Sudden twist
Having tucked the wooden shard behind me in my denim pants and hiding it under my blouse, I readied myself to be taken away by them.
I had taken the advantage of their discussion and acted as though I was trying to recover from the slap to do this.
Now, I had to make my guise as believable as much.
I trembled still, scared from the overwhelming pressure of not getting caught. Yet, I knew I had to push on.
I pretended to push myself up and tried to make a run out of the room.
I sluggishly dashed forward, stumbling right in front of the short yet, muscular man.
" There you go. Get up now!" The man caught me and pulled me up to my feet. He locked my hands in his firm grip and dragged me towards the wide open door.
I tried to break free but it was futile.
" Easy now" He mused in a soft chuckle as he shoved me out the room with Selene following behind.
I didn't resist too much, making it seem like I had surrendered.
I made sure he loosened his hold on me, leaving just enough chance to let me grab the wooden shard.
And so, I awaited the right moment. I still had a chance at escaping...
I let him drag me up the small staircase that led into a small corridor with a sole wooden door at the end.
From beyond the door, I heard several dull murmurs and I could tell the whole pack was waiting in there.
Worried, I subconsciously glanced behind me, wondering if I should strike now or wait till we got out there.
The man's guard was down at the moment, and if I should reach behind me to grab the shard, I should be able to break myself free and charge through the door.
Just when this thought crossed my mind, Selene's malicious gaze locked onto me, and I quickly looked away, fearing that she'd see through my plot.
Besides, that wasn't the best of plans. I'd still have to go through that door. And with so many of them out there, I doubt I'd ever be able to escape.
' If only there was way out in the corridor' I looked around, still wondering if I should make a move now.
The man dragged me on effortlessly, clearly unbothered by my suspicious acts.
Before I knew it, we were already at the end of the corridor.
The man reached out from behind me to open the door.
Creak!
Like an opera show where the curtain on stage was lifted, the door unveiled a theatrical scenery of artistic cacophony.
The awry, dark hall ahead was shaded gray by the glossy flush of the moonlight that shone in directly from the huge window pane at the other side.
A number of people, stood around in contrast to the serenity painted by the moon. Some of them forming a small group as they stood discussing while others hid in the corner, veiled by the shadows.
It was the same hall where we had dined earlier and they were all members of Carl's family whom is been introduced to earlier.
But now, a lot of things seemed different.
The vintage sofas had been pushed to the side, allowing for more space, while the dining table had been placed beside the windowpane where two people stood.
They were none other than Carl and Michael.
They both turned at the same time, one flashing a delighted smile as he sipped from the bronze cup in his hands while the other stared indifferently. His gaze ever condescending.
Feeling an awkward stir in my guts at the sight of them, I shifted my gaze away from them.
I had wanted to avoid their gazes but something else that stood out oddly in the room caught my attention. On the table that had been placed near the window pane, a lit red candle that graced its mahogany top with its fire dancing rhythmically to the wave of the moonshine.
A ritual!?
My legs buckled and my head rang at the sight of this. I heard a distance, inexistent raving urging me to flee.
However, I could barely even shake the fear in me to take a step forward. The door to the hall was to the farther side, and someone was standing there. Similarly, the window didn't seem the likely escape route either.
" We don't have all night lady!" The man suddenly pushed me into the hall, cutting me off my racing thought. His lax demeanor vanished as he violently dragged me to the table at the far side of the hall.
I pinned my gaze down at the wooden floorboard, avoiding the silent gazes and stares as we walked along the hall. Scared and apprehensive of what was to come.
They all seemed to gather around the table just as we neared it.
I was scared. I could tell something really shady was about to happen and every bit of my being repulsed it.
My thoughts raced in my banging head, wondering what to do next.
Just then, I realized I still had the wooden shard. I steadied my thoughts, and let him push me on the table. I waited for the right moment to strike.
At this point, it mattered less if I got killed. All I thought of was to not be a part of whatever this is!
However, I didn't realize I was gravely mistaken. Not until when the man grabbed the rope on my hands and tied me to the legs of the table.
My eyes widened in shock at this.
