Celeste tried to put up a fight.
She had a general idea. She would seize the chance when the hunters were busy unlocking the chain on her wrist and swiftly transform into her wolf, leaving this dreadful place behind. Even if she couldn't escape entirely, she was determined to give these hunters a taste of their own medicine, making them realize the dire consequences of ambushing a pack of fierce werewolves.
Just the thought of that ruthless ambush, where the hunters relentlessly fired their pistols at the fleeing wolf pack, while the wolves desperately scattered in all directions, intensified Celeste's fury. The idea of teaching those hunters a harsh lesson burned within her even brighter.
But things didn't go as she expected. Instead of freeing her from the handcuffs, the hunters' first move was to wrap a glimmering silver chain around her neck. As the icy touch of the silver chain scorched her skin, Celeste felt her inner wolf being suffocated, as if the vital connection between her and her wild side had been cruelly severed.
She found herself transported back to a time when she hadn't yet experienced the exhilarating transformation into a wolf, unable to sense the presence of her untamed spirit at all.
A sudden jolt of fear gripped Celeste. "What the hell are you all doing? Let me go!" she exclaimed, her voice trembling with a mixture of anger and apprehension.
But the hunters remained unfazed, their faces void of any remorse. Kevin, in an audacious move, not only coiled the chain tightly around Celeste's neck but also swiftly locked it with an echoing click, leaving her utterly helpless and unable to break free.
Now, a profound sense of disconnection consumed Celeste. The bond she once shared with her wolf seemed completely shattered. Even when she had been pinned against the wall, she could still faintly feel the presence of her wolf within her, like a distant echo.
But now, that connection had been severed entirely, leaving her gasping for air and her heart pounding in her chest. But she summoned all her inner strength to regain composure.
As her hand was released from the wall, Celeste's gaze dropped, and she gingerly rotated her wrist, as if caressing the throbbing ache. But deep down, she squeezed her eyes shut and took a long, deep breath, desperately searching for that elusive connection she shared with her wolf.
She yearned to find her lupine counterpart, to summon its presence, letting it possess her very skin, shredding these hunters apart, and leading her to freedom. Yet, no matter how intently she probed, that ethereal bond seemed to evaporate, leaving no trace behind.
Her heart drummed in her chest, wild and restless.
Abruptly, a piercing laugh resonated from the camera. "Save your energy, darling. It's pointless. The silver chains aren't something your kind can just shake off."
Celeste's head snapped up, her eyes blazing with fury directed at the camera.
"I've encountered your kind before, dear. No need to struggle. Escape is futile," the voice from the camera jeered, making Celeste's blood boil. Yet, in her current predicament, she was utterly powerless.
"Cur, quit dawdling and bring the shewolf over," the infuriating voice commanded from above.
Kevin's body stiffened momentarily, before he stooped down, retrieving the silver chain that was fastened around Celeste's neck like a dog leash.
Amidst the tension, Celeste wondered if Kevin felt the stinging touch of the silver against his own skin on the opposite end. If he did, he masked it skillfully, revealing no trace of discomfort.
Kevin tugged on the sliver leash, attempting to haul Celeste along, but she planted herself firmly, refusing to budge.
Her eyes locked onto Kevin's with an intense stare, as if daring him to try and shame her further. Today, both of them had been subjected to degrading treatment, treated no better than mere dogs, at the mercy of these pompous hunters.
Frustrated by Celeste's defiance, Kevin turned his head and lowered his gaze to meet her eyes. "Come on."
But Celeste simply crossed her arms, defiantly raising her head to meet the gaze of her supposed twin brother.
She couldn't fathom how this guy ended up as her actual twin. Ever since she discovered that Jeremy wasn't her real twin, she had longed to meet her true sibling. Yet now, everything seemed like a cruel joke, leaving her wondering how this man could lack any sense of pride, allowing himself to be bossed around by these arrogant hunters.
"I'm telling you to come with me, and I won't say it twice," Kevin muttered under his breath. His voice was so low, only Celeste could hear it.
Celeste paused, unsure if it was a warning or a subtle reminder from Kevin. As she lifted her gaze to observe his stiff shoulders, a sudden realization struck her. Maybe her supposed twin brother despised being treated like a doormat as much as she did.
Her attention then shifted to Kevin's hand gripping the shimmering silver chain. She knew firsthand the searing sensation that silver caused on their skin, just like the burning ache around her own neck. Her gaze trailed up to the collar adorning Kevin's neck, echoing the mocking tone of the cameras and the cautious body language and disdainful expressions of the other werewolves nearby.
At that moment, it dawned on Celeste that Kevin might silently endure the same humiliations she faced, patiently biding his time for the perfect opportunity.
Suppressing a sigh, Celeste pursed her lips and mustered the courage to rise to her feet, surrendering to Kevin's lead as he guided her out of the room.