Marked by the Alpha King

The cool night breeze carried a cold whisper into the late evening, and a stronger chill was left in its wake.

Inside the small congested room, Baka could hardly feel the cold.

Yet she knew something was wrong before she heard the howls.

Loud, desperate howls, piercing the silence of the night.

Goosebumps ran down the length of her arms with rapid precision and the hair on the back of her neck stood up.

She sat up for what seemed like the fifth time that night. Her roommates were snoring loudly, seemingly deaf to the terrifying howls. Even despite the cold breeze, the room was as hot as ever because it was poorly ventilated. About twenty people occupied their small room. Baka could barely stretch her legs.

She stared down at her roommates as they slept on either side of her on the matted floor. Nothing but fatigue would have them sleeping under all that howling. The work they performed every hour of every day could make one sleep through a stampede.

But try as she might, she couldn't summon sleep. The sinking feeling in her gut didn't ease her plight and racing thoughts.

She heard the soft sound of footsteps approaching and crawled her way through the mass of bodies around her towards their dilapidated door.

Baka's shoulders relaxed a little when she spotted her mother, but one look at her face made her tense up just as quickly.

Pushing the damaged door open ever so carefully to avoid making noise, she whispered, "What has happened, Mother?"

Her mother looked up at her in surprise. "Hush, Child. Help me with my things," she spoke softly, gesturing to her bloodied apron and equipment.

Baka did as she was told with efficiency. It was clear her mother knew exactly what was going on. She was a midwife- the only midwife in their community.

When Baka had safely deposited her mother's things in a small corner, she returned and found her mother sitting solemnly on the only chair in their room.

Baka sat on the ground beside her and gently touched her thigh. "Mother..."

No response. Baka got up and crawled back through the mass of bodies. She took a sandwich she had kept and crawled back, offering it to her mother.

"Here, I saved some for you."

Her mother raised her eyes at her. "Thanks, Child. But I don't have an appetite. Have you eaten?"

She nodded. But the look in her Mother's face told her she detected the lie.

"What am I always saying? You cannot give what you don't have. Help yourself first."

Baka nodded again, even though she disagreed. Her mother's views always seemed to be the opposite of what anyone would ever advise. Weren't you supposed to be selfless and help others before you help yourself?

"Eat," her mother encouraged. She did as she was told.

"How has everyone been?"

"Bessia was punished by Luna Amie again," Baka replied between bites. "Eight lashes. It took a while for her to sleep today. She kept crying."

Her mother sighed slowly. "What about the boys?"

"All is as it always is. "

"Be careful with your tone, Child. The only reason we're still alive is because we obey the rules."

"To what end?" Baka retorted. "They gave us and the boys separate rooms and told us never to go to each other's residence without a guard. Why do you think they said that? Because they don't want us to reproduce. They don't want us growing in number. We're probably the last living humans, scattered and dying."

The howls grew louder, and Baka could swear they sounded sorrowful. What was going on? Not knowing made her sick to her stomach.

Her mother had a forlorn look on her face and spoke a tone lower. "The Alpha King's Luna is dead."

Baka spoke without thinking. "What?"

Her mother's eyes sharpened as she looked her straight in the eye. "Don't ask a question with "what", Child. Do you want to end up like Bessia?"

"No, Mother," Baka mentally chastised herself. Here in Khadom city, humans got killed over the most minute things. "I meant... Sorry?"

Her mother nodded in approval. "She died during childbirth. The baby didn't make it either."

"That's not possible."

Werewolves couldn't die in childbirth-certainly not the Luna Queen. Besides the fact that she was a powerful, beastly creature, she was also a Trinitarian-the strongest pack in their territory.

"Indeed. The baby's skin..." Her mother whispered silently.

Baka sensed that something greatly troubled her. Something her mother was hesitant to divulge.

"What about the baby's skin, Mother?"

Her mother blinked. "What are you talking about, Child?"

Baka studied her mom openly. She was never one to withhold anything from her. She had often said that keeping secrets brought nothing but death. Baka had come to realise that her mother was right.

She had been right when Baka's brother had foolishly snuck away from their camp to rescue his captured girlfriend during the werewolves final attack on their hometown and died in the process.

She had been right when one of their team members betrayed them by giving away their hideout location which had led to their ambush and capture. Eleven of them, including her dad, were now dead because they hadn't known Aksana was a two-timing greedy snitch.

