Chapter 2 CAGED

After a long torturing journey to the Darkmoon pack, they were getting closer to the city of which they could see the massive castle ahead. Scary mufflings from the prisoners as they lay wearily, Luna watched them with a bittered expression. She knew they were frightened of what awaited them in the pack but then, what could they possibly do about it? They can't fight off these armies for they were numerous.

Indistinct chattering and drumming could be heard as they passed the village towards the huge gate, which some armed guards were stationed. Sniffling for any rogue smell and accessing them while they move in, the prisoners google eyes gawk at the ivory walls of the castle; towers connected by large bridges and small windows which covered its walls along with gaps for artillery and archery. Continuously gaping at the exterior of the enormous castle, It was indescribably ineffable. Except for Dylan and Luna who found nothing thrilling around as they both kept a cold facial expression.

The armies jeered and yelled a victorious cry, some beating their chests while few drank wines brought in by the male servants. Three able-bodied men stride to the prisoner's cage, unlocking the keys and roughly pulling everyone out. The baldhead pushed Luna to the pot-billed as he raffles his dirty fingers on her hair. "Take your filthy hand off me!" she spat, eliciting a resounding slap from him and Dylan shrieked out indignantly, attempting to strike back to her defense but was hampered by some guards.

"Take them to the dungeon until the Alpha king requests their presence!" The Beta ordered while approaching them in a few treads; six feet one inch tall, he was well armed like a warrior, dressed in a medieval fur-trimmed black cape and a scabbard sheath which held his sword on his left hip. The armies bowed in respect before some gaits away afterward and the prisoners were dragged away like miscreant criminals towards the south tower. Luna winces a bit, feeling a metallic taste in her mouth; blood! She wandered her eyes orb at the castle as she took a few glances at the maids who carried bunches of fruit towards a building at the west. Few guards roam about the vast compound and some are stationed at every doorpost. Blue Sapphire flag which had the dark moon symbol; drawn on it was a silver wolf snarling at a half-moon, stood beside the flag was a gigantic statue of the Alpha King which was situated at the center of the large compound.

Scanning everywhere with the corner of her eye, abruptly she felt a forceful push which earned her to plunge further into an old rusty cell she didn't release they'd gotten to. "Stay put and don't make a silly act! Well, you vulnerable wolves can try if you have a death wish" one of the guards who had this; bushy beard, bloodthirsty eyes, bald head, and saber sword in his left hand sneered. He chuckled aloud, revealing his dirty teeth clipart and the rest roared peals of laughter with him as it echoes the whole dungeon, they left afterward jabbing each other shoulders playfully.

Luna heaved. Placing her butt on the frigid floor and Dylan laid beside her, his hand on his injury spot which she noticed nevertheless is hurting him badly. The others found refuge at a small corner; leaning their head tiredly with groans on the wall, she palm faced myself in exhaustion.

••••••

Beta King rolled up his sleeves as he paced hastily to the Alpha King's study. He couldn't find him in his chambers nor at the throne hall definitely, he'd be in his study. The two guards who stood armed at the door, bowed quickly on catching a glimpse of him and he motioned them with a hand to rise.

"I seek an audience with the Alpha king, it's urgent," he said and snappily one of the guards swerved to the door made of oak wood, giving it a slight knock with a trembling fist, and there came the low cold voice inside. "Come in"

The guard attempted to go into the study, however, was stopped abruptly by the Beta as he went in instead. Closing the door carefully behind him, he turned and bowed respectfully to the Alpha king who stands close to the window, his hands behind him as he stared icily outside.

"My King, the Zetas are back from the war. The crescent moonstone pack has been successfully raided and prisoners have been brought in" he reported. And the Alpha veered slowly to stare his dark eyes at him.

"Hmm Hades" he simply hummed. "Bring the prisoners who were captured to me first thing tomorrow morning, and then" he paused. Moving towards his chair, he placed his butt on it and took the writing quill, and wrote promptly on the paper before handing it out to me.

"Make sure that missive letter gets to my brother, Dex. Before dawn but before that, l wanna give someone a treaty. Follow me!" he snarled.

Standing up swiftly, he walks past me as we both left the study towards his sacred dungeon. When he said treaty; it simply means someone gonna die. And when I made mention of his scared dungeon? it's a cell filled with his babies; a Basilisk black serpent and a Leed devil.

.

Lucian, the Alpha king. Stood in front of the two rogues who were on their knees, tied up with chains, they've been mercilessly beaten up to stupor. Their cries echo, accompanying the damp stinking odor that filled the place.

Hades stood close by, along with a few guards as they watched keenly in the dingy dim old cell. They felt like prying instantly at the rogues but then, they couldn't do anything except an order from the Alpha himself.

"Ple_ Please spear us!" the lady rogue cried out in grunts, her lengthy hair was soaked with tears as it plastered her face, making her visions blur.

