Chapter 6
A little girl's howl echoed from the dungeon. Her hair was matted and sticky with sweat. Her lips were bleeding from the pain of each whip that struck her tiny, now frail body.
"Any more words Astoria?" asked a cynical warrior.
"Sis Sean help me," muttered Astoria with a bloody back and torn clothes. Sean and Sky didn't move. The blows continued to echo, as did Astoria's moans, which grew fainter and fainter.
"Oh my God, what's going on here?" screamed Luna Lyra when she saw Astoria in chains with fresh blood running down her back from the whip she had received.
"Luna, Hynmoni help me," Astoria moaned barely audibly as she saw Luna arrive with one of Hynmoni's Omega attendants.
"What is this Sentinel. You have the heart to punish a fragile little girl. What did Astoria do wrong?" Luna asked Lyra worriedly.
"This punishment is light because he's still small. You know what he's been doing all this time because we've been spoiling him too much," the Guardian said then walked over to Lyra and whispered very quietly in Lyra's ear. Suddenly, Lyra's worried expression turned to annoyance.
"When you've finished whipping her, leave Astoria chained until morning. No one is to treat her wounds until sunrise. No one, including you, Hynmoni," then Luna Lyra left the dungeon with a mixed feeling of anger and disappointment.
"Fifteen more lashes!" the Alpha Sentinel shouted in his Alpha tone and the warrior happily carried out his task.
"Didn't Sis Sean also make a mistake by challenging Gamma Axell, why wasn't Sis Sean punished but I was the one who was punished!" Astoria shouted, protesting with all the strength she had left after her punishment was over.
I told you he was a bad person, it's in his genes," Stefan Sensi growled.
Stefan is indeed a bit grumpy when it comes to people he doesn't like. But actually, Stefan is much more mature than his cold and calm demeanor. Just like Sean was doing right now. He crouched down right in front of Astoria, who was chained to a chair.
"Father beat me so badly that Stefan is seriously injured. Do you think about what you have done? Because I am no longer your protector," Sean's hiss was almost a whisper, making Astoria's hair stand on end.
"That's it, goodbye," Sean and Sky climbed the stairs and then disappeared into the darkness that Astoria's eyes couldn't reach.
Now Astoria is in a cold and stuffy dungeon with dozens of prisoners whose conditions are far worse than hers. The rancid smell of blood and the stench of rotting rogue corpses, some of which were no longer intact, added to the little girl's torment. It wasn't quite there, the Alpha Sentinel, who was usually gentle with promises of protection, now glared at him while radiating a domineering aura that made Astoria sink even more in fear."You've disappointed me Astoria even at this young age," the Alpha Sentinel said flatly but deadly before leaving Astoria, who was still bound in chains.
"Father, don't leave me here alone," Astoria pleaded pitifully.
"I'm not your father."
Alpha Sentinel hissed without looking up before walking away completely.
Astoria's heart was broken. Once again, the bitter memory in a deep grave reminds him that he is only an orphan in this world. The Andersons were kind enough to take him from the woods when he was alone, cold and hungry. The family that gave him shelter and the power to subjugate others. Not to subjugate, but to humiliate. Now all his bad qualities are exposed. For Lalita is the new child.
Lalita has usurped her position in the camp. It wouldn't be Astoria Riden if the person who caused her misery didn't suffer more. Astoria was really looking forward to this.
"Where have you been for the last two weeks?" asked Julius while he patted Astoria's shoulder, causing the wound, which still hasn't healed properly, to throb again. Suddenly Astoria roared and hit Julius.
"I hope it's not because of Lalita. She immediately became the favorite of almost all the trainers," Eros added.
"You two should help me pay him back," Astoria exclaimed after she was satisfied with beating Julius.
"What's wrong with the new kid?" Eros said casually.
"Nothing, I just want to make a joke he'll never forget for the rest of his life."
The vast and lush forest did not deter two girls between the ages of five and six from exploring it. Even though they are relatively young, their werewolf instincts can be relied upon.
As an apology, Astoria invites Lalita to go to a field of daisies at the edge of the forest. At first Lalita is reluctant, but after some persuasion and a little threat, Lalita finally agrees to go.
"Is it much further?" asked Lalita, wiping the sweat from her forehead....A little, how about we take a break under this tree first?" Astoria and Lalita only obeyed the offer.
"Here, drink this," Astoria handed over a bottle of water, which Lalita accepted happily.
"Thank you, it's already dusk, I'm afraid my parents will come looking for me," Lalita said before taking a sip of the water Astoria gave her.
