Their eyes have a reluctant look of interest towards me in which I realized that they didn't recognize me at all.
When the guard pulled my chain, I was reminded of my manners and welcomed the pack with a genuine smile.
They did not smile at all but continued to stare at me in which Lion averted his eyes and clenched his hands.
My master introduced me to the pack in which I began to flirt with them despite their silence.
This is fun.
Sly tried not to look at me as he told my master that they are going to stay in this room for a few days in which my master was overjoyed and told them I would be serving them all throughout their stay as I'm the only one left among his pleasure captives.
My master sighed as he apologized to them that his other pleasure captives had died recently but it's not so bad as I'm currently the most in demand in the pleasure district that there is a long waiting list for a chance to be entertained by me.
With a grin towards them, my master told them priority will be given to the best paying customers like them.
Then my master began to talk them with random stuff in which he gave me glare that seems to tell me that I'd better do a great job in pleasing them.
Oh, that will be my pleasure!
....
With the guard holding my chain, I somehow managed to move around despite my long hair that kept getting in the way.
Ghost mentioned to my master that they have been looking for someone since the past two weeks.
Two weeks? I've been here for two weeks?
My master shook his head when he heard about the description in which he told them that it will be difficult to find whoever they are looking for as exotic creatures are in demand here.
Meanwhile, I refilled the pack's cups with liquor and complimented Orm that he is beautiful in which he turned red and faced away from me.
I simply chuckled and went to Alpha who began sniffing around me in which I laughed and thanked him for appreciating my smell as I've been soaking for a long time in the bath earlier in order to please them.
His eyes widened as he began to whine in which I gently caressed his head and whispered to him that I like how he moves with grace in which he covered his face with his hands and his tail began to wag in which he hurriedly grasped it.
Ghost is easy to tease as I simply sat beside him while refilling his cup, looking at his eyes that seems to waver at the sight of me in which I nuzzled his neck in which he spilled his liquor on the floor.
My master told them not to worry in which he ordered me to wipe it. Ghost insisted that it isn't necessary in which I simply used a rag to wipe the mess while kneeling on the floor and gave him a seductive smile.
He turned red and began to hit himself on the head, murmuring about something unintelligible.
I chuckled as I stood up and gave the rag to a servant and cleaned my hands.
Sly is a bit of a challenge as despite his reluctant interest in seeing me, he didn't talk to me when I tried asking him some questions which I know he would love to answer.
Luck seems to be on my side that when I stood up as I was about to go to Lion, my hair got tangled on his legs in which I exaggeratedly yelp in pain that he hurriedly tried to remove it while apologizing to me as the rest of the pack scolded him not to treat me badly as I was only doing my job.
I tried my best to think about depressing thoughts in which to my delight, my eyes became teary that he started to give me attention despite his reluctance. He began to comfort me with all sorts of words in which I stood up and pretended that I'm hurt by him and went to Lion.
Lion is polite towards me despite his reluctance to give me his attention in which I simply acted that I respected his actions. I made some sort of small talk towards him about random things which I know he would be interested to talk about.
Seeing that Lion somehow treated me politely, the rest of the pack began to lower their defenses and started to relax, asking my master to keep the liquor flowing.
Soon, they began to talk to me about all kinds of stuff, asking me if I somehow saw their beloved mate that they have been looking for nonstop since the time she got kidnapped.
I pretended to look devastated and told them I want to help them look for her but I've been stuck here and haven't had the chance to go outside.
Seeing that the pack is getting relaxed, my master left us in which he instructed the guard to keep an eye on me as I'm very valuable to him and to hold my chain securely.
Ghost made me sit beside him as he asked me why I haven't tried escaping from this place in which I told him that I have no place to go to.
Alpha then told the rest of the pack that my situation is indeed complicated as not having somewhere secure to return to would have high chances to be captured again, making my life worse than hell.
He continued on telling them that as the heir, he has plans to destroy the underground pleasure houses in the territory but it will be a challenge as almost all of them are owned by the elites.
