Looks like it's only you and me.

I sighed, my head falling back to the wall. My eyes fluttering close as my brows furrowed; another growl erupting from my stomach. God, I'm so hungry. And tired and...well, I'm just fucked all around aren't I. Damn everything hurts. Should I try to move? Nah, better try to get some sleep.

     But it's hard to get some sleep on an empty stomach. Even harder when every slightest move inflicts pain. Besides, even if I wanted to sleep I couldn't; my mind was cluttered with too many thoughts. Most of them were about Ky. I bet you're sleeping right now; no. You were too troubled to sleep on your own. I hope Sakura made him some kind of concoction to make him relax. God knows I could really use one right now. Damnit...I'm gonna cry thinking about you. Stupid Alpha! Why do you have to make me miss you so much. I wiped at my tears furiously with the little strength I had. Damn it, the tears won't...I heard a sound. My body stiffened as I peered into the hallway. Eyeing it carefully as I scanned it with an alert tension. I stayed like that few a minute, waiting for a sound, for even a glimpse of someone else.

I looked away, leaning back into the wall as I exhaled. Little relief coming my way. Huh, I guessed it was just my imagination. Or maybe a rat...ew. I relaxed, only to be startled by the sound of running feet followed by a clang. My head whipped back to the hall. A glimpse of something shiny flashing my eyes. It took me a moment to focus on the object that slammed against the silver bars. Narrowing my eyes as I peered onto the flat steel object that now laid in front of my prison. Is that...what I think it is? My mouth began to water as the growling of my stomach urged me forward. Crawling on all fours to the edge of my cell. The sweet aroma of food taking over all my senses. Each gesture was absolutely excruciating, but the need to feed my belly pushed passed all of that. Through all the piercing pain of my spine and shoulders. Through the groans and dragging knees. Through all the screams that told me to stay down. Only to be rewarded with a smile and the sight of fresh, delicious food.

     My stomach roared with the sweet aroma. Licking my lips as I stared down at the rosemary grilled chicken half. White fluffy grains of beautifully done rice beneath a thin line of asparagus. Salted and sautéed in melted butter along with a warm, golden brown biscuit. Looking so soft to the touch. I swallowed as I stared at the ice that shifted slightly in the tall glass of water. God I was so thirsty; so...hungry. I carefully snaked my hand through the bars. Extending my fingers as I reached for the biscuit. Already feeling it's softness in my mouth, staring at it eagerly.

     Something in my subconscious made me stop. Recoiling my hand slightly as they still yearned to grab the biscuit and just shove it in my face. Ready to devour the meal like a wild animal. But...who brought it? Dante said not to give me anything and I would doubt one of his servants will disobey his orders. And what if it's poisoned? No, they need me alive and I don't smell any night shade so it should be safe. But who ever left this here they would have to be fast, wicked fast. I sniffed the air; they're still here.

I growled, "show yourself!" At first there was nothing, not even the slightest scuttle. "Oh come on, I know you're in here. I can smell you a mile away. Besides I can't even hurt you in this cage so come out would ya?" I negotiated, sitting on my knees as I listened closely. Searching for the tiniest bit of movement. I held my breath as I saw little white toes peek from the shadows that resided in the corner. A small figure of glistening white and fiery red. Curls as wild as their owner and faint freckles on a dainty nose. My eyes widened, "it's you." It was the girl from before, the one that told Dante that I wasn't Ky's mate.

She looked at me nervously. Chewing on her bottom lip as she swayed back and forth like a little child. Acting as if she had just been caught stealing a bite from the cookie jar. "I..." She exhaled, "I thought you could be hungry. So I stole a dish for you from the kitchen." Her voice was the embodiment of a bell. Soft and sweet, dainty with the power to be loud.

I opened my lips to say something, only to close them. Speechless. She looked at me cautiously with curiosity. Her eyes switching between me and the plate of food that stood before her. I guess she was trying to figure out why I wasn't eating, clearly hearing the growling of my stomach. "Ohhhhh," she said breaking the silence. Startling me with her sudden understanding. "You think it's poisoned don't you?" She got on her knees, picking up the golden biscuit and tearing a small piece off. My eyes watching her carefully as she brought the piece to her lips and into her mouth. Chewing on it slowly, purring from its goodness before she swallowed. "See! Not poisoned! Trust me." She was smiling, holding the rest of the biscuit out to me. I looked at the biscuit then at her. Giving her a long stare for any signs of dizziness, fatigue, sickness. Anything that could raise a red flag. But I saw none and deemed the food safe. Like a hungry animal I grabbed the biscuit quickly. Munching down on it without hesitation.

