1

"Oh pup," Elijah's voice rang out as he sighed in disappointment. "You have to eat, or you won't be able to carry pups anymore. Once that happens, your usefulness will end, and I'll have to kill you."

I clamped my teeth down on the mouthpiece of the muzzle in my mouth. Elijah had it placed on me after he found Maurice lying in a pool of his blood. I stared at nothing but the wall of my confinement. My long hair served as a curtain to shield my emotions.

He knew it was pointless to continue. I was never able to carry to birth. Nevertheless, that didn't matter to him because it was a possibility. It was why he had witches under him, trying to concoct ways for my body to carry till birth. Though, every attempt met with failure.

I glanced at the tiny pile of small bones that littered one corner before turning away in pain. Even if they were products of unwanted sexual intercourse, they were technically still my pups, and I mourned the loss along with Sim. Elijah left the bodies as a reminder that I'll have to try harder next time. The scent of rot and death clung to the walls of the cell.

The shock I felt when it turned out that Elijah was right about what I was, had me reeling. I didn't know how to feel when my stomach swelled, especially when my body rejected the pup, and I had to deal with the aftermath of losing it. Never once did I shed a tear, though. Loss after loss, I was left numb and empty.

"I'll bring something and this time eat it. I'll be back later with Paul. It's his turn this time-" Elijah cut off as hurried footsteps came down the hall. A short man stopped in front of Elijah with a frantic expression. "What's going on?"

"Alpha Elijah, sir. We're under attack," I scoffed internally at the title. This piece of wolf scum will never be an Alpha, but I perked up at the thought of being free from this place. Maybe I can somehow convince the attackers to release me or find a way to get free myself.

"Fuck," Elijah growled, glancing at me and seeming to have a million ideas rushing through his head. "Grab him. I need to get some things."

"Yes, sir," the man replied, fumbling with the cell key that Elijah thrust into his hands.

The man opened the door, and heading to the holders, he unlocked the locks with the same key and kept a tight hold on the chains as if I were a dog. I didn't move, though. My body stayed rooted to the ground, and the man yanked on the chains harshly. "Hurry up, bitch," he growled, tugging hard on the chain connected to the shackle around my neck and causing it to tighten.

I choked, glaring at the man before moving to stand up on weak legs. The man backed up a few when he realized I stood a whole foot above him. He regained his confidence when he realized that I was practically bones.

I felt uncomfortable as I looked down at my almost naked body. The clothes, given to me months ago, were now rags. I was thin, bones showing prominently through my skin, giving me more of a skeletal look.

"Move," he ordered, shoving me forward, and I stumbled before righting myself. I held back a growl, wishing I wasn't so weak.

I shuffled forward, trying not to trip over the chains that served as nothing but a nuisance. Unsatisfied with my slow pace, the rogue shoved me forward. My feet caught on the chains, and I tripped. My head slammed onto the concrete below.

I lay in a daze, hearing the guy curse and yank at the chains. There was a commotion down the corridor. The sounds of fighting traveled down to us and then silence. I tried to shake off the haze slowly clouding my head, but it did nothing as I felt my head grow heavy.

The last thing I heard before unconsciousness dragged me under was an angry growl that sent tingles down my spine.

###

'Simon.'

Mom?

'Simon.'

Mom.

'Simon.'

Sim?

I peeled my eyes open, blinking to clear away the blurriness. My hair fell into my face, and my head pounded while my body ached. I curled around myself as the cold from the floor seeped into my body. I shuddered.

I guess the attack was nothing but a dream, or maybe the ones who attacked the rogues weren't strong enough and lost. Whatever the reason, it didn't matter since I was right back where I started. I clenched my teeth and was surprised at the lack of muzzle. Elijah must have decided to be kind to his 'breeder' and remove the thing.

I moved my jaw, wincing as it popped and creaked in a way that wasn't normal. Wearing a muzzle/gagger for three years couldn't have helped. I slowly pushed myself up, noticing the lack of restraints, and surveyed my cell. Or a new one as it looked different and lacked the scent of rot and death along with the pile of pup bones.

Across from my cell, I saw another and furrowed my brows in confusion. Before, I had been in a cell that was alone, and now I was in a cell that was with other cells. A door clanged shut down the hall, and I tensed in anticipation, preparing for Elijah's smug face.

However, I was unprepared for the most delicious scent I've ever smelt and an unfamiliar man to stop in front of my cell. I felt Sim go crazy, jumping around in our shared mind and rolling back and forth in excitement. I was amused and ready to ask why he was excited when the man spoke.

"I see you're finally awake, rogue," the stranger growled, his smooth voice sending shivers down my spine. My heart dropped when I registered his words, though. Sim quieted down, head hanging, and his mental form slumped as he whined.

"Rogue? I'm-" I cut myself off from continuing as I realized there was no point explaining. I had no pack which branded me as a rogue, whether by choice or not.

"What rogue?" he ground out as if the very act of talking to me was the last thing he wanted to do.

I drew back, hair falling to shield my face. I kept silent and hugged my knees to my chest. It didn't matter what I said. I'd still be a lowly rogue. Nor would any of them believe my words. They'd think I was lying to make them drop their guards, so my fellow rogues could attack them. I'd rather stay silent and accept the consequences than being called a liar.

"Fine, don't talk. There are other ways to get what I want," the other spat out. The man glared at me as if to get me to talk with his eyes alone before turning and walking back down the hall.

I heard the same door from earlier clang shut before curling up tighter. Emotions swirled inside me, but I kept a tight lid on them. My heart hung heavy in my chest as my consciousness slipped, and darkness greeted me.