Chapter 1 Candy Shop

• Eloisa’s POV
• “Rule number 1: Do not disobey your master.”
• The sound of a whip hitting the flesh echoed through my head. I was forced to watch Mama punish my cellmate while reciting the rules we were forced to follow.
• Layla was bought by someone from a prestigious pack a few days ago, only to be returned by the buyer who didn’t just demand a refund but also left a bad review about Mama’s goods. It was Layla who suffered the most in this arrangement but she was also the one who got punished.
• “You should have listened to your master no matter what! Just look at how terrified the others are because of you! If not because of the bad review your master gave the shop, the other girls could be sold for a hefty price!” Mama continued whipping Layla at her back. She had been repeating the same thing for an hour, expressing frustration to my poor cellmate.
• I thought I could bear the scene if I just closed my eyes and covered my ears, but as soon as blood started dripping off Layla’s skin—its metallic scent pervaded my nostrils, the horrible event from the past began replaying in my head.
• As an orphan, I grew up in a place that barely offered good shelter and food. A piece of moldy bread and rancid milk was enough for me and the others to survive. No one complained about our sorry situation since even the orphanage director ate the same thing we did, slept in a similar old bed, and lived in the same rundown building.
• It was hard but most of us grew up with dreams, all thanks to the orphanage director who taught us life could be better as long as we don’t give up. Time passed and I turned eighteen, a perfect age to find a better job and help the younger kids in the orphanage. I just landed a good job at a nearby restaurant then, when the werewolves attacked and ultimately won the war against us humans, resulting in their race ruling over us.
• In the blink of an eye, humans became slaves to the superior race of werewolves.
• The orphanage I called home was burned down, leaving nothing but ashes and memories dear to me. I had no idea if the director and the children survived. I didn’t even want to think what could have happened to them.
• I was caught by the rogues while running in the chaotic street that day and was soon sold to Mama who ran a ‘candy’ shop. The shop was called a candy shop but there wasn’t a piece of candy sold. Mama wanted to make her ‘goods’ sound sweet so she added the word ‘candy’, referring to the young and innocent girls she was selling as slaves.
• In the ‘candy’ shop, we were fed at least two times a day with minimal food and clean water that barely kept us alive. Mama said we shouldn’t gain weight as it would disgust the future masters we’re going to serve.
• “Candy number 72! Sweetie, can you hear me?”
• My train of thought was interrupted when Mama grabbed me by the hair. She shot daggers at me while awaiting my response.
• “Can you hear me?” Mama asked one more, glaring. If looks could kill, I would have been already dead.
• I nodded my head, but knowing it wasn’t enough, I answered, “Yes, Mama.”
• “Follow me for your physical examination. You’ll be included in the next sale if things go well with your result. Hurry!” Mama led the way outside the underground prison.
• I walked behind her, watching my steps. This would be my third time going outside of the cell since two years ago when Mama bought me. My heart was pounding hard in my chest as I saw the light I had not seen for a while.
• The room above the prison was the dressing room. It was an average size with a clean floor and flashy curtains hanging by the windows. Some girls were called to clean this place every other day, maintaining the place and the shop next door.
• “Take off your clothes,” Mama ordered as she stood on the side, holding a measuring tape.
• I obeyed, stepping out of the white dress I was wearing. Mama gestured for me to come close, so I did. Her hands rummaged through every curve of my body. She pressed, pinched, and slapped my rear and bosom. A satisfied smile crept on her face when she saw them jiggle.
• “You’d be a perfect beauty if not for your height. You’re too short to stand next to the high-rankers so I assume you’d only end up as their maidservant or bed warmer. What a shame,” Mama muttered, shaking her head in dismay.
• “Just need at least two baths a day and we’ll get rid of that awful smell of yours. Come on, open your mouth. Let me see what’s in there,” Mama instructed, her fingers holding my chin up.
• She raised the flashlight to check what’s inside my mouth. Her expression turned sour for a moment and said, “Brush your teeth five times a day and you’ll be good. Be lucky you don’t have any rotting teeth or I’ll be using my pliers right away to get rid of them.”
• I let out a sigh of relief hearing what Mama said. She wasn’t joking about the pliers. I saw her do it with another girl before. I never saw that girl again after Mama took almost all of her teeth that were rotting.
• Mama checked the time on her watch before dragging me to the examination bed. “Lie down and spread your legs. I need to make sure I’m selling clean and healthy goods,” she said, wearing her gloves. “Pull up your knees. I needed a better look.”
• I’d never been examined like this. The other girls said that this only happened when Mama made up her mind to sell us. Checking our bodies thoroughly helped her decide about our price.
• “Oh! You’re a virgin. I must be lucky to get my hands on you before those rogues discover you’re a treasure. If only you’re a little taller,” Mama sighed but smiled the next second. “You’ll be available for display in three days. Let’s proceed to the dorm and find you a vacant bed. You’re not going back to the cell tonight.”
• Mama led me to the dorm and showed me the available beds to choose from. In the end, she was the one who decided where I should sleep.
• Chill ran through my spine as I followed Mama to the other side of the building after cleaning up myself. I would rather stay in the cell than live in the dorm. While most girls thought living above was the best, I couldn’t just agree.
• “Take care of yourself and remember the rules. I don’t want to waste my energy whipping you like I did with your cellmate once you misbehave. Do you understand?” Mama asked, lifting my chin with her long fingernails.
• Nodding, I answered, “Understood, Mama.”
• “Good. Sleep well, sweetie.” Mama caressed my cheek before exiting the room.
• A long and deep sigh escaped my lips. In the next three days, I might be sold. Even though the bed was comfortable, I couldn’t fall asleep.
• My thoughts kept me awake all night. I wasn’t sure what to do until I heard a strange sound coming from outside. I knew I shouldn’t go anywhere but my curiosity beat me to it.
• Slowly, I got out of bed and tried to open the door but failed. It was locked. I looked behind me and saw the window. Just like the door, it was also locked, although I could see the empty and dim street outside. Mama didn’t even give me a chance to escape.
• I was about to give up when a long mournful cry was heard. I was stunned on my feet while having goosebumps, trying to comprehend the meaning behind the unusual painful cry.
• A few moments later, the howling stopped. I sighed in relief when suddenly, a pair of golden eyes glared at me through the window. My heart skipped a beat before I could take a step back.
• The sound of the shattered glass made me squeal in surprise. I retreated, step by step, holding my breath until my back hit the door. I hated to admit it but Mama was the only one who could help me. She might be a pimp but at least she’d protect her ‘goods’ in danger.
• My eyes widened as I watched a 6-foot-tall creature hunched its back to enter through the broken window. Its body was covered with black, thick, and coarse fur. Its distinct wolf-like face made me realize something important.
• “A werewolf,” I whispered.
• The beast stopped before me, his glowing eyes locked with mine. “Who are you?” he asked.