A young female gray wolf lay awake under the white, warm covers of her queen-sized bed. She gazes up at the silky, pink-draped canopy with deep blue eyes; her lips stretched into a dreamy grin—one that only a child could possess.
The young wolf's name was Juno, and her dad—her hero, her everything—had promised to show up to her recital this weekend, which also happened to be on her birthday. Juno rarely got to spend time with her dad, since he was always away at work. It saddened her, but she somewhat understood that he worked hard to provide for her—and her mom.
…Her mom…
That beaming, innocent grin vanished.
Juno had seldom seen her mom smile, the only times being at her recitals or her softball games. There, she'd see her mom cheering her on with a smile that was bright enough to illuminate a room, and it filled her with pure joy, made her want to put all her effort into amazing her mom. But whenever her dad had found the time to attend one of her events, her mom's joy and happiness would vanish, and she would remain silent by her father's side, with an expression filled with sadness… and regret.
Juno turned on her side in the bed, her gaze flicking to her toy box on the far side of the room. She often wondered why her mom never smiled or laughed when her dad was around. Her dad provided for them, and he expressed his love towards them with gifts and hugs and kind words. Why couldn't her mom bring herself to smile and kiss her dad, like so many other parents did?
A tear slipped down the side of Juno's face. Maybe it's because of me. Maybe I'm the one who makes her unhappy. A part of herself didn't believe that was true.
Her attention returned to her toy box, her night vision allowing her to scan all the toys stuffed inside of it.
Every single toy Juno had inside that toy box had been gifted to her by her dad, but only one of them had been from her mom… and it was the one she cherished the most, it was the one she held against her chest right now, as she lay in her bed. It was A little, white wolf with a golden crown on its head. Because you're my little queen, her mother had said before handing it to her. Juno had cherished it ever since—and it had been the only gift her mother had ever given her.
Another tear slipped down Juno's cheek. She loved her mom, as well as her dad, and she only wished that they could somehow be happy together.
Suddenly, Juno's ears perked up at the sound of familiar footsteps passing by her room. Her dad's footsteps, she realized. Curiosity had her jumping out of her bed with her plush toy in hand and running to her white bedroom door, her small feet near silent on the carpet floor. She gently pulled on the golden handle and pushed the door open, peeking into the dark hallway. Her night vision allowed her to see her dad's figure moving down the large space, her nose unconsciously locking onto his cologne-laced scent. Juno fully opened her door before stepping out and following her dad, her nose twitching, her eyes bright with curiosity. She saw him turn and walk down the large set of stairs that lead into the foyer of the house.
"Daddy," Juno called out from on top of the stairs, just before her dad could walk out the front door.
Her dad, whom she inherited her fur coat from, perked up before whipping around, his deep blue eyes—a matching to hers—locking onto her. "Juno, sweetie?" Her dad set down his black suitcase, the hard leather clicking against the marble floor. "Why aren't you asleep, it's hours past your bedtime?"
"I'm sorry, daddy," the young female replied, holding her wolf plush toy tightly against her chest, her head lowered. "You normally don't leave for work at this time… I was curious." Juno lifted her head, meeting her father's loving, caring eyes. "Is anything bad happening at work again, daddy? Are… are you still going to be at my recital?" It was question referring to the last time her dad had skipped her recital due to problems at his job.
Her dad's lips spread into a warm smile, and he kneeled, outstretching his arms. "Come here, sweetie."
Juno's expression lightened up in a way that made her dad's smile widen. The young female wolf ran down the steps and into her dad's waiting arms, cuddling herself into his neck. Her dad chuckled, picking her up in his arms as he said, "what happened at work last time won't happen again. I'll make it to your recital, sweetie, I promise."
Juno lifted her head from her dad's neck, meeting his gaze, her expression one of worry. "But you said that last time, daddy."
Her dad huffed a laugh. "You are way too smart for your own good, sunshine." Her dad said. "But you're right, I did give you a false promise last time. So, here," her dad stuck out his pinky. "Have I ever broken a pinky promise before?"
Juno placed a hand beneath her chin, lightly humming as she gazed up at the roof, contemplating her dad's question. "No. No, I don't think so."
Her dad chuckled again at her child-like bluntness. "Then, I won't miss your recital again. That's a pinky promise."
Juno locked her pinky with his, her expression stern. "Pinky promise. You better be there."
"I will, sweetie," her dad chuckled again.
Juno hugged her dad, a bright smile on her lips. "I love you, daddy," she whispered.
Her dad hugged her back. "I love you, too, sunshine," he said, and set her back down on her feet. "Now, go back to sleep, honey, you won't be able to perform at your recital without any rest."
Juno nodded—
"Akio." A familiar, female voice called out.
Both father and daughter looked towards the source of the voice and saw the slim, beautiful female standing at the top of the stairs, her pure, white fur and pine-green eyes glowing in the soft streams of the moonlight.
