Chapter 13

I watched, frozen to the spot, as several guards rushed forward to unbolt the cage, pulling the prisoners roughly from the cage. The cage was quickly dragged away into a corner, leaving the petrified prisoners standing together in a tight circle in the middle of the garden. Kieren sneered at the group then retreated to his throne before sitting down and making himself comfortable.

“I condemn you all to Death. May the hounds finish you off quickly. Otherwise, your suffering will be high! Let the entertainment begin!”

I watched, unable to say a word or move a muscle as Kieran locked eyes with an enormous wolf, who was jet black from head to tail. Kieran whistled a load of different commands, which the wolves clearly understood. As soon as the guards dropped the chains, the wolves bounded straight for the prisoners, who screamed loudly and ran as fast as their legs could carry them.

“NO!” I screamed, about to run towards Rainie and the others, but a guard suddenly grabbed me, holding me still. “Let me go!”

All I could do was watch helplessly as the wolves, one by one, began to give chase. The prisoners scattered like pins in a bowling alley as the wolves collided with them. As fast as they could run, the prisoners began running, trying to find an escape out of the enclosed garden. The sounds of fabric being torn and flesh punctured as the wolve’s sharp fangs penetrated their bodies rang out in the air. The wolves weren’t even eating their prey, just merely ripping them to shreds for their own entertainment.

I guess you are all thinking to yourselves that the prisoners should have transformed into their own wolves and fought back, but the answer was that they just couldn’t. The guards had placed silver cuffs around their hands and feet, preventing them from shifting. The only people allowed to change in the Royal Palace were the Prince’s and their entourage. Even us slaves and Bedmaidens weren’t allowed to shift, except with permission from the Prince’s themselves. I heard Rainie’s terrified screams rain out through the air as two brown wolves had grabbed hold of her by each arm and began using her as an old rope toy.

“Please, Everett! Help me, baby! Get these things off me!” Rainie screamed at Everett, who was just standing still, watching his Mate’s demise, as blood poured out of a gaping wound on his head.

Before Everett could answer her, a large black wolf jumped up from behind him and encased Everett’s entire head in its jaws, ripping it clean off Everetts's shoulders. In slow motion, Everetts body continued to stay upright for a mere couple of seconds before falling entirely over in a pool of crimson red blood. Screaming in anguish at her Mate’s brutal death, Rainie did her best to fight off her attackers. Still, a couple of seconds later, after a third wolf pounced on her back, the armless torso of Rainie lay motionless.

I looked around for Buck and Micheal, both at the bottom of the garden fighting two giant grey wolves. Buck was putting up a good fight, swinging punches left and right at the snarling beast in front of him. It looked like that he may win against the creature as he sent the wolf flying backwards into a heap, but it wasn’t long until a third wolf joined in, and before long, the decapitated body of Buck lay still.

I scanned the room, deeply disturbed and appalled at the bloodshed, hoping to find someone that would stop the fight. But to my utmost horror, both the Prince’s and their Royal entourage were thoroughly enjoying the show. Carlton was clapping slowly, his eyes gleaming excitedly while at the same time, Kieran sat on his throne, leg crossed over the other as he lazily watched the proceedings. All of their Royal entourage was clapping and cheering loudly, egging on the Wild wolves loudly. The only ones that looked thoroughly appalled and disgusted were the girls who were busy covering their eyes and ears with their hands in a bid to block out the noise.

A loud snarling made me look back towards the bloodshed to find the largest wolf, walking towards me slowly, his eyes fixated on my every move. In his mouth was the partially decapitated arm that belonged to Miranda, her bright blue flower ring still attached to one of the fingers. Dropping the arm in front of me, the wolf licked his lips one more time as he eyed me up hungrily.

Not wanting to hang about, I gathered all of the strength I could find and managed to pull myself free out of the guard's grip. Hurriedly, I ran from the wolf and down towards the bottom of the garden to where the exit was. I could hear the wolf snarling behind me as he gave chase, but I didn’t look back. I was not going to be wolf food today! I quickly made it to the stone archway, which was blocked by five armoured guards, who promptly stepped out of my way.

Not looking back, I continued through the stone corridors, back towards the marble staircase where I ran up them two at a time. I could no longer hear the wolf behind me, but I wasn’t about to stop to find out where he was. In a blind panic, I ran until I could run no more. I stumbled clumsily out of another stone archway and realised I was now on the bridge leading back to the Prince’s apartments. With tears flowing freely down my face, I ran towards the tower, opening the door and slamming it loudly behind me. All I wanted to do was shut out the rest of the world, those evil wolves and most importantly, those god awful Princes!

Slowly, I made my way to the Prince’s bedroom and stopped in front of the mirror. My hair was messy, and my skin was tear-stained while my eyes still glistened with my emotions. I could feel my heart beginning to slow down in my chest, but my body still shook with fear at what I had just witnessed. There was no sympathy or remorse for those poor prisoners. Everybody except the bedmaidens and servants seemed to enjoy watching people being ripped to shreds by a pack of savage beasts. Even Kieren seemed amused by it all.

Sighing, I turned around and climbed up on the big four-poster bed, pulling the fur blanket around me, which still had Kieran's scent on it. Sobbing quietly into the pillow, I turned my head and felt myself drift off into an uneasy, nightmare filled sleep, The screams of Rainie and her crew still etched in my head.