02

~Darren

At age eight, I was forced to become an adult.

My father was the ruthless Alpha of the Malreux Wolf Pack. He led with an iron fist and never allowed anyone to cross him. He was feared by all in the pack as well as other packs and he was the only one who had enough guts to attack an entire vampire clan.

He massacred the entire clan and allowed our lands to expand. This earned him more power and fear from the other wolf packs in the territory.

He told me that someday, I would inherit his empire. For this reason, I had to start training to become the Alpha he wanted me to be. Instead of wasting away time by playing with my pairs. He took away my chance of growing up like a normal child.

At first, it had been easy to bear the harsh training, day in, and day out. This was because of the encouragement that I got from my mother every time. But the moment I lost her, training became too hard to bear.

Father would torture me to make me stronger. He would whip me thousands and make me bleed. Then he would abandon me alone and allow me to heal on my own. I soon became depressed because I could not stand leaving like this and I needed an escape.

That was when I sneaked out into the dungeon for an escape from the real world outside. It was where I met my first real friend after being cut off from them for a very long time.

I crawled out of my room and sneaked into the caves of the dungeon when no one was watching. I made the turns that would lead to her cell and I smiled the moment I saw her.

She smiled too and waved back at me. "I was beginning to think you would not come," she began.

I was missing a package inside my shirt and I came to a stop before her cell. "Little bully, I would never miss a chance to see you," I assured her and smiled.

Her eyes fell on my stomach and they lit up with excitement.

"What did you bring this time?" She asked.

"It's a surprise," I told her.

A big smile crept up her face. "Come on! Tell me! Tell me!" She exclaimed.

I hushed her immediately and looked around hoping that no one heard her. "You need to be quiet," I cautioned her.

She made a face. "I'm sorry."

I then revealed a book she had wanted to read because I had told her about it. Then I revealed a turkey leg and a figurine of a warrior. She gasped in excitement.

"All this for me?" She inquired while holding her mouth.

I nodded and passed it all to her. She took the turkey leg first and took a big bite out of it. She offered me some and I waved it away. She gave me a big smile and munched it all down.

Then she took the figurine. It was a small thing and she placed it in her pocket. Next, she took the book and held it tightly to her chest.

"Thank you, my friend," she whispered and there was genuine joy on her face.

I smiled and blushed too. "Please, don't embarrass me by thanking me," I muttered.

She raised her hand out in the air and I slowly placed my hand on hers as well.

"Friends forever?" She asked.

I nodded with a big smile of mine. "Of course. I have to go now before they notice I'm gone. I'll see you soon," I assured her.

"I'll be waiting. But until then, I'll hold on to this and allow it to keep me company," she explained.

I waves her goodbye and sneaked back out of the cave. I stealthily made my way back. I reached my room and turned on the light but was met with the sitting figure of my father. I flinched at the sight of him.

"I'm going to ask you this once. Answer me honestly and I'll reduce your punishment. Lie and I'll make you suffer for days!" He threatened.

My teeth started clattering with fear at my father's threat. My heart pounded hard against my chest.

"Where have you been?" He demanded.

It felt like the hardest and heaviest question had befallen me and I did not know how to answer.

"Answer me!" He yelled and closed the distance between us.

He grabbed me by the neck and I choked on his hold. Tears started streaming down my cheeks as I tried to make words.

"The dungeon," I squeaked and he released me immediately.

"How dare you disobey my laws of staying away from friends? And with that little demon!" He yelled.

"She is not a demon and she's not distracting me. I still train very hard every day! She's making training easier to survive!" I cried as more tears ran down my cheeks.

"Whatever I say is final! I will change her cell. I will transport her to a place where you can never reach her!" He roared.

The news broke my heart and I could not stop my tears.

"Now I know why my mother died," I stated firmly as I felt pure hatred fill my heart against my father.

He was about to walk out of the room and stopped at my words. He turned to face me and when I saw that he had my full attention, I dropped the bomb.

"It's because you did not deserve somebody as pure as her!" I spat out loud.

I saw his eyes glow red with anger as he launched at me. I screamed as he grabbed me by the neck and slammed me against the wall.

"It must seem that you have forgotten your manners! Why don't I remind you by starving you and whipping you with that lash a hundred times!" He exclaimed.

That was when I knew that my father was lost to madness he could never fight.

All I could do was cry helplessly.