"Mmm," escaped from my lips. Enjoying the buttery warm goodness of the bread that was within my hands. Finishing it completely before I grabbed the glass of water. Bringing it to my lips as I allowed the sweet coldness to slip down my throat. Soothing the dryness as I took a big gulp. Saving the rest for later. She watched me as I ate. Nibbling on the asparagus, scooping up the rice, plucking the chicken before I pop a piece into my mouth. She stayed silent as she allowed me to stuff my face. No ounce of judgement or impatience in her eyes, just sympathy. Bringing her knees up to her chest as she sat back on her butt. Watching me effortlessly.

     I had wiped my plate clean. Leaving very few scraps as there was nothing but chicken bones. Gulping down the rest of the water as my stomach sighed with satisfaction. My belly full and plump.

"W-What's your name?" She asked shyly, seeing that my mouth was free to talk.

I looked at her. Her eyes a familiar chestnut brown that peered right into my soul. "Serena," I replied. "Serena Havenmoon."

"Havenmoon," she said in a hushed whisper. Making a peculiar face as if she was analyzing it. Then her face brightened, "you have a very beautiful name."

I smiled, a tad of tension looming between us. "What's your name?"

Her heart dropped. Casting her eyes down to her toes as they fidgeted. Feeling as if I had stepped over a line or a boundary. "I...I don't remember my name. But Master calls me Angel."

"Angel," I repeated. Assuming that the "Master" was no other than Dante himself. She nodded, hugging her knees tighter to her chest. She was timid, a face that almost screamed lonely. I scanned the young girl before me; there's something missing about her. Something very important and...she's still seeking for it. "Angel...how long have you been here?"

Her eyes widened, but relaxed with the shrug of her shoulders. Not once her eyes flickering to mine. "I...I don't know. I...I can't remember."

My eyebrows scrunched in confusion and uncertainty. "What do you remember?" Can I really trust this girl? What if Dante has her brain washed or something? What if she's a spy?? Whoa whoa, let's slow down for a bit. Let's see what we can find out about her before we start making wild assumptions. But...is it really wild?

"All I remember is waking up in a bed and...Master telling me that I had been in a terrible accident. Telling me that my whole family was dead and that he would take care of me." She was starting to get upset; her hands trembling on her knees. I could see that it was a very touchy subject for her. One that could break her in two. So I backed off and changed the subject.

"How old are you Angel?"

Her eyes brightened instantly. Followed by a big toothy grin. "Fifteen!" Glad I guessed that right, hehe. "How old are you Serena?"

I smiled from her excitement, watching the child become lively again. "Eighteen," I said with pride. Putting my hands on my hips and sticking my nose in the air.

"Wow...you're old." I gave her the stink eye, making her laugh and put her hands up in surrender. "I'm Kidding! I'm kidding! You're quite young very young!"

"That's right and you better believe it!" I huffed, crossing my arms over my chest. Each move a little more painful as I hid every wince with a smile. Not wanting to scare the kid as all I wanted to do was make her laugh. And laugh she did. Holding her stomach as her lips couldn't break from the wide smile. Shaking her head as she erupted with the daintiest laugh that ever existed. I chuckled as I allowed her to settle down. Licking my lips as I was about to ask another boundary breaking question.

"Angel...why did you help me? Why did you bring me the food?"

She looked at me a bit puzzled, tilting her head to the side like a curious pup. "Did you not want me to help you?"

"No no, I did. I am more than grateful for your help. For bringing me this food. Very grateful indeed but," I paused. Trying to find the right words. "But you don't know me. All you know is that I'm your Master's enemy. That I'm friends with the people that your Master hates. So...why help me?"

"Because you're like me," she said blatantly, innocently. A small smile playing on her lips. "And because something told me to."

I cocked my eyebrow. "Something told you to?"

She nodded with a smile, "call it intuition or maybe my conscious. I can't explain it exactly, I just knew that somewhere deep down inside my gut that I was meant to help you. That I should help you despite the consequences."

I stared at her for a moment, baffled. "But he said not to bring me food or water. Won't you get...punished?"

"First he would have to find out. So he won't find out right?" She winked at me. A smug smile on her face as she put her finger on her lips. The universal sign to keep quiet. "And he won't hurt me. At most I would just get a firm scolding."

"How do you know?"

She smiled and looked down at the empty plate of food. "I'll take this out of your way." Her small fingers wrapped around the silver tray handles. Lifting it up as it hoisted the empty white plates. Getting to her feet with a straightened back as she held it carefully. She bowed her head slightly to me in a far well. Her feet shifting against the stone as she began to walk away. My eyes following her as she left; walking a few feet before she stopped and looked at me. "You know...Master is not as bad as you think. He can be gentle and caring and sweet. You...You just have to get on his good side."

