Hey guys idk why Wattpad scheduled 90 ahead of 89 so please do read this and then go back to 90.

I can understand it is frustrating but mistakes happen especially with technology, and there is no need to be mean to me !!

Writing is not my job, it is a hobby, and this book is free and I am receiving nothing monetary wise for posting it.

I am not going to sit here and let people make me feel like sht because of a simple tech error.

Kindness is everything in this world.
Some people need to learn to have more patience & empathy

********

If your father has done nothing, then why are you acting this way?" I glared. "Why are you treating me so coldly? Why are you locking pack members and humans in the damn cellars?"

Asra observed me, barely a flicker of empathetic emotion. "Because they questioned their alpha."

"So, they deserve to be put in the cellar?" I screeched. "Just so you can have bigger warriors?"

"Yes." He stated. "Problem?"

"Problem? Big fucking problem!" I huffed. "What happened to freedom of choice? Of making everyone's lives a little easier? All the work-

He pushed off the tree and stepped closer to me, eyes hooded with a glare. I held my ground, knowing he was going for an intimidation technique. It didn't faze me because Asra wouldn't hurt me.

"The cellar is a perfect punishment for a few days or weeks." He sneered. "You can join them, if you want?"

"Asra, you really are a fucking arsehole!" I snapped. "What the fuck do you think you are doing? They are our family! Our pack! You cannot treat them like shit. Who the fuck do you think you are?"

His eyes seemed to blaze, the dark burning a fire. Within a blink, his hand was enclosing my throat, and pushing me into a tree. I gasped, startled by his roughness. His palm pressed into my throat, but then his fingers wrapped around my jaw.

I couldn't breathe. Fear wrapped around my heart as he increased his grip, pinning my body with his hip so I couldn't move.

"Asra..." I whispered.

He hushed me, pressing his index finger into my lips. My eyes were wide, images of my past and present flickering as I stared up at him. Black eyes turned brown, tan skin turned pale and hair grew lighter. Darius sneered down at me, the two slightly wonky teeth glaring back at me. I inhaled sharply, ready for the blow that was to come.

"Ailia!"

I blinked, finding Asra glaring above me instead.

"You are not even paying attention." He sneered, removing his index finger so I could talk.

I swallowed thickly; shaken. "What?"

"You cannot even listen to your alpha; you should join them."

"You're not my alpha." I gritted out. "I am your mate."

"Even mates need putting in their place. You know that, right?" He glowered. "A nice, cold cell should make you realise this."

My eyes widened, staring up at him. I scanned his entire features, hoping, searching for a small flicker of my mate behind the glare. But it was perfect. His hatred was strong. Eyes so dark, I felt uneasy. Asra did not shift his emotions. The rain stuck his hair to his skin, making his smirk even more maliced.

"Who are you?" I whispered, afraid.

He grinned, but I didn't get an answer. A few seconds ticked by; the tension rising as we watched each other. I heard footsteps grow closer and moved my eyes to look over his shoulder. Everett was approaching with another equally large man beside him, both of them in dark, hooded raincoats. My Gamma's brown eyes flicked down to me with an ounce of concern before he stopped behind Asra and cleared his throat.

"You called, Alpha?"

"Yes, take this wannabe martyr to the cells."

Everett's eyes widened slightly, looking between me and Asra's back. "Luna, Alpha?"

"Yes, take her to the cells. A singular one should do it." Asra sneered.

I felt my hands shake slightly, looking up at the man I thought I knew so well. He was staring at my throat, watching how my pulse thumped beneath my skin. He licked his lips before releasing me and side-stepping.

For once, I actually felt fear.

I had two options right now.

Run.

Or accept it.

That weird feeling in my mind tried to intervene again; the one where I swear that I can hear pack members' thoughts. I gritted my teeth, ignoring the sound of Mya's voice in my head.

I am fine.

Everett was frowning, neither he nor the warrior beside him making a move to grab me.

So, I tensed, readying myself to run.

A hand clamped down on my shoulder the moment I lifted my foot, and with a crippling grip, Asra held me to the spot. He growled at me before jerking me into Everett's stony embrace.

"You will take her to the cells." He snarled. "Anybody who disobeys their alpha again will be placed in there with her."

An alpha command.

"Yes, Alpha." The two nodded in sync.

The alpha nodded gruffly, scratching his arms. Everett mumbled an apology as they secured cuffs around my wrists, but I didn't react, watching my mate walk back into the forest. The rain continued to pepper down on me, a shiver grasping at my bones as the adrenaline drifted away. I was shaking from both the cold and fear.

"Asra..." I whimpered.

His back stiffened, but he continued to walk, storming through the bushes until he disappeared. Everett gave a gentle tug on my arm before leading me away. I stumbled slightly, intent on staring at the spot where the love of my life disappeared.

"Come on, Ailia." Everett muttered.

"I don't understand." I breathed; my voice drowned in the rain.

Everett was tense as he led me into the cells. The only sound was the water dripping from my clothes. The warrior behind us was quiet, following our footsteps as we descended the stairs. Sadie, the guard wolf from when I rescued Arabella, met us at the bottom gate.

"Gamma, Luna, how can I help you?"

"You cannot." He murmured.

Sadie's eyebrows creased as she spotted the cuffs, stunned to silence as Everett led me through the gate. This was his land, his ruling. He knew the cells and the warriors well. Being gamma had responsibilities, and the cells were a priority.

"Can't you override him?" Sadie gasped, exasperated. "This is your domain!"

