My gasp of horror echoed in the room and I did not hesitate to stagger backwards, absently noticing the pain which shot up my ankle as a result of placing pressure on it whilst I pivoted.

Furniture dragged against the wooden floor behind me and the volumes of voices increased, almost at an alarming pace that prompted me to move faster. I sought out the only room with the opened door.

"Miss!"

I recognized the voice from the woods, the young male who had used colorful language and a ripple of unease crept up my skin as I continued on my way, only pausing to swiftly close the door behind me. Fingers shook as I found a lock and twisted it, somewhat satisfied that the lycan could not reach me now.

Or rather, I hoped that it could not reach me now.

I hobbled around, eyes sweeping over the mostly darkened room. My shoulder brushed against a wall as my attention immediately focused to the small, opened window a few feet, away, high against the wall.

Snow drifted inside and I swallowed thickly, body shaking from the cold and teeth grinding together in frustration as I sought out a way to escape.

After roaming around in the dark, small room, I managed to seize what felt like a bucket and I carefully turned it upside down, settled it on the cold floor.

My foot raised and pressed against it, but my entire being stiffened at the unfamiliar gruff voice which reverberated from beyond the door, the heavy sounds of footsteps.

"I apologize, Alpha. We thought she was sleeping-" The lycan from the woods words were cut off abruptly at the sound of rapping against the door. I flinched at the harsh sound and pressed myself further against the bucket, balancing my legs on it. My ankle protested but with a clenched jaw, I ignored it.

My fingers grasped the edges of the window sill and with a small grunt, I began to pull my body upwards, adrenaline shooting forward when the fists hit the door again.

"Olivia."

I paused, breath hitching as that deep voice sounded again. The wind blew into my face as I stared with wide eyed through the window, lips parting in disbelief. My fingers began to ache from how tightly I held the window sill and eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

How does he know my name?

"Open the door, Olivia. No harm shall come to you."

My lips set firmly and eyes narrowed to the grey sky.

Lies.

A lycan had uttered that same promise many years ago and I had foolishly trusted her, which led me being tossed into the Klawmoon Pack's prison. I'd made a vow throughout the years I'd spent in that prison, one which I would hold on to.

The wooden door shook from heavy weight pummeling into it and I hoisted myself further up, crawling through the window, arms trembling and breaths heavy.

I swung my legs out just before I heard the unmistakable noise of the door crashing to the floor and for several seconds, relief settled my frantic thoughts, only to disperse when I realized that I now was on a roof partially covered with snow.

*****

Footsteps came from the room which I had once been in and I hastily crawled against the roof on my hands and knees, creating distance between the opened window and myself.

My barefeet trembled from the frightening cold and small curses fell from my lips as I realized my mistake.

I would not survive very long in this weather, for although I adorned clothes, they did little to shield me from this onslaught of snow and wind.

Defeat weighed heavy on my shoulders as my eyes trailed hopelessly over the trees in the near distance.

The heels of my palms pressed against my eyelids as a familiar ache arose behind them, my hopes dwindling. My hands only dropped away when I heard movement against the roof.

I first observed the black, polished boots before my eyes raised, trailing over long dark pants and then the white, long sleeved shirt that hugged a muscular, wide chest and upper body. Stinging eyes strayed to the strong forearms on display before my eyes skipped to the massive lycan's own.

Honey-colored eyes watched me, annoyance glimmering in their depths and narrowing in the slightest, as if anticipating any movements that I would make. But I remained seated against the roof, feeling the numbness creeping up my fingers and exposed ankles and toes.

I stiffened, expecting to be dragged back into the home, but this lycan simply watched me, his piercing gaze unwavering. Many snowflakes drifted into his thick hair, but he was not perturbed by them.

Instead, all he did was stare, in a way which I recognized particular lycans did to others, but I strongly dismissed where my thoughts began to turn.

"It is much warmer inside." The lycan spoke finally, breaking the painfully awkward silence with his deep voice. More shivers erupted across my skin and I suspiciously watched as he shifted on his feet, began to advance closer.

But I jerked upwards, feeling a wave of dizziness as I did so and I teetered, blinked several times as my vision came in and out of focus from the quick movements.

