Chapter two: Meeting Luthan

"Here, take."

The guard gave me some food.

"Thank you."

I forced my aching body to edge forward to drag the plate he had slid towards me. I hurt all over and I was bleeding in some places. I haven't been able to see the state of my back but I knew without a doubt that I was going to find ugly, jagged marks if I dared look. Then I remembered my parents, especially my ailing mother, I was supposed to go home today to see then and return tomorrow but I couldn't because the Luna decided, for no just cause, she wanted to make my life a living hell, and her Alpha had no problem jumping in the idea with her, so long as it was me receiving the pain.

"You're in pain, I presume?"

The prison guard I'd come to know as Luthan asked, his voice filled with sympathy.

"You can't begin to guess how much."

I chuckled, trying to make light of the situation but I was not just suffering physically, I was in emotional pains too. What had I done? It was always me. Of all the staff, it was always me.

"You don't have to pretend you're fine, Amyra. I know how much pain you're in."

"Thank you for your kindness to me, Luthan."

"It's nothing."

"It's not nothing, Luthan. You're sticking out your neck for me. I know the Alpha had forbade anyone from giving me food nor water but you're still doing it. Going against his order."

Luthan shrugged and insisted it was nothing.

"Don't worry about it, Amyra. Just eat quickly before someone sees you."

I made a quick work of finishing up the food he had brought me. This was the second time he was feeding me since yesterday afternoon I was brought here, and it is just morning. I gulped most of the water and used the remaining to wash my hands.

"I am done, Luthan. Thank you so much."

He nodded and left with the empty plate and cup. Then he returned to his position from where he was supposed to keep watch over me.

"I wonder why they insisted that I stay here with you. It's not like you can escape from this dark place."

"I don't know why they would think so too."

"It was the Luna that brought about the idea. She made it look like you possibly have some power to escape this place."

I tried to laugh then wince as sharp, piercing pain stabbed the whole of my back and even my temples.

"Sorry. You need anything."

"Nothing. You have done enough already."

But I did need something. I needed something to drink, a kind of medicine to kill this pain taking over my whole being and tormenting every slight move I made.

"You're sure?"

"Yes."

I couldn't be selfish enough to put him in trouble. He could get caught trying to help me again.

"It's funny that the Luna would think that way. I am just a servant. A commoner in the pack. I have no powers."

I didn't even have the power to transform yet. And it was a fact that shamed me every single day. Every werewolf begins to transmute from the age of five, if the child is a late bloomer, it is six to nine but not later than ten. By ten, every werewolf has fully transmuted. But I am nineteen and yet to see a slightest sign. My wolf is yet to even talk to me or let me know of her presence somewhere in my head. My parents would always comfort me and tell me not to worry. I know they are being parents but it's not as easy as they think. And this is a shame I could not tell anyone. No one except my parents knew.

"It is beginning to get obvious that the Luna and the Alpha picks on you a lot. I think the Luna is the one pushing the Alpha to hate you too."

"I don't think so, Luthan. The Alpha's not a child. If anyone can manipulate him or control him, then he is not worthy of being of an Alpha."

Luthan quickly darted around for fear of anyone who might be listening.

"The walls have ears, Amyra. Be careful what you spill from your mouth. You're in one trouble already, don't worsen it by invoking more wrath from the Alpha and his Luna."

"I didn't do anything and they threw me in here. I miss my parents. My mother's sick and I can't even go to visit her. Yesterday was supposed to be my half day but it was ruined by the Alpha and his Luna."

"It's okay, Amyra."

My voice broke, partly because I hated how calm and understanding his voice was and the other part was because I didn't deserve to be treated this way.

"No, it's not okay. It is far from being okay. Just look at me. I am bleeding and hurt with no treatment. The peeled, exposed tender part of my back might be infected."

"I wish I could help tend your back."

"No. Don't bother. You'll just end up in trouble and I don't want that. You're doing more than enough for me as it is."

"It's okay. But what exactly went wrong with you and the Luna yesterday?"

He was genuinely curious and concerned.

"She reported to the Alpha that I disrespected her."

"Did you?"

"No, I didn't. I swear I didn't. She was passing by the hallway, me and three other servants were running some errands when we saw her. We bowed in greeting and continued on our journey when she called me back. Surprised, I went and she asked me what was it I had mumbled to the rest of the girls about. I was so dumbfounded that I just stared at her. I didn't understand how I had disrespected her and was at loss for words. Then she asked me to follow her, we ended up in the meeting room where the Alpha was sitting and she lied against me."

"Are you sure you hadn't said anything at all? Something to might have made her believe you were talking against her?"

"No, I didn't. Not even a word."