I said nothing as she walked away. Not even a friendly goodbye as I crawled back into the darkness. Propping myself up against the wall as I thought about what she said.

"You just have to get on his good side."

Good side my ass.

* play music *

"Ah!" I screamed as tears pulled at my eyes. Hissing as I clenched my jaw in pain. "Son of a bitch!" I cursed as I thrashed around. The chain that tied my arms to the chair tightening, restricting.

"Who is she?" Dante demanded. Looking down upon me with blood red eyes.

"I told you I don't know!" The wooden two by four came plummeting down on my shoulder blade. Hearing a crack as I flinched from the impact. A monstrous scream ripping from my vocal cords. Feeling the wetness of blood flowing down my back as I hunched over. Looking down on my bare skin legs. They had stripped me head to toe, the air cold on my skin. The only coverage I had was a bra and panties to keep my dignity.

"Who...is she?" He snarled, getting impatient with this game.

"I don't-"

THWACK! Another hard blow to my thigh, my face wincing in pain as my leg jumped from the impact. Making me curse at the bloody bastard who swung at my thigh. Giving me a baseball swing to my other shoulder. Making me keel over as I was winded. Gasping for air as all I could do was stare at my trembling knees. Watching drops of blood stain the white marble floor. Hearing them fall with the smallest plop. My breath shook with every exhale as my back rocked slightly with every inhale. My chest moving frantically with the need for air. Heart pumping blood fast as it screamed, "GET THE FUCK OUT OF HERE!"

"Damnit," he snarled. Running his hand through his hair before he huffed. Getting off his high throne as he walked down to me. He looked down at my trembling body. Feeling his eyes on the back of my head as I did not dare to look at him. He watched me for a bit, shooting daggers into my subconscious mind. Thin pressed lips and narrow eyes of irritation. It was only the second day of torture and he was already getting tired of my silly game. He placed his hand on my head; curling his fingers into my brunette hair. Grabbing a chunk as he yanked at it.

"Ah!" I gasped, being pulled back to sit up straight. His presence looming over me as his face was dangerously close to mine. Still holding on to my hair as he made my head crane back. Exposing my neck to him.

His head moved like a snake: back and forth slowly as he looked at me. Eyes blazing a fiery red with a hungry loom to them. "Why...still play this game." He asked rhetorically. Allowing no answer as he pulled at my hair to keep me quiet. "Why go against me when I can give you the world. When I can stop all this pain and treat you like my very own princess?"

I scoffed, "my loyalty is to Ky. Not to you." I managed to slip in before he yanked at my hair.

"But it can be. If you would just tell me the name."

"Fuck off!"

     He hit me. My head whipping to the left as I felt a line of pain across my cheek. Unaware of what it was as trickle of wetness travel down my chin and onto my knee. Plopping there as little droplets of blood scattered onto my skin. Seeing the shine of a blade in Dante's left hand. The bastard cut me. I growled, about to protest as he clamped his hand on my neck. Pushing me back against the chair as he held me there. His fingers on my neck were gentle as one of them stroke the bottom of my jawline. Keeping me in place with as little force as possible. His pale lips parted as he watch the trickling of blood. Licking his lips with eyes of red hunger. I swallowed hard as he came closer, leaning his face near me as I tried to squirm. His other hand placed the tip of the blade on my stomach; threatening that if I squirmed more he'll gut me like a deer. I froze, my heart hammering out of my chest as he leaned into me.

     I watched him from the corner of my eyes. Watching his tongue slip out between his teeth and onto my cheek. Growling as he dragged his tongue along my cut. Wincing from the pain as it burned with every lick. Appalled by what he was doing to me. Wanting to throw up as his tongue kept tasting. Running itself down my jawline to my chin, not an ounce to waste. My eyes were closed as I trembled in disgust, hating the fact that I allowed another man to touch me. He purred from the satisfaction; from the taste. Watching me carefully with a smirk before he leaned in again. Tucking a few strands behind my ear as he whispered.

"What has Ky done for you...that deserves this much loyalty. Hmm?" He taunted. "What has he done that deserves you giving up your life?"

My eyes flickered open to his questions. Staring at him straight in the eye with a hard cold glare. "He hasn't done anything," I spoke truthfully. "That man has put me through enough sadness, headaches, and groans more times than you could even imagine. He's put me through a lot. So no, he didn't do anything worth giving up my life. I don't owe him any debt or any favors. No...I give up my life for him because he's my Alpha. Because it's my god forsaking duty to always keep him safe. To make sure that he's happy. And I will give up the world for that."