Akio, Juno's father, glared up at the female, clenching his jaw in anger and annoyance, the edges of his snout curling.
But Juno's eyes lit up at the sight of the adult female, her tail wagging sporadically. "Mommy!" The young wolf exclaimed, jumping up and down on the spot, her wolf plush toy held close to her neck. But Juno's mom did not answer to her excitement, nor did her mom even look in her direction.
Her mom simply gazed pleadingly at her dad, with eyes that were glossy with tears.
Juno's excitement faded away as she gazed up at her mom with concern, her tail going still.
Juno's mother slowly—fearfully—moved down the marble stairs, her silky, baby-blue nightgown flowing with every step, her small, bare feet silent against the hard, cold surface.
Akio persisted to glare at her, marking every step his wife made down those stairs, his eyes shamelessly tracing over her small, plumped breast and perfectly curved hips, a small flame of lust and hate and desire igniting within him, making his suit pants feel pleasurably tight.
"Juno," her mother said, once reaching the base of the stairs. "Why are you out of bed, sweetie?"
Juno crossed her arms over her wolf plush toy and said—
"She wanted to see her father," Akio interrupted, his deep voice stern and direct. "What are you doing awake, Angela?"
Juno glanced back at her dad with that same look of concern. Why is daddy talking to mommy so rudely? Why can't they be nice to each other. The young wolf felt her eyes burn.
Angela, Juno's mother, blinked away her tears and calmed the fearful pounding of her heart before gazing down at her daughter, ignoring her husband's questions—an action she'd pay for dearly. She said, "go back to sleep, Juno, you have school in the morning, remember." Her voice was calm and comforting, despite the trembling in her knees and hands.
Juno looked up at her mom, and then her dad, before lowering her head, a deep frown on her lips. "Okay." The young wolf whispered and slowly walked up the stairs, holding her plush toy close to her neck. But before she could reach the top of the stairs, the young wolf looked back to her parents, her eyes brimming with tears. Juno didn't want to her parents to be angry with each other anymore. She wanted them to be happy. So, Juno said, "I love you, daddy."
Her heart warmed when she saw her dad's stern expression soften into a smile. "I love you, too, honey."
Juno's deep blue eyes then flicked to her mother, who's back remained turned towards her. "I love you, mommy." She squeaked out, praying that the words would make her mom happy as well.
"Go back to sleep, sweetie," was her mom's only response.
And Juno felt her chest ache in pain, a cold sensation spreading through her heart. "Okay." Her grip on the wolf plush toy—her mom's only gift—loosened as she continued to walk up the stairs, silent, tears pouring down her cheeks. Why can't mommy and daddy be happy?
Still standing before her husband, Angela waited until she heard her daughter's bedroom door click shut before giving her husband that same pleading gaze. "Akio," she breathed out, taking a daring step towards him. "Please… please don't do this to our daughter—"
Angela silently yelped when her husband snapped forward and grabbed her forearm in a painfully tight grip. "You didn't answer my question," Akio said, in a dangerously low voice. "What are you doing awake?"
A tear slipped down Angela's cheek as her tail tucked between her legs—despite her nightgown. "I… I know what you're going to make Juno do," Angela said, her voice shaky. "Our daughter doesn't need to do that. She can—"
"I don't care what you think my daughter should or shouldn't do." Akio growled, his claws biting into her skin. "I am her father and I know what's best for her. I don't need you getting in my way. In fact," Akio pulled her to him, forcing every part of her torso against his, her muzzle tucked against his neck. Angela trembled in terror as she felt her husband tilt up his muzzle and graze his fangs over her flattened ear. He whispered, "I don't need you at all."
Angela nearly fell back on her tail as Akio shoved her away, her forearm throbbing in pain. Her ears lowered, the female dared a glance up at her husband and saw him sauntering towards the door, holding his black suitcase in hand. "Go back to your room, dog." Was all her husband said before slamming the door shut, the sound of his footsteps fading away.
Angela waited until she heard her husband pull out the long driveway before falling to her knees and sobbing.
….
Hours Earlier
...
It was the cold bite of metal and familiar reverberations of a moving vehicle that pulled Juno from unconsciousness. She groaned in pain as she shifted on the metal surface, feeling the thrumming bruises and burning cuts scattered throughout her body… a light clank sounding with the movement. The clanking of chains. Chains.
Juno shot up from where she lay, whipping her head left and right, desperately trying to scan her surroundings. But her stomach dropped when she was only met with pitch, black darkness—darkness too strong for even her night vision to pierce through.
Where… where am I?