Lion nodded as he agreed, telling them that as much as he wants to destroy all the pleasure houses, he can't do that as he is looking for his mate, though he would burn this place to the ground as soon as he finds her.
Orm gently reminded him that he can't do that as it will bring attention to them and she will get tortured again as a result of his impulsive actions.
Lion started to cry silently as the rest of the pack began to mourn.
I'm not dead yet!
As I'm confident that my voice sounds different, I sang them a comforting song in which they thanked me for my efforts as they somehow felt a bit lighter.
They promised me that they would find a way to free me in which I thanked them for their kind words.
Soon, they began to smile as they shared to me some precious memories they have with their beloved mate in which I tried my best not to cry.
Thank you, everyone.
....
We had fun talking in which they told me that it would be nice for me to meet their mate as they are confident that we would get along quite well.
Of course we would as she and I are the same individual!
Lion somehow used magic to braid my hair in which he apologized to me that he can only braid his mate's hair using his hands.
I began to think of the sutras as to prevent myself from blushing.
Sly began talking to me about all kinds of stuff in which he mentioned that his mate loves flowers in which he has another surprise for her as soon as they can find her.
I'm looking forward to it!
Alpha cleared his throat as he said that he haven't spent much time with her alone and will definitely make up to her as soon as she's back with them, glancing at Lion for permission in which he nodded.
Orm asked me why I haven't had a mate yet despite being popular in which I shrugged and gave them a mysterious smile.
Ghost was about to ask me about something when my master came inside the room with a calm look in his face as he apologized to the pack for the disturbance as he needed me for something.
I have a bad feeling about this as my master's face looks too calm for me and he doesn't disturb me when I am entertaining high paying customers.
I think he found out what I did.
Trying to delay the inevitable, I asked the pack why they have chosen this place as there are many places that they can choose instead in which Lion nonchalantly said that they wanted peace and they heard from the other creatures that a lot of them were being comforted in this place.
My master began to yank at my chain in which I smiled at them and thanked them for choosing this place and left the room.
I was right.
My master found out what I did.
And I didn't regret what I did.
....
Blood splattered on the floor as my master viciously hit me with different kinds of objects.
He told me that I am just a slave and slaves don't do things behind their master's back.
I was back inside the dark room in which my extremities were tied together to short chains that are attached on the floor.
My master continued to beat me as he told me that since he had already earned more than enough, he can afford not to let me work for a long time as he can hire pleasure captives for his customers while I'm being punished.
Pieces of my hair are on the floor as he tried to yank it out of rage, telling me that if I wasn't profitable, he would make me suffer fate worse than hell.
While he continued to beat me, he signaled several of his guards to help him punish me as I didn't cry out of pain.
Of course I didn't cry out of pain as I was too busy with several thoughts like there are humans back in my previous world that are suffering like me.
Some humans are just born with too many unfortunate things that happened to them.
And I'm one of them.
Sometimes I wondered why the fates are cruel to me. It really is a huge wonder why I haven't lost my sanity yet.
But there are times that I almost did.
And this time, I feel like my sanity is starting to slip away from me.
I wished I told the pack that it was me earlier.
But I can't as I'm afraid that they might lose control and there will be trouble.
Still, that was stupid of me.
Now I can't see them again.
....
Soon, the pain became unbearable that I finally cried out.
I was covered in my own blood in which my master told me that he won't give me a potion this time as he won't let me work for the meantime.
He shouted at me that I won't be given food or water until his anger will be soothed.
A guard branded me on my back in which I screamed with pain as my master looked towards me with cruel satisfaction on his face.
My master told me that he would remove the brand in the future when he would make me work again. But for now, it will serve as a reminder that I'm a slave and will continue to be a slave until the day that he gets tired of me.
After that, they all left me in the darkness without releasing me from my chains.
....
Oh, Fates! Why are you cruel towards me?
Why do you constantly make me suffer from pain and humiliation?
