The Alpha and The Red Wolf

Say My Name

Caleb

Our guards were well-trained. By the time, Hunter and I approached the dungeon cell where Oslo was shifted to, he was chained down to the floor rings and his clothes were ripped out of his body. He remained on the ground, with his bleeding calf and forearm where Hunter and I stabbed and shot him.

And all those facial bruises were probably my soldiers.

He lifted his drooping head when he heard our footsteps.

“Open his mouth,” I ordered and a guard scurried forward to comply. I had no intention of dipping my hands into the dirty bag because I felt I had killed and maimed sufficiently enough for one night. I was tired and I was eager to get some answers out of this imbecile. And soon he would give me that, I would have other pressing matters to deal with.

As soon as the rag was out of his mouth, he started spewing filth. “Alpha Caleb, did you already have her fill?” He grinned disgustingly.

Hunter was about to smash his head but I raised my palm. He retreated and I settled down on the chair the guard had brought me.

“Who is she? What’s her name?”

“Slaves don’t have names,” he sneered. “But I call her ‘Red’. It is easier to identify, otherwise, these cunts are all the same.”

“Where did you find her?”

“Isn’t she precious?” He leered.

I looked at Hunter and gave a knowing nod. And before Oslo could contemplate, Hunter kicked him between the balls, making him scream like a dog and then smashed his head against the stone wall. And this was a scream I enjoyed.

“I am tired, asshole.” I sighed. “The quicker you answer, the lesser you bleed. Is that clear?

Oslo breathed hard. “She was a gift. A p*****t for a work done.”

“p*****t from whom?”

When he had paused, Hunter took a threatening step. Immediately, he cowered and started blabbering. “A rogue leader from the southern lands. He had his fill with her for almost a year before he passed her on to me. Apparently, the b***h was special or something.”

It piqued my curiosity. “Special how?”

“He did not say. But she was young and her cunt was tight. That was all that mattered to me.”

“How old was she when you took her?” Hunter quizzed.

“Sixteen, seventeen…who cares? That b***h is still worth a lot.”

“Fuck.”

“Is she a shifter?” I asked.

“No, she has not turned but her parents were wolves. Thank the f*****g Goddess that she did not turn. I cannot deal with a female heat in a full moon anyway.”

“Where are her parents? Her pack?”

“Dead.”

My beta and I walked out of the dungeon cell. The sun was already up on the horizon as fatigue crawled up our bones. I scrubbed a hand over my face while Hunter propped himself against a wall for balance.

“Do you believe him?” Hunter asked.

“Hell f*****g no,” I mumbled. “But if he has given up her to save his sorry ass, she meant very little. Besides, I know a liar when I see one. That female is a…mess. And she is not pretending.”

My tired brain was ready to think that she deserved the benefit of the doubt. Her deplorable state was truly disturbing. So I was slowly inching out of the possibility that she could be a rogue traitor or a trap.

“She can stay here with us until she is healed,” my brother ventured carefully. “And even after that if she has your permission.”

“Everything is a long shot now. We will see.”

“If she…”

His words were cut short as a servant rushed to us. “Alpha, the doctor is here. But…” he looked between me and Hunter with a slightly terrified expression.

“But what?” I snapped.

“She…locked us out of the room. And can’t get in.”

“I knew I would regret this,” I muttered and then looked at the servant. “Get a bloody hammer and break the lock.”

XXX

The servants did their best the strike the lock but in vain. After I had sent Hunter away, I grabbed a bloody axe and took down the portion of the door. Unlatching it, I found that the little female not only locked it from inside but pushed a damn table in front it. I kicked the door with all my might, causing the furniture to topple as I barged inside.

The servant and the doctor moved closer but I stopped them. “Wait here.”

As expected, the female was nestled in the corner of the bed with her knees folded and drawn to her chest. Her petite face rested atop them. She hugged the bedsheets all over her body as if they could hide her.

As soon as she saw me, fear sparked in her eyes anew. “Don’t you dare say please or no, girl,” I warned, settling closer to her frame. I was tired of her being skittish. It wasn’t like I was going to hurt her.

“What’s your name?” I asked.

In reply, she shook her head and pursed her lips.

“Goddammit! I am not going to call you ‘Red’ because I know you have a name. And I also know that you can talk. So, say it.”

The word ‘Red’ hinged something within her when her eyes started welling. And those tears cracked something within me. I could not understand the acute twinge inside my gut as I smiled forlornly. I reached out to wipe the tears trickling down her cheeks and rubbed the salty water between my fingers.

“I made the most vicious wolves talk, I have made them howl and beg for mercy and yet I can’t get a name out of you. Goddess, I must really be slipping,” I sighed, mumbling more to myself.

“I need it…I need…” She cried.