That's when Juno felt the chains enveloping her body, the weight of them striking true terror into her soul. She reached up to grab at those chains, but something hard and cold snagged at her wrist, pressing painfully into the bone. Hand cuffs, she soon realized, as she pulled at them again and again and again, the chains clanking loudly with each yank. Juno's lips curled into a terrified frown as she yanked and yanked at the cuffs, a sob breaking through her throat as a tear slipped down her cheeks. She tried to speak, tried to cry out for help, but she felt another piece of cold metal restrain her muzzle, locking her mouth closed. A muzzle, she realized once more, touching at it with her clawed fingertips… she'd been muzzled.
A cold sweat slid down Juno's bruised back, her fur standing on end as her breathing became shaky and heavy.
What's… what's going to happen to me?
A muffled moan sounded from beside her and she lurched up in terror, the chains rattling.
She wasn't alone…
Like a strike of lightning, her instincts shattered into her mind and strengthened her senses, allowing her to examine her surroundings through her nose. She caught the scent of multiple females inside the metal space with her, all of them of a different species, all of them smelling of perfume and sweat and blood. She was able to hear their quivering sobs over the rumbling of the vehicle's engine—no… not a vehicle's engine… a truck's engine—
There was a loud screech as the truck came to a hard stop. And all the females screamed as they were thrown to the side, the chains screaming with them. Juno slammed into soft, warm fur, yelping in pain as her wrist pulled painfully against the cuffs.
She hoisted herself up, her body aching as she sat back on her bare ass, her tail tucked between her legs. Her ears perked up when she heard muffled voices and heavy footsteps from outside the truck—
Another loud screech sounded, and Juno jumped, staring towards the source of the sound with wide eyes. She could hear the other females' panicked breathing, the chains clanking as they squirmed on the metal floor—
The truck's back door roared open, and a bright light pierced into the dark, metal space. Juno whipped her head away from the blinding light, clenching her eyes shut. She felt the floor tilt beneath her as she heard—and felt—a pair of heavy footsteps enter the truck.
Her eyes slowly adjusting to the light, Juno lifted her head and looked towards the owner of the footsteps—
Her eyes went wide at the male lion that stood at the entrance, dressed in layers of tactical gear, a suppressed rifle strapped over his shoulder.
The male lion scanned over all of them with a cold expression, his clawed-tipped hand rested casually on his armed holster. He continued to walk further into the bed of the truck, his every footstep like the pounding of a drum.
Juno watched the lion walk right past her, her thighs clamping down on her tail as she pressed her back into the metal wall. She wanted to escape this place. She wanted to break from the chains binding her and run back to her home, to Cherryton… to Louis. And for a moment, she imagined Louis embracing her and kissing her as she sobbed into his chest, his soft, delicate hands stroking down her back, soothing her, assuring that everything would be okay. But her guilt and shame had her shunning that imagine from her mind, replacing it with the memories of the sins she'd committed.
Convincing herself to devour Louis… convincing herself to eat that piece of meat and destroy her promise to her mother… she didn't deserve happiness. No, she deserved to die in this place, alone and forsaken.
The lion paused his walk, standing in place with the stillness of a trained soldier, his head slowly turning left and right as he continued to examine all the females in the truck. He said, "I'm only going to say this once." All the females went deathly silent at the sharpness of his voice, their fear-filled eyes staring up at him. "If you try to escape, you will be killed. Remember that."
Silence lingered heavily in the air, the only sound being the females' quivering breaths. A proper answer.
The lion pulled a large keyring from his black belt and knelt before one of the females—a red deer—unlocking the chains enveloping her body. "Don't move until you're told," he said, loud enough for the other females to hear. He moved onto the next female, unchaining her and giving her the same orders—and so on...
Juno only watched as the lion unchained the other females, her stomach heavy with dread, but her attention was snagged away by the female red deer across from her. The female stared down at her cuffed wrist, which were no longer linked to the chains. She looked to the male lion, who had his back turned to her, and then exit of the truck, a bead of sweat sliding down the side of her head.
Juno read her expression instantly and she let out a muffled call, hating the hunger that grew in her as she caught the red deer's attention.
Juno shook her head at the female, her own expression one of fear and warning. Don't do it.
The female red deer stared at Juno for a long, long moment before lowering her chin, her green flicking down to her cuffed wrist. And for a second, it looked as if the female was truly going to heed the warning given to her.
But the female red deer met Juno's gaze once more, her green eyes filled with desperation and despair and fear—fear only a herbivore could possess. I don't want to be devoured. That's what shown in her green eyes.
Juno shook her head more urgently this time, her eyes wide.
But the female only shook her head back in a despairing manner, a tear slipping down her cheek as a deep frown pulled at her lips.
Don't!
The female red deer shot to her feet and sprinted towards the exit of the truck, her green eyes only staring forward, as if she truly believed she could escape—
The male lion only glanced over his solider and shook his head—
Horror entered the female red deer's expression—
The red deer didn't even get to step out the truck before a single shot of gun fire rang out… from outside the truck.
