Bellatrix Sinclair

I quickly changed my clothes and was about to enter the weapons testing department, but Nathan stopped me.

Nathan is the Beta for the Eclipse Pack and head of Weapon X Manufacturing Company. While he acknowledges my extraordinary skills, he remains firm on the belief that humans are inferior to werewolves.

He closes the distance between us, tracing his fingertips along my arm towards my bicep. I'm not oblivious to the desire flashing in his gaze, he has tried on multiple occasions with his advances. I shrug them off, however I couldn't control my reactions.

My muscles lock instantly, fear slithering down my spine and rattling my bones. "You're so beautiful for a human." His condescending voice steeped in desire that only made my stomach curl in revulsion.

Attempting to focus on my task, my throat clogged by panic as I tremble. "Ah, you're shivering at my touch." He taunts, honey trickling from his tongue, "You always like when I touch you, don't think I don't notice the goosebumps."

That's goosebumps of terror creeping down my throat, you asshole.

He captures my jaw and makes me look at him, trepidation pumps like poison in my veins. "I can hear the delicious beats of your heart, craving me." He muses, seductively.

His thumb traces my bottom lip, orbs glowing lustfully. "Become my lover, Trix. I'll treat you so well, better than my kind does to other humans."

"I-I still have to go through the genetic screening." I stutter in defence, "You know I can't evade that, it's compulsory."

He grabs my bicep, squeezing until I knew it would bruise as he drew me closer despite my efforts to push him off. I can't reject him openly; it will be considered an act of rebellion against the wolves and I'll be sentenced to death.

"Come on," he coaxed, "I'm saving you from going through all that trouble and getting a wolf who will only abuse you or worse – kill you. Don't you want that?" his voice sickeningly sweet.

Shaking my head, "I can't do that, you know that every female must go through the screening. It will be considered an act of disobedience."

Genetic screening was mandated by the Wolf King - all unmated female wolves or human women had to go through it, because from what I heard, the Wolf King still hadn't found his mate.

I prayed that unlucky soul wouldn't be me.

Mustering all my strength to yank my arm out of his grasp, Nathan is stronger and there is no way of overpowering him. Hauling me closer until I'm moulded against him, "Please." I whisper, brokenly.

After a couple seconds, his foreboding aura punctures my heart in terror at what might happen. His menacing voice thunders in my ears as he vows, "Mark my words Bellatrix, you will be mine. After the test, I'm claiming you."

Nathan lets go of me and I bolt.I broke free from Nathan and ran, making my way to the weapons testing department. Holding back vomit, I wiped away Nathan's marks on me and focused my gaze on the weapons.

The Glock kickbacks, gunpowder mixed with metallic notes of silver perfume the air as I marvel the target practice sheet, my aim was precise with all bullets piercing the centre perfectly. My shoulder was stiff, but my body relaxed from the tension knotting my muscles.

I've been developing the pistol to fire a combination of two elements instead of one, so far it has been successfully in silver and gunpowder but that was simply the first step. Considering how horrible this day has been, my only solace is found behind a gun.

Despite Nathan's earlier advances, I owed him my gratitude. Growing up in an orphanage didn't leave me with any options aside from dying in my district, you had zero chances of survival, but I was determined to provide – for the sake of my twin sister and my future.

Nathan found me, taking interest in my knowledge of weapons and seeing it as an opportunity and vital to his kind. However, I wouldn't have gotten the position in the company if it wasn't for him, he has been concealing my identify as a human since I got the job a year ago.

But his behavior today made me realize that I had to accelerate my plans, or else I would definitely be forced to become his sex slave.

After finishing the day's work, when I returned home, Bonnie immediately presented me with a birthday cake.

"Happy Belated birthday." She rejoiced, almost piercing my eardrum.

I chuckle, "Happy Belated birthday to you too."

"So." she drawls, "Did you get paid yet?"

I take a deep breath, squashing this uncomfortable sadness that bubbles to the surface. "Yes, and I paid your rent and gave you an allowance."

"About that," She laughs, her voice animated, "I spent it."

My eyes widen, "What? you just got it yesterday."

She clicks her tongue, "I had to get this beautiful dress, you must see it, Trixie. It's stunning, they will fucking fall inlove with me at the screening." She declares confidently.

