The next few days passed by with no major incident. After the consequences of my last actions, I knew keeping a low profile was what I needed to avoid getting into the spotlight. The spotlight usually meant danger and pain for me.
However, there was a certain pain I could not escape, the pain of my mate sleeping with someone else. Whenever it happened, my entire body felt like it was breaking into pieces on the inside. My stomach would feel like someone was twisting a knife around my internal organs. The pain in my head nearly made it explode, and yet I could not tell anyone about it. Only Grace knew what was wrong with me during those times but never bothered to offer any help.
Sometimes I would walk around like a zombie knocking things around because my head was too muddled. As days went by, I began to have a lot of thoughts about my siblings whereabouts so when I found out that there was a witch living in the pack, I decided to grab the chance to get information.
Apparently, they provided her protection from a certain enemy of hers and she offered free witchy services for the pack when needed. A girl called Marina had told me about her but warned me she was not very trustworthy. Sometimes, she would go blabbing to the alpha.
All I wanted was for her do a locator spell to find out where my siblings were. Since it had nothing to do with a pack, I thought it was okay. I waited for the day when the top ranking people were not around. It was the birthday of the alpha of a neighbouring pack and most of the high ranking wolves had gone to attend.
Without permission, I snuck out of the residence, followed the fence and went to where the witchs’ house was. It was at the edge of the estate. A small two roomed hut with a tiny window and door. There were creepy plants growing all over the sides making it look really spooky. After a short hesitation, I walked forward and knocked on the door softly. There was no answer.
“Jamile,” I yelled. “Are you in there?”
The door opened immediately, and a middle aged woman stood there. Her arms were full of bangles and she was wearing a long black dress. Over it was a bright red cloak, stained with black spots on the pregnant side pockets. She crossed her thin arms and raised eyebrows at me.
“Who the hell are you calling Jamila and why are you here?”
“I was told your name is Jamila,” I defended myself.
She tilted her head. “Clearly, you were not taught to have any respect for elders. What do you want, slave?”
“I want you to help me find my siblings,” I said.
“What do you have for me?” she inquired.
“What do you mean?”
“I don’t work for free. Get away from my property.”
“I’m sorry I don’t have anything. I don’t even want much. All I want is for you to do a locator spell to find out where they are.”
“Well, I like I said I don’t do anything for free. You better leave before I make you leave the hard way.”
“Please, ma’am. I really can’t stop worrying about them. Please help me know where they are and I will never bother you again.”
The woman laughed, more like cackled, throwing her head back in amusement.
“I don’t have to help you for you to stop bothering me. I have so many ways of getting rid of pesky parasites, and you wouldn’t enjoy them at all. Now get lost before my mood changes.”
One glance at her was enough to let me know that she was dead serious and I could only get into more trouble by continuously begging them. What if Dane found me there? Running back along the fence line, I headed to the slave quarters.
Maryanne was making out with some guy on the porch, ignoring all the rules. It reminded me of Kyle and I found myself tearing the two apart.
“What the hell,” the boy said.
“What is wrong with both of you?” I asked. “You know very well that this is illegal. If Dane hears of it, he will punish you.”
“And?” Maryanne raised a brow.
“I don’t want to see you getting punished,” I said. Maryanne and I did not always interact much but we were usually civil with each other. Sometimes, especially when the other slaves had gone off to work, we only had each other for company. Carefree Maryanne was more bearable than a grumpy Maryanne.
“I don’t care,” Maryanne said. “I’m so bored in this hellhole. Maybe that punishment is what I need to feel better.”
“Can’t deal with this,” the man said before walking away. Maryanne cast a lingering stare at him. My eyes followed hers. The man sure did have a good ass.
“Looks great,” I said.
Maryanne smiled. “I know, right. I really want a bit of that.”
Maryanne and I went into the common room which was full of seamstresses enjoying a chick flick. Since the common room was shared, there were days for the men and women. Men always liked to watch sports, horror films, sci-fi, and action among others while most women preferred sappy romances, fantasy, paranormal and chick flicks.
The film was about who fell in love with her billionaire boss who liked the fact that she wasn’t trying to push herself into his arms, something that a lot of women around him were doing. She was the only one who didn’t want to them. It was cliché as hell but in tough times, sweet clichés are what a woman needs to feel alive and happy. The movie helped me distract myself from my problems for a while but once it was done, everything came back.
As I walked through the crowd, I started thinking of the boys again.
“That was a beautiful movie,” Maryanne said.
I nodded absentmindedly. As we came towards our building, we saw Dane headed our way with a long whip. We all hurried in as fast as possible to avoid him. Inevitably, a crowd formed at the door as we all fought to get in at once.
“Cilla Markle.”
I froze when I heard my name. What had I done now? Everyone gave me pitiful looks as I waded through the crowd to reach Dane. They all turned to watch the drama.
“You’re one who enjoys breaking the rules so much, don’t you?” he asked, moving his metallic cane around.
My body was already feeling the pain psychologically. I could almost feel the whip on me and tears immediately started welling up in my eyes.
Dane groaned. “If you think the water works will work on me, I will let you know that you are severely mistaken. Why do you keep breaking the rules even though you know it leads to punishment? Do you enjoy it, being punished by me?”
I shook my head, unable to look him straight in the eye. “What is the problem, master? What did I do?”
“What did you do?” he said raising his voice and shaking his head. “What did you do? You’re going to ask me that, eh. Moreover while standing as if we are equals.”
I went down my knees immediately. Sometimes that slipped my mind. “I’m so sorry, master. I just don’t understand why are accusing me?”
Everyone gasped as I talked back.
Dane started walking back and forth as I held my breath knowing I had messed up and he could strike at any time.
“I think we can find a better way to use that silly mouth of yours. Red room. Now!”
I stood up immediately and started heading to the redroom.
“What the hell is wrong with you all?” Dane asked and the women scattered into the building, quickly opening and closing their room doors. When I reached the redroom door, Dane was already behind me. Shoving me to the side, he fixed a key inside the keyhole and unlocked it.
Entering the familiar redroom, I went and knelt on a small rug at the centre and waited for my punishment. I looked around the room, wondering what it would be that time round. Dane was studying the whips one by one before returning them to where they were supposed to be.
Suddenly, he started walking towards me with no weapon and I waited to find out what lay in store for me.