Chapter 5: Sena - Fated to the Night King

A Stricken being Called is said to be a blessing. A lesser being chosen to share time with one of their betters should be grateful. Should thank the Goddess and her selected Alpha that they would even be considered for such an honor. It was fed to us from the time we were brought into the Pack, our role and service imprinted so deeply into our beings that when the first Call came, it felt important. Special.

I'd cleaned the wounds of too many afterwards to see it that way.

Had suffered through my own.

If the Goddess called this Blessing, then I couldn't bring myself to ask her for any others.

My heresy was silent. One I didn't share with others.

I didn't dare.

It still lived within me, though. Breathing. Growing. Gaining strength.

One day I wouldn't be able to contain it any longer.

That would be the day my life ended.

But by all accounts, that day was not upon me. Not yet.

"Are you all right, Sena?" Calla's voice was soft, almost worried, but I didn't trust her concern.

"I'm fine. You can leave me. The message has been received."

She winced and pushed up the sleeve of her tunic. A circle of bruises, finger sized, radiated around her upper arm.

"He told me to wait. To accompany you and ensure that you were delivered to him."

That didn't surprise me. Hugh knew me well. He knew I'd find ways to delay, all reasonable, of course. Exert some kind of power in a situation where I would be ultimately powerless. This dance had happened all too often in the past.

And while I didn't like Calla, I also didn't like seeing one of my own suffer.

Hugh would have guessed this as well.

"Fine." I gestured at the corridor outside my door. "We'll leave now. He'll have to take me as I am."

She bobbed her head and brushed by me on the way out of my quarters. "Perhaps if we're quick, he'll be kinder to you."

"Calla, kindness isn't something he understands. When he starts Calling for you, remember that. It's the only warning I can give you."

Her chin tucked down, eyes cast to the earthen floor, we walked in silence.

Up and up, until glossy wood appeared beneath our feet and the air smelled clean and fresh, replacing the scent of old dampness and tight pressed bodies.

Up and up, until we passed the Alpha's confessional room, where he gave pronouncements for us all to learn and live from.

Up and up, until I could see the tops of trees through the small, mullioned windows. Too small for a body to fit through, no matter how many times one had contemplated them as a means of final escape.

And finally, the shining red door to Hugh's plush rooms.

I steeled myself as Calla lifted her hand, the rap of her knuckles against the polished door making my stomach twist. Bile touched the back of my throat, and I had to swallow it down.

The door swung open and there he stood.

Tall. Broad. Hard planes of muscle.

The smell of him wafted out. Fur and fury, a blend that even my limited Stricken senses could pick up.

My primal mind recognized that smell and knew what it meant.

I forced my body to show no reaction.

"Sena. I wondered if you'd find your way up here." He drawled the words, eyes roving over me in that hungry way of his. "Come in. Calla, you too."

"No." My voice, I was proud to say, didn't shake as I made the announcement. "She has duties below. Duties that must be completed in time for the Services set for the next sunset. She can't be spared for this."

The simple truth was that I didn't want Calla to see what would happen when that door closed behind me. It wouldn't help her or prepare her. It would only torment and terrify her. I didn't like the girl, but I also didn't need to be cruel.

And I knew Hugh had no idea what duties were assigned to the Stricken, so he couldn't question my statement.

"Calla, report to Glory, and she'll make sure you know exactly how to do the tasks you've been assigned." I stepped inside Hugh's room, keeping as much distance between him and me as I could. I gave her a final, warning look over my shoulder. "Better hurry. Time's short for what needs doing."

She nodded and scurried away, down the hall, leaving me alone with Hugh.

I took a deep breath as the door slammed shut.

And braced for what was to come.