I couldn't help the sliver of disappoint crawling up my throat, threatening to vomit my truth to her. We were twins, but we couldn't be more different. I despised werewolves, the passion for my hatred burned as brightly as the sun.

However Bonnie was the opposite, she never openly expressed that she admired them, but her actions have spoken louder than her words.

Therefore, it comes as no surprise when she asks, "I need something, you don't even have to give me an allowance, I can survive this month but please."

"I need the latest edition of the Swan Lake necklace, it's such a captivating piece that I will be outstanding at the genetic screening, they won't be able to resist me." She proclaims fiercely.

She wants to be favoured by the werewolves, she's putting in all this effort for them and it infuriated me. This wasn't the first time she asked me for an expensive piece of jewellery, rather she had an affinity for shiny things and couldn't resist herself the extravagance.

"Bon, that's out of my budget right now." I stressed solemnly.

Sometimes I didn't mind splurging on her, however as the years have passed, I wondered if Bonnie would ever become independent. She never had a job, and I take care of her expenses regardless. She seems reluctant to work, she wants to become a shiny object for their satisfaction, and I just wish that for once – she would be independent and know the struggles I experience to keep her life as stable as possible.

"If you got a job, then I'm sure with the allowance I give you combined with your own, you will be able to afford it." I appease in a gentle voice.

She scoffed, appalled at the suggestion. "Trixie, the screening is next week. I don't have time to get a job, if I do then I'll only get my salary at the end of the month and by then it will be too late."

"i-"

"You are all that I have," Bonnie states, "Our parents abandoned us, we lived in that shithole of an orphanage and now you want to do the same to me. Are you really going to leave me alone now that you are in the academy, you have a better life, and you are just going to leave me like they did. Mother died; father disappeared but we both know he's dead. Are you really going to abandon your twin sister, your own blood?" her voice bitter with rejection.

"I wouldn't do that to you ever, you know that." I choke out, my throat clogged by the guilt.

"Well, you certainly don't act like it. You act like my existence doesn't matter, our own parents left and now you are leaving."

"Okay." I fumble quickly, exhaling a harsh breath. "I'll get you the necklace."

"Thank you." She exclaims in a high-pitched voice, "make sure to send it before the genetic screening, I want to look drop dead gorgeous."

"Don't worry. I love –"

"I'm sorry, sister, I have to go. Goodbye." She quickly gave me the cake and then left our wooden hut.

I didn't know where she was going so late? She knew about the curfew, but I was too tired. I collapsed onto the bed.

Bellatrix Sinclair

"You will be mine! You are destined to not escape!" A wolf in the darkness, its green eyes glaring at me.

Its claws reached out for me, and I was so scared that I immediately ran away!

"No! I will absolutely not become your mate!"

"Ah?!" I immediately screamed, then a pair of large hands steadied me.

"Beatrix," a gentle voice called, giving me a light push, "Wake up." I opened my eyes to see my best friend, Colton. He was a human-werewolf hybrid, bullied just like me.

Colton looked at my attire quizzically, his sapphire eyes sparkling in the sunlight like the ocean. "What happened last night? You overslept, unlike your usual self."

We had a fixed time to train every day. That was why he came to my home.

Lying wasn't an option with Colton otherwise he would continuously pester me until I revealed the truth and apart of me hated lying to him. Therefore, I spoke the truth, recounting the entirety along with Nathan's proposal that I denied to his dismay and the way he began touching me inappropriately again.

Colton's entire demeanor that was steeled in his immaculate composure – softened. He frowns, staring pensively. "I'm so sorry that this happened to you. I think you need to be more obedient and brush off whatever they say. I know sometimes it's difficult for you to suppress your anger and that hatred festering within you for the wolves is making you lose your temper."

I know Colton means well but it takes every ounce of me not to fling the pillow at his face with a stream of insults. Swallowing the impulse, Colton returns to setting up his station, a dejected silence spanning between us.

"Are you really willing to accept our current reality?" I asked, watching his body tense at the weight of it.

"This cannot be our lives; everyone has given up and accepted this horrible fate." I confessed in a distressing voice, "This isn't living Colton."

He walks over to the window where the sunrise radiates into a marvellous glow that bathed the office. Highlighting his ethereal features and pale hair. "What do you expect? Humans and hybrids have been oppressed for all these years. It's bound to break their resolve and now we just succumb to our fate." He conveyed dispiritedly.

