Claimed By My Three Alphas
Chapter 12

I woke up with a start, my body aching all over. The memories of the past few days hit me like a ton of bricks and I can't help but whimper at what was to come.

My hands are tied behind my back and my legs are bound together with a rough rope which is as hard as leather. I tried to move, but the pain was too much to bear.

Levi isn't here - I thanked my ancestors for giving me a breathing space. It was quite weird. For the past few days, each time I wake up from sleep or unconsciousness, he was always here with his familiar sneer.

Though, I don't know if I should be glad at his absence. Even if he had tortured me relentlessly, to be honest, his presence kept me sane. It was the closest thing to human interaction.

The room is dimly lit and I could barely make out my surroundings. It was either a dungeon or a cell. The walls are made of stones and there are no windows. The only light came from a faint torch on the wall which had almost died out. The air is damp and musty and the smell of mold is overwhelming. It's a horrible place to be and I wish I could escape but I know that's impossible.

I tried to remember the last incident before my black out. The Alpha King had forbidden Asher and Quincy from taking me from the dungeon. Levi tied me up moments after and then I couldn't remember what happened after that. I don't know how long I stayed in my black out.

My throat is dry and I feel really thirsty, but there is no water to drink. My stomach rumbles but there is no hope for good. My body shivers on the cold cemented floor I lay on. I felt so lonely with no one to talk to. All I have are my thoughts and they're really driving me crazy.

I vaguely tried to picture what was happening outside this dungeon - outside this realm. Is anyone looking for me? Does anyone care that I am missing? Or am I just a pawn in a game I don't understand?

The thought of being expendable is terrifying but it's also the only explanation that makes sense.

I tried to move again but the pain was too much. My wrists were raw from the ropes and my ankles were bruised from the bindings. Every movement sends a shockwave of agony through my body. I can't even lay down without feeling pains all over me.

I closed my eyes and tried to distract myself, to think about something else, anything else. Maybe the happy times or events in my life, but there are none. The only happy days were crushed by a cheating boyfriend and an unfaithful best friend. Ever since the heartbreak, my life has been a constant struggle and this dungeon is just the latest chapter in my never-ending story of pain and suffering.

I started dozing off again and for a moment, I felt at peace. The darkness is my friend now and, in my dream, I found myself running in a wild field, free. No shackles on my feet or Levi nearby, smirking at me from any corner, waiting on the perfect moment to ounce

on me.

I wake up again to the harsh truth of reality hitting me like a ton of bricks. I tensed as I heard footsteps walking towards the cell room. I held my breath and a guard walked in.

A large man with a thick beard and a scar on his face, and I knew immediately that something bad was bound to happen.

"Hello, pretty lady." He says, his voice sending warning alarms to my head as I eyed him warily.

I didn't give an answer. I just stared at him in fear of what was to happen next. He steps closer and I tried to move away but the ropes were too tight, making it hard for me to move. "Don't be afraid." He says, a wide smile on his face. "I just want to talk to you."

"And I don't want to talk to you." I said, my voice shaking a bit.

He ignores me and steps closer, his hands reaching out to touch me. I flinched away, but he grabbed my arms and pressed his body against mine. I felt sick and tried to push away but he was too strong. "Stop it! What the hell are you doing?" I yelled as he tried to kiss me.

He once again ignored my protest, and ran his hands over my body. I became terrified and alerted. Anger coursed through me. I am being tortured but I would never be used to satisfy a random man's sick pleasure.

I managed to lift my hands up, digging my hands into his skin, making him yell in pain.

"f**k!" He cursed as he took a few steps away from me.

I took the opportunity, and kicked him with my two legs which were bound together. He stumbled and I moved away from him.

"You b***h!" He screeched again, running towards me again.

And this time, I was caught off in shock. He punched me in the face, the pain blinding and I felt all the ache rush up again. Before I knew it, he was on top of me. His hands pulled away the overall and tattered prisoner's clothes I wore. "Stop!" I screamed, trying to push him away but he was too strong and I could feel myself getting weaker.

My mind is screaming at me to fight back but my body won't cooperate. I felt too tired and too broken to fight back.