Why can't you simply cut the cord that is connected to my life?!
Is there a reason why I am suffering from all this pain?
All throughout my life, I suffered from too much unfortunate things. It's too cruel!
Oh, heavens! Have mercy upon me!
Please end my pain now!
But no. I'm not ready to go yet. Everyone is looking for me. I promised Ahuizotl that I won't regret anything.
I also promised Lavender that I would live my life to the fullest.
My Lion.
Sly.
Alpha.
Orm.
Ghost.
They are looking for me. They are looking for me. They are looking for me.
And I'm waiting for them.
....
My master continued to beat me again and again and again while he yelled cruel words towards me that somehow, it didn't register inside my mind.
It seems that he wasn't earning much compared to when I was still working. That must be why he is desperate on breaking my mind as he wants me to work as soon as possible.
Suddenly he stopped and I can hear horrified gasps from him and the guards.
I wonder why?
I felt intense pain on my ears in which when I shakingly tried to touch it, it isn't pointed anymore.
Oh.
The illusion must have disappeared.
My master began to yell at the guards on finding the magic user to do his illusion once more and to buy several potions that will restore my body as I felt that my body looks too mangled as a result of their beating.
I can hear panic in their voices as it turns out that the pack hasn't left yet and they learned their true identity in which they are afraid of the retribution that they will receive after seeing me like this.
I began praying that the pack will find me here in my current situation so they will receive their long awaited punishment, not for my sake but for all the previous pleasure captives that were here before me.
Don't worry everyone, you will be avenged.
....
The Fates must've felt pity towards me that when the guards came out of the door, Alpha just happened to pass by them.
Using my remaining strength, I called out to him though faintly but I knew he has a good hearing.
He glanced around and with widened eyes, saw me in my current situation.
With an earthshaking howl, he called the rest of the pack in which he launched an attack towards the door as the remaining guards tried to close it.
He kept howling as he attacked the guards, slashing and tearing their flesh apart while my master tried to summoned more guards using a magical device.
Soon, the rest of the pack appeared in which when Lion saw me, his reaction sent all the guards including my master running away in a panic.
Then in a cold voice, he told the rest of the pack to catch them and bring them to him alive.
Sounds of snarls and roars filled the air as the rest of the pack ran after them.
....
Silently, Lion knelt beside me and broke my chains using his hand.
His hands are trembling as he is at panic on what to do next.
I can feel his hands touching gently the brand on my back in which I flinched at his touch and softly whimpered.
He began to scream in despair in which I can see his tears flowing down on his face.
Sounds of heavy thumping on the ground as Lion kept punching the floor with anger.
His hand is bloodied as he continued to punch the floor, muttering several curses as I stared at him.
Stop it.
Stop hurting yourself, my Lion.
I called out his name weakly in which he slowly glance towards me, with despair in his eyes.
I told him that I'm glad to see him but can he help me get up first.
He looked startled in which he must've realized that he neglected me while throwing a tantrum.
His cloak covered my body in which he gently carried me in his arms as he gave me several kisses all throughout my face.
He was about to nuzzle me on my neck when he saw my second cuff in which rage began to flood his eyes.
The second cuff broke easily in which he immediately nuzzled my neck and gently touched my original cuff, asking if it's hurting me.
I shook my head and told him that I missed him too.
He chuckled as he caressed my hair, telling me that I looked good with my other appearance but he preferred my original look though he admitted that he became fond of my bubble gum colored hair.
I asked him if my hair turned back to its original color in which he told me no, that my bubble gum hair color has decided to stay for good.
With that, we both laughed then he kissed me softly.
....
While the pack is away, I told him what I learned about the true story of what actually happened to Orm's mother.
I averted my eyes when I told him about Yilan in which I can hear him take a deep breath.
He promised me that he would take revenge and told me to not blame myself of everything that happened as I was doing what I can to survive.
Smiling at me, he told me that he is proud of me for being strong and now it's his turn to do his part.