Baka, her mom, and four others were captured that day and made slaves of the werewolf monarchy. They were nothing but bed warmers to them, a sport, a tool to put to work.

"To be in the know could very well save your life," Baka said, repeating her mother's words to her, word for word.

Her mother smiled sadly. "Yes, Child. You're right. But not this time."

"What does that mean?"

"What I know, I cannot tell you."

"Why not?"

"Because it would make you a target."

"A target to whom?"

"The monarchy."

She blinked, glancing around them to ensure everyone was still asleep. All seemed normal.

Baka faced her mother again. "Mother, if what you're saying is true then it's too late. You're my mother. I've already been made a target by association."

"But they don't know that. And your heat signature will save you."

She froze as it suddenly dawned on her.

Werewolves could tell when someone was lying by their heartbeat. Those monsters were literal walking lie detectors. This could mean they already knew Mother suspected something.

"Mother, you have to hide!"

Her mother's sad smile broadened. "Hide where? We're locked in, Child. There's nowhere to run. But all is not yet lost."

"How can you say that?" She asked in between sobs.

"I'm still alive, aren't I? And I haven't been questioned. Besides, they will do nothing now because of the Selection Festival."

Baka had forgotten about that.

The Alpha King had to find a new mate. An Alpha without his Luna was just that-an Alpha. His seat could be challenged. But with his Luna Queen, he was made more powerful. He was made true. Even better if they had children, no one would dare challenge him.

The last Selection Festival had been the coronation ceremony of the old alpha-Alpha King Triton of Trinity pack. That was when werewolves had finally overcome the human race.

Very soon, one female in each of the four packs from the ages of seventeen to twenty-one would have to report in. They would line up in front of the Alpha King on selection day and he would choose his new Luna Queen.

"Get some herbs from Healer Freya tomorrow for Bessia's wounds."

Baka nodded as her mother crawled over the sleeping bodies to a small corner and curled herself into a ball. Baka followed shortly after.

Several hours later, she still couldn't sleep. She had seen real fear in her mother's eyes. Something she hardly ever saw in her mother.

Baka couldn't shake the gnawing feeling that had taken root in her belly.

Whatever her mother was hiding was disastrous. It could cost her her life. Her mother was the only living relative she had. Baka refused to lose her too.

She didn't know how yet but she was going to find a way to get them all out of this wretched place.

Baka woke up early the next morning intending to set out into the woods. It occurred to her that she shouldn't be prowling about on a morning like this after the death of the Luna queen. But she had left mouse traps in the woods and was afraid that they would turn bad.

Besides, she had never tried to escape before. She had to scout the area herself to see what she was up against.

Their settlement was surrounded by a thick, wide wall with iron spikes sticking out of them and barbed wires perched on top of the walls.

There were only two exits, one that led to the woods and another that led into Khandom City where the werewolves lived.

A guard was stationed at each exit, Beta's from either packs who stood watch. They rotated every two days, that much she knew.

But it wasn't enough.

One particular Beta guard had been kind to her once. Thorin. She hoped it was his shift today. Or better yet, no one at all as they might be too busy grieving over the death of their Luna Queen and heir or gathered at Kotu, the Alpha King's home.

Making her way towards the exit, her hopes were dashed as she saw a figure standing guard.

She released a small sigh of relief when she recognized the face.

"Hello Thorin," she greeted shyly.

He gazed down at her with eyes the colour of glowing yellow orbs which signified his class as a Beta. He was a tall man-mid thirty's- from Trinity Pack with a massive build, long dreads, and a face that was pleasing to look at.

He was dressed in black and gold bridges signifying his position as a Khandom city guard, and on his arm was a red band that gave away his origin as a Trinitarian.

"Hello Baka." His voice was kind but firm.

"Where's your partner?" Baka asked.

"Around. Off to the woods?"

Baka suspected he was lying. He was probably all alone but didn't want her to know.

"Yes," she replied.

"Mouse traps?"

"Yes." She knew he was listening keenly for an irregular heartbeat. He won't pick up any. Though mouse traps weren't the only reason she was going into the woods, she wasn't explicitly lying. It was merely a half truth.

"Did you set them how I taught you to?"

"Yes."

He gave her the barest of smiles and Baka noticed his sharp, canine tooth. Even in human form, they never really looked human. The sight was unsettling.

"Good. When?"

"The last time you were here."

