Chapter 1 Unfathomable hate

Once upon a time, in a far-off land, there was a powerful Lycan King named Alpha Jerri Bullet. He was feared by all, for his cruelty and merciless ways knew no bounds. Jerri was known to enslave humans and werewolves alike, using them for his pleasure and as soldiers in his army. Under his reign, the land had become a place of fear and oppression. But despite his tyranny, there were those who still dared to do otherwise.

Those who had totally different stuff all mapped out, ready to go down, regardless of his tortures.

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Gracie's POV

I took a deep breath as I sat outside my father's compound, trying to steady my nerves. I'd been working my life out since dawn, and for years now, but nothing seemed to be changing. I tried to discard my fears and focus more on the cool breeze brushing against my face, but my heart raced with anxiety.

Suddenly, I heard my father's high pitched voice calling out to me from inside the house. I jumped to my feet, my heart pounding in my chest, as I rushed inside to meet him. But as soon as I entered the house, my father's expression turned dark and furious.

"You useless creature!" he hissed, grabbing me by the arm and dragging me into the kitchen. "You can't even keep just a simple house clean, idiot!" His eyes burned with nothing but real hate for me. "Why can't you be more like your mother?" He sneered. "She was a true woman, not like you, a weak and pathetic bunch of nonsense!"

I flinched at his words, feeling the weight of his disappointment and contempt yet again. My mother had died when I was young, and I'd always felt like a disappointment to him because of my missing werewolf abilities.

But I tried to push those thoughts aside, focusing on the small glimmer of hope that still burned inside of me.

In a blink, father threw a dish at me, and I barely managed to dodge it. I tried to stand up for myself, but he was too strong, and I was just too scared to resist. He dragged me to the sink and shoved my head under the running water, forcing me to scrub the dishes he just ate with, with my face.

I felt tears streaming down my face as I struggled to lift my head as the waters began to choke me, and quickly, I began to scrub the dishes, but I refused to let him see me cry. I knew that if he sensed weakness in me, he would only become more brutal. So, I gritted my teeth and scrubbed harder, trying to block out the pain and humiliation.

As I finished doing the dishes, father glared at me with contempt. "You're nothing but a burden to me!" he spat. "I should have sold you off to the Lycan King when I had the chance. At least, that would've profited me more than letting you stay here with me, causing me nothing but heartaches all the time, idiot!"

The mention of the Lycan King sent shivers down my spine. I'd heard stories of his cruelty, and I knew that I would never survive as his slave. But I tried to push those thoughts aside, focusing on the small glimmer of hope that still burned inside of me.

Someday, I will escape this life and find a way to fight against the tyranny of those like my father. Until then, I must endure and survive, no matter how mercilessly I was treated.

"Maybe I should just sell you off to him now," my father continued, his voice cold and menacing.

I felt a surge of panic at his words, but I tried to remain calm. "Please, Father," I pleaded. "Don't do this to me. I'll do better, I promise."

But my father just laughed in my face. "You're nothing but a worthless creature to me, Gracie!" he said, before he turned and walked away.

I sank to the ground, feeling the weight of my situation crushing down on me. But even in my despair, I know that I must never give up hope. Someday, I will find a way to escape and fight against those who seek to oppress me.

As I sat on the kitchen floor, I could feel my resolve strengthening. I couldn't keep living like this, always in fear of my father's wrath and the Lycan King's cruelty. I needed to take control of my own destiny and find a way to escape.

With that thought in mind, I started to formulate a plan. I knew that I couldn't do this alone, but I also knew that there were others like me who were also oppressed too. I needed to find them and work together to escape.

But first, I needed to escape from my father's compound. I couldn't do anything if I was stuck in here, under his watchful eye. So, I started to look for a way out, scouring the house for any weaknesses or vulnerabilities.

As I searched, I heard the sound of footsteps approaching. My heart raced with fear, but I forced myself to stay calm. It was just my father, coming to gloat about how he was going to sell me off to the Lycan King again as usual.

But when the footsteps stopped outside the kitchen door, I froze. I heard the sound of someone clearing their throat, and then a deep, unfamiliar voice spoke.

"Excuse me, miss? Are you alright in there?"

I was taken aback by the sudden interruption, but I quickly realized that this might be my chance to escape. I stood up and rushed to the door, throwing it open.

In front of me stood a man, tall and broad-shouldered with piercing green eyes. He was wearing a cloak, and his face was partially hidden by a hood, but I could sense that he was not one of my father's workmen.

Maybe I thought wrong though.

"Who are you?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.

The man bowed slightly. "My name is Benedict," he said. "I was passing by when I heard shouting. Is everything alright?"

I glanced over my shoulder, realizing that my father was nowhere in sight. I turn back to Benedict, feeling a spark of hope.

"No," I said. "I mean- yes." I replied, confused. "Things are alright with me."

Benedict nodded, seeming to understand. "I may be able to help," he said. "But- it's good everything is okay."

I nodded, feeling a rush of fear. This may have been my chance to escape and start a new life. But the fear of what my father was capable of doing, intoxicated me to stupur.

Benedict nodded and left.

I stood there, confused and blinking like the belly of a frog.