“What? What do you need?” I pressed.

She went silent for a stretched second before chaining the topic. “Where am I?”

“My name is Caleb and I am the Alpha of Stormbringer Pack,” I introduced myself. “And currently, you are in my pack house. Now, how about you tell me your name?”

“Val…Valerie,” she whispered.

“Valerie.” I nodded slowly. “Good. Here’s the thing, Valerie. I am going to bring in a doctor now and he is going to tend to your wounds. He might ask you questions and I expect you to answer them to the best of your knowledge. And you are not going to do anything stupid like keeping quiet or shaking your head or trying to curl back into the bed. Have I made myself clear?”

“Yes.”

I took hold of her chin and levelled her gaze with mine. “Say my name, Valerie. Say it,” I demanded.

“Yes, Alpha…Caleb,” she stammered.

“That’s a good girl.”

XXX

The servant accompanied the doctor into the room and took his leave. I nodded my assent for him to begin the check-up as the old man slowly walked up to him. Valerie flinched instantly, her eyes darting between me and the doctor.

I should have realised that she would never be comfortable with a male doctor inspecting her wounds, but it was too late. Besides, I had very little choice in this matter at short notice. He was one of the most efficient doctors in my pack, all experienced and capable. But Valerie did not know that. Her gaze kept reaching out to me as if she wanted me to help.

I pushed off the wall where I comfortably leaned and walked up to stand beside her.

“It’s alright. He is just going to at your wounds,” I assured.

The doctor passed me a knowing nod and slowly lifted the bed sheet, revealing her torso. And the marks it revealed made my knuckles go white as I gripped the headrest. Bite marks were scattered all over her neck and breasts, her ribs bore the pale yellow patches of evident assault and when the doctor turned her aside, I noticed the tell-tale streaks of whip. Her skin broke in several places and layers of dried blood smeared across her skin. f*****g rogues! I seethed from within, anger rising with every passing revelation of her torture. And I did not even know why.

Violence and bloodshed were ingrained into my cells and yet the history of her torment drew painful pangs out of my black heart.

The doctor drew in a sharp breath, occasionally looking up to see my reaction. All he knew was that she was rescued from a bunch of wild rogues, but the way he inspected Valerie’s wounds, he was well aware of how badly she had been tormented by them.

Valerie flinched occasionally whenever the doctor would trace the depth of her wounds while one of her hands instinctively clutched the sides of my jeans. I had not noticed until I felt the gentle tug and then looked up to her. She met my eyes, seeking some sort of comfort and protection I could not tell, but I was glad that she was not throwing a fit.

The doctor cleared his throat, stealing her attention. He flashed her a gentle smile, covering her up with the bed sheet she had been clutching previously. The little gesture assured her of her safety and she slowly started to shed her wary, though not completely.

The doctor looked up to me. “Alpha, can we talk?”

I nodded and gestured him towards the door before taking a glimpse of her face. “Come.”

Valerie’s eyes followed us to the door as we stood near the door and well without her audible range. “She’s is in bad shape, I am afraid,” the doctor sighed.

“Tell me about it.”

“First, we need to disinfect her wounds and I am going to need to draw her blood to run some tests,” he informed. “May I ask if she’s a human or a…”

“Female wolf,” I replied.

“Okay.” He seemed relieved. “It will help me to treat her better.”

I looked at her, still curled to herself on the bed and frowned. “She’s too pale and faints easily.”

“That is because she is dehydrated and highly malnourished. And I don’t need to examine to say that she has been sexually assaulted for long enough to be broken.”

It did not take a medical professional to evaluate that she had been subjected to unspeakable things.

“She needs to eat and drink,” I pressed. “But I don’t think it will be an easy task.”

I have barely managed to make her take a few sips of water ever since I brought her here and the rest would be an uphill task that I knew.

“I understand, Alpha. I will have the recommended list of easy foods but if she fails to consume, we can hook her through an IV for the time being. But first, I will have the nurse tend to her so that I can administer necessary medicines.”

“Do what is needed, doctor. Make sure she heals.”

“Yes, Alpha,” he obeyed.

I have a million things on my mind, ranging from extracting every drop of information from Oslo and other rogues, but somehow, her welfare took precedence over everything tonight. It drove me insane because I had never been so affected by something…or someone. A strange sense of turmoil roiled in my gut and I was struggling to push it aside.

The doctor was still standing, hesitant as he glanced between Valerie and the door.

“What is it?” I asked.

“I was wondering if we could have anyone from her previous pack, it might help her. A known face might give her a sense of security.” A tall ask, it was.

“I don’t think that’s an option anymore.” I shook my head. “Just get started with her medical care right now. You will have whatever you need for her treatment.”

“Sure, Alpha.”