All of the females screamed as the red deer's corpse crashed to the metal floor, blood and small chunks of her brain spaying across the surface.
"Fool," the lion said, lowly, and went back to unchaining the females.
Juno only stared down at the female red deer's corpse, her body shaking and her fur on end. She made the mistake of looking into the red deer's green, lifeless eyes and she saw the final tear slid down the side of the female's head, her face frozen in a look of horror.
Oh, Rex… she thought, tucking her head into her knees, her eyes moist and staring out to nothing. Oh, Rex… I'm… I'm sorry.
If it weren't for the muzzle clamped around her snout, she was sure she would've vomited.
Then, Juno suddenly felt a pair of cold, slim arms strap around her neck and a pair of breast press into her back. She immediately knew who it was.
How do you feel, Juno, the shadow whispered, its muzzle pressed into her ear. You just watched a young, innocent herbivore die in such a horrible way. Juno felt the shadow smile against the side of her head. Not that an herbivore's life should matter to you, anyway… you are your father's daughter, after all. Herbivore are nothing compared to you.
Stop it! The words were a knife cutting into her skin and another tear slipped down her cheek. Stop it! I'm not… I'm not like him… I'm…
The shadow giggled at her misery, at the guilt that clawed at her soul. But that doesn't matter now, does it? No. It seems like there's even greater horrors in store for you. She felt the shadow unstrap its arms from around her neck, its body slowly moving away from her. Good luck, Juno, the shadow purred and faded into nothing.
The world around her silent, Juno stared down at the female's bloody corpse, a sob breaking from her chest. I'm so sorry.
She didn't dare look the lion in the eyes as he unchained her.
….
"Stand to your feet," the lion ordered, posted at the entrance of the truck, his suppressed rifle cradled in his hand—his finger only inches away from the trigger.
Juno quickly obeyed, her bruised and beaten body screaming as she stood to her feet, her skimmed knees trembling beneath her. The other four females stood to their feet as well, not daring to take a step forward.
"Single file line." He ordered again.
Once again, Juno obeyed, swallowing a lump in her throat. She took one clumsy step forward… and then another, the metal floor cold and sharp beneath her bare feet. She stopped right at the center of the truck bed, her chin lowered as she stared at the floor, avoiding the lion's gaze. The females formed a line behind her, their movements just as clumsy as hers.
The harshness of lion's voice made Juno's heart lurch. "You will not make a sound. You will keep your eyes forward and not make any eye contact with anyone. Your hands are to remain at your waist and fisted at all times. And if you even dare take a step out of this line, you will be gunned down." A glance down to the female red deer's corpse, still sprawled out on the metal floor. "Now, move."
Juno dared a glance at the lion before walking forward, squinting her eyes at the bright, white lights glaring into her vision. She kept her head lowered and her hands right at her waist, stepping out the truck bed and onto the tailgate—taking slow, cautious steps on the steep surface. Her bare feet met the stone floor, and she tried her best to scan her surroundings through the blazing lights. She was only able to see the silhouettes of multiple, broad-shouldered mammals standing before her—more armed guards, she guessed. Suddenly, the lights shut off and Juno lifted her head, blinking at the black spots forming in her vision. Her eyes adjusted; she only took a few seconds to scan her surroundings once more—
Juno's eyes widened with shock. She'd half expected to be walking towards a house in the middle of the woods or an underground cell.
But… the place she was in…
She was careful to keep her head forward as she looked over her surroundings, taking in all the mammals walking to and fro with carts stacked with meat and bodies… herbivore bodies. And In the corner of her eye, she saw the entrance to multiple tunnel ways lining along the sides of the large work area, a truck parked in front of each one. Some of the trucks had large packages of meat being carried out by the workers, while others… they had armed guards leading a line of chained, female prisoners out the beds of the trucks. She swallowed a lump in her throat as she glanced towards the other side of the large space, spotting multiple, large elevators lining along the walls. The workers pushed those meat-filled carts into the elevators before the metal doors closed behind them.
The whole place was huge, about the size of a stadium. But despite all that, one question still rang through her mind.
Where am I?
Juno paused mid step when another guard dressed in tactical gear—a cheetah—stepped in front of her, his dark brown eyes looking her up and down as a wide, lustful grin grew on his lips. He said, his voice less sharp than the lion's, "What a stunning beauty you are. You're the one that fucked up Mark's face, aren't you?" His grin grew wider as his eyes swept over her body again. Juno's hands began shaking as she saw the male lick his lips. "I like the feisty ones. I might just buy you myself."
"Derek." Juno's heart lurched when she heard the lion's voice from behind her. "Shut up and keep moving. I don't want to spend all night in this shithole."
The cheetah scoffed and waved his hand, turning on his heels and walking away. "Pull that stick out your ass, you grumpy old lion."
The lion let out a low growl at the cheetah before looking right at her. "Keep moving," he said, in a terrifyingly calm voice.
