Kiss the Stranger

What happened?

I was confused for a moment, then I pulled myself together and looked around the cage. Turning back, I gasped. The thick iron bars were all bent inward. Someone had forced them aside and escaped. And that someone had to be Kamar. The lingering sweet scent was proof above all.
Relief at Kamar’s escape was mixed with fresh panic. It was good if he’d run off alone—but I couldn’t have him wandering the manor looking for me.
My impatience boiled over. Clutching Rikal, I turned to leave. This wasn’t the time to stand around. I had to find Kamar. I bolted up the stairs, but my foot caught and I fell. My head spun with the thud, but there was no time to lie there. I staggered to my feet and raced on.

Kamar.
I seized the doorknob and threw open the door. Bright light flooded the hall.
“…!”

I had to shield my eyes or be blinded. Dizzy, I stopped—then heard a voice.
“Where are you rushing off to like this?”
The tone was almost gentle, but I recognized it. Uncle. I lowered my hand and a blurred shape came into view. I swallowed.

“…Uncle.”
He grinned, reached out—and slapped me so hard I saw stars. I hit the floor before I realized I’d been struck. Only then did I remember I’d dropped Rikal. But there was no time to think—Uncle grabbed my collar, hauled me up, and slapped my other cheek. He held me by the collar and slapped me again and again.
“Ugh—!”
Blood spurted as my lip split, but he didn’t stop until I tasted it in my mouth. Then he tossed me aside like trash, and I landed on the floor with a thud.

“…ugh…”
I could only moan. Uncle crouched over me.
“Why are you skulking around someone else’s house like a rat, huh?”

His words lodged themselves in my mind before the pain did. He flicked my forehead with a finger, sending my head spinning, over and over. Finally he gripped my hair, hauled me upright, and slapped me again—once, twice, a brutal cascade of blows.
“Please… I’m sorry…”
I had no words, only silent tears. He spat contemptuously, then kicked me in the head.

“Die already, you worthless thing. I should’ve let you die with your brother. I kept you alive out of pity—this is how you repay me?”
His boot hammered my side. Pain flared with each kick. I could only gasp apologies.
“Please… I’ll do anything… just stop… I’m sorry…”

He kicked my stomach so hard I bit my tongue—flesh tore, blood filled my mouth. I choked back a sob, and only when I saw Rikal’s frantic face did Uncle scream.

“Get that damned cat off me!”
Rikal leapt at Uncle, claws raking his face. Uncle swung his palm and struck the cat away.

“Rikal!”
I cried, but it was useless. Uncle drew back his foot to kick again—so I caught his leg and begged.
“Please… don’t hurt him… I’ll obey… whatever you say…”

But that only made him angrier. He shook me off and kicked me again.
“Obedient? You dare block my way? You and that filthy cat deserve to die!”
He pummeled me until my vision blurred. Thoughts of ordering Rikal to escape died in my throat. Darkness crept in, and I lost consciousness.
Crack. Darkness and pain tugged me back. Uncle’s slap to my face jolted me awake.

“If you disobey me again, don’t think this will end with slaps. I’ll break your ears off if you try to run. Got it?”
Terrified, I nodded until my head spun. He raised his hand again, but paused.
“All right. I’ll let you off this once. But you will not leave this room again, do you understand?”

I nodded so hard I could barely breathe. He turned away. Aunt followed behind him.
“You hit him so hard—tomorrow the inspector comes. What will he think when he sees this?”
“He’ll have to reschedule,” Uncle ground out, and they left, locking the door. Silence fell.

…Ah.
Dizziness swirled, and I sank to the floor. My head throbbed from the beating. Leaning against the wall, I tried to steady my breathing and felt the bruises bloom on my cheek and ribs.
What about Kamar?

I dared not ask. If he’d escaped, it was better I not risk calling attention. Rikal—where was he? I pictured him hurt and felt tears sting my eyes. Pain flared in my side, trapping me in silence.
Ha…
I sighed. Then I thought I heard footsteps outside. My blurred vision sharpened at the sound—at least four of them approaching. My heart froze. The lock rattled, and the door swung open.

“Well, looks like you painted the place red.”
Salman swaggered in, followed by men. One sneered down at me.
“So this is the omega?”

Salman nodded, smirking.

“Shame. He was a pretty one, but he pissed off my father….”
He smiled coldly at me.
“But his hole’s intact, so whatever.”

Another man frowned.
“Aren’t you overdoing it? How can you fuck him after that?”
A third guy laughed.

“If you’re worried, we should help—clean him out using our dicks.”
They laughed, and I realized they meant to sexually assault me again. There was nowhere to flee. My legs shook uncontrollably.
Salman stepped forward, grabbed my hair, and yanked me upright.

“Open his mouth.”
He spat orders as they surrounded me. Panic seized me; I couldn’t move or speak. They stripped off their pants and approached, leering.
“Come on, open wide.”

I could only stare, too terrified to cry out. Hands pinned my arms and legs. I felt hot streams of urine wash over me—Salman peeing on me.
“Gross, man,” someone said. “He’s soaked already.”
They laughed as the rest joined in, relieving themselves on me. The stench made me gag, but they shoveled my mouth open to wash it out.

“Alpha’s wish for a clean oral start, right?”
I tasted bile as they forced me to swallow.
They took turns humiliating me.

When it was my turn, my vision blurred with tears and adrenaline. I couldn’t stop shaking. Then someone let out a strangled scream—Salman. He staggered back, clutching his crotch. A familiar figure lunged forward, blade flashing. In a spray of blood, a man fell face-first.
“Kamar!”
I whispered his name, stunned, as he fought through the attackers. They screamed, stumbling back as Kamar’s blade struck again and again—one throat slit, another midriff split, until they lay broken and dying.

“Kamar.”
I managed to speak, my voice trembling. He sheathed his blade and dropped to his knees beside me, pulling me close.
“I’m sorry I’m late. Are you okay?”

He held me as I pressed my forehead to his shoulder.
“I’m… I’m fine.”
I tried to smile, but pain twisted my face. Then I saw a shadow move behind him and cried out.

“Kamar…!”
Blood sprayed again as another attacker fell.