The Broken Queen

Hunters, otherwise known as humans with a superiority complex.

Personally, I believe they feel inferior to supernatural beings and decided to lash out at us. Why else attack packs that mean them no harm? Why else kidnap a 17-year-old girl during the attack to experiment on?

The chains are pulled tighter and I fight back a cry of pain. The silver biting into my raw wrists. Being chained this early in the morning is not good.

You would think after two years of being treated like a worthless animal kept as a science experiment, I would be used to the pain. No way in hell can I ignore the pain caused by the silver, but it doesn’t weaken me anymore.

Silver hasn’t weakened my wolf since the incident.

The first year was the worst. The wolfsbane tests. Injecting wolfsbane into my veins and analysing the effects on my body. The burning feeling running through my blood as it weakened me and cut off my connection to my wolf. A whole year without my wolf. Only feeling her faintly in the far corner of my mind, whimpering in pain and sadness.

Never in my life have I ever felt so alone. Taken from my family, my friends, and then to lose my wolf as well?

I’m pulled from my thoughts by a sharp smack across my bruised cheek. I lift my dull grey eyes to face the leader of the hunters, Curt. His cold brown eyes stare at me with a hatred I never understood. I didn’t do anything to this man, but he still hated my kind. His mouth pulled into its familiar sneer as he grips my chin tightly.

“We’ll be having some guests today. A couple of new hunters I have to teach the trade of keeping your kind at bay,” he chuckled darkly.

I just stare at him, knowing that any snarky comebacks would result in punishment. I wonder how many newbies will be coming today and just what he will be using me for. I hope it’s not more wolfsbane tests. I don’t want to experience the burning sensations today.

When he sees I won’t comment he squeezes my jaw once more before tossing my head to the side. My head smacks against the wall and I let out an involuntary growl.

The leader just stares at me strangely and takes a step closer to me. “Do you need to be reminded of your place, mutt? I can always change tonight’s plans from a lecture to a practical lesson for the new hunters. Yes, that sounds much better to me.” He turned to the two hunters guarding the door. “Throw her back in the cage and no food. Chain her hands to the cage.”

They nodded as he left and removed the chains connecting me to the wall. They drag me to my small cage and I snarl at them. “Did you idiots forget I have legs to walk on? You don’t need to drag me around.”

Not a smart move on my part, but I was tired of this treatment. The hunter on my left turned and I didn’t duck fast enough. His fist connected with my already bruised cheek and I spat blood on his boots.

“I can’t wait to see what Curt has planned for you tonight.” I’m thrown into my cell before they stalk out and turn off the dim light.

Left in the darkness I lose myself in the memories before my life was turned upside down.

Flashback to Summer 2 years ago:

James and I were sitting by the lake after our patrol duty ended. As newly marked pack warriors we got the morning shift.

Adam, Shane and Dwayne went back to the pack house for food. Those boys are always hungry. “Do you know why your brother is acting so strange these last few weeks?” I ask James as we stare out at the sparkling lake.

James’ older brother, Xavier, is our future Alpha. He will take over the pack after finding his mate as per the tradition of our pack. These past weeks he has been staring at me more than usual and getting upset when I get injured during training.

“I have no idea, Ari. He doesn’t want to talk about it when I asked him,” James shrugs as he stands up. “Come on, let’s see if you can skip more rocks this time.”

We skipped some rocks and soon the rest of our warrior squad showed up with arms full of food. We ate, and spent the day just messed around and enjoying the summer sun and being young.

We never thought that life would tear us apart.