Juno immediately obeyed the lion's orders and continued to move forward, the other females following her. The guards began to form around them, with two walking by the lion's side and two staying in the back of the line. Juno didn't have to glance back to know that the guards were watching for any sudden movements, their fingers mostly likely only inches from the trigger—like the lion's had been.
There was no escape.
Juno's eyes remained centered on the lion's back as she followed him through the large work floor, a cold sweat slipping down whenever she caught a male gazing hungrily at her.
It seems like there's even greater horrors in store for you.
Another tear slipped down Juno's cheek, her gut twisting with dread.
They passed the through the group of workers—who were either operating the various machines or slicing up the herbivore corpses—before stopping at one of the large elevators, the size of it big enough to accommodate a car. The lion pressed on the button with the downwards arrow and the metal doors immediately slid open.
Juno nearly lurched away at the heavy scent of herbivore blood that rammed into her nose, her mouth becoming wet with salvia. She swallowed it as she scanned the inside of the elevator, her gaze going straight to the splatters of blood crusted along the walls and roof of the elevator, the floor littered with fur. Juno looked towards the lion, waiting to receive an order.
The lion only gave her gesture to move forward. And she did.
Her and the other females all gathered into the elevator, the lion ordering three of the guards to stay behind. The guards obeyed and turned on their heels, leaving only the lion and the cheetah inside the elevator.
Juno didn't dare move or make a sound as the lion pressed one of the buttons. The metal doors slid shut and the elevator slowly began to descend.
Juno blinked when her ears popped.
How deep underground are we?
"So, you grumpy old lion," the cheetah began, "are you excited for your day off?"
The lion only hummed a reply, his eyes remaining forward. He said, "Mark told me he plans on splitting the money with us this time."
The cheetah huffed out a laugh. "Please, like that money-whore would share a dime with anyone. The only time he's ever shared any money with us was when the boss told him to. He must be in a pretty damn good mood."
The lion shrugged. "Why he is doing it doesn't matter to me. If he said he's going to give us the money, then he'll give us the money. And if he doesn't, then we'll take it—and then some."
"Welp," the cheetah said, extending his arms in deep stretch, his rifle hanging loose around his neck.
Juno's eyes flicked down to the cheetah's loose rifle and her hands clenched into a fist, her wrist pulling at the cuffs.
Her heartbeat began to rise.
The cheetah finished his stretch, blinking rapidly as he placed his hands back on his rifle—and Juno's shoulders slouched only slightly, a frown forming on her lips as her heart sank. The cheetah continued, "where are we meeting him?"
"His apartment at about eight o-clock." The lion answered.
"So, once our shift is over, then."
The lion nodded.
"Well, I'm looking forward to it, I can always make use of the extra cash." The cheetah then looked over at Juno, a smile growing on his lips. "And maybe I'll use it to buy this pretty she-wolf." He said and flicked his clawed finger over her nipple.
Juno lurched away from his touch, staring at him helplessly as she backed away a step, her hands shaking.
"Derek," the lion growled, glaring at the cheetah, "no touching the prisoners."
The cheetah scoffed. "Sure, whatever."
The lion only sighed through his nose and shook his head.
A long moment past.
An electric ding sounded from the elevator and the doors slid open, revealing a narrow, all-metal hallway with barred, bloodstained doors flanking either side. It reminded her of an asylum meant for meat-crazed carnivores or an underground prison meant for the worst of society… or
As Juno continued to stare into the bloodstained hallway, she began to realize what this place really reminded her of.
…A basement.
Juno slammed down on the memories before they could snare her mind, her heart pounding, and her fur on end.
One of the females beside her—an antelope with a beautiful, slim figure—began sobbing softly.
Juno glanced over at the female; tears brimming at her own eyelids.
It seems like there's even greater horrors in store for you.
….
At the Lion's orders, Juno and the other females walked out the elevator in a single file line.
The hallways smelled of herbivore flesh and rusted metal, the air heavy and cold, and it was quiet—too terrifyingly quiet.
The lion led them past door after door as they traveled deeper into the hallway, the smell of herbivore meat becoming too much for her to ignore. Her stomach growled and she swallowed her salvia, trying her best to suppress the growling of her instincts.
The lion stopped before a blank metal wall at the end of the hall. He turned to a keypad implanted into the wall beside him and typed in a code.
The metal wall before them screamed it began to open.
They continued forward into another hallway, two double doors flanking either side. And though the smell of herbivore flesh remained, the metal walls clear of any blood.
The lion stopped at the door to his left and opened it, gesturing for them to enter inside. Her heartbeat slowly beginning to rise, Juno entered the dark room—
And stopped dead in her tracks when she saw the black wolf leaning against the stone wall nearest to her. His eyes flicked in her direction and his expression hardened, the white patch over his eye visible in the dim lighting.
