Why weren’t they here? I wanted to ask, but then I wondered in shock if they had been killed. I looked bleakly at the carnage around