Page 2 of Beast

Matias steps forward, the smirk growing wider. “Why don’t we make them?—”

“No.” Taren’s voice slices through Matias’s suggestion like a knife through silk before he can even say it. “That’s not what they’re here for.”

Matias bristles at the interruption, his jaw clenching. “But?—”

Taren turns to him, a silent threat emanating from him. “They’re here to learn obedience and submission,” he says firmly. “Not to be playthings for your amusement.”

The tension ratchets up another notch. And I find myself holding my breath. What is with these three? Clearly there’s some unresolved issues as to who exactly is in charge. I sense that we’re merely pawns on their chessboard. Nothing more than a game.

Glancing up briefly, I notice Thiago scowl but he remains silent, his arms crossed over his chest.

“Now,” Taren continues, returning his gaze to us with that unreadable expression and forcing me to bow my head again. “You will obey my commands without question or hesitation.”

The statement hangs heavy in the air. My friends fear is so acute I can practically feel the weight of it in the air.

We nod mutely, compliance is our only option if we want to survive this hell. My heart pounds against my ribcage like a caged bird desperate for freedom.

Taren walks around us, assessing our submission with a predator’s keen gaze. His presence feels oppressive—a weight I can’t shake off no matter how hard I try.

“Stand up,” he barks.

All of us scramble to our feet quickly. He barks more orders at us, turn around, hands behind your back, stand on one foot and we all follow them mechanically like animals forced to perform at a circus. It’s dehumanizing. We’re nothing more than objects to shape into submissive creatures with no minds of our own.

Deep down, beneath my fear, a spark of defiance burns within me. Sure that nothing they could do to me will ever snub it out and I’ll cling to it as long as I’m breathing.

Thiago steps forward, a predatory glint in his eyes. “Now, on your backs,” he commands, his tone laced with amusement. “Spread those thighs for us as that’s the position you’ll be in most of the time once someone buys you.”

Thiago’s words send a spike of dread shooting through me. Just like yesterday they want to humiliate us.

How on earth did we end up here?

Nothing more than cattle to be sold at market. The thought of some tyrant purchasing me or my friends fills me with a primal fear—fear that surpasses being here, because at least here I’m with my friends.

“Fucking bastards,” I mutter under my breath, my hands balling into fists at my sides while rage floods me. “This is so humiliating.” Hesitation rules me, that stubborn flame kicking into life. Spreading my legs for these men—no monsters– is degrading and disgusting. All I want to do is lash out and hurt them in some way, but I know they’ll make our lives a living hell if I do.

Matias, the unhinged one, approaches with a violent delight flashing in his dark brown eyes. He loves this. I noticed it yesterday. This man feeds off our pain and humiliation.

“Do you want me to force you into that position?” he taunts, his voice dripping with malice. “Because if I do, I can’t promise I won’t fuck your tight little cunt in the process.”

My stomach churns at his words. This is the kind of man he is—a predator, a monster who takes pleasure in the suffering of others. I can feel the heat rise to my cheeks, a mix of anger and fear coursing through me and something else I can’t quite name.

Before I can respond, Taren steps forward, his expression grim. “Stop it, Matias,” he commands, his voice authoritative. “You’re not going to do that to her, and she’s going to do as she’s told.” His gaze moves to me and sends shivers down my spine. “Aren’t you, Blake?”

I nod and breathe a sigh of relief, despite knowing it’ll be short lived. Taren is here right now to be a buffer between me and Matias, but the look in Matias eyes suggests he isn’t finished with me. The thought sends a shiver down my spine.

“Lie down and spread your thighs,” Taren repeats.

My mind races with strategies on how to survive this place while I lower myself to the ground. I need to be smart, not just strong. Humiliation spreads through me when I spread my legs, noticing the dark flash in Matias’ eyes as he watches me.

Fuck.

I close my eyes while I lie there, exposed and vulnerable. The rough and cold concrete floor scraping against my back is a stark reminder of my place here and how powerless I truly am.

Taren circles us slowly, inspecting our submission. My stomach churns as his eyes rake over me, forcing me to fight the urge to cross my arms over my chest. That would only anger him, so I remain still, my thighs spread wide.

“Good,” he says finally, his voice betraying no emotion. “You’re learning quickly. A compliant slave will be highly valued.”

His words make my skin crawl. I’m not a slave, I’m a human fucking being. But I bite my tongue and say nothing. There’s no point arguing with these monsters.

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