"It's okay, we won't be long," Astoria said, looking sarcastic as Lalita drank almost half of her drink.
Sure enough, the poison and anesthetic in the water Lalita drank soon began to take effect. Lalita's vision slowly blurred, followed by unbearable drowsiness.
"Asss....toriia aa..what yya..what...you..." too late, even before Lalita finished her sentence the darkness had already swallowed her.
"You must pay for the pain and embarrassment I have experienced, Lalita, Eros! Julius! Tie him to a tree so he won't let go," Astoria shouted as she had originally planned.
"It's Astoria's fault!" shouted Eros.
"If you don't want to do it, let me and Julius do it!"Astoria snapped angrily, then carelessly grabbed Lalita's hand and tied it to a tree, then just walked away with a satisfied feeling.
But Astoria is too innocent to erase traces. The bottle of water Lalita drank was still there. It's not out of the question that Astoria will be tortured even more if she's caught again. Everything is in place, just waiting for the right time.
The full moon shines brightly. Even though the forest leaves are so dense, the light never fails to penetrate the small gaps between them. The sound of the forest singing adds to the eerie atmosphere.
Lalita was still in the dark for a long time. Until her consciousness slowly returned, though it was still blurry. Lalita tried to wriggle, her body felt crushed by the rope that was wrapped around her. Her body felt weak and powerless as she awoke. Her eyes darted frantically in all directions as she struggled to free herself.
I told you he couldn't be trusted,' Rione roared angrily.
Don't think about that, Rione, the most important thing right now is how we get out of here,' Lalita replied a little hopelessly.
Rione took over immediately. It was hard work for his claws to cut through the ropes that bound him. Even his wolf body trembled from the poison in the water Astoria gave him. After all the ropes were cut, Rione wanted to run, but something cold and hard wrapped around his neck, choking his breath in an instant. The iron chain was wrapped tightly around Rione's neck. Rione tried with all his might to loosen the chain around his neck. But in his current condition, Rione couldn't.
The white wolf's body suddenly stiffened at the sound of growling and splashing footsteps. Rione panicked and tried to break the chains around his neck before he finally yelped loudly in surprise at the presence of five rogues glaring at him; one alone might not be able to stand up to Rione, let alone five, too many. One rogue lunged at Rione from behind, sinking his sharp claws into Rione's white fur-covered shoulders and back. Rione howled hoarsely as she tried to hurt the rogue's vital points with her no less sharp claws. Unfortunately, Rione was only able to wound the rogue's muzzle and stomach, infuriating the attacker, who then cowardly urged the other rogues to attack Rione.
It was despair that overshadowed the white wolf as he lay dying with lacerations and cuts all over his body. Again, again, and again, as if it would never end. It seemed that the rogues who had attacked him wanted to enjoy the moment of watching their prey die slowly and painfully.
One of the five bit into Rione's neck. This is the end, he thought. The pain was excruciating as sharp fangs drooled through his flesh. Just waiting for death to take over as the head tragically separated from the body.
But he failed because another wolf attacked him, and the rogue who bit Rione was blinded forever by the sharp claws that penetrated both of his eyes. Surprised, the four remaining rogues backed away in alarm as the blind rogue roared and rolled uncontrollably.
The silver wolf stood tall and challenged the four rogues who were glaring at him with disgusting saliva. Despite being slightly smaller than the rogues before him, the silver wolf didn't flinch. Even the wolf growled back intimidatingly.
One of the rogues ran up to lunge, but the silver wolf quickly dodged, then bit the rogue's neck in return, sending both of them sprawling in the grass. The fight was fierce enough, and in the end the silver wolf won by severing the windpipe in the now lifeless rogue's neck. The death of one of their members provoked the wrath of the other three remaining rogues.
Simultaneously, they surrounded the silver wolf and then blindly attacked it.
With its energy drained and several deep cuts from the previous fight, the silver wolf's abilities dropped dramatically. A bite landed on the back, a claw on the shoulder, and then a clean blow sent the silver wolf far enough to hit a tree hard. Rione tried to move his body, which was in extreme pain, then let out a low growl when he saw that the silver wolf had fallen. Rione's growl drew one of the rogues to him and the other two to the silver wolf.
The silver wolf let out a long howl, hoping that the herd would hear it with all the strength he had left. Unexpectedly, the howl was answered, causing the heads of the three rogues to turn upward at the same time.Several seconds passed, but there was still no sign of any other wolves besides them. Furious, one of the rogues dropped his guard, then jumped to pounce on Rione. Unexpectedly, the rogue was sent flying by a gray wolf twice his size. Now Rione is in the cage of the gray wolf who will protect her.
