From Slave To Wolf Queen

Bellatrix Sinclair

“The crystallisation of tourmaline needs to be adjusted, it’s still in the testing phase, it needs to be broken down to the consistency of sand before we can try it again.” I explained.

Nathan arches a brow, “How will you know if it works?”

“We don’t, but it’s part of my job and you are aware I’m good at what I do otherwise I wouldn’t be here.” I retort matter-a-factly.

One of the reasons was the werewolf’s growing resistance to silver, enemies have developed waves of energy cultivated from crystals that affects a wolf’s telepathic communication and disruption of their natural abilities which made it difficult for them to navigate through distorted senses.

Over time, it could hinder their species therefore they are testing weapons in the event of war and has them developing a counter measure. This job is my only means of income and gives me access to dive deeper into their weaknesses.

Nathan redirects his attention from the collection of silver bullets to me. “You are quite impressive; I don’t think I’ve met anyone with your abilities, especially considering you’re a human.” He appraises mockingly, tempering his disgust for my kind.

Nathan is the Beta for the Eclipse Pack and head of Weapon X Manufacturing Company. While he acknowledges my extraordinary skills, he remains firm on the belief that humans are inferior to werewolves.

He closes the distance between us, tracing his fingertips along my arm towards my bicep. I’m not oblivious to the desire flashing in his gaze, he has tried on multiple occasions with his advances. I shrug them off, however I couldn’t control my reactions.

My muscles lock instantly, fear slithering down my spine and rattling my bones. “You’re so beautiful for a human.” His condescending voice steeped in desire that only made my stomach curl in revulsion.

Attempting to focus on my task, my throat clogged by panic as I tremble. “Ah, you’re shivering at my touch.” He taunts, honey trickling from his tongue, “You always like when I touch you, don’t think I don’t notice the goosebumps.”

That’s goosebumps of terror creeping down my throat, you asshole.

He captures my jaw and makes me look at him, trepidation pumps like poison in my veins. “I can hear the delicious beats of your heart, craving me.” He muses, seductively.

His thumb traces my bottom lip, orbs glowing lustfully. “Become my lover, Trix. I’ll treat you so well, better than my kind does to other humans.”

“I-I still have to go through the genetic screening.” I stutter in defence, “You know I can’t evade that, it’s compulsory.”

He grabs my bicep, squeezing until I knew it would bruise as he drew me closer despite my efforts to push him off. I can’t reject him openly; it will be considered an act of rebellion against the wolves and I’ll be sentenced to death.

“Come on,” he coaxed, “I’m saving you from going through all that trouble and getting a wolf who will only abuse you or worse – kill you. Don’t you want that?” his voice sickeningly sweet.

Shaking my head, “I can’t do that, you know that every female must go through the screening. It will be considered an act of disobedience.”

Mustering all my strength to yank my arm out of his grasp, Nathan is stronger and there is no way of overpowering him. Hauling me closer until I’m moulded against him, “Please.” I whisper, brokenly.

After a couple seconds, his foreboding aura punctures my heart in terror at what might happen. His menacing voice thunders in my ears as he vows, “Mark my words Bellatrix, you will be mine. After the test, I’m claiming you.”

Nathan lets go of me and I bolt, not caring that I haven’t finished work today. Sometimes Nathan tethered the line of good and bad, on one hand I never took his advances seriously but on the other – darkness loomed over him with a promise of something sinister.

_____________________________________

The Next Day

The Glock kickbacks, gunpowder mixed with metallic notes of silver perfume the air as I marvel the target practice sheet, my aim was precise with all bullets piercing the centre perfectly. My shoulder was stiff, but my body relaxed from the tension knotting my muscles.

I’ve been developing the pistol to fire a combination of two elements instead of one, so far it has been successfully in silver and gunpowder but that was simply the first step. Considering how horrible this day has been, my only solace is found behind a gun.

Despite Nathan’s earlier advances, I owed him my gratitude. Growing up in an orphanage didn’t leave me with any options aside from dying in my district, you had zero chances of survival, but I was determined to provide – for the sake of my twin sister and my future.

Nathan found me, taking interest in my knowledge of weapons and seeing it as an opportunity and vital to his kind. However, I wouldn’t have gotten the position in the company if it wasn’t for him, he has been concealing my identify as a human since I got the job a year ago.

When I arrived for work, the switch had been flipped and he held no animosity to my rejection nor pressing the issues prior.

“It’s been one year since you started working here, congratulations.” He appraised, his mouth lifting into a genuine smile.

I smile back, “Thank you for getting me this job, I really cannot express how appreciative I am.”

“You can thank me by having dinner with me tonight, a celebratory one.”

“Sure.” I reply hesitantly.

We clocked out at 6pm, Nathan offered to drive us to the restaurant and conversation between us was relatively simply, mid-sentence my phone started ringing.

“Hey Bonnie.” I answer, unable to conceal the excitement.

“Happy Belated birthday.” She rejoiced, almost piercing my eardrum.

I chuckle, “Happy Belated birthday to you too.”

“So…” she drawls, “Did you get paid yet?”

I take a deep breath, squashing this uncomfortable sadness that bubbles to the surface. “Yes, and I paid your rent and gave you an allowance.”

“About that,” She laughs, her voice animated, “I spent it.”

My eyes widen, “What? you just got it yesterday.”

She clicks her tongue, “I had to get this beautiful dress, you must see it, Trixie. It’s stunning, they will fucking fall inlove with me at the screening.” She declares confidently.