Colton's buried his pain, enduring the suffering with a plastic smile and piles of work. His fate was sealed in suffering for being born a hybrid. His mother failed the genetic screening, flames of hope dancing within her heart to be with her human boyfriend. However, all werewolves do is take, selfishly his father stole her chance at happiness by choosing her to be his mate.

That's when she spiralled into misfortune, forced to break up with her boyfriend. She was tortured relentlessly by her husband, enduring the anguish and sinking deeper into despair. Maybe apart of her did despise Colton since he shared the blood of the man she hated, but I couldn't presume such thoughts, only what Colton told me.

When Colton turned five, she took her own life.

On numerous occasion Colton has expressed his gratitude to be born a male, since human women are destined to lead a similar life of sorrow. It also solidified that hybrids were oppressed just as much as us.

"I've been working on it." I mutter in a low voice, Colton turning around so fast that it gave me whiplash.

He devours the space between us, scanning the medical room that remained empty. "You're going to get caught." He whisper-yells in frustration, brows furrowing, "I told you to stop."

"I've been giving a chance to further experiment; how can you expect me not to take the opportunity. Special weapons can harm wolves and I've been working on one that stops their healing abilities through crystal dust." I explained, digging into my bag and showcasing the pistol along with a bullet infused with gunpowder, silver and tourmaline that I stole from the company.

Colton snatches the pistol, stuffing it into his backpack. Fury churning within his gaze as they met mine, "Are you insane Bellatrix? You cannot own any weapons; you know the Iron Laws. Humans aren't allowed to have weapons of any kind, if they find this – not only will you be punished but your entire district will face the same punishment." He snapped with a belligerent tone.

The punishment is an endless torture of any kind they deemed fit. Even if the price was a finger or an eye, they will take it. If I died from blood loss, that would be on me and not because of them.

He didn't have to reiterate what was drilled into me since birth, The Iron Laws.

Each district is governed by a different werewolf pack, and strict laws are enforced to suppress any conspiracy of a rebellion.

Those unbreakable and dire consequences were the Four Great Iron Laws, especially the third one.

3. Mate Selection: When humans come of age (18), they must undergo the mandatory genetic screening to determine if they are a werewolf's mate. Werewolves have the option to choose whether they want to accept or reject the bond, and humans have no rights to reject.

I knew I was being reckless in breaking more than one, I wasn't oblivious to that fact. In order to make a change, one has to make sacrifices to get one step closer to the army of rebellion, even if it was a rumor.

"I'm aware of the risks, I'm aware that breaking the rules will cost me my life." I glowered.

Colton shakes his head, a storm brewing of indignation in those orbs. "I don't think you realize the consequences, not only will it cost you your life, but our district will have to face the wrath of the Werewolf King. You are putting everyone in danger." He chastised.

"Only you and Bonnie know about the weapon, trust me no one knows." I reassured calmly, "I've been careful since day one and no one will question a human that was admitted to the academy specifically for the weaponry."

He shoots a glare at me. "That doesn't ease my worries. I'm keeping this until your genetic screening is over. We can't take any chances; this is for your own protection." Colton finished with a warning finger that left no room to argue.

Rolling my eyes, "Fine. But I'm getting it back after."

Colton's lips curve into a triumph smile, I'm not one to yield to him easily and this was a first. "Of course, this is for your sake Bellatrix. You might not see it, but I'm trying to do what's best for you despite the circumstances."

I soften, my lips pursing into a pout at his kindness. "I know Colton."

He is a man of deep benevolence; however, he was also more inclined to follow the rules than I was. I appreciated his concern, but while he shared my same views of hatred towards the wolves, he followed the rules without any resistance.

We would never be alike, and it had nothing to do with his blood.

I noticed Bonnie didn't come home all night, has she gone crazy? But her text popped up, reminding me again not to forget the necklace, she kept reminding me. The next round of gene screening will be in five days.

I glanced at the calendar on my phone, a gloomy cloud looming over the reminder.

The next round of gene screening will be in five days. I prayed again that I wouldn't become the Wolf King's mate!

Bellatrix Sinclair

This week, Ethan didn't continue to bother me, perhaps he was convinced that I wouldn't become the Wolf King's mate, so he was patiently waiting for that day.

Tomorrow is the gene screening, thinking about all this, my stomach felt like it was burned by gastric acid.