Is that his father? No. Beta Daniel had a light gray wolf, while the wolf that protects Rione is dark gray.
Rione also saw another wolf, black on his upper body and white from muzzle to paws, protecting the silver wolf who was trying to help him. Rione was calm, but the wolf's body was badly injured.
I am sorry Lalita," Rione whispered before they shifted back into human form. Lalita returned in the darkness with a body covered in bruises and scratches.
"He's sober."
"Oh my God, he's awake, quickly call the doctor."
All of Lalita's senses began to activate, but only her ears caught the sound of someone feeling relieved and happy. The smell of drugs began to waft in, and then slowly her still blurred vision began to make out the white ceiling and the face of a man with dark blue eyes. The man smiled softly at Lalita.
"I have called the doctor and the father is on his way," exclaimed a woman who immediately entered Lalita's treatment room. The woman smiled happily when she saw Lalita and covered her mouth. The clear crystal slowly slid down her flushed white cheeks.
"It's okay, let's go outside and let the doctor examine her," the man who had smiled at Lalita persuaded, then led Saras outside, rubbing her shoulder in hopes of calming her down.
"Sis Saras!" Lalita screamed, almost waking up if the doctor hadn't stopped her.
"You still haven't fully recovered, it's best not to move too much yet," the doctor advised. Only then did Lalita realize that her entire body was wrapped in thick bandages from head to toe, except for her eyes, nose, mouth and ears. This is the first time I have had a patient with very serious injuries and in a coma wake up in a matter of hours," the doctor muttered after examining Lalita.
"How long have I been asleep?" asked Lalita curiously."Almost 52 hours. Rest, you need it," the doctor said before leaving, then Saras and the man he had seen earlier entered.
"Lalita."
"Sister Saras, why did you leave? Are you angry with me that you left and don't want to train me anymore?" Lalita asked repeatedly in a faint voice.
"It's not like that Laliata-"
"Lalita," a woman in a rather chaotic state shouted, followed by a middle-aged man with dark gray eyes.
"Mother and father," Lalita muttered almost in a whisper.
"Oh honey, mom is so worried," Liliana said as she kissed Lalita's forehead gently.
"Sorry ma'am."
"No honey, it's not your fault. You're safe now," Liliana said as she kissed Lalita's forehead a few times while shedding tears.
Lalita could clearly see her mother's worry. His mother must have cried all day while taking care of him. This can be seen from Liliana's messy hair, red and swollen eyes from lack of sleep and crying, and dark circles around her eyes.
Who is the boy next to Saras? asked Lalita when she saw the man who was holding Saras' hand.
"He is the Alpha of the Silver Moon Pack, Alpha Xander Elswer. He is Saras' mate and he is the one who saved you that night," Daniel explained as he gently stroked Lalita's hair.
"Hello Lilita," Xander greeted her friendly, smiling his charming smile.
"Hello Alpha Xander," Lalita replied, making Xander chuckle.
"Just call me Xander, Sis Xander is okay because I'm not old yet," Lalita smiled and nodded.
"Thank you for helping me that night and..."
Lalita suddenly remembered the silver wolf who had tried to help her when she was so badly injured. "What about the silver wolf?" Lalita asked in a panic.
"Relax, he was badly hurt, but he's all right now. Do you want to know who the wolf is?" Lalita nodded and waited for her father's answer.
"He is a Sky Herder, one level above you."
"What about Astoria?" she asked. The girl still thinks of others, even though she was badly injured and almost lost her life.
"We've taken care of that," Xander replied coldly, making Lalita's hair stand on end, but only for a moment because Xander immediately showed his beautiful smile.
"We will take care of Lalita, Beta Daniel. You can go home and rest," Saras offered.
"Don't you mind, Luna?"
"Not at all, I could have a little chat with Lalita before I say goodbye," Saras' voice lowered in his last three sentences.
"Alright then. Come on Liliana."
"Take a break and then we can talk about a lot of things," Saras told Lalita with the same smile he had on his face.Lalita started to look for a comfortable position to sleep, but something was bothering her. In the depths of her heart she felt empty and empty. Then Lalita remembered Rione. Fragments of bad memories from when those villains had hurt Rione came back.
Rione, are you okay? Lalita tried to communicate with her wolf, but there was no response.
Rione?
Again no answer.
'Rione, please answer me.
'Rione'ad when they last met.