I couldn’t help the sliver of disappoint crawling up my throat, threatening to vomit my truth to her. We were twins, but we couldn’t be more different. I despised werewolves, the passion for my hatred burned as brightly as the sun.

However Bonnie was the opposite, she never openly expressed that she admired them, but her actions have spoken louder than her words.

Therefore, it comes as no surprise when she asks, “I need something, you don’t even have to give me an allowance, I can survive this month but please.”

“I need the latest edition of the Swan Lake necklace, it’s such a captivating piece that I will be outstanding at the genetic screening, they won’t be able to resist me.” She proclaims fiercely.

She wants to be favoured by the werewolves, she’s putting in all this effort for them and it infuriated me. This wasn’t the first time she asked me for an expensive piece of jewellery, rather she had an affinity for shiny things and couldn’t resist herself the extravagance.

“Bon, that’s out of my budget right now.” I stressed solemnly.

Sometimes I didn’t mind splurging on her, however as the years have passed, I wondered if Bonnie would ever become independent. She never had a job, and I take care of her expenses regardless. She seems reluctant to work, she wants to become a shiny object for their satisfaction, and I just wish that for once – she would be independent and know the struggles I experience to keep her life as stable as possible.

“If you got a job, then I’m sure with the allowance I give you combined with your own, you will be able to afford it.” I appease in a gentle voice.

She scoffed, appalled at the suggestion. “Trixie, the screening is next week. I don’t have time to get a job, if I do then I’ll only get my salary at the end of the month and by then it will be too late.”

“i-“

“You are all that I have,” Bonnie states, “Our parents abandoned us, we lived in that shithole of an orphanage and now you want to do the same to me. Are you really going to leave me alone now that you are in the academy, you have a better life, and you are just going to leave me like they did. Mother died; father disappeared but we both know he’s dead. Are you really going to abandon your twin sister, your own blood?” her voice bitter with rejection.

“I wouldn’t do that to you ever, you know that.” I choke out, my throat clogged by the guilt.

“Well, you certainly don’t act like it. You act like my existence doesn’t matter, our own parents left and now you are leaving.”

“Okay.” I fumble quickly, exhaling a harsh breath. “I’ll get you the necklace.”

“Thank you.” She exclaims in a high-pitched voice, “make sure to send it before the genetic screening, I want to look drop dead gorgeous.”

“Don’t worry. I love –“

“Sorry sissy, I gotta go. Bye.” She quickly ends the call with a loud kiss.

Staring at the dead screen, I know Bonnie loves me deep down because we are twins but…a dark current filters in my mind, I’ve never heard her say those words to me.

“You know Trix, your intelligence and skills are exemplary, dare I say the best I’ve ever seen.” Nathan praises, “You and Bonnie might look alike but she got none of your brilliant mind, she is vapid airhead and nothing more than a pretty vase.”

My mouth twisted in annoyance; he had no right to speak of my sister like that.

“Bonnie is beautiful however no werewolf would want a weak, helpless human.” He said arrogantly, “Unless he just wanted to fuck her.”

His haughty tone was pissing me off, biting my tongue until blood pooled in my mouth as I restrained myself from flinging insults his way.

After dinner, we were nearing 8pm. Per the Unbreakable Laws, humans are not allowed outside after 8pm.

“I really have to back.” I reminded with a forced smile. “The rules.”

He nods, “I’ll drive you back to the dormitory.”

I noticed after a couple minutes that Nathan took two different routes that had my dorm on the opposite end of the Academy. “Uh, I think you are going the wrong way, it’s back there.” I gesture.

His silence is deafening, my heart leaping into my throat as my stomach dropped when I notice the direction. I knew this place, everyone raved about it, gossip filtered through the grapevine. He was driving towards the hotel near the campus, one that students often frequented since they couldn’t be caught.

The Love Hotel.

The hotel is subtle, yet I could feel the rays of light burning my retinas when he parked the car. Nathan leans towards me, the air thickening until the fear suffocated me. He traces my bicep, slowly dipping against my collar bones, his tongue darting out to lick my neck. “Trix, be smart about this. If you sleep with me tonight, after the screening I will make you my lover.” He promises in a honeyed voice.

What he is offering is a privilege. The genetic screening is designed to determine if a human has a werewolf mate. The ones who are successfully matched become breeding machines and playthings for their mated wolf.

However, in the event that a human is not matched, if a high-ranking werewolf chooses them, they can still become their lover. For weak humans as they say, it is considered an honour of the highest esteem to be chosen by a werewolf.

It means they would never have to worry about food or survival.

But I couldn’t push past my anger, the acrimony burned my flesh like a mark of my hatred towards them.

“I’m not going to sleep with you Nathan.” I sternly reiterate, “I don’t want this.”

His eyes darken, malice leaking from his features. The shock and fear pierced my heart as he captured my throat, squeezing until I choked on my saliva.

“Humans won’t get jobs here.” He barked, his hand moving down to grope my breast, bile rising in my throat as I attempted to push him off, “Let me go.” I gritted.

Pushing him as hard as I can, clutching the door handle and pushing until I fell onto the ground. I didn’t think, my feet kicked in through my flight or freeze response and I bolted towards the direction of the Academy.

His benevolent voice thundered with his chilling threat. “Pray you pass the genetic screening, Bellatrix. If you don’t, I’ll make sure you’re on your knees begging me to claim you.”