He frowned. "That was almost a week ago. If you've caught any, the meat would turn bad by now."

"Or maybe the mouse got trapped today and isn't bad."

"Either way, you must return." There was warning in his voice and a cold chill ran down Baka's spine as she became alert.

"Why?"

"Do not question me," came his cutting reply. "Do as you're told."

But before she could do anything, an unfamiliar man came out of the woods, zipping his pants. He was dressed in the same attire as Thorin. When his eyes landed on Baka, her fear antenna jerked up. Beside her, Thorin tensed as well.

What happened to his other partner-the tall blonde with the same build as Thorin? This one was new.

"What do we have here," he said with a nasty grin on his face as he walked towards her slowly. He was a short blonde and twice as big as Thorin.

When he was right in front of her, he made a display of sniffing her deeply. "Human. Your curfew hasn't ended yet."

"She was just leaving," Thorin said as she started back from whence she came.

"Not just yet." The short blonde grabbed her arm roughly and dragged her back. She winced at the brute force. "It's been a while since your kind warmed my bed."

He grinned menacingly at her, his eyes wandering over her full breasts despite its covering. "'Twill be a shame to let the opportunity slip away when she has landed so willingly at my feet."

With his free hand, he groped her butt and smacked it. Baka yelped. Her heart was racing so fast within her chest as she sent a pleading glance at Thorin.

"Release her, Ares."

He didn't. His callous hands grew bolder as they travelled up her thighs and tugged at her panties. She considered stomping down on his foot but knew that would be a death sentence. What use was she to her mother and the girls dead? No. It was better for her to play the unassuming helpless human girl. So she began to whimper.

"Release her!" Thorin repeated.

"Why?" Ares snarled, doing anything but.

"Because she's Luna Amie's handmaiden. Or are you too drunk to see the mark on her wrist?"

Ares glanced at her left wrist, noting the diamond-shaped branded insignia of Aethelite Pack. But he made no move to release her. His hands still lingered dangerously between her thighs.

"No one defiles a Luna's handmaiden as you well know," Thorin added when Ares still held her.

"More's the pity," Ares replied as he reluctantly released his slimy grip on her. "What a waste." He raised an index finger against her cheek and stroked her in a manner that made her want to throw up. "All that beauty for nothing. The moon goddess has a sick sense of humour, don't you think?"

Thorin took her hand and shoved her back in as Ares laughed mockingly behind them.

"Thank you," Baka whispered.

"Don't mistake my kindness for trust. You may not be so lucky next time."

The light from the moon guided her path as she retraced her steps back to the room, feeling bitter over her failed mission.

Her skin crawled as she remembered the feel of Ares's hands on her body. His behaviour was nothing she hadn't encountered before. She was more upset over the fact that she had accomplished nothing.

She didn't know how to rescue her mother and on top of that, she had returned empty-handed.

The mousetraps in the room had caught nothing for weeks and Baka was convinced it was because they had eaten every rat in the room.

When she returned, everyone was still soundly asleep, including her mother.

No sooner had she settled in than the ear-piercing blood-bringer sounded, signaling wake-up time.

The blood-bringer was made especially for them and could cause them to bleed from their ears if ignored-hence its name.

It sounded three times. Any longer and most of them would be screaming and covering their bleeding ears.

The ringer-an Omega called Wadou from Wesley Pack- would let it ring longer if he didn't see more than ten people filing out of the room by the third ring.

This had happened twice before. No one was looking to make a third occurrence.

As everyone around her sprang into action, Baka looked for Bessia amidst the chaos.

She found her trying painfully hard to rise up from the floor, her brunette hair a maze of tangled webs at her back. She winced as she tried to pull at the strands of hair stuck on her angry, red bruises.

Baka's heart ached for her. Moving to Bessia's side, she sat beside her and gently began lifting each strand of hair.

"Thanks, Baka." Her voice was soft and shaky.

"Of course."

Bessia looked up at her. "Is the Luna Queen really dead?"

Baka's eyes widened.

"I heard you and Massey's conversation," Bessia explained.

She hadn't realised they'd had a listening company. Who else had heard them?

"It seems like these wounds have given you heightened hearing abilities."

Bessia smiled a slow, lazy smile, her big dark eyes penetrative. "You guys weren't as quiet as you think."

Somehow, that unnerved her.

When the last of the strands had been pulled out of her wounds, Baka stood up.