"Damn, Mark." The cheetah called out from behind Juno. "I knew this female fucked you up but… shit… are you going to be able to use your eye again?"
Mark growled lowly at him.
"I'll take that as a no." Derek said with the smugness of a feline.
Mark scoffed before looking at the lion. "How many tried to escape?"
The lion shot a glare at him. "We wouldn't have to worry about that if you'd start using the right drug dosage."
Mark raised a brow.
"The female red deer that tried to escape had the strength to get up and nearly sprint right out the truck. The drugs shouldn't allow them to do that, Mark."
Mark shrugged. "Blame the suppliers, not me. The numbing drugs they give us are supposed to last ten hours, so it's not my fault if they suddenly don't work."
The lion grumbled and shut the door behind them—locking it. He said, "the boss needs to stop tending to those party animals on the island and start managing the network."
"It's not my problem," Mark said, sauntering over to the wall opposite of him. He placed his hand on a large, metal switch implanted into the wall. "As long as I'm paid in the end, I don't have any complaints." He pulled down on the switch and a spotlight—hanging from the stone roof above—powered on. The light glared on the wall at the farthest side of the room, revealing a measuring board nailed to its stone surface. Juno recognized the measuring board as the same ones used in prisons.
Why are they measuring our heights?
Mark continued, "anyway, let's get this over with. I'm ready to get the fuck back home and rest."
The lion gave him a perplexed look. "What's got you so moody today? You're usually about as annoying as that cheetah over their."
Derek smiled, as if he were contemplating opening his mouth.
And Juno saw Mark glance over at the female antelope standing behind her.
The female antelope met his glance, her hazel eyes filled with pain, betrayal and worry.
Mark turned his attention from the female, shaking his head. "It's nothing." He mumbled, a frown on his lips.
Derek smirked. "He's just sad that the love of his life tried to give him away to the police."
Mark snarled at the cheetah, his fangs on full display. "One more word, Derek, and I'll give your entire cut to Isaac. Don't fuck with me."
That smug look still on his face, Derek casually raised his hands and backed away from the black wolf.
Mark exhaled through his nose and crossed his arms, leaning back against the stone wall. He looked to Isaac and said, "let's get this over with."
Isaac nodded.
Juno tensed as the lion looked towards her. "Line up to the left of the measuring board." He ordered.
And they did, slowly lining up against the stonewall the spotlight glared on. Though as Juno moved to claim the front of the line, readying herself for the horrible fate that awaited her, she blinked when the female antelope cut her off.
Why are you trying to go first? She wanted to say.
But she then remembered the glare Mark had given the female and the smart remark the cheetah had made.
He's just sad that the love of his life tried to give him away to the police.
Juno stared forward at the antelope's back; her eyes wide.
What is she going to do?
"Derek," the lion said, "go ahead and start setting up the camera."
Juno looked over to the cheetah, watching him as he set up a large tripod. "Already on it," he said
Juno felt her tail tucking between her legs.
They're using a camera and measuring our heights… wait… a-are they going to sell us… as…
Sex slaves.
The words made her blood run cold with terror and Juno started letting out soft, canine whines. She quickly silenced herself, though, if only not to draw any of the males' attention. But the tears still slipped down her cheeks.
"Whoever's first in line, step in front of the board." Isaac demanded.
The female antelope walked forward, and Juno almost reached out to stop her. She didn't want to see another innocent animal die.
The female antelope faced forward, a drop of sweat sliding down the side of her face, despite how cold the room was.
Isaac walked up the female antelope as he pulled that same set of key rings from his belt. He looked back at the cheetah and said, "remember, you're taking full body shots. Don't mess it up this time by getting only the face."
"That was one time, and it was only because I was new."
"And I had to take responsibility for it. Don't mess it up."
"Whatever, you grumpy old fart."
The lion singled out one of the keys and grabbed the female antelope's forearm, unlocking her cuffs—
"Issac, wait," Mark called out, propping himself off the wall.
Issac looked back at him. "What is it?"
Mark made his way up to the lion. "Let me do it."
Isaac silently stared down at Mark, studying him for a long moment before he handed him the keys. "Remember, no harming the prisoners, Mark."
"Yeah," was Mark's only reply.
He's just sad that the love of his life tried to give him away to the police. Juno watched as the black wolf unlatched the cuffs from around the antelope's slim wrist, the rage in his expression fading as he stroked his thumb along the deep bruises there. Regret flickered in his eyes and his ears flattened, his gaze slowly drifting up to meet hers. The black wolf's cold blue eyes stared into the female antelope's hazel, and he reached up to unstrap the muzzle, removing it from her face with the gentleness of a lover.
He tossed the muzzle away, a light clack sounding through the room as the piece of metal hit the stone floor. His gaze never leaving hers, the black wolf uttered. "Why? Why did you do it? You know I love you, don't you?"
