Chapter 18: Blood And Memories
Zayn thrashed in his sleep, his breath ragged, chest heaving like he was drowning. Sweat soaked through the sheets, clinging to his skin as he twisted under its weight. The nightmare was back again.
It always came like this, sudden, choking, too real to be just a dream. A memory burned into his bones.
They were forcing something down his throat. Thick. Bitter. It scorched its way down, lighting every nerve on fire. He tried to scream, but the iron muzzle strapped over his mouth cut into his jaw, silencing him. His limbs jerked uncontrollably. His muscles locked. His skin crawled, blistering from the inside out.
He collapsed, shaking, but they didn’t stop. They laughed. Chains clinked. Hands grabbed him, yanking him up like he weighed nothing. They dragged him through the dirt, past bloodstains and shattered weapons.
The arena. He knew this place too well. The sky above was dark, the pit below covered in darkness. And the faces in the crowd were all from the Thunder Paw pack. Brightpaw’s people. They watched expectantly.
His humiliation had become a form of sport and recreation for the pack. Some even made bets on how long he would last and how many would die at every show.
“Fight!” someone barked.
“Show them what an Alpha is worth!” That voice. Xavier. Lily’s brother.
Zayn’s blood turned cold despite the fire crawling through him. He would never forget that voice. Mocking. Cruel. That bastard had stood above it all, watching as his men forced Zayn to his knees, poured the poison into his mouth, and laughed when he convulsed.
‘May you rot in hell. If I survive, I will come after you. You will beg to die...but death would be too merciful.’
The gate opened.
They pushed people at him. Familiar faces. Men he’d trained. Brothers in arms. They didn’t want to fight him. He could see it in their eyes.