And suddenly, there was a blur of movement and the guard was thrown off me. It happened all too fast. One moment, I was screaming from fear, and in the next moment, the body was dropped limp on the floor, his bloody heart ripped out from his chest and laying worthlessly on the floor.

I looked up and found Levi standing over him, his face in deep fury.

"Are you okay?" He asked through gritted teeth and fisted hands.

On impulse, I flinched away at the sound of his voice, the memories of the past few days flooding back to me. But he surprised me when he rushed to pick me off the ground, carrying me in the bridal style way. Warmth fluttered within me. "Hey, Amery, it's okay." His voice was soft, concern washing away his usual glare. "I am here now; you're safe."

I looked up at him in shock, to be sure it was Levi who was speaking, or was this just a dream? I blinked rapidly as his eyes peered down at me. However, my mind only screamed panic and I pushed my body to try scooting away from him.

But before I could get any far, Levi pulled me to himself, taking me off the ground bridal style. He moved out of the cell and I stayed as still as possible, not wanting to provoke him. My heart raced, both in confusion and fear.

Levi was unpredictable, and he seemed furious too. I wondered if he was genuinely concerned that I was hurt, or if he was angry that someone else asides him had tried inflicting t*****e on me.

As we move through the hallway, he never says a word, only the tight clenching of his jaw, and I could feel the tension his body expelled. We reached a room, and he laid me down gently on a soft bed. His face as cold as steel, he untied my ropes and I felt a sense of relief rush over me.

"Thank you." I muttered, my voice trembling a bit.

He doesn't answer, but I can feel his gaze on me. I turned my head to look at him and there's a mix of conflicting emotions in his eyes. It was like he had a lot to say but was desperately holding himself back. "That shouldn't have happened under my watch. You're a pest, yes, but you're still mine to protect." He finally spoke, breaking the silence.

My face twisted into a scowl. Had he dared to say protect? If I ever needed protecting, it would be from his deranged self.

I scoffed. "Geez, I'm so grateful to you."

He reaches out and cups my cheek with his strong palms, forcing my eyes to stare up into his hard-gray ones. For a brief moment, I caught something beyond contempt in his gaze - a glimpse at genuine worry. But that couldn't be possible. He was Levi; a heartless cruel monster.

"I don't care if you are grateful or not. I don't care if you burn with hatred for me too." He whispers harshly. "All that matters right now is that someone else had tried hurting you. I'd rather die than let that happen. When I say that you're mine, I mean that even in pain and torture, you belong to me. I'm the only one who deserves that pleasure."

My breath stuttered and my heart slowed to hard thumps. I was transfixed by his stare, the heavy conviction rooted in them. It was both frightening and strangely comforting. Maybe I should have been angrier that he had the audacity to say such vile things but then, I was tired.

I closed my eyes and the weight of the past few days rushed through my mind, physically and emotionally filling me with exhaustion.

"Whatever, Levi. Just let me be. I've had enough crap for one day."

Surprisingly, he sits beside me then pulls one of the blankets over my partly exposed body. He did it almost robotically, without a hint of emotion.

"You should get some rest." He pauses to hold my gaze. "And don't get used to any of this. I still very much want you dead, but you are a pathetic mess right now, watching you die wouldn't be as satisfying." Maybe I do want to die too. It'd be a relief from this hell.

I could feel myself slipping into darkness, my body too exhausted to keep fighting. I'm vaguely aware of Levi fingers caressing my cheeks, twirling my hair and whispering softly into my ear.

'I'll be here when you wake up.

I wanted to respond but his roar silenced my next words.

"Go get the healer. Now!"

His voice sounded so urgent and fear ran through me. Was I that helpless? Was I truly about to die?

But then, I felt hands on my body and I realize that there are people here to help me. I hear someone chanting slowly and I felt warm energy flowing through my veins.

I tried to focus on the feeling, to hold onto it but I was slowly slipping away. I could feel myself slowly embracing the darkness.

Suddenly, I feel a hand on my forehead and I hear Levi's soft coo.

"Stay with me, Amery."

I want to respond to tell him that I'm trying, but my body won't obey me. Everything is becoming distant and hazy, and I felt my whole being float away.