I struggled to break free to grab the wooden shard. I knew once I was tied, there's nothing I could do anymore!
But then, the mistake had already been made, and it cost me. I should have acted sooner!
Now that I was tied to the table, all I could do was wrangle and twist hoping I'd break free. But it was all to no avail, nothing but a fruitless effort.
I caught the stares and glares of the pack members who were now surrounding the table. Those stares pierced directly through me, causing my whole being to shudder in fright.
There eyes were all of different hues, and their smiles were warped, revealing their sharp canines.
I felt like a prey served on a silver platter at the moment, my whole body shook uncontrollably as I tensed in place.
" Calm your nerves people!" I heard a deep voice pronounce authoritatively from above me and I couldn't help but crane my neck to look.
It was Micheal, his eyes glowed, staring coldly. Behind him, Carl stood glaring menacingly at the others.
They shrunk and reeled away from the table at this, as if in fear. Their glowing eyes dimmed and their canines retracted. They seemed to recollect themselves as they oddly withdrew from the moonlight.
For a second, I felt relieved. Yet, I knew things were about to get even worse.
If the others were scary, then Michael would be horror itself.
Earlier, Carl had introduced him to me as the family head.
I thought it was strange considering he looked no less in his mid forties. Besides, Carl was quite strangely honorary and apprehensive around him.
However, I had brushed it aside.
I mean, who would have thought I was walking into the home of a werewolf pack? It's not like a common occurrence right?
It wasn't until he had asked why Carl had returned, and questioned why he brought me a long that I started to realize something was off.
My conscience warned me to leave, but my heart strayed. I had foolishly thought Carl and Michael were simply at odds, only to find out it was more than that.
Still, I remained at the table. It was only when I noticed certain changes in Michael's appearance that I realized what I had walked into.
I tried to make a run for it but then, I wasn't fast enough. Following a dull heavy blow that I felt on the back of my neck and the blurry sight of Carl's cold eyes staring down at me, I saw pitch darkness.
Only to wake up in the basement, chained to the bed.
" ..." I whimpered and shook at the sudden touch that grazed my décolletage, reeling me out of my daze. I didn't realize Michael had moved to my side and was now staring down at me, caressing my nape.
The shine of the moon highlighted the fair skin of his face, blessed with a sharp nose and hollow cheekbones accentuated by his strong jawline that was covered in smooth stubble. His wide temples featured a thick sharp joining eyebrows that seemed to be hardly impressed by anything.
And his eyes... they were resplendently dangerous.
I had never felt so scared and awkward looking at someone's face.
" Today, at the request of Carl, we welcome a new member to the Emberborn pact" He said, turning to face Carl.
My heart tinged horribly at his words, I felt the inevitability in them.
The dark heavy silence that fell in the hall afterwards only served to confirm my thoughts.
No one doubted his words. Not even me!
Am I really going to become a werewolf?
Amidst the echoing fear that wrapped around my heart as I pondered, I saw him reach out his hands to the side.
Selene walked up to him, handing him a silver dagger that glistened under the light of the moon.
Micheal grabbed the knife, and extended his other hand over my head.
Suddenly, he slashed at it with the sharp silver knife.
I widened my eyes at the sight of this. I saw him express pain which baffled me, but I quickly shut my eyes sight when I saw the red lushness pouring down.
Tap! Tap!
His blood dripped all over my face, stirring dread deep in my guts!
My thumping heart dulled, and everything around me seemed to slow down. It was as though I neared the end of time with every passing breath I took.
I gasped, my chest rising and falling.
" In the name of Lunaticus, The frenzied Moon of madness" I heard him state in a reverent tone.
I, Michael Emberborn, invoke into your spirit, the curse of my lineage. So that you may be one of mine!" He bellowed as he chanted. An acrid, metallic smell wafted through, driving me crazy.
" Alyssa" I shuddered when he wrapped a palm around my neck, and whispered my name in a hush. My nipples hardened, and my thoughts lulled.
" If you wish to escape the grasp of Carll, Do just as I say to you" I heard him say and couldn't help but shoot my eyes open.
Just then, I felt a sharp piercing pain rip through me as he sunk his teeth deep into my neck!