I didn't forget Bonnie's wish, I went to the mall.

I called Bonnie, but got her voicemail instead, so I chose to text her that I received her necklace. It was a luxurious piece of jewelry, the necklace was studded with small diamonds, with a large ruby in the center.

"Well, well." A sickening voice I recognized garnering my attention.

Lifting my head to meet the wicked Benedict and Kylie. My jaw tenses at their vile faces, Kylie glances at the bag and she chuckles, "Trying to look pretty to entice a mate? Newsflash human, even that necklace wouldn't be able to help you."

Benedict smirks as they approach me, Kylie snatching the bag from my hand with ease. "I think this would look better on me, no need to waste such beauty on the likes of you." She sneers.

"Give it back." I demanded, my mouth tightening.

Kylie glared at me, "Humans can't demand shit from us. Know your place."

Glowering at them, Benedict pushing his finger against my forehead repeatedly, the spot starting to ache with the force. "Just because we aren't at the Academy doesn't mean you can disobey us. We own you human." He seethed, his mouth curving into a snarl, "You are playthings for our amusement and even that your kind can't accomplish. It's pathetic that you even try, the world is our dominion, and you should fucking get on your knees and follow orders like a good human."

Curling my hands into fists, simmering rage boiling my blood. Benedict continues, pushing me a couple steps back. Benedict was the cruelest of the five since he was the leader, he despised our kind even being allowed to exist on this planet. If it was up to him, we would all be dead.

I hear the ticking in my head, the last shards of my control slipping and my tongue itching to retaliate. "I don't need to get on my knees and bow at your feet for anything. You don't deserve that." I spat in disdain, fire flaring in my eyes.

His nostrils flared; Kylie clicks her tongue, "Bitch, you have no idea what a privilege it is to be in our presence."

Rolling my eyes, "I don't think it's anything special." I respond dryly.

Immediately, Benedict raises his hand and smacks me, the fierce strength had my head turn to the side. My cheek flushed, burning from the sting. Every inch of my body began to vibrate, thrusted into an acrimonious inferno.

Benedict's heavy breathing clogged my ears, people screeching to halt as the mall fell to a dead silence. "Lazarus de Loughrey granted you humans mercy, and you dare defy him and his people." He growled bitterly.

Lazarus de Loughrey, the fucking Werewolf King.

Just his fucking name had my blood boiling, churning a dangerous poison of enmity. The de Loughrey family is royalty, Alpha of Alpha's and the reason werewolves rose to power. Lazarus was crowned king at a young age, something unheard of from what I've read.

You would think a King wouldn't bother with humans; his reign solely focused on his people. Except that wasn't what happened, he inserted himself into our business and tortured humans for his own twisted enjoyment.

My father's disappearance for all these years likely meant that he was dead, I studied our district during the year he went missing and to my surprise – King Lazarus made frequent visits to the pack that governed our district.

He was stealing humans under the radar, labelling it as mysterious disappearances and my father was one of his victims. I detested Lazarus and he suffered no consequences; he was worshipped instead. The reminder of how highly everyone thought of him, Benedict reiterating that I should be grateful to his majesty.

Fuck that. It only infuriated me further, a raging storm that was ready to crack and self-destruct.

I laughed, the sound menacing as I looked Benedict in the eye. "I wish I lived in your head, blindly following a greedy King who doesn't care about anyone but himself. Everyone knows Lazarus only cares about himself and his family, you are merely his followers who will do his bidding because what else do you have going for you?" I shrugged dismissively, "Not much from the likes of it. You all peaked in high school and that's as much attention as you are going to get."

"You fucking bitch!" She screeched, smacking me in the same spot.

My cheek was throbbing, but I didn't care, the satisfaction of watching their exasperated faces flush with embarrassment was all-too delightful and worth the pain. It became an addiction, once I opened the bottle – I couldn't stop.

"You're pathetic Benedict." I said condescendingly, "It's so obvious you want to be Lazarus, but let's face it. You aren't royal material; you act like a barbarian and royalty requires people with manners. They would never bother with the likes of you, it's so obvious that's why you overcompensate at the Academy."

His nostrils flared, chocolate brown eyes glowing from his wolf. "You think I'm going to let you speak to me like that, you have no idea what you have done!" He shouted, veins protruding from his neck.