The female antelope lowered her head, her throat bobbing.
Silence lingered between the carnivore and herbivore.
"Mark," the female antelope finally spoke, her voice a beautiful, soothing melody. "Please tell me where the kids are?"
The black wolf's lips began to pull back, those cold blue eyes becoming sharp with rage, but he exhaled through his nose, calming himself. "They're with your sister, Aleia. They're safe."
Aleia's shoulders slouched only slightly.
Mark said, with that same calmness. "After everything I sacrificed for you and the kids… after everything I sacrificed for our love—"
"What love." Aleia blurted, clenching her small fist. "What love, Mark. I stopped feeling your love the moment I caught you with that fucking okapi. What did you sacrifice for our love?"
The black wolf leveled a dangerous look at her, his teeth flashing. "Everyone I cared for abandoned me because I wanted to marry an herbivore. You saw my own mother disown me because I defended you against her. You saw my best friends mock me because I shamelessly expressed my love for you. I sacrificed everything for our love, Aleia—for you."
"So, that gave you an excuse to participate in… this." She said, referring down to the handcuffs on her wrist. "To destroy innocent lives on the daily and rape underaged females." A look towards Juno, who went rigid at the words, her eyes widening as the blood leached from her face.
The black wolf flinched, looking away from his lover. "I didn't… I didn't rape her… I…"
"I don't care what you did." She said lowly, her tone laced with venom. "You let yourself become a monster because you were too weak to stand up and fight against the world."
The black wolf snapped up with rage. "You think I enjoy doing this—"
"Yes. Yes, I do. You think I didn't see the five job offers you rejected; you think I didn't see the look of satisfaction on your face when you carried that young female wolf into our apartment!?"
Mark frowned. "Aleia, I—
Aleia cut him off, scowling. "You want to know why I tried to give you to the police, Mark? Because I didn't want to sit still and watch my kids to turn into the weak, pathetic, sad-excuse-of-an-animal you are."
Silence—a dead, cold silence.
The black wolf's eyes darkened with hatred and his muzzled curled in as he bared his fangs at her. "You ungrateful cunt." He snarled, his dark, obsidian fur standing on end.
Aleia's glare withered at that snarl, but she held her ground, keeping her shoulders back and her chin high.
But the black wolf must've seen it—the instinctual fear in Aleia's eyes—because a wide, wicked smile spread on his lips, his cold blue eyes glowing with a perverted excitement. "You know what… you're right, I do enjoy doing this—all of it."
Aleia's glare broke as true terror entered her expression. She stepped back from her husband, her lover, her everything, looking up at him pleadingly, as if she knew what was coming next—
The black wolf snapped his jaw forward with the speed of hungry predator and aimed for his wife's throat, his fangs gleaming in the spotlight—
Aleia opened her mouth in a scream—
But it was only gurgles that came out instead.
Aleia clutched at the missing chunk in her throat, blood spraying, her eyes wide in desperation as tried to intake air—
Blood pooled from her mouth and poured down her neck, soaking into her fur, into the white fabric of her shirt.
She fell to her knees and onto her back, her hips thrusting and her limbs flaying as she slowly drowned in her own blood.
Mark looked down his nose at her, at the blood pooling around her and the sorrowful look in her eyes as she died, a cruel frown on his lips. He swallowed the chunk he'd ripped from throat, muzzle caked in her blood. He whispered, his voice cold and unfeeling. "And I don't need you anymore."
Aleia grabbed at his ankle with a bloodied, trembling hand, her eyes staring out to everything and nothing as her body stilled, her gurgling going silent.
Mark's expression softened. "Goodbye, my love." He ripped his ankle from her grasp, her small, delicate hand going limp on the cold stone.
Mark turned on his heels and walked away. He handed the keys back to Isaac, placing a hand on the lion's shoulder. "Be at my apartment by nine o'clock." He spoke and continued forward.
And by the time the metal door had closed behind Mark, Aleia's body had already gone still.
Dereck sighed in annoyance. "Another fucking mess for me to clean up."
"Hurry up so we can continue." Was all the lion said.
….
Juno stared down at Aleia's corpse with watery eyes, her body no longer feeling like her own, the world around her becoming black and muffled.
I didn't… I didn't rape her…
Aleia's death echoed through her head like a distant cry, her stomach twisting with dread.
She watched as the cheetah dragged Aleia's corpse out of the room, leaving behind a trail of blood.
Another death.
It should've been her. Why wasn't it her?
You didn't deserve that, Aleia. I'm… I'm so sorry. A useless thought.
Then, the black wolf's words entered her mind.
I didn't… I didn't rape her…
Juno clenched her thighs shut.
She… she wanted to know…
She wanted to know if she'd been raped.
She wanted to know if there were any bruises there, if there was any semen left inside of her. She wanted to know so that she could truly allow herself to fall into despair.
