Shackled But Indomitable: The Queen I Refuse To Become

Since the Lycans took control, everything changed. Every human had to wear the exact same clothes without exception, while the werewolves were free to dress however they wanted. Our uniform never changed. It consisted of a gray long sleeved shirt with a fully buttoned collar, matching gray pants, and plain black shoes. Nothing more.

There was once a girl at school who asked if she could wear a skirt. They punished her in front of everyone. After that, no one ever dared to question the rules again.

After getting dressed, I headed out. The walk to school normally took twenty minutes, but the pain slowed me down so much that it took nearly thirty. By the time I reached the entrance reserved for humans, I already knew I was late.

"Name and grade," the Lycan guarding the gate instructed. He didn't even bother looking at me like I was a person.

As we'd always been taught, I lowered my head.

"Dylan Riley. 12th grade."

He tapped a few times on his tablet before grabbing my arm without warning. Pain flashed across my face as he injected the liquid that removed any trace of wolfsbane from a human's body.

"Go to your classroom. Show up late one more time, and you'll be sent to the gym."

My heart nearly stopped. The "gym" wasn't a place where humans trained. It was where the werewolves practiced combat by using human students.

"Understood," I replied, but my reply came out a little too short.

The moment the word left my mouth, I knew I'd made a mistake.

His eyes turned cold. "Leave before I decide to drag you there myself."

Without saying another word, I gave him a quick nod and walked away. I kept my head lowered as I made my way through the hall toward the human classrooms. Along the way, I passed a single Lycan and didn't dare raise my eyes until I was well beyond him.

When I finally arrived outside my classroom, I knocked on the door and waited.

"Come in," the teacher said.

As I stepped inside, every pair of eyes landed on me.

"Dylan? Why are you here?" a girl asked in surprise.

I forced a tired smile before looking toward the teacher.

"Sorry I'm late."

Mr. Foley slowly shook his head and motioned for me to take my seat. He was about to continue the lesson, but he paused instead.

"You don't have to apologize."

I gave him a thankful nod.

"What happened yesterday?"

A sigh escaped me. I should've expected that question.

"My little brother, Freddie... he showed disrespect to the Alpha. I took the punishment for him."

I gave a small shrug as if none of it mattered.

"What about your mom?" Erin asked from the front row. She sat with the group reserved for humans who had already been claimed by Lycans.

I looked straight at her and tightened my jaw.

"That's not your concern."

Mr. Foley frowned. "Dylan, mind your attitude."

I stayed silent. To me, the humans who had been claimed by Lycans were the worst of all.

Erin had once been my friend. She, Nick, and I used to spend our time together. Then a Lycan chose her as his mate. Less than two days later, his mark was already on her.

There were several others like her in our class. Some of them were even pregnant. Every one of them sat on the left side of the room.

The order of society was simple. The Lycans stood at the top. Beneath them were the humans claimed by Lycans. At the very bottom were people like me.

"We didn't have a choice," Erin said with a shaky voice. "That's just the way things are..."

A bitter laugh slipped out of me.

"No. That's not true. Nothing like that happens without a choice. You made yours, so accept it."

She balled her hands into fists as tears filled her eyes.

"I hope the same thing happens to you. Then you'll finally understand."

I met her eyes without the slightest warmth.

"If a Lycan ever picked me... I'd rather die."

Silence swept through the classroom.

"Dylan, don't say things like that," Mr. Foley said quietly. His expression was filled with unease.

I only shrugged. I meant every word.

"No one's going to do anything to themselves in this classroom. Now let's continue with today's lesson," he said at last.

I had already stopped listening.

"If you say one more word, I'm sending you to the principal's office," he added.

My hands slowly curled into fists.

"They humiliated me in front of everyone because I protected my brother," I said as I rose from my seat. "They shamed me for standing up for him. And we're still expected to obey them? What's the point?"

Nick got to his feet right after me. One by one, the others stood as well. Before long, almost the entire class was standing. Only the humans who had been claimed by Lycans remained seated without saying a word.

"Sit down," Mr. Foley instructed. "I know you're angry, but this isn't the time for it. And I won't allow any of you to turn against our people."

I let out a quiet scoff before sitting down again. The rest of the class slowly followed.

"Don't call them 'our people,'" I muttered.

Erin broke down in tears. The pregnant student gently rested a hand over her stomach. Meanwhile, Gary, another human who had been claimed by a Lycan, kept staring nervously at the classroom door.

That was when the loudspeaker suddenly came to life.

"Attention, human students." The principal's voice echoed through the speakers.

I lifted my head a little.

"Tomorrow is the birthday of the Alpha twins. A ceremony will be held in their honor."

Just great.

Adrian and Arya. The two people I hated most.

"Attendance is mandatory for every student. Human students will stand on the left. Lycan students will stand on the right. Humans who have been claimed will stand at the front."

Quiet whispers spread across the classroom.

"It's been three years since they held a gathering like this," Nick whispered.

My hands slowly curled into fists.

"They're only doing this to put us on display. It's also the perfect chance for those idiots to choose their mates," I muttered.

The twins were about to turn seventeen. That was the age when everything changed for Lycans.

And if someone in this room ended up getting involved...

No.

It wouldn't be me.

I wasn't going to accept that kind of future.

My life belonged to me. I wouldn't let anyone take that away.

"Mama? I'm home!"

The moment I stepped through the front door, I heard hurried footsteps rushing down the stairs. She appeared almost at once and wrapped me in a tight hug. Tears had already filled her eyes.

"Dylan... I... I'm so sorry about yesterday. I stayed by your side for so long, but you never woke up... I had to go check on Freddie..."

Her voice broke before she buried her face against my shoulder and cried. I glanced upward, feeling a little awkward. I was never comfortable with too much affection. When it came to Mom, she always went a little overboard.

"It's okay, Mama."

After a few moments, she finally settled down. She wiped the tears from her cheeks before taking a step back.

"Your father would've been proud of you... proud of the person you've become."

I gave her a faint smile but didn't say anything. Then I turned and started toward the stairs.

"Dylan... I made your favorite."

I'd already recognized the smell before she mentioned it. It was beef broth. The scent alone told me what it was. That kind of meal was a rare treat in our home. We almost never had it because it cost too much, unless someone managed to find another way to get the ingredients. I gave a small nod, knowing how much effort she'd put into making it.

"Thank you."

A gentle smile appeared on her face before she went back into the kitchen.

Things between us had never been simple. We rarely talked, and we didn't really understand each other. Even so, the bond between us never disappeared. She couldn't accept my rebellious nature, and I had a hard time accepting how easily she gave in. She'd always dreamed of having a kind, obedient daughter who believed in the same things she did. Instead, she ended up with me. I was nothing like the daughter she'd hoped for.