"What?" I quipped, cocking my head to the side with a grin, "Your fragile ego can't handle the truth? Everyone knows you aren't the leader; Archibald lets you think you have the power because he knows you throw girlish tantrums when you can't get what you want."

He curls his fingers into a fist before punching me so hard that black dots taint my vision. I knew the consequences of running my mouth, but it felt so fucking good to crush him. My head was pounding, and a sharp piercing sound punctured my ear drums, but I didn't care because debasing them was sweetest medicine.

I smirk, purposely fixating on his dick in those dark jeans before meeting his vengeful glare. "The rumours were right about you; your intelligence matches your dick which everyone knows is tiny." Pinching my index finger and thumb until there is a minuscule space between, "this small." I taunt smugly. "I'm amazed girls fuck you to be honest, because clearly you wouldn't be able to make them cum with that peanut."

Everyone's laughter drowns my senses, all my attention singled onto disgrace scoring his features. His mouth twisted into a snarl, fangs appearing as he roared, panting and emitting smoke from his nose like the beast he was.

This time when his fist collided with my face, it didn't stop. He was relentless, forcing me to stumble until I fell onto the floor. Lightening shooting through my tailbone, Benedict yanks at my shirt and reigns another two punches. The metallic taste of blood floods my mouth, the excruciating pain in my face spreading like wildfire, pulling at my skin tightly.

Maniac laughter escaped my lips, spitting the blood onto the white tiles as I stare at him. "Is that the best you got? I guess even in strength you aren't fit to be a werewolf because you hit like a bitch." I snickered.

Benedict never had much self-control and was short-tempered, getting a rise out of him was easy. His boot started crushing my thighs, igniting a stabbing pain while he kicked my stomach repeatedly that I could taste the bile rising to my throat.

I laughed, the sound unrecognizable and boisterous from my burning lungs. If Benedict succeeded in beating me to death, then I wouldn't have to go through the genetic screening and Benedict would face punishment.

Maybe this agony would be worth it. I recognized that blackhole of despair all too well, it was a lot like giving up.

"I know you can do better or are you just weak." I goaded, breathlessly. "Archibald can do better than you."

"Fucking bitch, think you are better than us. You are fucking NOTHING!" He barked, kicking and punching until my body withered in agony.

I coughed, pain piercing every fragment of my being. I felt myself losing consciousness, maybe this was what happened before you died. However, I wasn't that lucky because Benedict suddenly stopped. My rapid heartbeat roaring in my ears, his voice sounding like he was underwater.

His spat onto my cheek like I was scum, "Your womb is the only thing of value to us, it's the only reason I haven't fucking killed you. Next time I see you, you better fucking run bitch." He snarled in warning.

Kylie peers at me, pursing her lips into a mocking pout. "Aww, I really wished he would have killed you. Seeing your face everyday is nauseating."

They leave and I'm left to drag myself out of the mall, each movement making me dizzy and my body screaming in pain.

____________________________________________

Colton's lips thinned, a simmering rage behind his eyes as he focused on the task of putting ointment on my cuts and another on my bruises. He had immediately done an X-ray upon my arrival, which showcased no broken bones.

My face was swollen, colored in a mirage of black and purple bruises. Colton was stewing in silence, his features hardening into stone. "Colton." I muttered thickly, "I-"

He looks at me with fury ablaze in his orbs, fuming as he spoke. "I need to report Benedict and Kylie for assault. This is unacceptable, they can't just beat you to death and not face any sort of punishment."

"It's pointless." I whisper lowly, my shoulders deflating.

We both knew that, even though Colton never wanted to admit it. Complaining about an assault on a human by a werewolf to the authorities would be pointless. I wasn't surprised that the law wasn't on my side, disappointment was slithering in my veins like poison.

My phone starts beeping continuously, swiping to see that another reminder popping up. The genetic screening was scheduled for tomorrow, and we were required to arrive promptly at 9AM.

Dread seeps into my stomach, a wave of nausea making me want to dry heave. I thought I could evade this horrid fate through death but even God wouldn't grant me such mercy. I feel like I'm being swallowed by helplessness, stripped of any power because I was born with none.

I tried so hard to avoid the genetic screening, I tried so hard to fight back and it seems futile – unescapable.

Swallowing thickly, praying to whatever god would answer. 'Please don't make me anyone's mate.'