"I cannot override an alpha command, Sadie." Everett insisted.

"Well, at least take off the silver handcuffs. It looks barbaric! She is a human."

"Alpha linked and insisted on the silver."

I frowned at their conversation, but remained silent. Asra had surprised me. I didn't know what was up or down anymore, what was wrong or right... Who was Asra? Who am I? All of it was lost, and I feared I would never understand again.

Walking down the corridor, we came to a stop near the high security cell. I remembered it from last time; the coolness of the metal, the multitude of locks and bolts keeping the door shut. Blood stains seeped through the metal, staining the floor. It made my skin crawl. Something peculiar and desperate lived within there. I wondered if they even had any light.

I heard murmurs of voices, and from the corner of my eye found multiple pack members staring at me akin to horror. Serenity was one of those, weakly calling my name as Everett held me by the arm.

This wasn't right. I was stronger than this. I couldn't let my pack feel my fear, feel my defeat. Asra may have shaken me to the core, but I have been through much worse.

I may not know who I was entirely, but I knew who I was meant to be.

Two cells down, a door opened, and I lifted my head to stare at the empty cell. It was three walls of concrete, with concrete pillars that housed a thick barred gate.

Keeping my expression firm, I walked myself into the cage and turned to face my gamma. I may have a few choice questions to ask of him, in particular why I felt so uneasy around sharing information with him, but I was still above him. I was still a leader.

His eyebrows furrowed as he shut the cell and locked it. The three wolves stood, watching me, all shocked to silence.

Once they locked the door, I placed my hands through the bars, which were just small enough to fit.

"Alpha said I cannot remove them." He insisted.

I frowned, dropping them back into my hip. "Okay."

"Luna..." Sadie began.

"It is fine." I insisted. "I have been through worse."

She frowned. "This is barbaric. I swear-

"If you do anything, you will be in here with me." I stated.

Sadie pursed her lips, staying quiet. I sighed, moving to sit on the ground. I was sopping wet, my hair irritating me as much as my clothes. My feet were sore, filthy, and covered in mud.

They all murmured goodbyes before leaving me alone. Only when I heard them disappear back up the steps did I feel my shoulders slump. I held back a sob, shakily exhaling. My elbows resting on my knees, I thread my hands through my wet hair.

I don't know what was worse. Asra or the cell.

Why was he doing this to me?

Why did nobody stop him?

Was I truly so weak compared to his alpha tone?

I was supposed to be his protector. It is in both of our bloodlines for centuries.

How was I supposed to protect him when he was being an arsehole and locking me behind bars?

How was I supposed to protect him, anyway?

I was smaller than the wolves, with barely any weight behind me. I couldn't rip a whole ass wolf to the floor with one hit. Asra didn't even move when I would charge at him like a bull. Only once did I get him to stumble, and that's because I tickled him.

How can I be a protector?

I'm not.

I can't.

I'm stuck in here.

Stuck in the dark, again.

Forever shut out from the bigger picture, hidden behind secrets.

The walls felt suffocating, closing in on me to the point my entire body shook. Whether it was the cold or my creeping anxiety, I couldn't stand it.

I wanted to go home.

I wanted my room.

I wanted my bed.

I wanted my mate.

How long am I supposed to stay in here?

I didn't know what Asra was doing on the surface. Was he punishing more pack members? Was he hurting them?

Why did he have to take their money and their days off away? I had worked so hard to give them that. I spent weeks planning and arranging suitable wages and even aiding some of their living situations. Just for Asra to ruin it with a stupid, loud, magic tone.

Anger burned at my core, my skin rising with goosebumps. I grunted with frustration, lashing out until my foot collided with the wall. I kicked it again like a child throwing a tantrum, upset with every damn thing. I couldn't do anything! What was I supposed to do? Now? Tomorrow? In a year? Forever?

Nothing!

"I can't stay in here!" I snapped, standing to my feet. "This isn't right!"

"Luna?"

"Ailia?"

"Luna!"

My head snapped up just when I was about to give up and try to break down the cell doors. Those voices belonged to pack members. Ones that are stuck down here for voicing their opinions. They deserved to have their own opinion; nobody should be stuck without a voice. They had their own rights, their own mind. Having their pay taken, their hours upped, and their personal time scrapped removed a huge fucking right.

I knew what it was like to be controlled by somebody. It wasn't fair.

"It's me." I answered.

"What are you doing down here?"

"I can't believe he put you in here!"

"Luna!"

"I don't understand." I muttered. "I don't know what's going on."

"Did you speak to him?"

Serenity.

"I tried." I frowned. "He wouldn't listen."

"What did he say?"

"That he was upping training, so needed more food, which meant more staff." I explained. "But he was unreasonable. He wouldn't listen to me. He even..."

I choked, my fingers tracing the ghost of his touch across my jaw. Asra knew I hated my jaw grabbed and hated being pinned so roughly. Even his more inhumane instincts understood. He knew how much it affected me because of what Darius did. Of how Darius would try so hard to control me through physical pain and harsh words, to the point he cracked my tooth once.

"He even what?"

Shaking my head, I kept it to myself. "It's nothing. He just reminded me of someone I once knew."

"What did he do, Luna?" Somebody else wondered.

"He's lost his mind." Another answered. "That's what."

I sighed, feeling my anger dissipate the more the helplessness grew.

I need to stop this.

But how?

I was nothing.

I was so much weaker than them.

I always ended up losing.

Locked away.

Caged.

In the dark.

Wilting.