BRIDGETTE 

Ace didn't stay around for long and while he was gone, the guards dragged me away from the Packhouse with grips that were very firm and never unyielding. They didn't care to say anything or even act when I told them that my arms ached but I was doing my best to show no sign of weakness. The walk there was a long one, and on the way I was able to take in a bit of the Pack scenery. I later found out that the Pack was a whole lot bigger than I imagined. It stretched wide and had many areas dotted with lush green fields where all kinds of crops and fruits were planted, swaying gently in the breeze. I was also able to sight some farmers in the distance, working together and hauling supplies or even tending to their livestock. There were some children playing near a stream too, and every single time I remembered their laughter, I felt jealous. I wished I could have a moment like that again, or just a sliver of it. It was so peaceful and so normal, which hurt even more because it was a very sharp contrast to what I felt inside. All I could feel was rage and fear, coupled with confusion. The fact that I didn't know what to expect made that fear even worse. 

"You're going to love it here." I was snapped out of my thoughts when one of the guards sneered from behind me. "You know what they say, hard work builds character." 

The other guard who was on my right let out a chuckle. It was full of mirth. "Yes. And good luck with that. You're going to need a bit of luck getting out of there alive when this is all over." 

I clenched my hand anytime those taunts came, because it stung and there was no denying it. We finally arrived at the place. It was a worn down, sprawling building in the middle of a farmland. The first thing that caught my attention apart from the building itself was the rusted sign which was placed above the entrance. 

It read "Haven's Rest."  The irony wasn't lost on me. 

One of the guards let go of me and took a few steps forward before turning to me. "Here we are. Just a bit of advice, don't try to get too comfortable." 

I ignored him and stared on, wondering what my fate would be. He stepped forward and pushed the door open, after which a tall, stroking woman inside walked out. Her dark hair was pinned back in an immaculate bin, and the moment she saw me, her sharp eyes seemed to narrow before that look of disdain quickly followed. Her tailored dress was just out of place, considering how run down this place was. She was beautiful, yes, but there was just this thing disconcerting about her. 

"This is the new one, Elara." The guard in front of us announced. "And the Alpha has commanded that we have to make sure you show her the ropes. Now, I don't want to be on your trail constantly to check if you're the job or not, so make sure you do as you're asked. I've got other important things to check on." 

Her lips slowly curled into a thin smile. "Perfect timing. A new work came out this morning and I was wondering who would do it. That's not a problem. Leave her to me." 

Her words came out smoothly but it was laced with menace. The guard who was still holding me pushed me forward, so hard that I stumbled and crashed on the floor. Then they snickered and walked away, leaving me simmering with dread and anger. 

"Follow me," the sharp command rang out, snapping me out of my pent-up reverie. I turned to see Elara turn on her heel and push the creaky door open, before I got up and hesitantly followed. 

When I got in, the first thing that hit me was the heavy air inside and the low murmurs that were coming from everyone inside. I bowed my head as we walked through the corridor but I could feel their eyes on me. At one point, I dared to look up and what I saw had me staring down quickly. 

Most of them were disabled mentally from what I was able to picture. They were staring at me with curiosity and suspicion. Some of them had vacant stares while the rest had this sharp and almost predatory intensity in their gazes. Scary was a weak word to terrify how it felt in that moment. 

"Listen." I said as I hurried up to Elara. But she wouldn't turn around or bat an eyelid in my direction. "Kendrick and I just had a little misunderstanding and-" I was cut short when she stopped abruptly and turned to face me. Then I saw her eyes gleam, but I couldn't quite picture what she had in mind at that moment. 

"Kendrick? Who the hell calls the Alpha by his name. Are you the woman he's been... entertaining lately?" 

Entertaining lately? Were the words for it? We were married, not entertaining each other. 

The question caught me off guard and I hesitated. The amused look on her face made me wary of what she had up her sleeve but I gave a slow nod, still cowering. "Yes." 

Her smile widened, but it didn't reach her eyes. "That's interesting." She said before she turned around led me on. She didn't stop until we got to what seemed to be the last room in the building. The walls were streaked with grime and the cobwebs hanging from the wall were so much it could carry my weight. I felt a pang of dread rush through me again. By the corner of the room was a pile of soiled clothes sitting in a corner and they reeked of mildew. 

"You're going to start here." She announced as she gestured to the mess. "First, you will start with scrubbing the walls, then you clean the floors. I don't want to see these cobwebs when I'm back, so you find a way to take care of them. When you're done, I will find you more work, like the guards said." 

