Wolf Dominion

Xrat and I enter our training facility first, which leads to the leading research facility at Wolf Dominion – where all the war experimentation goes on. I don’t know what happens in there specifically, but I can hear the protests of Fyre raging at the staff.

Xrat lopes up a ramp toward two ajar hazard doors leading to the commotion.

We sprint through together, barging in, “FYRE!” I scream for her name – seeing a flurry of military combatant scientists ahead in their black robes, standing around Raygar and his prize.

Ray’s holding up Fyre’s arm so she can’t fight two inches floating from the floor, as he tells the scientists his plan.

“Look at all her energy in her struggling – turn that into something useful for Wolf Dominion and our companies,” Raygar does not smile as he says so, nor does he laugh.

But he does notice Xrat bounding ahead.

“Stay,” I call to Xrat as we get close, but not too close.

Xrat lays on his stomach, resting his head on his paws as he eyes Fyre and keeps his growls silently inside; smart wolf.

“Move aside,” Raygar tells the scientists to part – so he has a better view of us approaching, “Ryder, Xrat,” Raygar addresses us by name, while holding Fyre in front of him for my gaze to catch her red and frightened eyes. Fyre is very brave, but right now, in the clasp of the current Alpha of Wolf Dominion – far more brutal than Skye – she is terrified and Raygar wants me to react, “You weren’t at the assembly. Why?”

“I didn’t know there was an assembly,” I lie straight through my teeth, “I was asleep and my human ears did not hear the announcement over the system. I was in my cage –”

“Who let you out?” Raygar murmurs, quietly amused, knowing eventually he’ll catch me slipping.

“The door is broken,” another lie through my teeth, but I wasn’t concerned about my safety right now, only Fyre, the only other human being I could hopefully protect right now, to prove to myself I had a purpose here. With Skye missing, I only had my wit – and Fyre’s heart to think of, “…I am here as I followed Xrat – my current master,” I make that up too, for the hell of it, but I do see it amuses the scientists, even though this part doesn’t amuse Raygar, as he knows every word I speak is a lie, in front of so many, “I see that Fyre is a candidate for research,” I speak, as calmly as possibly, “She is so young – and rather plain with her thinking, you would not find her worth any value, she is nothing but a young and stupid human without any hope of helping you learn anything. But perhaps, if Fyre was to go free, Raygar, you could return to your new Alpha residence… and I can tend to your needs as soon as possible,” I look him up and down, then I catch his eyes, hoping he reads my agreement.

I’ll do it.

Anything he wants.

Anything he says.

I’ll be his slave – his rodent – his bitch.

But Fyre had to go free.

A moment of silence ensues as Raygar licks his lips and then drops Fyre’s wrist.

He watches her, as she hits the floor and she falls over to her side – yet my lips twitch up into an oncoming smile, knowing she’ll be safe when Raygar’s boot, presses into the side of her neck and keeps her on the floor.

I freeze – he could choke her in seconds, with a little bit more pressure.

Raygar continues to watch me.

“Ryder,” Fyre gasps as she calls out to me, truly afraid – I see her a little hand shaking so hard.

A subservient smile is on my lips for Raygar.

But internally– a raging storm is cracking my chest to pieces.

“My deepest apologies,” Raygar takes his boot from Fyre, but he looks at the scientists around him, “I didn’t know worms could talk so much… put the bug away, do as you please with her – and shut her up.”

Fyre’s screaming resumes and Xrat bounds forward.

A ferocious snarl echoes and after one lunge forward he’s immediately collapsing to the ground as his shock collar renders him immobile. His whimpers resemble a pup in great pain – Fyre’s screams double as she’s dragged away out of sight.

It all tears my heart apart.

Helpers rush into put Xrat on a stretcher – to haul his unconscious form away.

All that’s left in under a minute of intense activity, is Raygar standing in his robes, holding my gaze, as I stand without any word of complaint.

I just take it in.

My fists are clenched so hard though – my knuckles, my fingers and my skin hurts.

“You were welcome to chase after her,” Raygar holds out a hand, motioning to where Fyre was dragged, “…of course, if you did that, I would have found a reason to end your petty little existence…” Raygar’s hands rise, to all the foreign equipment and Solividian walls, and the honey comb structure of this alien place, “…you don’t belong here… and you don’t receive anything from here…” Raygar slowly shakes his head while gazing at me, “Skye was losing his mind when it came to you – I haven’t lost my mind, Ryder. I can see straight through you. Follow me now, pet… and don’t speak another word,” Raygar stalks toward me, eyes sly.

As he passes me, I turn – and I force my limbs to work.

Raygar has one destination in mind – but it’s not his new residence.

He takes us to a bathing area, the same place I was prepped and left for Skye on a bed to get fucked.

Of course, we didn’t.

I was still a virgin.

Skye… he was patient enough not to rush it.

Raygar takes us straight to a spare guest room, motioning around once more, as if he enjoys providing tours.

“Your new cage,” Raygar concludes, “No training. No leaving. Not until you prove submission and real alliance to Wolf Dominion,” Raygar stands at the door, while I’ve walked inside to put enough distance between us. I look at him now, watching me very carefully, “When Skye is found, and he returns to lead Wolf Dominion, the greatest army in all of Genesis, under the holy Genesis Moon, he will meet a real slave – a real worm, who enjoys her cage.”

“That reality doesn’t exist for me,” I say the harsh truth of it, even though I’m not meant to speak, per his order. Of course, Ray’s eyes narrow as he realises my disobedience, “If you can’t stand me – just kill me then,” I add, “If you want me dead, do it now, why hesitate?”

“Don’t sound so eager, you foolish little thing. If I wanted you dead, you wouldn’t have had the opportunity to say that,” Raygar shrugs one shoulder, nonchalant, “I’d rather mould you – as your Kind do have one favourable attribute. Malleability.”