"Who's next?" The lion's sharp voice had her snapping from her trance, and she blinked.
Juno began to walk into the spotlight, and she found herself not caring about what would happen to her anymore. She didn't care if she'd been raped or not… because, most likely… it wouldn't be long before she was dead.
But despite all that, at least she knew Louis was alive. At least I know he'll thrive and change the world… he never needed me—for anything.
The thought made her chest crack, but she shrugged it off. She would be dead soon, anyways.
She stopped right before the measuring board and faced the glaring spotlight, cringing when she felt the warmth of Aleia's blood beneath her feet.
She didn't feel any fear standing before her end… she didn't feel any sadness or regret. She didn't feel anything at all. She was an empty, pathetic shell. But at least she knew Louis was safe.
Isaac stared at her intently, his hazel eyes looking her up and down. "So, this is female wolf Mark brought in?"
"Yeah, she is. The bastard got lucky with this catch, didn't he?"
A small smile tugged at the lion's lips. "He did." He began walking towards Juno, holding that key ring in his hand. "Make sure you take a good shot of her, Derek, there's no doubt this one will sell for a lot."
Derek smirked. "Mark should be thanking Rex, he'll probably have to use half of what he makes for his medical bill."
"For a simple scratch on the eye?" Isaac said, unlatching the muzzle from Juno's snout."
"Oh no, from what I've heard from the boys, it's a deep laceration on the eye lid, multiple scars on the snout, three broken ribs and an antler-sized stab wound in the side."
Juno's breath hitched.
Isaac lifted the muzzle from Juno's head, throwing it to the side. "An antler-sized stab wound?"
"Yeah, he said he was attacked by some stag while he was capturing her, but he left him for dead in the black market."
Isaac shook his head, unlatching Juno's hand cuffs. "Shame. If the fool was smart, he would've brought the herbivore in for some extra cash—or devour it himself."
"I know, right, that's what—"
Their voices were drowned out by the roaring that began to sound in her ears.
Antler-sized stab wound…
He left him for dead in the black market…
The words repeated in her head, over and over, that roaring in her ears growing louder—and louder.
It couldn't have been Louis that attacked the black wolf. She'd left him at the love hotel, she'd ran away from him and made sure he hadn't chased her. It couldn't have been Louis—
The memory… it returned to her mind like a rock shattering through glass.
It was the memory of Louis's body collapsing beside hers, his antlers broken, and his head covered in blood.
Juno stared down at the floor, her mouth gaping as her entire body trembled.
She almost to fell to her knees, she almost vomited on the stone floor—
Louis…
He's dead. The shadow purred, its voice everywhere and nowhere. And it's all your fault, Juno.
A sob heavy sob broke from her.
"Wolf." A deep voice called out, but she could barely hear over the roaring in her ears, in her mind.
It's… it's all my fault.
Something in her chest broke at that thought.
Louis's dead…
"Wolf!"
Juno snapped up at the voice, looking towards its owner, her vision blurry with tears.
The lion, who now stood beside the cheetah, said, "take off your clothes. Now."
She looked down to the clothes on her body, and an empty, despairing part of herself found it funny that she only was now realizing that her clothes had been changed.
Her sparkling red dress was gone… stripped from her.
And it was only an oversized black shirt that hid her naked body from view, her nipples peeking through the thin fabric.
Louis's dead.
Juno swallowed the sob that threatened to break from her throat and raised her uncuffed hands, grabbing at the shirt and pulling it over her head. The bruises on her body screamed with each movement but she bared with the pain, knowing that she deserved it.
She slipped the short sleeves of the shirt off her arms and tossed it to the ground, wrapping her arms over her bare breast and clenching her thighs shut, her knees slightly bent. A tear slipped down her cheek as she gazed forward, her lips quivering.
"Lower your arms and stand up straight." The lion ordered.
"Please." Juno half sobbed out, if only because she wanted to keep a piece of her dignity.
"Lower your arms and stand up straight."
Juno did as he said, lowering her head, avoiding their gazes—
That's when she saw strands of black fur in the creamy white of her own. Realization dawned on her and Juno's lips gaped in horror her as she looked at her arms, her breast, her belly, and her thighs, finding more and more strands of black fur.
Dereck whistled. " Damn. That's a perfect body. I'd pay a fortune to have an hour fucking that."
Isaac, surprisingly, hummed in agreement.
The cheetah's smile then dropped. "But you know, I can't help but think, doesn't she look familiar. I mean, look at those eyes—and her fur."
The lion raised a brow at the cheetah and looked to Juno. He stared at her for a long, long moment before he blinked in surprise. "Y-you're right… she does. How did I not notice it before… she almost looks like… holy shit."
"Wolf." Dereck called out. "What's your father's name?"
"Don't lie." Isaac added.
Juno slowly looked up at the males with an agonized expression and said in a broken, quivering voice. "Akio."