Ben’s POV
The broken mirror showed a stranger looking back at me. A stranger with no hair, just a skull and eyes like dark pools lacking any warmth or light. It was hard, nearly impossible, to accept this face as the man I used to be.
The man who dreamed of honor, loyalty, and life in the sunny fields of the Black Hound Pack. Now, I was a creature of darkness, a piece in a power game I barely understood.
I put my hand on my bare head, feeling the cold and smooth skin. A shiver went through me not from the cold but from the strong memory that returned. The Rogue King’s touch. The cold sound of his voice.
*Flashback*
The air in the Rogue King’s cave was heavy with the smell of wet dirt and rot. It was really suffocating.
Augustus sat on a rough throne made of black stone, his figure barely visible in the shadows. When he spoke his voice rumbled like it came from deep within the ground.
“Ben,” his voice was sharp and cutting “Come here.”
My knees gave out unexpectedly, and I went down on one knee, my head lowered. The air buzzed with his strength, and even his closest aides, tough fighters with many battles marked on their faces, shook slightly.
“Your Majesty,” I said softly, my voice almost a murmur.
“The Bloodhound Pack is ready to be taken. Adams, the so-called king, has become lazy. It’s time to show him who has the power,” Augustus spoke with cold anger.
“Yes, Your Majesty,” I answered, “That’s a smart choice. I believe Your Highness the Bloodhound Pack has become too brave.”
A short, tense pause filled the air before the Rogue King spoke again, his voice a deep, threatening growl.
“Before I move forward, I will give you a gift, Ben. A taste of my power. You are my second-in-command. You will share my strength.”
My head spun. A gift? The Rogue King’s power? My fingers gripped my dagger tightly, my heart racing like a scared bird.
I had heard the whispers of the rumors. The tales about the Rogue Kings touch the dark magic that changed people for the worse. It was a power I did not want, a power I was afraid of.
“Your Majesty,” I stuttered, trying to stay calm. “I… I appreciate your offer, really, but I think I can handle my tasks on my own.”
A cold quiet fell, heavier than the cave’s normal dark mood. My heart pounded in my chest. I sensed Augustus’s stare on me, a weight that was real and hard to bear.
“Enough? Ben, do you forget who respects you so much?” His tone grew cold like a freezing wind that blew through the cave, stirring up dust and fear. “My strength is a gift, not a curse. Do you doubt my choices? My kindness? Is this how you show loyalty?”
The words hit me hard. My refusal and doubts were seen as a betrayal. I felt deep down that arguing more would be useless and could even be deadly. My life was at risk dependent on Augustus’s unpredictable mood.
“No, Your Majesty,” I managed to say, my voice very gentle. “I… I accept your gift. You are so generous. I am forever thankful.”
I got up slowly, my legs shaking. The air around felt strange, affected by his strong presence. I took slow, careful steps toward the black throne. The Rogue King’s servants watched me, their faces showing a mix of sympathy and nervousness.
He reached out and grabbed my jaw tightly, making my teeth clench. His touch sent a shock through me, a wild and powerful energy. For the first time, I saw his face. His skin was a pale white, and his eyes were black, showing no feelings at all, mirroring the emptiness inside him.
A sudden wave of sickness overwhelmed me, causing me to feel as though darkness was wrapping around me, taking control.
I fought against it with all my strength, struggling and gasping for breath. I twisted my body desperately trying to resist something that I could not see and could not seem to stop.
This dark energy, which was the essence of the Rogue King, was merging with my being, and it felt incredibly painful. It was a slow and agonizing transformation that I could not escape from.
*End of Flashback*
The noise of a scared rushing voice pulled me out of my bad dream.
“Ben! Ben! Alpha Rax Moore needs you right now!”
The servant stood at the door, his face pale and his breathing uneven and harsh. He looked unable to move, almost stuck in place.
His eyes were open wide, showing a fear like the terror the Rogue King’s followers had when they realized how strong he was.
When he looked at me, his stare got stronger, and I noticed his eyes getting bigger. Suddenly, he let out a quick gasp, showing how scared he was.
Looking at my reflection in the mirror reminded me of Augustus’s influence inside me, sparking quick, intense anger.
I reached out quickly and grabbed the servant’s throat. He gasped and struggled, his eyes wide with fear, showing a silent cry for help on his face.
The Rogue King’s power, once a dark, unwanted gift, now felt like a natural part of my pure anger. I tightened my grip, using just the right pressure for a quick, quiet finish.
The servant’s body went weak, his legs moving jerkily before going still. I threw his lifeless body aside like it was a useless cloth.
My anger felt like a huge uncontrollable fire that was consuming everything inside of me. It destroyed the last pieces of kindness that I had left. I pulled my hood down over my head, feeling the soft fabric covering me.
It made me feel safe from the outside world, and it also showed the darkness and heaviness that I now felt deep inside.
I walked out of the room, my steps steady and purposeful. My face was blank, hiding the feelings of a man turned into a weapon. It was time to serve the Rogue King again…