40. Cora

The wall opens like a door to reveal stairs that lead to a dark tunnel.

"Stay behind me!" I said to Oren, who was about to protest when desperate screams filled the air.

I rush into the tunnel only to stop in my tracks, terrified by the view. It was a dungeon. Dim lights were placed in every cell, making it possible for us to see the looks full of fear of the prisoners.

"Oh my God, Amaya! How sick can one be to do this?" Oren asks, going to the first cell.

The dungeon was full of women and girls. All of them were in terrible shape. You could see how badly they were treated by way of them flinching at any slight noise.

"It's ok! We will get you out of here! No one will ever hurt you again." I said, feeling my blood start to boil in anger. I will kill that bastard even if it is the last thing to do. He will suffer for all of these poor souls that he destroyed.

"Fuck!" Oren said when he realised the cells were locked. Of course, they were.

"Move!" I told him, asking Ivy to help me.

I grab the bars and easily bend them, making enough space for the woman to fit.

The women held the girls and pushed them back.

"Who did this to you?" I ask in a loud, clear voice.

The older woman from that cell steps forward.

"The Alpha! He did this! He puts all the women and girls in here because he does not want Mates for his warriors! All the men that submitted to him are free, while the ones that challenged him or protested to this are dead. How did you get in here, anyway?"

I was struggling not to shift and go after that monster.

"No one is up there!" Oren answered the older woman pointing at the stairs that led us here.

"They will be back soon! They always go hunting. All of them at once. Because no one will stack this pack, you need to get out of here before it is too late!"

"No! I will not let you here! So now come on! We all will leave here tonight!"

She smiles at me and nods.

"Who are you, young girl? Something about you seems so familiar."

"I am Amaya Ricci, Alpha of Blood Moon Pack and Queen of Werewolves Realm! And this is my Mate Oren Wood."

"Ricci?! Are you the daughter of Giovanni and Talia Ricci?!" She asks with wide eyes.

"Do you know my parents?"

"Of course I do! I was part of your father's pack. But then I find my Mate, here, in this cursed pack, and here I am. Like most of us!"

'So this might be the reason for which Anna was rejected. Anthony didn't want her to be put in a cell.' I thought, feeling the anger growing.

Ice starts to cover my hands, and I know I need to get out of here as soon as possible!

"Come on! Follow us! We will take you to someplace safe! Do not be afraid; no one will hurt you there!"

I said, and they started to walk to the stairs one by one.

My heart was aching at the sight of them. Malnourished and dirty, some beaten up and some sick. It was heartbreaking.

After we got outside of the dungeons, we started walking towards the border. It was already dark, and the warriors should come back from now.

"Come on, this way!" I said, encouraging them to follow us.

Oren didn't say a word since we got out of that dark place. It was dark by all means.

"Oren, are you ok?" I ask, grabbing his hand.

He gave me a small smile and nodded his head.

"I will be better when they are safe. I don't know what kind of person would do this, but if this is the one that rejected you, then I'm glad he did. Thanks to the Gods that this happened."

I nod and look forward. What he said was sad but true. I'm glad it happened this way.

We were deep in the forest when we decided to take a break. I was hoping to get to the Leon cabin, but the women were so weak that they got exhausted immediately.

I was thinking of carrying them there. But I am alone, and there are too many. It will take me forever to do that. So we decided to stop near this stream.

"Oren, I will go hunt. They need to eat. We all need it. Stay here; I will not go far. And, please be careful." I said and kissed him.

"I will, love! Now come back quickly, do not make me worry about you!"

I go after a tree and take off my clothes before shifting in my wolf. As soon as the shift was complete, I ran deeper into the forest, hoping I would catch something big. This was my first time hunting, so the chances of not seeing anything were high. Luckily for me, I have Ivy!

Crunching leaves got my attention, so I let my wolf take control while I watched her every move from the back seat to learning.

As we got closer to the noise, she got down, lurking the prey, before running and jumping on its back. It was a giant deer.

After fighting for a while, Ivy succeeded in killing the prey. I was smiling in content, being proud of Ivy and happy that the women will have something to eat tonight.

I go back to our provisional camp with my head up, dragging the deer after me.

But the look on everyone's faces made me stop and drop it.

"Oren?" I ask, seeing the disappointment in his eyes.

But before I could ask him what was wrong, the annoying laughter of Cora filled the air.

"What a surprise! The lost Queen is finally here!"