The lycan had stopped at my actions and clear irritation was etched on the sharp, feral features of his face, as if exasperated by my frantic scrambling.

A garbled protest fell from my lips as I was abruptly pulled forward, a warm hand encircling my wrist and immediately urging me to move despite my resistance. The lycan paused by the window which I had crawled out of and placed me before him.

"Get inside." Heat caressed my ear and my jaw tightened, hesitating when I saw a figure moving around inside the room. It was only when a low growl came from behind me, puncturing the air, that I knelt carefully, crawling through the window and carefully letting myself down.

A light now shone in the room and I was able to take in my surroundings. Although there were a few old items in view, scattered carelessly over the floor, it was much cleaner than the prison I'd been in.

My eyes stared unblinkingly forward as I heard the lycan behind me enter as well. The back of my neck seared from his gaze until he moved ahead of me and my eyes trailed over his broad back and shoulders, reluctantly accepting that my strength would be nothing compared to this lycan's.

"Follow me." He commanded over his shoulder, voice suddenly husky and low as he exited.

"I would do as he says, miss." The voice belonged to the lycan from the woods and I glanced over to him. He stood in a corner, arms folded and locs pinned away from his almost amused face.

His brown skin seemed to gleam under a light above him, and his white teeth shone when he smiled. I flinched at the sharp fangs that showed.

Eventually, I too left the small room, seeing I had no choice but to do so. The honey-eyed lycan was waiting under the chandelier, arms behind his back as I approached him.

Whispers floated from the room with double doors and when I managed to look behind the lycan, I spotted easily at least a handful of people watching, blatantly curious.

A male's lip curled when I caught his eye, and my own twitched with the need to mirror him defensively. But a heavy hand was placed briefly on my shoulder and I was maneuvered forward urgently. I held my breath, ears stinging from the lycan's loud footsteps behind me as we walked up the stairs, biting back my whimpers from the pain erupting from my ankle as a result of carelessly walking hastily on it.

I limped down the hallway, shoulders tensing when his hand pressed against my upper arm, thick fingers encircling it, ensuring that I walk where he wanted me to.

Two lycans, dressed in light blue uniforms stood outside the bedroom which I had left. Their heads were tilted downwards at our approach, but raised when I was forcibly pushed into the room. Protests once again bubbled in my throat, threatening to spill over, but the door closed solidly behind the lycan and myself and the noise silenced me.

"Sit on the bed."

And once again, my anger swiftly arose. Sure, I had been commanded most of my life by lycans, but the fury always reoccured whenever it happened. Stiffly, under the sharp gaze of the strange lycan, I sat on the side of the bed, crossing my legs and staring ahead, even when he moved out of my line of sight.

I was so, so baffled.

What is this lycan's intentions with me?

Crackling from the fireplace strengthened in volume and my neck throbbed, the urge to stare towards it overwhelming. I finally did and my eyes slid over the crouched form of the lycan, his back facing me, not allowing me to see his actions.

I cleared my throat and his head raised. My heart lurched in my chest and I nervously licked my lips before I gathered myself, straightening mu back and feigning confidence as I asked,

"Why am I here?"

My eyes widened at the way he slowly stood, his large body unfurling once again reminding me of how small I was compared him.

Interest flickered in his eyes when he faced me, attention lingering on my exposed bandaged ankle. "Rest first and I shall return later and explain." Was his brisk response.

I bristled. "I can rest later. Why am I here?"

A thick black eyebrow rose on the lycan's face, as if taken aback. The interest swarming in his eyes deepened. "Would you rather be outside, Olivia? In that snow?"

He tilted a head with hair still decorated with snowflakes, to the barred windows. I did not need to look outside to see what he referred to.

"Yes."

Honey-colored eyes darkened and any curiosity vanished as he straightened further. "Sleep, little human."

His low, gentle voice was a contrast to his now aggravated expression and I became even more confused. His eyes swept over me once more before he left, striding to the door and closing it gently behind him. The sound of it being locked troubled me.

The thick and warm sheets remained cast aside on the bed and my narrowed gaze rested on the handle of the door, mind racing with many thoughts, all of them involved with ways and attempts I could make to escape.