I stared at her in disbelief. "I told you this was just some misunderstanding and if I talk it through with Kendrick-" 

I was cut off when she growled. It was low and menacing. "This is the price you pay for thinking you could waltz into our Pack and do whatever you please, for example referring to the Alpha by his name. I don't want to hear that from you again. You are going to work, or I'll make sure these deranged bastards find out what you are. And I am sure you don't want that happening. I don’t need to tell you what they are going to do to you when they find out." 

The tears were already gathering in my eyes but I blinked it away. "I'm begging you." I whispered. “If this is resolved, I'll make sure to reward you immensely-" 

She shook her head and let out a derisive chuckle before turning and walking out without another word. I was left there with my fear and the daunting task ahead. How the hell was I supposed to clean this whole place up. The stares from the resident were even heavier now and I could smell their hostility. Some were so lost in their own worlds and the others stared at me with a certain kind of intensity that made my skin crawl. 

There was a certain man somewhere in the middle of them, bald as a crow, muttering to himself as he rocked back and forth with a face twisted in a permanent scowl. This was way worse than I had imagined. Grabbing a sponge from a nearby shelf, I walked through the middle and filled my bucket with water from a rusty tap, shaking the whole time. After that, I began scrubbing the walls. And just as expected, the grime seemed just endless. It wasn't long before my arms started to burn with the effort. 

I was able to finish my work for hours without being noticed and when I was finally done, the exhaustion was hanging on me like a lead blanket. My back was acting, and my hands were far and chafed from the harsh soap. When I was  done washing the last of the clothes, I got outside and found a spot to lean on as I was desperate for some rest. 

"Hey, you!" A guttural voice rang out. Startled, I pushed myself off the wall and turned to face one of the residents. I recognised him instantly. 

He was the man who'd been staring at me with a twisted scowl. Up close, he was burly and his eyes, even wilder as he lumbered towards me, menacingly. He held a dirty, dripping sponge in one hand. "You missed a spot." 

He snarled before throwing the sponge at me. I ducked and luckily escaped but not fast enough to get away from the liquid on it. I cleaned my face with the back of my hand, staring at the man. 

"I didn't miss any spots. I'm done with my work." 

"I'm talking about my spot, fag! Get over here and finish it." He growled, stepping down from the stairs. 

I shook my head. "I've done enough, leave me alo-" 

His hand shot out and struck me hard across the face, blinding me for a moment. The force had me stumbling back as the stars danced in my vision. "Listen carefully, bitch! You'll do as I say," he growled. "Or you won't make it outta here alive!" 

He dragged me across the floor and towards the sponge. Once he grabbed it, he stuffed it into my chest and began dragging me all the way up the stairs and into the house. Once we walked in, the others began to chant in support, making asinine noises that only served to intensify the crippling fear that had seized me now. 

He didn't stop until we got to the spot he was asked to clean, then he let go of me and pointed at it. "Clean it up, right now." 

The tears were streaming down my cheeks as I grabbed the sponge from under my shirt and shakily stepped forward, scrubbing the floor where he pointed. "Send her over once you're done with the fag!" 

A voice thundered from behind, before another gruff voice shot back. "No, I've got her first. She's mine after him, got it?!" 

That's when it dawned on me that they were going to use me until they were satisfied, or until maybe someone walked in here to stop this madness. I was in deep shit, and that was too obvious to ignore now. 

"No, she's doing mine after his!" The heater exchange was followed with what sounded like a heavy slap, and then sound of punches being thrown around. I glanced to the side to see two people who were the ones supposedly arguing, throwing punches at one another. Oh Goddess, what had I gotten myself into? 

I strained my neck to see what was happening but that was the moment another slap was struck across my face. I cried out, striking my head against the wall. I tried to open my eyes, but all I could see was darkness. 

I yelped out in panic, thinking I'd gone blind but I couldn't even hear the sound of my distress because of the ringing in my ears. 

"Clean up, bitch!" The guttural voice came through again and then a pair of strong hands grabbed me. 

"OK," I moaned, breathing heavily as I grabbed the sponge and began cleaning again, throbbing with humiliation and overwhelming fear. "I'll- I'll clean..." I cried out, sniffling and sobbing. 

"You better finish up." Another growl sounded before a strong kick to the butt sent me sprawling. 

I cried out, and turned just in time to see him advancing towards me again. 

"Get up and clean my shit!" He said, with his hands raised to finish me off in a crushing blow. 

"Stop!" A yell came from behind, stopping him immediately. I turned to see a woman dressed in their garb, but she looked calm enough and put together to be crazed like the others. 

The monster above me turned to meet her gaze. His body was tense. "Stay out of this." 

"Let her go, Zach. Now!" 

The crazy man hesitated before snarling at me. "Get out of my sight." 

Dropping the sponge and sobbing uncontrollably, I shakily got up and bolted. As soon as I was out of the door, I dropped to the floor and wept.