CHAPTER 240: CHAPTER 240 PAINFUL PRISON LIFE

Howard’s POV

One month in this hellhole, and I’m still wondering how everything went so wrong. My plan was flawless! For years I siphoned millions from Thorne Enterprises without anyone noticing. But when I made my final move, everything crumbled.

All because of that worthless bitch Caroline. She ruined everything the night Draven’s parents died. He was supposed to die too, but he was with that stupid girl. That was when my troubles began.

Now I’m rotting in the Alpha Council’s detention facility, this filthy cesspool they call a prison. I couldn’t even finish Draven off properly. I shot him in the chest, and as I aimed for his head, that bitch Caroline shot my hand. The bullet went wild, hitting him in the chest instead of blowing his brains out. If she hadn’t interfered, that arrogant Alpha would be a corpse by now.

Then that investigator Magnus shot me in the leg. At the hospital, doctors said the bullet had shattered, destroying nerves and blood vessels beyond repair. They amputated my entire leg near the groin, making a prosthetic impossible. I was stuck with crutches, and my wounded hand was nearly useless.

After surgery, they transferred me to this prison’s infirmary. Once I stabilized, they threw me into a filthy cell with three rough-looking inmates. The Alpha Council makes sure we get daily injections to suppress our wolves. I can’t even feel mine anymore. They’ve taken everything from me.

My first night was a nightmare I never imagined possible. When I told one of them to mind his own business, calling him a worthless bastard, he and the others taught me a painful lesson about prison hierarchy. They raped me repeatedly while the others held me down. After that, I became their property. They took turns with me nightly and even offered me to other inmates as payment. Four weeks of daily violation. After begging the warden constantly, he finally transferred me to another wing.

Yesterday I arrived at the new wing. My new cell had three strangers who thankfully kept their distance. During yard time, I leaned against a wall, surveying the barbed wire and guard posts. The guards watched from the perimeter, never entering the yard itself.

"Well, look who’s blessed us with his presence!" A familiar voice made me turn. Marcus stood there with Leo and Kai beside him.

"Boys! Thank God, familiar faces!" Relief washed over me. Finally, allies in this nightmare.

"Evil One, what happened? Looking rough without that leg. Like a sad, one-legged ghost!" Kai’s mocking tone cut through my momentary hope.

"Things didn’t exactly go according to plan," I admitted.

"No shit," Leo smirked. "We heard all about your failure."

"I offered to get you backup," Kai reminded me. "But you insisted on working alone. Look where that got you."

"And you know what’s worse?" Marcus’s eyes glittered dangerously. "You left your friends hanging while you played big shot out there. That’s not how pack works, Howard."

Other inmates began forming a circle around us. The guards made no move to intervene. My stomach dropped.

"Come on, Marcus, I was desperate out there," I pleaded. "I had to go underground."

"Yeah, we heard. But you could’ve helped us too," Marcus said casually. "Word is you even abandoned your daughter. What kind of father does that?"

"Watch your tone," I growled, though it lacked any power without my wolf. "You know what I’m capable of."

"I do know you, Howard," Marcus stepped closer. "I know exactly what a dirty rat you are. But things are different here. You’re not the big bad Storm Valley Pack elder anymore. You’re just another broken wolf."

He signaled to someone behind me. Suddenly my crutches were kicked away. I collapsed, barely catching myself with my injured hand. Looking up, I saw Leo and Kai, each holding one of my crutches, their faces contorted with fury. Marcus crouched beside me, smiling.

"Like I said, you’re nothing special here. But me?" He stood and spread his arms. "I run this place now. Have fun, boys."

Marcus walked away as the crowd closed in. I tried to crawl away but couldn’t move fast enough with my useless leg and damaged hand. They beat me until darkness claimed me, the guards watching impassively.

I woke in the infirmary, every inch of me screaming in agony. My eyes were swollen nearly shut. A doctor approached, not bothering to hide his disgust.

"One broken arm, three fractured ribs, four knocked-out teeth," he listed. "Multiple contusions and lacerations requiring sutures. You’ll spend a week here before returning to general population. And we only have acetaminophen for pain. Alpha Council doesn’t waste good medicine on serious offenders."

"Howard Ashford, you’re nothing but trouble," the warden appeared beside me. "In a week, you’ll leave the infirmary. I’m feeling generous, so I’ll let you choose —back to your old wing, your original cell, or solitary?"

"S-solitary," I managed through swollen lips. Anything had to be better than returning to the general population.

"Fine. But don’t come crying later." As he turned to leave, he added, "Oh, and we don’t have dental services here. Alpha Council doesn’t provide those luxuries to wolves who betray their kind. Enjoy your new toothless smile!"

A week later, they dragged me to solitary. The cell was basically a concrete box with a thin mattress on a slab and a hole in the floor for a toilet. I had to stand to wash with the meager water ration they provided in plastic bottles. No bars, just a solid metal door with a small window that opened only at mealtimes. A tiny hole high on the wall provided the only natural light.

Solitary meant no yard time, no interaction with anyone. Complete isolation.

I’m truly in hell. According to the Council’s legal representative, I have no chance of release for at least forty years. By then, I’ll be long dead.

Every day I hate the Thornes more intensely. My plan should have worked perfectly. That bitch Caroline ruined everything by stepping into my path. If she hadn’t interfered, if she hadn’t shot my hand, Draven would be dead now. Instead, I’m rotting here while they live their perfect little life.

I’ll hate them until my dying breath.