Page 8 of The Wolf Moon

I remembered his words. He killed those who challenged him.

“I don’t want to challenge anyone,” I exclaimed in panic, raising my hands in rejection.

The Alpha shrugged off my words. “It’s already done.”

He was suddenly there, gripping my arms in his hands and pulling me to him. I gasped as he lowered his face into my neck, breathing in deeply. I stiffened under him, holding my own breath as he searched me no doubt for that smell of wolf they kept speaking of.

“I’m not a lycan,” I whimpered, the phrase already too tired from overuse.

“How did you control the wolves?” He turned his lips over my neck quite suddenly. The touch of them on the curve into my shoulder sent a spark throughout me. I tensed further, my answer choking under my surprise.

“I-I don’t know.” I struggled to respond. The Alpha growled with frustration, lifting his face from my flesh and twisting me around roughly. I immediately tried to pull out of his grasp, but he was far too strong for me. He began to lead me out of the room, through the hall, and into the outside world.

I blinked against the bright light of the sun, struggling as I tried to keep up with the Alpha’s pace. Lycans paused as we stormed past, each of them bowing either to me or to the Alpha, I just wasn’t sure anymore.

“Where are you taking me?” I asked in panic.

“Seeing as you’re well enough to run around-”

“I’m still hurt! I can’t do the challenge now!” I cried out fearfully. The Alpha laughed then, the sound startling and strangely appealing despite the cruelty of this particular laugh.

“You’re being banished to display until the challenge. It’s one of the highest shames of our pack. I’m sure you’ll love it,” He teased without mercy. I didn’t know what exactly he was talking about, so I opted to just continue being stressed because of ignorance.

“What does that mean? Banished to display? Shame?” I had an epiphany. “You’re going to make me sit on display naked in front of everyone while they poke me with hot iron? Oh, not that. Not that, please!”

“Not that… but you are giving me ideas,” He answered, pushing me through the door of a separate building. I balked as I was led into what looked like a mess hall. Row upon row of tables were seated with various lycans eating their lunch. It looked strangely human. Eyes lifted from their food as we entered and they quickly looked away, baring necks as I was forced across the large room.

In front of all the tables were separate tables, each with chains and shackles seated on top. I counted six tables total and the Alpha brought me to one of the ones in the center. He turned to face me towards the lycans, presenting me to them.

“This she-wolf has challenged me for the pack, but until the challenge is complete-”

“I’m not a she-wolf!” I snapped spitefully.

“She is still considered a lesser wolf-”

“Are you even listening to me?”

The Alpha yanked on my arm roughly, causing me to wince.

“As such, she will be punished for defying my direct orders.”

“What orders?” I winced again when he pulled on my arm for silence again.

“For defying my order of staying where she’s supposed to be and for trying to escape, she will be sentenced to display abuse until the challenge is complete,” The Alpha finished. I was pulled onto the table rather roughly and despite my struggles, I was chained to the surface easily. I spent a moment trying to pull myself out of the containment, but found I could only get as far as my knees before being unable to lift myself further.

“This is it?” I asked despite trying to keep my mouth shut. The Alpha planted his hands on the table in front of me, staring me down dangerously. I watched him with wide eyes, my skin heated by his full attention.

“They can throw food at you if they want to,” He finally said to me simply. I narrowed my eyes suddenly, a flame of anger beginning to heat within me.

“Good. I’m hungry,” I responded sharply.

Five

Chapter 4

Nobody threw food at me. In fact, no one even really looked at me. I found my time on the shame table quite boring. Besides sitting on my knees, I found I could lay down if I wanted, roll around with some difficulty, and could spend my time playing with the chains of my shackles.

I was lying on my back, twisting the chain around my wrist repeatedly when something clanged against the table next to my head. I jumped with surprise, twisting quickly to find a bowl of soup placed in front of me. I stared at it a moment and looked up to find someone standing in front of the table, leaning against what appeared to be a lance of some kind.

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