“What does that even mean?” I ask him, in a tight whisper.

“With enough torture, devaluation and punishment… you’ll become whatever I want you to be,” Raygar finally lets out his purest sadist’s smile, “Lemeri is my favourite because she can’t break – she can only grow more and more feisty as I attempt to train her. She may not be Wolf Dominion bred – but she’s born for this world. You don’t belong here. And so you shall die – you have no right to an identity here. No right to anything here. Every part of your being disgusts me, Ryder – and that unfortunately – fascinates me, because I clearly care far too much about your rage filled eyes; impatient,” Raygar finally exists, happy with himself even while spitting the word.

I rather be dead, than a slave. Fyre’s sentiment.

I rehearsed the lines – as panic came in waves and receded for short periods of time, only to crash back in again.

What that left me with in this room, was my thoughts.

Over and over.

Fyre’s scream.

Xrat’s electrocution.

Skye’s disappearance.

Raygar’s position.

My vulnerability. My inability. My lack of power.

I came back to that every time.

I was so… useless… right now… with no influence.

No…

Influence. I did have some say.

And that is where my answer lay.

I know in my heart Raygar will return to torture me any moment – but at least I had my answer loud and clear for him now.

Give him what he wants. There was nothing else I could do. And I was at least still better off alive – than dead – in my position, in with the Alphas.

Malleability? Perhaps Raygar was right.

And that’s the first thing I greet him with.

I’m sitting on the edge of the bed – in a pretty plain gold guest room. The lighting is low and the glow is golden. I know in my bones it’s very late at night when the door opens.

“You’re right,” I speak as soon as the door opens, and an Alpha’s robes swish into the room, “…you’ll get what you want tonight… I have to accept that you will win eventually.”

“Will I?”

“I’ll do whatever I need to do, to survive, is what I mean,” I answer again, feeling dead inside.

“Ryder. Eye contact, now.”

I glance up quickly – through the dim room I see an Alpha… with a long mane of black hair.

What the –?

“You sound exactly the same,” I blurt, staring at Skye. I accepted he may never get back alive, but he was here right now, “You – you’re okay?!” I stutter and I’m smiling but he’s not.

No, he… he’s definitely not happy.

“I’m not here for a reunion with you. Ryder, I have a more pressing issue at hand, you’ve been in my steam room, causing a huge mess and damage,” Skye barks out, “What in Genesis do you think you’re doing – without seeking permission first?”

“But you’re alive,” I can’t help but stay on that, after assuming he’d… I mean, he might never have made it back alive.

I’m a little too relieved he’s back.

It’s like a dream come true – because Raygar was the nightmare in contrast, for sure.

“Yes, I’m alive – I’m more than fine, I was never not fine, I had everything under control,” Skye finally addresses what I’m saying, still looking ice cold in my direction, “…you’re in need of learning your place, Ryder, I’ve given you too many chances…”

“I’ll learn it,” I agree to it, “The cage?” I stand up, “…a punishment,” I conclude, since Alpha Skye’s anger seems to be getting the better of him.

He did look tired – worn out and dusty from a hard trek back home.

“Raygar informed me of his intent to break you in,” Skye’s tone goes even colder, “I approved the request – Ray?” Skye steps back and opens the door wider.

My heart skips multiple beats – and may shatter a little, too.

As Raygar walks in, Skye glances back at me one more time with cruel and distant eyes.

“…what do you want her to learn the most…?” Raygar asks, quite relaxed to Skye.

“How to obey – and be obedient, without being asked – I want her behaviour to be outstanding, before she enters my residence again, she will know respect of her superiors, the one she serves,” Alpha Skye snarls it and walks out, clearly in a very bad temper.

The door slams shut, leaving me alone with Raygar.

I blink.

I blink once more.

No.

Raygar watches me, comfortably, “Are you ready to begin the most important training of all, Ryder? Or are you scared?”

“Are you in charge of it –?” I ask, a little spiteful, “All of it?”

“Yes,” Raygar replies sweetly, which is a worry, “Now disrobe or else.”

“Or else… what?” I am genuinely curious what the else is – and Raygar is finding it hard to keep in a laugh.

“…or else you’re going to die…” Raygar looks at me twice, “You’ll have to drop the stubborn act, sweetheart… I don’t have a high patience with you in particular.”

“I am not a piece of meat,” I snap, “I am not a mindless slave either!”

“Not yet,” Raygar’s mocking smile turns soft, “But by the morning we’ll revisit that statement.”

“What’s so sure about…” I try to say it, but I blush, “S-sex? What’s the big deal anyway?”

“Purpose,” Raygar answers quite seriously.

I don’t understand him.

Like I didn’t understand Skye.

But I was slowly coming to learn – that purpose was one thing Genesis Kind loved to speak about constantly. It was ingrained in their integral values.

To me – it was an interesting choice of word.

Purpose.

It made me think of Fyre. And then it made me feel a little uncomfortable about Skye’s sickness.

I can’t work out why I’m comparing the two events.

Because Raygar’s taking off his clothes – and I already know my virginity isn’t going to last longer than the hour.

And then it hits me – why disappointment is suddenly overwhelming me.

I… I thought Skye wanted it.

But I wasn’t important to his purpose.

As I was soon finding out.

My purpose was not in line with his, and his was certainly not in line with mine – our trails simply crossed paths. And now I was learning to be a warrior – in yet another area of adulthood as a human.

I just hoped I managed to survive, while being irrevocably in love with Skye – someone who clearly didn’t feel that same intensity of love back for me.

One sided deep love; perhaps a problem for the rebels on Genesis… I was meant to be helping them, but I was in love with the enemy… and it was making things awfully, awfully complicated.