"Wait here for me till I return."

The young girl nodded, happy to continue lying on the matted floor.

Baka waited until everyone had prepared and left for their various duties before getting ready herself.

It wasn't until then that she realized that her mother had forgotten to give her money for the herbs for Bessia.

With much dread, she checked the mouse traps she had set in the room.

To her delight, one had caught a game. What were the chances of that! After weeks. She stuffed it in a bag and stepped outside. Maybe healer Freya would accept a trade.

Usually, Healer Freya was not to be visited till late noon. But Bessia couldn't wait that long.

The boys on the other side of the compound had started working. Some chopped wood, others carried cement blocks, while others could be heard sharpening weapons in the blacksmith shed.

She headed into the greener pastures of Khandom City where the werewolves lived in stark contrast to them. Clean streets, spacious environment, and splendid decor. No one who lived like this and left their servants to rot in rat infested rooms could be good.

A familiar voice called out to her and she released a small sigh.

"Hi Stranger," Bekon greeted, matching her strides.

"Oh, it's stranger now, is it?"

They were once inseparable. Amidst the war and trying to stay alive, Baka had wanted to forget her troubles and become lost in something-anything. They both did. And they had done so with each other.

But things were different now. Though Baka enjoyed the pleasure of his company, she found that when he wasn't around, she hardly noticed.

"You've been avoiding me," Bekon accused.

"I'm not."

"Where are you headed?"

"Aethelite pack. You?" She didn't want him to know about Bessia just yet. They needed no more reminders about what their lives were really like.

"Wesleyan pack," he replied, just as she had suspected. "Alpha Wally is going hunting."

"As always."

"This catch is especially for the Luna Queen's burial."

Right. She couldn't care less. All she could think about was her mother. But he didn't need to know that either.

"Does that mean Alpha Aziz is going hunting as well?" she asked.

"I doubt it. He would want to do something different from the others."

True, Baka mused, remembering how narcissistic and competitive both Alpha Aziz and Luna Amie were. No one kissed ass more than those two.

"I saw you walk by," he said, a charming grin on his two-toned lips. Lips she'd kissed desperately during late nights. Lips that brought back so many memories. "I've missed you."

Bekon was very attractive. His shiny dark skin was enough to write a novel about. Built like a god from head to toe, he certainly stood out amongst other boys his age. She knew that better than anyone. Even the werewolf girls pinned after him. Their lustful gazes didn't go unnoticed whenever Bekon passed by them or stood next to his master, Alpha Wally.

"You know we're not allowed to cross over to each other's side."

"I know. But you could have waved." He sounded genuinely hurt and Baka didn't know what to do with that.

She drew in a slow, quiet breath. "Sorry. I've had a lot on my mind."

"What exactly?"

"Just basic stuff."

"More important than me?"

Yes.

He read the answer in her eyes, but Baka offered no further explanations. She was too busy being oppressed to have time for love. Especially a love that would no doubt end in a tragedy. Either he would be killed, or she would be, or both.

Their lives didn't afford them such luxuries as love. They were slaves, period. They lived solely for their beastly masters. They were completely at their mercy.

Without warning, Bekon's fingers grazed her arms, tracing it's length as he leaned closer to her.

"I would kiss you if I didn't think you'd slap me for it," he whispered.

His hot breath fanned her neck, sending soft tingles down her spine. She wanted so badly for him to do exactly that.

"We're not safe out here for this."

"We're never safe."

"Still..."

With a sigh, he planted a kiss on her neck and sauntered off.

Baka stood still, aware of the old feelings that had arisen within her. She had believed that the years of oppression had chilled her passions. But they hadn't.

She hurried over to Healer Freya's shop which stood north of Aethelite pack's territory.

Before she got within twenty paces in, she heard voices. They were harsh whispers, as though in an argument.

Baka stood silently, wondering what to do next. Should she wait, or should she turn around and leave?

The latter was not really an option. The former would most likely put her in trouble.

"What would you have me do?" said a voice that sounded very much like Healer Freya's but was riddled with fear.

"What I pay you for!" Another voice boomed. "Or would you like to go back to that filth you called home before I rescued you?"

"No, my lord."

My lord?

The realisation that Healer Freya was speaking to a royal member of Trinity pack took her completely off guard as she stumbled and snapped a twig in the process.

The voices fell silent, and Baka knew she had been caught.