Chapter 163 Please Help Me
Alberto slowly regained consciousness with a dull heaviness pressing against his head and chest. At first his mind struggled to gather clear thoughts as darkness swirled behind his eyelids. A sharp burning sensation suddenly cut across his back and tore through the haze clouding his senses.
His eyes flew open.
A loud scream ripped from his throat before he could stop it.
Pain exploded across his skin as another strike landed.
The sound of the whip cracking through the air echoed against the stone walls surrounding him. Alberto's body jerked violently as he tried to move away from the pain, yet the chains restraining him kept him firmly in place.
His arms had been stretched apart and fastened to iron rings fixed deep into the wall behind him. His legs were bound separately with heavy chains that prevented even the smallest movement.
The cold metal dug into his wrists and ankles as he struggled instinctively.
Another strike landed across his shoulder.
Alberto cried out again while twisting his torso in a desperate attempt to escape the whip.
"What the hell is wrong with you?"
His voice sounded hoarse from the sudden shock.
The man holding the whip stopped immediately when he saw Alberto fully awake.
The guard lowered his arm slowly.
Alberto panted heavily while trying to steady his breathing. His muscles trembled from both the pain and the effort of resisting the restraints.
The guard stared at him for a moment before dropping the whip carelessly onto the floor.
Without saying a word the guard turned and walked toward the far end of the room.
Alberto followed his movement with tired eyes.
Only then did he notice another figure standing several meters away in the dim light.
Maleek stood with his arms folded calmly across his chest while watching the scene unfold.
A faint smile rested on his face.
The guard approached him and lowered his head slightly.
"He is awake," the guard reported.
Maleek's smile widened slightly.
"I can see that."
Alberto lifted his head slowly despite the throbbing pain spreading through his body.
"What is the meaning of this?"
His voice carried anger despite the weakness creeping through him.
Maleek walked closer.
His footsteps echoed softly against the stone floor as he approached the restrained wolf.
"You should not raise your voice here," Maleek said calmly.
Alberto glared at him.
"You dragged me here like some animal and now you are whipping me without explanation?"
Maleek stopped a few steps away.
"You are not a guest in this place."
Alberto tightened his jaw.
"Then what am I?"
Maleek's smile remained.
"You are a slave within my territory."
The words settled heavily in the room.
Alberto stared at him with disbelief.
"You must be joking."
Maleek tilted his head slightly.
"Does this look like a joke to you?"
Alberto pulled against the chains again.
The metal rattled loudly but did not loosen.
"You have no idea who you are dealing with."
Maleek chuckled quietly.
"I know exactly who you are."
Alberto breathed heavily.
"And yet you treat me like this?"
Maleek nodded calmly.
"Because your blood holds value."
Alberto frowned.
"What does that even mean?"
Maleek did not answer immediately.
Instead he glanced slightly to the side.
"Begin."
Alberto followed his gaze and only then realized another person stood nearby.
A woman stepped forward slowly.
Her presence had gone unnoticed until that moment.
She carried a small tray filled with glass containers and several thin needles that glinted faintly under the dim light.
Alberto's eyes narrowed.
"What is she doing?"
Maleek remained silent.
The woman moved closer until she stood beside Alberto.
He immediately tried to twist his body away.
"What do you think you are doing?"
The woman did not respond to him.
She simply placed the tray on a small table nearby and picked up one of the needles.
Alberto's voice grew louder.
"Stay away from me."
Maleek watched quietly.
The woman stepped even closer and grabbed Alberto's arm firmly.
He jerked against her grip.
"Do not touch me."
His chains clattered loudly as he struggled.
The woman ignored his protest.
She pressed the needle into his skin with practiced precision.
Alberto hissed sharply.
"What the hell?"
The sharp sting spread through his arm as she began drawing blood into one of the glass containers.
Alberto twisted violently against the restraints.
"Stop that."
The woman continued working without hesitation.
Another needle pierced his skin moments later.
Alberto gasped in shock.
"What are you doing to me?"
Maleek stepped closer.
"Collecting what we need."
Alberto glared at him.
"You are insane."
Maleek smiled faintly.
"You would be surprised how useful your blood truly is."
The woman removed the first filled container and replaced it with another.
Alberto's breathing grew uneven.
He felt the slow draining sensation spreading through his body as more blood flowed into the glass vessels.
His muscles trembled from the effort of fighting against the chains.
"You cannot keep doing this."
Maleek remained calm.
"I can continue for as long as necessary."
Another needle slid into Alberto's arm.
He groaned loudly as the pain and weakness began mixing together.
His vision blurred slightly.
"You will regret this."
Maleek chuckled softly.
"Regret rarely enters my mind."
Alberto's head drooped briefly before he forced himself to look up again.
"You think my pack will not come looking for me?"
Maleek shrugged slightly.
"They may try."
Alberto clenched his jaw.
"And when they find you?"
Maleek's expression remained unchanged.
"They will fail."
The woman carefully replaced another filled container.
Alberto's body sagged slightly against the restraints as the growing weakness spread through him.
His voice sounded strained.
"You are making a mistake."
Maleek crouched slightly so his eyes met Alberto's more closely.
"No."
He spoke calmly.
"The mistake was allowing you to exist with such power."
Alberto blinked slowly as dizziness crept deeper into his mind.
The woman inserted another needle.
His body jerked weakly in response.
Maleek continued watching.
"Your blood will strengthen my armies."
Alberto's eyes struggled to remain open.
"You are insane."
Maleek's smile remained steady.
"Perhaps."
The room began spinning slightly around Alberto.
He felt the strength leaving his limbs while the chains supporting his weight dug deeper into his wrists and ankles.
His voice softened.
"Someone will stop you."
Maleek straightened slowly.
"I doubt that."
The woman removed yet another container filled with dark red liquid.
Alberto's breathing became shallow.
The edges of his vision darkened.
Maleek noticed the change but made no move to stop the process.
Alberto forced his head up again with great effort.
His voice sounded weak and distant.
"Please."
The word barely escaped his lips.
Maleek simply watched.
Alberto struggled to focus his eyes on him.
"Help me."
The final plea slipped out quietly as his strength gave way.
Moments later his head fell forward and his consciousness faded into darkness while the needles remained buried in his skin.