     He gave me a long hard look. Scanning my face for any signs of falter. Of any hint that I was lying, that I would be easier to break. Looking for some kind of loophole or advantage to make me say what he wanted to hear. I could see in his eyes that he was conflicted. Second guessing if I have been telling him the truth this whole time. If I really didn't know who Ky's mate was. My little speech only confirmed that I do know something about it. But even then he was still conflicted; not sure of what was the truth and what was the lie. He didn't know, but that didn't matter. Whether I knew or didn't knew; I was still close to Ky in his eyes and breaking me in two...would surely inflict pain on his enemy.

He smirked and I soon became afraid of what was going on in his masochistic mind. "Such noble words from a honorable girl. Especially one so posed and self-independent. A girl who believes that they could suffer through anything and beat anyone. One that takes no shit from any man." His voice was sarcastic. Conniving as he took the luxury to check out my body. Making me thrash in rejection. I was about to say something when he threw his hand against my mouth. Holding it shut forcefully as all I could do is hum my complaints. My back straight against the chair. "Unfortunately for you...I know how to break girls like you. You see...," his eyes drifted down to my chest. Keeping his hand against my mouth as his other hand dragged his finger down the valley of my breast. Stroking the tops of them along the bra cup. My eyes widened: no. "...strong girls like you don't want their bodies to become an object. They work hard to only allow men that love them to touch them. To devour them." He squeezed one of my breast. I growled in retaliation. My knuckles turning white from how hard I was holding onto the arm rests. Unable to thrash around from how still he was holding me.

Fuck you! You fucking ass pervert!

"Honor the body, Honor the soul." He continued, giving my neck a kiss. Trying hard to get out of his hold. "But...defile the body, defile the soul. Which means," he smirked, a mischievous gleam in his eyes. "...that I'm gonna have a little bit of fun."

     My breath stifled from his words; nostrils flaring with rage. I struggled, thrashing my head back and forth. Wanting him to let go of my mouth, to get away from me as far as possible. My words coming out in frantic "mmm's"; only making him clamp on my jaw tighter. Burying his nails into my cheeks so deep that they drew blood. Seeping into his skin as he pushed me to still. His face leaning towards mine threateningly.

"Shhhh," he cooed, the hiss of a snake slithering from his vocal cords. "It will all be over soon...once I have my fun that is." He laughed. Looking like a masochist before he shoved his face into my neck. Inhaling my scent before his hand on my breast began to travel. "Mmmm vanilla, such a sweet scent for such a fierce girl." He slurred, running his tongue along my neck before he squeezed my boob hard. Making me jump and thrash; his hold restraining on my body. My heart was pounding out of my chest, frantic as I felt helpless. Trembling with fear as he hooked his finger into my bra. Pulling it teasingly before letting it pop back against me. Leaving me a little winded as my brows furrowed with the sting.

Goddamnit! I can't let him touch me. I will not be treated like this. I struggled what I could, the chair skidding and jumping slightly from all my movement. Dante only steadying it when it move too much. A small chuckle vibrating through his chest.

"You can't escape now Pet, you're mine." He taunted in my ear. His hot breath fanning against my skin before I felt the graze of his fangs on my neck. His hand then slipped from my breast down towards my tummy. I froze. "Being good for me now huh?" He laughed as the bottom of his fingers stroke the hem of my panties.

Don't. You. Fucking. Dare.

     I was stiff, almost like a statue as he continued to stroke. A growl of disapproval rumbling from my chest as I could feel my eyes turn. The shine of vibrant blue sharping my canines like a wolf's. Ready for a fight as I sat there still. Waiting.

"Such a good little dog," he commented before his fingers hooked into my panties. My eyes widened and without a second thought my jaw dropped with the tilting of my head. Clamping his hand in my mouth as I sunk in my canines. Biting hard as I shook my head back and forth quickly. Tearing into his skin as I dreamed to rip something off.

"Fuck!!" He screamed. His attention leaving my panties and back up to my eyes. Seeing I was tearing at his hand like a dog pulling a chew toy out of their owner's grasp. He struggled, moving his arm back and forth as he tried to loosen my grip. Blood spewing down his arm and along my chin. Biting down harder as I wasn't gonna let him go that easily. He cursed at me: calling me a mangy mutt and to let go. He thrashed a bit more, whipping my head along with his force. Once I felt liked it I let him go. Watching him fall back on his butt before I leaned my head to the left. Spitting out any trace of that filthy bastard's blood. My fiery blue eyes looking at him with a growl before I said:

"Touch me like that again and next time I'll make sure you'll lose a finger."

________________________________
Song: "Champion" By Barn Courtney