"We meant no harm. We were only hunting! We never meant to trespass your boundary" the guy next to her bawled, his mouth dripping with blood and he snorted in sharply. The crackling of clutched fist could be heard from Lucian, it was obvious the rogues are lying! The humans have no purpose in overstepping into his land but then, they're only seen when hunting after a wolf or dared to raid this pack.

The wolves detest the humans with so much passion! A despicable hatred that can't be expressed nor elucidated.

"You meant no harm? but you intentionally shot one of my men with your sliver arrow, I'm right or wrong? Lucian cork a brow at them, took a step back as he studied them in silence while the rogue's whimpers.

"He asked a question. You did or you didn't?! Answer!" Hades roared so loud it echoes across the dungeon and the rogues flinched at his loud scary voice. The Alpha hates to ask a question twice and for him to keep mute means he's losing it and would carry out a drastic action on them.

"We_ We did." the lady confessed in fear.

"You shouldn't have wasted my time, you know?" Lucian tilted his head, making a few strands of his silver hair cover a part of his face. He released a small chuckle as he left the cell and the other stepped out after him as Hades locked the cell hinge with keys.

"Hell!" Lucian growled, and the deadly serpent crawled out of his den in the other opposite cell; snarling and hissing dangerously as it moves past them towards the cell in which the rogues were been caged.

The rogue's eyes grew wide more than an orange fruit, as they screamed in terror on beholding the deadly reptile! Struggling to let loose the chains which tied on their hands and legs. Zzzzzzz! The snake attacked them in a pounce as they razed, squalling louder till it was heard no more.

Lucian let out a sly smirk as he turned coldly to Hades. "Free the Leed devil from his den, it's been long I feed him humans corpses to feast on. After that, meet me at my chambers" he said authority before leaving.

"Yes.Alpha King!"

••••••

Wandering around like was seemed to be a smoky wilderness, which screams deadly night and I quiver immensely. Where am I? I should be in the cell with Dylan and the others, how did I get here?! I thought aloud - trepidation gripped me. Causing my eyes to bulge at once at the violent cold wind which blew past me, making me shudder. I need to get out of here, but how? I seemed to be completely lost.

Still searching for a way out of this horrendous place; deciding to yell for help maybe somebody. Anyone would hear me and with that, I screamed my lungs out. "HELP! SOMEBODY HELP ME PLEASE!" However, to my dismay. No one heard me nor respond. Only my faded voice echoed and the hooting owls' sounds followed. I'm doomed.

Crouching my butt hard on the floor with a loud thud, I wept. "Someone please help me, I don't wanna be here" I cried, inhaling while wiping my face as more tears flow freely. Suddenly, I gasped sharply, to listen attentively to the heavy footsteps coming hastily behind me. My heart raced so fast my lips trembled and my eyes closed shut in fear, and without a second thought, I Jared up from the ground so fast I ran without looking back, I didn't know where the strength and courage came from but I never looked back; I was scared too.

Feeling its piercing gazes on me everywhere I haste too, I increased my pace so it seemed useless! I was terrified. Stumbling on my own feet and falling so hard, I kept tumbling like I was falling in an endless pit. Please if this is a dream let it end, let it end! I can't bear to undergo this any further.

I should be glad I finally stopped sinking however, to my greatest horror, my mouth gaped as my eyes seemed to be poking out of their sockets at the creepy scenario in front of me. Everywhere I turned was filled with decayed blood! Corpses and demons feasting on them like it was their favorite meal! Where am I? What is this place?! Please someone help me out of here! Lilith! Aiden! Dylan! Mom! Dad!

"Luna! Luna! Luna!" a burly voice urged. I shot my eyes open with a gasp, saw Dylan looming over me as he held my arms in fusses. I sprang up, flinging my arms around him tightly in tears, it was a terrifying nightmare.

"Luna?! Are you alright?" Sharon asked as they all sprang up from the floor as if there was fire underneath and circled me with fret expressions. I gave a weak smile to assure them I was fine.

"I'm okay Sharon. Guys, I'm good, it was just a horrible nightmare but I'm okay now" I responded and they heaved, moving back to their spots while I and Dylan stood as he wrapped his arms around me. Through the small window, the sunray shone into the cell as it brightened the place a bit, it was morning already.

A few minutes later, I shimmer down. Disengaging from the hug and he placed his hand which felt like steel on my shoulders. "Everything is fine, okay? If you need anything, don't hesitate to let me know" he mumbled and I nod.

"Thank you, Dylan, for your concern," I said genuinely with a small smile and he was about to say something when we got interrupted by the guards who came to unlock the cage. Huh?

"Take them!" One of them ordered, his voice commanding and booming with authority, causing us to dazed in confusion.

"No! Luna, please don't let them take us!" Sharon cried out as the girls all scurried to me for protection and we coiled our arms together. Dylan held the boys as we all agitated not to take a step.

"Leave us alone! We don't wanna go!" I shouted. Unfortunately, it wasn't helping at all as we were all dragged out of the dungeon.